A Life Rooted In Christ Series

Series: Jesus- Son Of Man [#21]

A LIFE ROOTED IN CHRIST

Luke 6:43-49

Introduction:

My School job has been extremely busy- Between all of the State reports and managing the Grounds, I have been very busy. Last week, 1 of the Schools had us plant a tree for them; but we are very concerned because the tree is not meant for our climate, and it is difficult to get the proper amount of water to this Pine Tree. Several years ago, 2 boys were playing on Jefferson’s playground during recess; and 1 of the boy’s leaned up against a 25 foot pine tree, and it fell. The young man was very upset; but I told him that he should brag about how strong he was. What happened to this tree and another tree next to it was that the root base was just on the surface and had nothing to hold it in place.

Have you ever seen a magnificent, towering oak tree, its branches reaching towards the sky, its trunk thick and solid? What is it about that tree that allows it to withstand the fiercest storms, the harshest winds, and the relentless sun? It's not just the strength of its bark or the density of its wood. The true secret to that tree's resilience lies beneath the surface, hidden from view: its deep and intricate root system. These roots anchor the tree firmly in the earth, drawing up the vital nutrients and water that sustain its life and enable its growth. Without those roots, that majestic oak would be easily toppled, its life cut short.

In our text, Jesus uses a similar illustration to teach us about the foundation of our own lives. He talks about good trees producing good fruit and bad trees producing bad fruit, then shifts to the image of building a house. Just as a tree needs deep roots to flourish and a house needs a solid foundation to stand, our lives require a secure anchoring. Jesus tells us that the quality of our lives, the fruit we bear, and our ability to withstand the storms of life are directly connected to what we are rooted in.

Luke 6:43-44

Root your life…

1. In Christ's character.

Think of it like this- You can tell what kind of tree it is by the fruit it grows. Jesus uses this idea to show us that what we do, the "fruit" of our lives, shows what is really inside of us- What's "rooted" in our hearts. If our lives are connected to Jesus' good character, then good things will naturally show up in us- Like being fair, loving, patient, kind, and having self-control; but if our lives are connected to bad things like sin, fear, or wanting what the World offers, then bad things will show up- Like being angry, impatient, and unkind. This is not saying that we earn our way to heaven by doing good things. It's saying that if we're truly changed by being connected to Jesus, good things will naturally come out of our lives. To be rooted in Jesus' character means letting His goodness fill every part of us, changing how we think and act. It's like a plant growing, always becoming more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Practically, rooting our lives in Christ's character means actively living out the good qualities and ways of thinking that made up His life on Earth. This starts with building a close and continuing connection with Him through talking to God (prayer), reading the Bible, and spending time with other Christians. We look at our lives and compare them to how Jesus lived, seeing where we aren't quite like Him and making a real effort to get better. This could mean choosing to forgive someone who hurt us, being patient when things are annoying, or being kind to people who are hard to get along with. It also means actively saying no to things that tempt us and bad influences that would cause us to do wrong things. We can ask ourselves, "Would Jesus do this? How would He react?" By always and purposely trying to be more like Christ, we let His way of being become the very foundation of our lives. This makes sure that the good things we do please God and are a help to others. It's something we choose to do every single day, allowing Christ to change us on the inside so that what we do on the outside shows His goodness.

Luke 6:45

Root your life…

2. In Christ's Words.

What is inside our heart comes out in what we say and do. So, if we fill our hearts with Jesus' Words, those good words will shape us from the inside out. His Words aren't just nice ideas; they are the real truth that gives life and builds a strong foundation for living for God. Just like a tree needs good soil to grow tasty fruit, we need to feed our spirits on Jesus' teachings to grow good things in our hearts, like being right with God, loving others, and being wise. If we ignore His words, our hearts become empty and easily led astray, leading to words and actions that don't show who He is.