Rooted and Grounded in Christ
As I was pondering on what to share today, I began to think about my Christmas tree...yes my Christmas tree. I'm not sure what your typical tradition is, but we typically put up our tree as soon as possible after Thanksgiving day. And of course, we always get a REAL tree, I'm pretty sure that was a nonnegotiable clause in our marriage vows- but my wife and I agree real trees are an absolute necessity. They are prettier, they smell better, and they simply just bring a different kind of life into the home vs a plastic fake tree. For all its beauty however, there's still just one problem that can never be solved- it's still a dead tree.
Once you cut it down and bring it home there is a little bit of life left in it as attempts to hold on for dear life. A fresh cut tree can consume over a gallon of water in the first 24 hours, after that it begins to taper off from a couple of quarts to almost nothing. This I experienced in the last week before Christmas- that first week it seemed I couldn't put enough water in, almost like a thirsty dog- as soon as I watered it, it seemed to disappear. Then as time went by it seemed it needed less and less until by Christmas day it seemed it simply stopped drinking all together... a sign that it had finally and completely died, even though it still looked beautiful on the outside.
So what does this have to do with anything? Well the reason that the tree had died is because for the first time in its life, it did not have any roots. For years it grew, then one day it was cut down, sawed off flat to be propped up and decorated beautifully for a short time, but only to be tossed in the fire or thrown to the wayside. And when you think about Christmas as a whole, that is how many people view the advent season- simply a time to remind ourselves that Jesus is important (at least for a little while) but after Christmas day comes and goes, many return to the same old lives and the way they lived before. Why? Because the hope is gone, no longer are they inundated with songs of hope and joy on the radio or TV and so they end up right back where they were before the Christmas Season began- simply put- THEY HAD NO ROOTS to keep them founded in Love and Hope and Peace. They simply got decorated up for a short time but them began to wither and die once more after it was all finished.
Today I wish to read to you a passage that is incredibly important to all of us, Christians AND non, because it explains to us what is necessary to keep our Hope and Joy and Peace EVERY day of the year aside from Christmas.
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Eph. 3:14-21)
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and build up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving"
(Colossians 2:6-7)
I. The Problem: No Roots
A. Throughout the year people are ALWAYS looking for peace and joy, and hope, and safety and protection and contentment. This is even found prevalent among Christians. The problem is, it's rarely found. Today in our society it is often found temporarily in worldly things, financial gain, acquisition of things, maybe the feeling of euphoria in a romantic relationship or a high status job. And though these things are nice, they simply don't last.
B. Then comes the season of Christmas and for a short time as I said, people are reminded (whether they believe it or not) what the REAL source of peace is- that is hope and faith in Jesus Christ
C. And the as the season goes they watch the movies and TV shows, or listen to the music on the radio or even get dragged to church by a spouse or grandmother or whatever and they are strangely warmed for a time...but once it's over it wears off...it wears off because there is no root...
1. "And again He began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about Him so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching He said to them 'Listen! Behold a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed some seed fell by the path and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing...he who has ears let him hear...'
2. "And when He was alone those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parables...and He said to them 'The sower sows the word of God. And these are the ones along the path where the word is sown: when they hear Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground, the ones who when they hear the word immediately they receive it with joy. But having no root in themselves they endure for awhile, but when trial and tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And the others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world adn the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the words and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit...'"
? That they would accept it and bear much fruit...friends from the very beginning the problem has always been that people put their hope in other things aside from God, from Adam and Eve, to the guy standing before you today speaking to you...it happens to us all. We fail to put trust completely in our God, and we fail to put our roots DEEP into the promises He has given us.
II. The Solution: Rooted and Grounded in Christ
A. The Apostle Paul tells us that we must be rooted and grounded in love and built up in Christ- listen to what that age old wonderful commentator Matthew Henry says about this:
1. "The soul prospers when we have clear knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. When we not only believe with the heart, but are ready, when called to make confession with the mouth. Knowledge and faith make a soul rich. The stronger our faith, the warmer our love, the more will our comfort be. The treasures of wisdom are hid, not from us, but FOR us in Christ. These were hid from the proud unbelievers, but displayed in the person and redemption of Christ...we cannot be built up in Christ or grow in Him, unless we are first rooted in Him, or founded upon Him. Being established in the faith we must abound therein and improve in it more and more. God justly withdraws this benefit from those who do not receive it with thanksgiving and gratitude for His mercies is justly required by God...
B. If I can attempt to humbly expand on what Mr. Henry tells us- I would say this:
1. Being rooted and grounded in Christ means being both friend and disciple of Him. It means reading your Bible and seeking the best you know how through listening to sermons and other learned people of God, it means engaging in active conversation with other people of the faith, it means putting in to practice that which you learn, it means taking a risk and choosing to trust Him even though you can't see Him, even in the hardest and most confusing of situations. It means going to Him DAILY sometimes HOURLY in prayer and private conversation between you and Him- speaking sometimes out loud to yourself in a quiet room (or even a busy one) voicing your side of the conversation and having faith that He is listening, hearing, and yes even talking back to you in a still small voice in your heart. It means forgiving others and loving others and blessing others as He has asked us to do in His word. It means confessing your sins daily and asking Him to help you walk in righteousness knowing you can't do it on your own. It means serving Him every day of your life with your heart soul and mind and lovingly worshipping Him and giving Him praise- even when it hurts as a sacrifice, and especially in thanksgiving when you experience His blessings.
Conclusion:
See friends, THIS is how we make it through this life as MORE than conquerors as Paul the Apostle tells us. THIS is brings us lasting peace and hope and joy and contentment: being rooted and grounded in Christ. It is about living not for yourself, but for Him and IN Him. THIS is what causes His peace and joy to fill us and hold us through best and worst of times.
I don't want to be like my Christmas tree, decorated on the outside, but dying or dead on the inside. I don't want to live for God and be reminded of Him just one season or day out of the year- but I want Him living inside me bringing me joy EVERY moment of EVERY day.
And maybe you need just a little reminder of that, the enemy is good at distracting us with problems and discouragements and after time, we can wear down and forget how good our God is. And if that is you today, if you are suffering from the after Christmas blues or you're just in a low place in your faith or walk with God, I want to remind you today that Jesus is still the one who came all those years ago as the ONLY way, He put off His glory to come down into our misery and share in our suffering to show us HOW to deal with them, He came to overcome sin, He took all our faults on HIMSELF and He gave us life, and beyond that He rose again to continually look down and pray for you and for me every moment of every day.
He loves you, He cares for you, and He is waiting in Heaven for you with a reward that is greater than anything you can image for those that diligently seek Him. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother, He is with you every step of the way- even in the moments you can't feel Him. Love Him today my friends, give Him your heart again today, tell Him you're thankful for everything He's given you, and trust Him with the thing that weighs heavy on you today.
So as we move past this Christmas season, as we take down our decorations and move back into the mundane, let us not be overwhelmed with a slump of loneliness or emptiness or a feeling of "what do I look forward to now"- instead put your hope in Him once more, let your roots sink down deep into HIS hope, and into HIS love, trust in HIS Fatherly affection for you and rest once more in His Arms of infinite Grace and Mercy and everlasting Love, for HE is the God and King and Friend that brings us all eternal hope and peace and rest and glory forevermore...
