Rooted In Christ

My Bible; My Help; My Hope

Rooted In Christ

Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV)

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Introduction

Are you glad to be in the House of the Lord today?

Today is National Back to Church Sunday.

Today is the day we are reminded about the importance of being connected to the church, the body of Christ, the Kingdom of God.

When we gather in the house of the Lord, we're not just fulfilling a Sunday obligation.

We're not just ticking off a box on our weekly to-do list.

We're here for a purpose.

We're here because we have a role to play in the body of Christ.

We're here because we are part of a community of believers, a family of faith, a fellowship of disciples.

Our gathering is not a mere social event.

It's a spiritual assembly.

It's a divine appointment.

It's a sacred gathering.

We're here to meet with God, to commune with Him, to connect with Him.

We're here to hear from Him, to learn from Him, to be led by Him.

We're here to worship Him, to adore Him, to glorify Him.

We're here to sing praises, to offer prayers, to share testimonies.

We're here to read the Scriptures, to listen to the sermon, to partake in the sacraments.

We're here to encourage one another, to edify one another, to exhort one another.

Our gathering is not a casual affair.

It's a solemn assembly.

It's a reverent gathering.

We're here to honor God, to reverence Him, to exalt Him.

We're here to acknowledge His lordship, to submit to His authority, to yield to His sovereignty.

We're here to confess our sins, to seek His forgiveness, to receive His grace.

Our gathering is not a self-centered activity.

It's a Christ-centered gathering.

It's a God-focused assembly.

It's a Spirit-led fellowship.

We're here to focus on God, to center on Christ, to be led by the Spirit.

We're here to seek God's will, to follow Christ's example, to obey the Spirit's prompting.

We're here to live for God, to serve Christ, to walk in the Spirit.

Our gathering is not an isolated event.

It's a connected experience.

It's a relational interaction.

We're here to connect with others, to relate with others, to interact with others.

We're here to love one another, to bear one another's burdens, to forgive one another.

We're here to serve one another, to help one another, to build up one another.

We're here to fulfill God's purpose, to accomplish His plan, to advance His kingdom.

We're here to grow in faith, to mature in love, to persevere in hope.

We're here to bear fruit, to make disciples, to shine as lights.

Our gathering is not a temporary arrangement.

It's a lifelong commitment.

It's an eternal investment.

It's a perpetual covenant.

We're here to commit to God, to invest in His kingdom, to covenant with His people.

We're here to persevere in faith, to endure in love, to hope in Christ.

We're here to stand firm, to hold fast, to press on.

To stand, hold fast, and press on we must surrender to Christ.

Our scripture says, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord."

Receiving Christ is a conscious decision to acknowledge Christ as Lord, to submit to His authority, and to align our lives with His teachings.

Every day, we are called to reaffirm our reception of Christ as Lord, to renew our commitment to His lordship, and to reorient our lives around His teachings.

This reception of Christ as Lord is not just about acknowledging His authority, but also about experiencing His transformative power.

When we receive Christ as Lord, we are not merely adding a new title to His name.

We are inviting Him to take control of our lives, to shape our character, to guide our decisions, and to influence our actions.

This transformative power is not something we can achieve on our own.

It is a divine work, initiated by God, sustained by His grace, and accomplished through His Spirit.

The second aspect of this surrender is found in the phrase "continue to live your lives in him."

This is not a call to a static existence, but to a dynamic, growing relationship with Christ.

It's a call to abide in Him, to remain connected to Him, to draw nourishment from Him, and to bear fruit for Him.

This abiding in Christ is not a solitary endeavor, but a communal experience.

It involves not only our personal relationship with Christ, but also our relationships with other believers.

As we live our lives in Christ, we are called to encourage one another, to bear one another's burdens, and to spur one another on towards love and good deeds.

This abiding in Christ is not just about maintaining a connection with Him, but also about experiencing His life-giving power.

When we abide in Christ, we are not merely staying close to Him.

We are drawing life from Him, growing in Him, and bearing fruit through Him.

This life-giving power is not something we can generate on our own.

It is a divine gift, given by God, sustained by His grace, and manifested through His Spirit.

The Greek word used for "live" in this passage literally means to walk around or to conduct oneself.

It is used in the New Testament to describe the way a person lives or behaves.

In Ephesians 4:1, Paul uses the same word when he urges the Ephesians to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received."

