Rooted in Christ: Building a Stable Life

Devotional

Day 1: The Importance of Good Works

Maintaining good works is essential for a blessed life. Titus 3:8 reminds us that those who believe in God should be careful to maintain good works, as these are good and profitable. By doing the right things at the right time, we build a strong, stable, and fruitful life. This involves not walking in the counsel of the ungodly or following the advice of those who are not aligned with God's ways. Instead, we should delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on His words day and night. This practice helps us stay grounded and secure in our faith, leading to a life that is stable and flourishing. [27:14]

Titus 3:8 (ESV): "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people."

Reflection: What specific good work can you commit to today that aligns with God's teachings and helps you stay grounded in your faith?

Day 2: Remain in Your Calling

Staying in the calling to which God has called us is crucial for a stable life. 1 Corinthians 7:20 advises us to remain in the same calling in which we were called. This means living up to God's expectations and not the world's. When we stray from God's path, we become unstable and find it harder to connect with Him. Remaining in our calling helps us stay grounded and secure, making it easier to hear from God, pray, and worship. By focusing on our divine calling, we can build a life that is stable and flourishing. [33:44]

1 Corinthians 7:20 (ESV): "Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called."

Reflection: What is one way you can better align your daily actions with the calling God has placed on your life?

Day 3: Retain the Word of God

Retaining God's word is essential for a blessed life. Proverbs 4 emphasizes the importance of keeping God's commands and not entertaining the contempt of the scornful. By standing on the word of God and digging deep to set our foundation on Christ, we can build a life that is secure and prosperous. This involves meditating on His words day and night and allowing them to guide our actions and decisions. By doing so, we can withstand the storms and challenges we face, leading to a stable and flourishing life. [39:17]

Proverbs 4:4-5 (ESV): "He taught me and said to me, 'Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.'"

Reflection: How can you make retaining God's word a daily habit? What specific steps will you take to meditate on His words today?

Day 4: Avoid the Influence of the World

The world often tries to influence us to stray from God's ways. We must be vigilant and not allow the world's advice to dictate our actions. Instead, we should focus on what God says and follow His guidance. This will lead to a stable and flourishing life. By avoiding the influence of the world and staying true to God's teachings, we can build a life that is secure and blessed. This involves being mindful of the company we keep and the advice we follow, ensuring that it aligns with God's word. [40:36]

James 4:4 (ESV): "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Reflection: What worldly influences are you currently allowing into your life? How can you replace them with godly influences today?

Day 5: Be Deeply Rooted in Christ

A stable life is one that is deeply rooted in Christ. Just as a tree with deep roots can withstand storms, a life anchored in Christ can endure challenges. By being deeply rooted in Jesus, we can have a life that is stable, secure, and blessed. This involves committing to a relationship with Christ, spending time in prayer, and studying His word. By doing so, we can build a strong foundation that will help us navigate the storms of life and remain steadfast in our faith. [42:02]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your roots in Christ? How can you ensure that your life is anchored in Him?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explore the theme of being "Rooted and Grounded" in faith, drawing from Colossians 1:19-23. This passage emphasizes the importance of continuing in faith, being grounded and steadfast, and not moving away from the hope of the gospel. We begin with a personal anecdote about vacation time, illustrating how distractions and an imbalance between work and life can lead to instability. This sets the stage for discussing how to build a stable, secure, and flourishing life.

In Genesis 1:1-3, we see that God brought order out of chaos. This theme of bringing order and stability is a recurring one throughout Scripture. God created man in His image and gave him the responsibility to subdue the earth and bring order to it. However, without the Holy Spirit, our efforts to control chaos are futile. We need the Spirit of God to enable us to bring stability to our lives.

Psalm 1:1-3 provides a vivid picture of a blessed life, comparing it to a tree planted by rivers of water. This tree is stable, fruitful, and prosperous because it is deeply rooted. Similarly, our lives need to be deeply rooted in Christ to withstand the storms and challenges we face. The key to a flourishing life is to be rooted and grounded in Christ, who is our rock and sure foundation.

We then delve into practical steps to achieve this stability. First, we must maintain good works, as Titus 3:8 advises. This involves not walking in the counsel of the ungodly or following the advice of those who are not aligned with God's ways. Instead, we should delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on His words day and night.

Next, we must remain in our calling. 1 Corinthians 7:20 encourages us to stay in the calling in which we were called. This means living up to God's expectations and not the world's. When we stray from God's path, we become unstable and find it harder to hear from God, pray, and worship. Remaining in our calling helps us stay grounded and secure.

Finally, we must retain the word of God. Proverbs 4 emphasizes the importance of retaining God's words and keeping His commands. This involves not entertaining the contempt of the scornful or those who mock God. Instead, we should stand on the word of God and dig deep to set our foundation on Christ, the solid rock.

