Rooted to Grow

Sermon 4: Rooted to Grow

Series: Sent & Rooted: Living the Gospel Together Primary Text: Colossians 2:6–7

Colossians 2:6–10 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. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Big Idea

A life that bears lasting fruit must first grow deep roots in Christ. Spiritual depth always precedes spiritual impact.

Introduction

We live in a culture obsessed with speed—fast results, quick fixes, instant growth. And sometimes we import that same mindset into the church.

But Scripture consistently teaches a different truth:

Anything that grows fast without roots eventually falls.

Paul writes to a church that is active, growing, and vulnerable. His concern is not their enthusiasm—but their foundation.

I. The Christian Life Begins and Continues the Same Way (v. 6)

Colossians 2:6 ESV

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

Key Observations

The Christian life begins with receiving, not achieving

Growth happens by continuing in the same grace that saved us

The phrase “walk in him” implies a daily, ongoing way of life

Key Truth

We don’t graduate from the gospel—we grow deeper into it.

Cross References

Galatians 3:2–3 “2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

– Begun by the Spirit, not perfected by effort

Romans 1:17 “17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.””

– Living by faith from first to last

John 1:16 “16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

– Grace upon grace

Illustration

You don’t switch engines mid-flight. The same grace that lifts us off the ground keeps us in the air.

II. Roots Come Before Results (v. 7a)

Colossians 2:7 ESV

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

Paul shifts metaphors intentionally:

Rooted — agricultural (hidden, slow, deep)

Built up — architectural (intentional, structured, strong)

Key Insight

What is hidden determines what is visible.

Roots provide:

Stability in storms

Access to nourishment

Capacity for growth

Cross References

Psalm 1:1–3 “1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

– A tree planted by streams of water

Jeremiah 17:7–8 “7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 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.””

– Roots remain strong in drought

Matthew 7:24–27 “24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.””

– Foundations determine survival

Illustration

No one applauds roots—but everyone notices when a tree is unhealthy.

III. Depth Produces Discernment (v. 8)

Colossians 2:8 ESV

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Paul is concerned about deception—not persecution.

Key Truth

Shallow faith is easily shaken.

Being established means:

Anchored in truth

Grounded in Scripture

Able to discern truth from error

Cross References

Ephesians 4:14 “14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

– Not tossed by every wind of doctrine

Hebrews 5:14 “14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

– Mature believers discern good and evil

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

– Scripture equips for every good work

Illustration

Roots don’t just help you grow—they help you stand when pressure comes.

IV. The Fullness of Christ Guarantees Growth (vv. 9–10)

Colossians 2:9–10 ESV

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

False teaching always whispers the same lie: “What you have in Christ is not enough.”

Paul answers that lie decisively.

Key Truth

Because Christ is fully God—and believers are fully united to Him—nothing essential is missing.

Jesus lacks nothing of God’s nature

Believers lack nothing of Christ’s provision

We do not grow by adding to Christ—we grow by living from Christ.

Flow Connection (from Point III)

Shallow roots lead to captivity. Deep roots lead to confidence.

When we forget who Christ is, we become anxious. When we forget what we have in Him, we become vulnerable.

But when our roots are sunk into Christ’s fullness, we are:

Secure rather than striving

Grounded rather than restless

Free rather than fearful

Key Insight

Spiritual maturity is marked less by constant searching and more by settled trust.

A rooted believer doesn’t chase every new idea or spiritual trend— they stand firm because they know who holds authority.

Christ is not only Savior— He is Head over every power, rule, and authority.

Nothing threatens Him.

Nothing outranks Him.

Nothing can add to what He has already accomplished.

Cross References

John 1:16 “16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

Our growth comes from drawing, not striving

Colossians 1:19 “19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,”

Christ’s sufficiency is complete

Ephesians 1:20–23 “20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

Our security flows from His supremacy

Hebrews 12:28 “28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”

Rooted people are unshakeable people

Illustration

A tree planted beside a deep underground spring doesn’t panic during drought. Its confidence isn’t in the weather—it’s in the source.

Transition to Gratitude (v. 7)

This is why Paul says a rooted life is “abounding in thanksgiving.”

Gratitude is not forced optimism. It is the natural response of a soul that knows it is already full in Christ.

V. Gratitude Is the Beginning of a Fruited Life (v. 7c)

Colossians 2:7“7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Colossians 2:7 ESV

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

Paul lists gratitude not as a personality trait—but as spiritual evidence.

Key Insight

Gratitude flows naturally from a life grounded in grace.

Ungrateful faith often signals:

Entitlement

Spiritual immaturity

A drift from the gospel

Cross References

Galatians 5:22–24 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

– Give thanks in all circumstances

Hebrews 12:28 “28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”

– Gratitude fuels worship

Psalm 103:1–5 “1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

– Remembering God’s benefits

Illustration

When roots are healthy, fruit grows naturally—no forcing required.

VI. What This Means for Us

Personal Application

If growth flows from fullness in Christ, then the question is not “Am I doing enough?” The better question is:

Am I living from what I already have in Christ?

Consider:

Are you spiritually busy but internally restless?

Do you feel pressure to chase the next spiritual experience, insight, or technique?

Are you trying to prove maturity instead of practicing dependence?

Shallow roots often show up not in rebellion—but in anxiety, comparison, and constant striving.

Ask yourself:

What voices are shaping my confidence right now—Christ’s or the culture’s?

What rhythms are actually deepening my roots in Him?

Am I feeding my soul as intentionally as I feed my body?

Corporate Application

If Christ is truly sufficient, then the church’s task is not to manufacture growth—but to cultivate depth.

As a church, we must ask:

Are we measuring success by attendance and activity, or by stability and maturity?

Are we equipping people to stand firm in Christ—or keeping them dependent on programs?

Are we creating space for slow, formative growth, or only celebrating what is fast and visible?

A rooted church is not flashy—but it is faithful, resilient, and enduring.

Series Tie-In

This sermon marks a crucial turning point in our Sent & Rooted journey:

Weeks 1–2: God’s mission and our calling

Week 3: The invitation to follow Christ

Week 4: The necessity of depth and sufficiency in Christ

Week 5: Growth through community

Week 6: Growth through equipping

Weeks 7–8: Fruit that multiplies and a call to commit

Before the church can go far, it must go deep. Before we multiply fruit, we must be rooted in fullness.

Closing Invitation

God is not in a hurry. He is not asking you to add something new. He is inviting you to abide more deeply in what you already have in Christ.

The question is not whether you want to grow— but whether you are willing to stop striving, trust His sufficiency, and be rooted.