Vision Sunday 2026: Rooted Deep. Living Bold. Bearing Fruit—Together.

Reading of the Word

Colossians 2:6–7 ESV

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.

Prayer of Illumination

Gracious God, as we turn to Your Word, quiet our hearts and open our minds.

By Your Holy Spirit, root us in Christ, shape us by truth, and lead us to live faithfully for Your glory.

We need you, Lord. Be our vision and may your will be done in and through us. Amen.

Introduction: Running on Empty 

(Hold up your phone) This little device is incredibly powerful. It connects us, informs us, and keeps us in constant contact.

But when the battery dies, all that power means nothing. No matter how advanced it is—without a connection to power, it shuts down.

In the same way, many believers have sincere faith and good intentions, but when we disconnect from Christ, our faith begins to run on empty.

That’s why Paul writes to believers—not about how to begin with Christ, but how to continue in Him— so they wouldn’t drift, weaken, or be pulled away.

A phone doesn’t stay powered by intention—it stays powered by connection. And faith grows the same way: through deep roots.

That’s where Paul takes us first.

Point 1: Rooted Deep: Our Foundation Must Be Secure in Christ

A. Roots Come Before Results

Our foundation must be secure in Christ. Roots grow down before anything grows up.

Roots are the foundation, and they determine how much a tree can withstand before it is uprooted from the ground. Depth determines stability—storms always reveal shallow roots.

B. Paul’s Concern: Stability Under Pressure

In our text today, Paul reminds the believers that they have already received Christ as Savior and Lord and that their roots have been established in Him.

When Paul says they received Christ Jesus as Lord, it means more than believing the right things about Jesus.

Historical faith knows the truth about Jesus; saving faith trusts Him with your life.

Lord means authority—Jesus leads, Jesus decides, Jesus reigns.

Paul is concerned that false and empty teachings could uproot them. If we are not rooted in Christ, the world will uproot us with ideas that sound good—but lead nowhere.

C. Rooted Faith Must Be Lived Daily

Paul says we must now live this faith— to walk in it every day, not just on Sunday.

Spiritual depth is formed through Scripture, prayer, worship, and obedience.

The Word is God speaking to us, revealing His love and His work throughout human history with eternity as His focus.

Prayer is vital if we want to see God move.

If this church is going to impact our community for Christ, we must take prayer seriously. That takes time, intention, and a willingness to set excuses aside.

Sometimes prayer feels optional—not because we don’t believe in it, but because we don’t always see what’s missing when it’s absent. Let me give you a picture of what I mean…

Illustration: The Fire Station with No Alarm

Imagine a town with a well-equipped fire station. The firefighters are trained, the trucks are ready, and everyone wants to help when there’s a fire.

But the alarm is never turned on.

Fires still happen—but help never comes. Not because people don’t care, but because no call is made.

Prayer is like that alarm for the Church. God is ready to move. God has the power and compassion to respond.

Prayer is how we call on heaven to work on earth.

If we want to see God move among us, we must make space for prayer—not out of guilt, but out of love and trust. This is an invitation, not a burden:

to seek God together, to listen together, and to watch Him move in ways only He can

If we don’t walk in our faith, it grows weak. And weak faith is easily uprooted.

D. A New Year Invitation

If the roots of your faith feel shallow, today is a new day. We are beginning a new year, and there is no better time to deepen your roots than now.

"That Christ may make his home in your hearts through your faith; that you may be so deeply rooted and so firmly grounded in love. (Ephesians 3:17, MNT)

Deep roots are never the destination—they are the preparation. What grows beneath the surface will always show itself above the ground.

Key Truth: You can’t live boldly or bear fruit if you aren’t first rooted deeply in Christ.

E. Rooted People Overflow with Gratitude

Paul doesn’t just say we are rooted and built up—he says we are to be overflowing with thankfulness.

Gratitude is one of the clearest signs of deep roots.

Shallow faith complains.

Rooted faith gives thanks.

When we are deeply rooted in Christ, thanksgiving flows naturally—not because life is easy, but because Christ is faithful.

Gratitude keeps our hearts soft, our faith resilient, and our focus on God instead of circumstances. A thankful church is a healthy church.

As we deepen our roots this year, let’s ask God to grow in us hearts that are not just grounded—but grateful.

Point 2: Living Bold 🔥

Our Faith Must Be Visible and Courageous

A deep root system produces a confident, resilient life. This confidence is not in ourselves—it is in Christ. Confidence in the faithfulness of God, in the reality that He will never fail us nor ever leave us.

The roots we build through faith in Christ allow us to live lives that thrive, because Christ is the center of everything we do.

Boldness isn’t arrogance—it’s Spirit-empowered obedience. It’s not about being loud or drawing attention to ourselves; it’s about trusting the Holy Spirit enough to follow God’s leading, even when it stretches us.

We live boldly when we trust God beyond comfort and convenience. If we are going to make an impact for the Kingdom, we must be willing to live boldly.

Bold Faith Starts Close to Home

Living boldly doesn’t begin far away—it begins right where we are.

It begins with our neighbors. I want to share an experience that confirmed this a few weeks ago.

