Rooted Series
Rooted • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Plant
Plant
The seed of the gospel is available to all. It is sown generously no matter the heart condition of the individual. Its ability to take root and grow when planted is dependent on the condition of the “soil” of one’s heart.
“God, we believe the harvest is ready. Prepare hearts to hear and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. May it take root and produce a crop that is far beyond our comprehension.”
Main Scriptural Text: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Supplemental Scriptural Text: Matthew 13:15, Mark 8:35, John 16:33, Luke 21:34, Proverbs 4:23
Introduction
(Illustration idea) As the congregation arrives, offer them each a seed of some sort to take and keep in their hands during the worship experience. Consider the size of the seed that you want. Choose one that is large enough to not drop and lose. Begin your message by giving a personal story about a time you planted a seed of some sort in your yard, garden or pot. Talk about the care and concern needed to grow a small seed into a plant. Pinpoint the necessary aspects for growth- like water, sunlight and soil.
Today, we begin a new series called Rooted.
PLANT, GROW, PRUNE, HARVEST
Mt Zion is described as a tall oak tree- every tree starts with a seed… and if conditions are right it will grow and BEAR FRUIT, if the conditions every changed…. it will die!
So our question must becomes is MT Zion, as this old oak tree, still vital/healthy and producing fruit? Or are are we diseased and in the process of dying?…. the answer really depends upon what we are Rooted in…. what we are connected too!
Psalm 1:3 says that a person “rooted” in their faith shall be,
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
In order for a seed to grow and ultimately prosper it must first be planted. A seed is generally planted in soil and the quality of the soil has immeasurable effect on the growth of the seed.
(Illustration idea) Have a small pot with a plant in it that you can reference throughout the series. In this case you could be pointing to the soil in the pot, running soil through your hands, etc… to help the congregation make the connection to the seed and the soil.
To begin our series we will be talking about the planting of the seed and the quality of the soil.
Main Teaching/Body
In the Parable of the Sower Jesus says;
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Eight verses later in Matthew, Jesus explains the meaning of the parable to the disciples
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Jesus gives us 4 different scenarios of seed being spread in this parable. He explains that the seed is the Word, the good news shared with others. The soil is the heart of a person, where the seed of the good news can take root. Jesus makes clear that the problems in the parable don’t occur with the seed, but the problems arise depending on what kind of soil the seed falls onto.
Let’s take a look at the 4 different types of soil described in the parable of the sower.
TheWayside/ Path- Not Interested, A hardened or oblivious heart is a barren wasteland. (Matthew 13:19)
Some are opposed to the good news and there are those that are oblivious to it. Whether by personal volition or innocent omission, this parable is clear that seed will not grow where there is inhospitable soil. In fact, the enemy will come and snatch the seed away because he doesn’t want the seed to have any opportunity to take root and grow in a person’s life. This kind of soil will never reproduce because it cannot reproduce. Happens so often to us church folk…. lets say the Word and HS convicts us through a lesson or a sermon. Maybe of an idol we have (cell phone) BUT as soon as we leave it’s like that conviction is gone WE REASON NO THAT WAS ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE …. the enemy is much at word but when you think about it we have hardened our hearts HOW BY REJECTION THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND REBELLING AGAINS GOD….. SIN! WE ARE MAKING THE SOIL OF OUR HEART LIKE THE WAYSIDE PATH- HARDENED AND BARREN!
The Rocks, Too Shallow- A troubled heart produces shallow roots. (Matthew 13:20-21)
Here the person appears to have received the good news. Often respond by praying a simple prayer and join a church. Life is a long, and at times, difficult journey. A heart that is troubled by the obstacles and adversity of life will fail to produce deep roots. These individuals have an interest in the Gospel and even seem to embrace it at the beginning of the journey. However, over time without tending to the growth of the seed of the Gospel they will fall away during the tough times and tribulations that all disciples of Christ experience. Jesus actually warned us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) YOU SEE THIS REALLY REVEALS TO US THAT THE ROOTS - WHAT WE ARE CONNECTED TO IS NOT JESUS CHRIST BUT INSTEAD IS THE WORLD… AND IT WILL NTO HOLD UP!
Shallow roots will not sustain a person through the adverse and difficult seasons of life. It takes deep and strong roots growing in healthy soil to weather the stormy seasons.
The Thorns, too busy, A distracted heart bears no fruit (Matthew 13:22)
A distracted heart cannot grow the roots needed to sustain life. A heart that cares more for the things of the world than for the things of the Kingdom is not the healthy soil necessary to experience kingdom growth. Money, status, popularity, and other worldly endeavors choke out the ability of the seed to get the nutrients and care necessary to grow roots. WE HEAR THE WORD AND HS CONVICTS AND WE MAKE UP OUR MIND TO MAKE SOME CHANGES- YES LORD I HEAR YOU AND IM GONNA DO BETTER…. BUT JUST AS SOON AS WE GO OUT THE DOOR- BOOM A THORNBUSH GROWS UP-=——- A DISTRACTION OF THIS WORLD GRABS US AND STARTS CHOKING OUT THE WORKING OF THE WORD
PLANTS COMPETE FOR NUTRIENTS- TIME WITH GOD,,,,, THE THORNS COMPETE WITH OUR TIME WITH GOD
Unhealthy and distracted soil is not the place for seed to grow, and definitely not the place to find a harvest of healthy fruit.
Good soil- fruitful, A fertile heart sustains life (Matthew 13:23)
A heart that is fertile is one that readily accepts the Gospel seed and does the hard work of nurturing it to grow. This heart is one that is open to the Truth of God’s Word and open to the transformation that will take place. This heart is made ready by the prompting of the Holy Spirit AND the participation of the individual. This heart does not just experience growth for themselves, but actually impacts those around them.
Healthy soil is where seeds have the most opportunity to grow into life giving plants, trees, etc… For instance, a single healthy apple tree can bear enough fruit to feed dozens of people. It’s shade gives rest to those who pass by on hot days. It’s flowers nourish thousands of pollinators every spring. And it’s seed spreads and multiplies into an immeasurable amount of other apple trees over the course of its lifetime.
YOU SEE WE, IF WE ARE SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY WILL PRODUCE FRUIT! NOT MIGHT BUT WILL…. THE PURPOSE OF FRUIT IS MULTIPLICATION- FRUIT CONTAINS THE SEEDS THIS MEANS AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST YOU WILL HAVE EVIDENCE IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU ARE LEADING OTHERS TO BE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST ALSO- THIS IS FOR EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN…. NOT JUST THE PREACHER, OR MISSIONARY
A TREE DOESN’T DEPEND ON THE OTHER TREES AROUND IT TO PRODUCE FRUIT ON ITS BEHALF! IT PRODUCES ITS OWN!
Conclusion/Application
What kind of soil describes your heart today?
Are you indifferent to the good news of Jesus Christ? Are you needing to spend some time on the condition of your heart so that the seed of the gospel can grow deep and healthy roots? Are you distracted? Are there too many things in your life clamoring for your attention and care?
If you’ve ever had an earthly garden you know the effort it takes to grow and sustain life in the garden. It’s no different with the eternal garden of your heart where the divine seeds of the gospel and the kingdom are trying to grow. They need healthy soil and consistent care.
What can you do this next week to strengthen the soil of your heart?
Dedicated time in prayer. Removal of distractions, no TV, no sleeping in too late, no social media. Dedicated time every morning in the Word. Meet with a pastor or church leader to discuss past hurts that are presently hindering your growth.
