Root Damage

Mark 4:16-17 (New American Standard Bible)

16 "In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy;
17and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.

In a storm, the only thing that keeps trees from blowing away is the strength of their roots. If they have damaged roots the storm will ravage them and move them out of place. God’s word is like a seed that has been planted inside of us. When we read or hear God’s word it’s exciting, it is challenging, it is comforting but it’s not enough to get goose bumps, but there must be some type of connection with the word that causes you to have strong roots.

Your roots ought to be grounded in the earth. The earth gives nurture to your roots that then produces fruit. Alex Haley wrote an award winning Novel called “Roots.” That movie was a pivotal iconic moment in the life of blacks in America. It finally gave us an existential connection with something other than the legacy of slavery and gave us the intestinal fortitude to thrive in a country riddled with racism. We survived slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, Reaganomics, because we had strong roots and the fruit of our ancestors is now leading the free world in the Whitehouse.

But what about your roots? What’s holding you during this time of recession? Today there are too many rootless seekers who are not connected to any ground of being. The Apostle Paul said, “In God we move, live and have our being.” Today so many people seek after truth and for another “word”, but it never really connects because they are not rooted or grounded in something beyond themselves. I’m not simply talking about religious institutions, however the church is a good starting place, it is a good seed bed but the problem with many is the internal root system is lacking. Many of us are not connected to Christ. If you are not in relationship with Jesus then the word will never produce fruit and your roots will whither when adversity hits. This recession has already defeated many people because of root damage. What’s holding you during this storm?

When you are rooted in Christ, in church, there ought to be some evidence of your rootedness in good soil.

1. Good soil is first accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior and then getting in a Bible teaching church.

2. You have to have a steady stream of hearing God’s word on a consistent basis.

3. You have to accept the word. You have to make application to your life. You cannot be hearers only, but doers of God’s word.

4. You must bear fruit from being rooted. Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Dear God strengthen my roots that I may survive this storm. You are my God and I have heard your word now it’s up to me to put it into practice so you can get some fruit out of my life. Have your way Lord and produce a 100 fold crop out of what you put in my life. I know I can make it through my storm if I allow your word to take root in my life.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.