At GriefShare, I met a man who had found one of our brochures. He shared his grief, his cancer diagnosis, and that he almost went home—but when he saw the lights on, he came in.

Then he said something that stopped me cold: he lives two doors down from the church.

I wasn’t just struck by his pain, but by how close he was—and how easily we had missed him. This wasn’t small talk. This was holy ground.

Later, as I prayed over our neighborhood, God made it clear: the vision He is giving us doesn’t start far away.

It starts two doors down.

A Call Out of Our Comfort Zone

This year, I am challenging us to step out of our comfort zones.

Faith does not grow in comfort—it grows in obedience.

We are surrounded by neighbors.

We are two blocks away from over 2,000 college students.

We are part of a wider Church proclaiming the same Good News.

We are going to strive to:

Build relationships within a two-block radius of this church—starting small and trusting God to expand the reach

Get to know the neighbors around our homes.

Share faith by caring, praying, and showing up

Because sharing our faith begins with relationships. It begins with action, not arguments.

Why Don’t We Share Our Faith?

If we’re honest with ourselves—many of us struggle here, including me.

Fear.

Fear is not from God. We cannot scare people into faith. Fear often keeps us from sharing the best news the world has ever known. This year, I resolve to fear no more.

Rejection.

b. Jesus faced it. The apostles faced it. The Church has faced it for centuries. But the Holy Spirit gave them the strength to endure—and He gives us that same power.

Later this year, we’re going to learn evangelism directly from Jesus—how He engaged people from every walk of life.

c. Not knowing how.

Many of us don’t feel equipped—but you’re not walking this alone. I will share many tools to help you. I will walk this path with you.

This vision will take all of us out of our comfort zones. When God first began revealing this vision, it was uncomfortable. It struck a little fear into me.

But over time, we are learning to yield our will to God’s will— trusting that His plans are always greater than our comfort.

But this year, I am choosing to proclaim Jesus:

His love.

His mercy.

His gift to others.

Key Truth: Bold living flows naturally from a life anchored in Christ.

Point 3: Bearing Fruit 🍎

Our lives should show evidence of God’s work.

Fruit is the result, not the effort.

Our obedience matters—but fruit is what God produces to glorify Himself and advance His Kingdom.

Healthy roots and bold living lead to transformed character and real impact.

Colossians 1:10 ESV

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Allowing Christ to be Lord of our lives is proven by the transformation He works in us and the fruit this transformation bears.

You can’t grow deep roots while sitting on a fence.

A fence is a place of hesitation—one foot with God, one foot with the world.

But roots don’t grow sideways. They grow down.

When we live on the fence, our roots stay shallow—and shallow roots can’t bear fruit.

Jesus is clear: we can’t live for the world and for God.

Matthew 6:24 ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

If we want to bear fruit, we must choose the soil we’re planted in—getting off the fence and rooting ourselves fully in Christ.

Fruit is never just for us.

Fruit always blesses others.

God doesn’t merely suggest that we share our faith—He commands it. He tells us to go.

Key Truth: Fruitfulness is the visible sign of an authentic walk with Jesus.

Point 4: Together 🤝

God’s Design Is Community, Not Isolation.

Trees thrive in forests around other trees, not alone.

We grow deeper, live braver, and bear more fruit together.

The mission of God is always carried out in community.

Rooted in Christ, Connected to Community

Being rooted in Jesus means having a solid faith. But the best way to survive and thrive in that faith is through interconnected community.

A community of people:

who share faith in Christ

who are being changed by Christ

who are joined together in the mission of Christ

When we neglect gathering together, we begin to miss something God lovingly designed for our growth. God deepens our roots through one another.

Key Truth: God never intended us to grow, live, or serve alone.

Takeaway for the Week: Stay connected to Christ, because what you’re rooted in is shaping who you’re becoming.

Conclusion

God’s vision for His people is clear: rooted deep in Christ, living bold for His glory, bearing fruit that lasts—together as His church.

When we are deeply rooted, boldly faithful, and united in purpose, God is glorified and lives are changed.

This vision may stretch us, but it should not overwhelm us. With God, all things are possible—and we are not called to do this alone. When the church moves forward together, fear fades and faith grows.

Yes, it will take time and commitment. It will call us to prayer, to God’s Word, and to living our faith in ways the world can see.

As your pastor, my deepest desire is that you would thrive in your walk with God. I share these words not to burden you, but because I love you and believe deeply in what God can do through this church as we submit ourselves fully to His will.

This is our faith. Let’s live it. Let’s love it. Let’s share it—together.

Prayer Following the Sermon

Faithful God, we thank You for speaking to us through Your Word today. Take what You have planted in our hearts and help it take deep root in Christ.

Give us courage to live boldly, grace to trust You fully, and love to bear fruit in the way we serve others.

As we go from this place, keep us grounded in Your truth and united in Your purpose, that our lives may bring glory to You.

We offer ourselves to You again— formed by Your grace and led by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Charge & Benediction

Go now, rooted and built up in Christ. Live boldly in the grace you have received. Bear fruit in love, service, and faithfulness. And walk together, strengthened by the Spirit and united in purpose.

And may the God who has called you establish your faith, fill you with thanksgiving, and keep you grounded in Christ Jesus. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.