How Deep Are You Rooted?
Mark 4:3-9 “Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony…
Mark 4:3-9 …ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root…
Mark 4:3-9 …it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and…
Mark 4:3-9 …increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”
Jesus later explains the parable to the disciples in Mark 4:13-20
Mark 4:13-20 “And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown…
Mark 4:13-20 …but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who…
Mark 4:13-20 …when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or…
Mark 4:13-20 …persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of…
Mark 4:13-20 …this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground…
Mark 4:13-20 …such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred”
All plants must have a good deep root system if there is to be any yield.
In order for a plant to establish a good, deep, mature root system it must have good soil.
A plant also needs nourishment from the soil, sun and water, protection and care from other invasive plants and insects wanting to devour them.
This is a description of Satan. He waits to devour the weak Christian.
We can liken our lives to the plant.
We must plant our roots in God (prayer and repentance) and seek nourishment and protection (Word of God) from Him.
Both prayer and study are necessary for growth. One without the other is like having sunshine but no rain, the plant will die.
The devil would rather have us withered or choked out.
God prefers we become fruitful, mature Christians and inherit eternal life.
How Deep Are You Rooted?
Col 1:10 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God”
Heb 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name”
John 15:8-14 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments…
John 15:8-14 …ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might…
John 15:8-14 …be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you”
The faithful assembly with likeminded Christians will help keep us from becoming victims of the devil.
The process of growing and maturing is a lifelong process that should never stop.
The stronger the root system, the more ability a plant will have to withstand trials and attacks from wind, drought, etc…
Plants with deeper roots are able to reach rich nourishment and moisture that will last through the dry days of temptation.
The same goes for the Christian.
1 Cor 3:6-8 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase…
1 Cor 3:6-8 …Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour”
Rom 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”
Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”
Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”
Phil 2:11 “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”
Gal 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ”
Hear Believe Repent Confess Baptized