In Galatians 5:16, he uses it to encourage the Galatians to "live by the Spirit."

So to live in Christ is not just about believing in Him, but also about behaving like Him.

It's about walking in His ways, conducting ourselves according to His teachings, and living a life that reflects His character.

The third aspect of this surrender is found in the phrase "rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught."

This is not a call to a shallow faith, but to a deep, grounded, growing faith.

It's a call to be rooted in Christ, to be built up in Him, to be strengthened in the faith, and to be overflowing with thankfulness.

This deepening of our faith is not a solitary endeavor, but a communal experience.

It involves not only our personal relationship with Christ, but also our relationships with other believers.

As we deepen our faith in Christ, we are called to learn from one another, to support one another, and to encourage one another.

This deepening of our faith is not just about increasing our knowledge of Christ, but also about experiencing His empowering presence.

When we deepen our faith in Christ, we are not merely learning about Him.

We are experiencing His presence, growing in His grace, and being strengthened by His Spirit.

This empowering presence is not something we can conjure up on our own.

It is a divine provision, given by God, sustained by His grace, and manifested through His Spirit.

Rooted in Christ

Being rooted in Christ Jesus is not just a suggestion or a good idea; it is an absolute necessity for every believer.

This necessity is not simply because it is a command from God, but because it is the only way we can truly live a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to us.

The foundation of our faith:

Just as a tree cannot stand without its roots firmly planted in the ground, we cannot stand firm in our faith without being deeply rooted in Christ.

Our faith is not based on our own understanding or our own abilities, but on the person and work of Christ.

Without Him, our faith is baseless and we are like a tree that is easily swayed and uprooted by the winds of life's trials and tribulations.

We draw our nourishment from Him:

Just as the roots of a tree draw nutrients from the soil, we draw our spiritual nourishment from Christ.

He is our source of strength, wisdom, and guidance.

Without Him, we are spiritually malnourished and weak, unable to withstand the pressures and temptations of life.

The only way we can produce good fruit:

Jesus Himself said in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Without being connected to Christ, we cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The only way we can truly know God:

In John 17:3, Jesus said, "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

Knowing God is not just about knowing about Him, but having a personal relationship with Him.

And this relationship is only possible through Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Not an option for a believer; it is a necessity:

It is the foundation of our faith, our source of nourishment, the means by which we produce good fruit, and the way we truly know God.

Without being rooted in Christ, we are like a tree without roots, easily swayed and uprooted by life's trials and tribulations, spiritually malnourished and weak, unable to produce good fruit, and without a true knowledge of God.

The Benefits

The peace that surpasses all understanding:

In a world that is filled with chaos, uncertainty, and fear, being rooted in Christ gives us a peace that the world cannot give or take away.

This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging nature of God.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The strength to withstand the storms of life:

Life is filled with trials and tribulations, but when we are rooted in Christ, we are not easily shaken.

We can stand firm in the face of adversity because we are grounded in the solid foundation of Christ.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

The ability to bear fruit:

Just as a tree that is deeply rooted can bear much fruit, so too can we bear the fruit of the Spirit when we are deeply rooted in Christ.

This fruit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

A sense of purpose and direction:

When we are rooted in Christ, we are not aimlessly wandering through life.

Instead, we have a clear sense of purpose and direction because we are following Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

Conclusion

As we close, remember being rooted in Christ is not simply an option but a necessity for living a meaningful and fruitful Christian life.

It is through Him that we find our purpose, strength, and direction.

When we gather as the body of Christ, we are not fulfilling a mere obligation, but engaging in a sacred, Christ-centered assembly that strengthens our faith, nurtures our spiritual growth, and connects us to one another.

Our walk with Christ is a daily journey of surrender, abiding in His presence, and allowing His transformative power to shape our lives.

By being deeply rooted in Him, we can withstand the storms of life, bear fruit that glorifies God, and live out our calling as His disciples.

Let us remain grounded in His word, anchored in His love, and committed to His purpose, always seeking to grow deeper in our relationship with Him. As we live in Christ, we will not only fulfill our individual purpose but collectively advance His kingdom, shining as lights in the world and reflecting His glory in all we do.

Let us persevere in faith, endure in love, and place our hope firmly in Christ, the foundation of our lives and the source of all that is good.

Ley’s pray.