Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

With plants we typically observe what is above ground, not the important part that is underneath—its root system.

“Because they are out of sight, roots are often out of mind,” according to information from Colorado State University Extension.

“They are widely overlooked as to their significance in plant health.

Eighty percent of all plant disorders include soil/root problems.”

The following remarkable quote from Crop Farming Review highlights the importance of roots: “The plant root system constitutes the major part of the plant body, both in terms of function and bulk…Roots are so massive that their total dry weight may exceed that of the entire plant body.

Jesus Christ used the example of physical roots in the parable of the sower to illustrate a spiritual lesson.

Later Jesus explained the meaning behind the four types of seed to His disciples.

Notice that a plant with shallow roots will wither away.

Without spiritual roots, a person can exhibit an interest in God’s truth “for a while”—yet be in severe danger of allowing “tribulation or persecution” to pull him back into the world.

The parallel account in Luke 8 adds more vital details about the seed that fell on rocky ground: “And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture” (vs.

6).

Without roots, a plant struggles to obtain moisture.

Similarly, without God’s Spirit guiding or working within a person—he will spiritually wither!

What then is needed?

A plant must be in good soil where it can obtain all the nutrients and water it needs to bear fruit, “some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

The first major function of roots is to keep plants upright and stable.

Such is the case for most plant life—from a tiny blade of grass to a giant oak tree.

Deep roots are important because the success of most land plants depends on their ability to stand erect.

Even during great winds, vegetation with a well-established root system will not be knocked over or uprooted, while plants that are shallowly rooted can be easily destroyed.

Spiritually, this analogy reflects our Christian lives.

Many proverbial “storms” are raging throughout the world—worsening immorality and perversion, civil conflicts, wild weather patterns, social disturbances, and crimes of every kind—a reality that will only intensify in the short time ahead.

If we are solidly rooted, we will be able to withstand the fury of what swirls around us.

But if we lack healthy spiritual roots, we will not stand much of a chance.

Of course, plants are grounded in soil.

But where should Christians be rooted?

The Bible provides the answer:

Here Paul is praying for them and us.

He is in prison now.

Most of his life in the flesh is now in the past.

And what a past it is.

He has been on missionary journeys.

In the service of His Lord he has suffered beatings, scourging, imprisonment, stoning, deprivation, near drowning, rejection from his own beloved nation;

but he has also seen great things.

New churches filled with dedicated Christians who gladly suffer persecution for their Lord, the generous giving of the saints for the suffering believers in Jerusalem during a time of famine.

He has seen many healings and miracles, and most wondrous of all ~ he has seen the risen Christ with his own eyes.

He is a man of prayer.

He specifically addresses the recipients of this letter, and mentions in some places their specific situations.

But it is a prayer for us that we may be rooted and grounded, so that we may grow...

In Eph 3:17-19 He Prays...

Dimensions of Spiritual Growth

I. Grow in Faith

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;”

See also 2 Th 1:3

II.

Grow in Knowledge

Another major purpose for roots is to provide a plant with moisture and nourishment.

“The roots are the beginning of the vascular system pipeline that moves water and minerals from the soil up to the leaves and fruits”

Plants and trees make every effort to send down roots as far as possible—or out as far as possible—to get to the water and minerals they need.

We are to seek after the eternal, life-giving nutrients that our Creator provides in His Word.

One more notable characteristic of roots bears examining as it is also akin to our spiritual conditions.

It has been discovered that roots fend off diseases and viruses by producing antibiotic microorganisms to help fight off pathogens both in the soil and in the air.

Healthy and Nourished Roots fight off toxicity and disease.

“19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

See also Eph 1:17–18; Eph 3:16–19; Col 1:10; 2 Pe 1:3; 2 Pe 1:6

III.

Grow in Love

See also Php 1:9; 1 Th 3:12; 2 Pe 1:7–8

(I John 5:3)This verse reveals that we must be grounded in love, as defined by the Bible:

By keeping the Commandments of God—summarized as (Matt.

22:37-39).