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.
In a practical way, rooting our lives in Jesus' Words means actively spending time with the Bible. It's not just reading it once in a while, but really digging in, thinking about what it means, and putting it into practice in our everyday lives. This means letting His words challenge how we think, correct our wrong ideas, help us make choices, and change what we want. When things are tough, or we don't know what to do, or we're tempted to do wrong, Jesus' words are our guide and our strength. By regularly soaking in His truth, we are training our hearts to speak and act in ways that please Him and show His character. Being rooted in His Words gives us stability when life gets stormy, making sure our foundation is strong and that the good things we do are truly coming from the life of Jesus in us.
Luke 6:46-49
Root your life…
3. On Christ's foundation.
Putting our lives on Christ's foundation, means truly trusting in who He is and everything He taught. Jesus told a story about 2 builders, not just about houses, but about how strong our lives can be when we actually listen to Him and do what He says. The smart builder dug deep and built on rock- That is like someone who hears Jesus and truly lives by His Words. It's not just knowing about Jesus, but letting Him change us from the inside out, making Him the solid ground our lives stand on. He is like the main, strong stone that everything else is built on. If we build on anything else, (like our own ideas, getting ahead in the World, or what everyone else is doing) it's like building on sand. When tough times come, or when God judges, that sandy foundation will just wash away.
Putting this into practice means making choices every day to live the way Jesus taught us. This includes spending time reading the Bible so the Holy Spirit can help us understand it and show us what to do. It means trying our best to follow Jesus' commands, even when it's hard or different from what others are doing. When problems and temptations hit, (like the "rain, streams, and winds" in the story) our safety isn't in how strong we are on our own, but in the strong foundation we've built on. This also helps us trust that Jesus will take care of us and protect us, knowing He is the one who keeps us going and helps us stay strong when things are tough. Building on Christ means always giving our worries and hopes to Him, sure that our work for Him is never wasted.
Conclusion:
So, we've seen the powerful truth that a life rooted in Christ is a life that bears good fruit. Just as a healthy tree produces good fruit, a life connected to the true Vine, Jesus, will produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the outward signs of an inward reality- A heart transformed by His grace. We've also heard the warning- Building our lives on the shifting sands of our own efforts or the World's fleeting promises will ultimately lead to ruin when the storms of life inevitably come. The wise builder is the one who hears Jesus' words and puts them into practice, digging deep and laying their foundation on the solid rock of Christ. This isn't about mere head knowledge, but about active, obedient faith that shapes our actions and our character.
Perhaps as you've heard this message today, you've recognized areas in your life where the fruit isn't what it should be, or perhaps you've felt the instability of a life built on something other than Christ. The good news is that it's never too late to change the foundation. If you are not rooted in Christ, or if you know your roots are shallow, Jesus is calling you today to dig deep and build your life on Him. He is the only secure foundation, the source of true life and lasting fruit. If you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you to make that commitment, to surrender your life to Him and begin the journey of being rooted in Christ, or if you need prayer to strengthen your roots, I invite you to come forward now. Let's respond to the call of the Master Builder and secure our lives on the only foundation that will stand.
