Roots
Notes
Transcript
Title: "Rooted, Filled, Empowered"
Scripture Focus: Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Point 1: "Get Rooted to Grow Right"
Point 1: "Get Rooted to Grow Right"
Hook: A plant without roots can’t stand, much less grow.
Paul prays that believers be “rooted and established in love.” A tree’s strength comes not from its height, but from its depth. Likewise, we can’t experience the fullness of God until we’re firmly planted in the soil of His love.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Application: Ask yourself, What am I rooted in? Emotions? Culture? Or Christ’s love?
What I have found over the course of my life, I will have seasons where I know my roots are starting to take hold in areas of life where I have set it apart from Christ’s love or Christ’s direction. It hasn’t been overtly bad or negative situations either - sometimes it has been in the subtle things like career, my salary, working out etc.
Do you think that satan would ever try to distract us with “good” things? Absolutely he will! That is why we must be rooted in Christ for us to continue to grow in sanctification.
Point 2: "You’re More Filled Than You Feel"
Point 2: "You’re More Filled Than You Feel"
Hook: Don’t measure God’s presence by your emotions—measure it by His promise.
Verse 19 says that we may be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” That’s not a partial filling—it’s fullness. But fullness isn’t about feelings—it’s about faith. God’s Spirit is in you whether you feel it or not.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Application: Even when you feel empty, know that God has fully poured Himself into you through Christ.
This pouring out of the Holy Spirit is not a fleeting thing. We don’t have Him one minute and not the next. Look at what Jesus says - make our home with him. So wherever we are, the Holy Spirit is too. We don’t go into battle alone, we don’t face our fears alone, we don’t struggle alone. We have the Holy Spirit - God’s Spirit - within us every step of the way as Christians.
Point 3: "Faith Beyond the Ceiling"
Point 3: "Faith Beyond the Ceiling"
Hook: If your dreams don’t scare you a little, they’re probably too small for God.
Verse 20 explodes with confidence: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” God’s capacity isn’t limited by our imagination. Don’t box Him in with small prayers or safe expectations.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Application: Pray big, believe big, expect big—because your God is bigger.
I am an introvert by nature. So when it comes to sharing my faith - especially with people I have just met I tend to want to stay quiet instead of being bold. But then I remember Isaiah 55
Conclusion:
So today, remember:
Get Rooted to Grow Right.
You’re More Filled Than You Feel.
Dream Beyond the Ceiling.
Rooted in His love, filled with His presence, and empowered by His greatness—we live not in limitation but in overflow.