In conclusion, a stable and flourishing life is one that is deeply rooted in Christ. By maintaining good works, remaining in our calling, and retaining the word of God, we can build a life that is secure, prosperous, and blessed.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Maintain Good Works: A blessed life is one that maintains good works and does not follow the advice of the ungodly. Titus 3:8 reminds us that those who believe in God should be careful to maintain good works, as these are good and profitable. By doing the right things at the right time, we build a strong, stable, and fruitful life. [27:14]
2. Remain in Your Calling: Staying in the calling to which God has called us is crucial for a stable life. 1 Corinthians 7:20 advises us to remain in the same calling in which we were called. This means living up to God's expectations and not the world's. When we stray from God's path, we become unstable and find it harder to connect with Him. [33:44]
3. Retain the Word of God: Retaining God's word is essential for a blessed life. Proverbs 4 emphasizes the importance of keeping God's commands and not entertaining the contempt of the scornful. By standing on the word of God and digging deep to set our foundation on Christ, we can build a life that is secure and prosperous. [39:17]
4. Avoid the Influence of the World: The world often tries to influence us to stray from God's ways. We must be vigilant and not allow the world's advice to dictate our actions. Instead, we should focus on what God says and follow His guidance. This will lead to a stable and flourishing life. [40:36]
5. Be Deeply Rooted in Christ: A stable life is one that is deeply rooted in Christ. Just as a tree with deep roots can withstand storms, a life anchored in Christ can endure challenges. By being deeply rooted in Jesus, we can have a life that is stable, secure, and blessed. [42:02]
### [42:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:33] - Vacation and Work-Life Balance
[04:01] - The Struggle for Stability
[05:20] - Building a Stable Life
[06:36] - God's Order from Chaos
[08:05] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[09:40] - The Limits of Human Strength
[10:59] - The Pursuit of Control
[12:31] - Chasing the Wind
[14:05] - Building on a Stable Foundation
[15:36] - Staying Connected to the Vine
[16:56] - The Reality of Storms
[18:19] - Psalm 1: A Blessed Life
[19:43] - The Deep Roots of a White Oak Tree
[21:41] - Are You Rooted and Grounded?
[22:48] - The Importance of Commitment
[24:13] - Maintain Good Works
[25:41] - The Influence of the World
[27:14] - The Importance of Good Works
[28:39] - The Consequences of Worldly Influence
[30:04] - The Story of Tamar
[31:25] - The Dangers of Fornication
[32:37] - Remain in Your Calling
[33:44] - The Path of the Sinner
[35:10] - The Consequences of Straying
[36:21] - The Expectations of the Lost
[37:57] - Anchoring to the Word of God
[39:17] - Retain the Word of God
[40:36] - Avoid the Influence of the World
[42:02] - Be Deeply Rooted in Christ
[43:25] - Do the Right Thing
[44:45] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Colossians 1:19-23, what are the conditions for being presented holy and blameless before God? ([00:00])
In Psalm 1:1-3, what are the characteristics of a blessed person, and how are they compared to a tree? ([18:19])
What does Titus 3:8 say about the importance of maintaining good works? ([27:14])
How does the sermon illustrate the struggle for stability using the pastor's personal anecdote about vacation? ([01:33])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to be "rooted and grounded" in faith according to Colossians 1:19-23? How does this concept apply to our daily lives? ([00:00])
How does Psalm 1:1-3 describe the benefits of delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on it day and night? ([18:19])
Why does Titus 3:8 emphasize the need for believers to maintain good works, and how does this contribute to a stable and fruitful life? ([27:14])
How does the sermon connect the idea of being deeply rooted in Christ to the stability and prosperity of a tree planted by rivers of water? ([19:43])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel unstable or distracted, similar to the pastor's experience during vacation? What steps can you take to become more rooted and grounded in Christ? ([01:33])
Psalm 1:1-3 talks about not walking in the counsel of the ungodly. Are there influences in your life that you need to distance yourself from to maintain a blessed and stable life? ([18:19])
Titus 3:8 encourages maintaining good works. What specific good works can you commit to this week to strengthen your faith and stability? ([27:14])
The sermon mentions the importance of remaining in your calling (1 Corinthians 7:20). Are you currently living up to God's expectations for your life, or are you swayed by the world's standards? How can you realign your life with God's calling? ([33:44])
Proverbs 4 emphasizes retaining God's word. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are consistently meditating on and retaining God's word in your daily routine? ([39:17])
The sermon discusses the dangers of being influenced by the world. Identify one specific way the world's influence has affected your decisions or actions. How can you counteract this influence with God's guidance? ([40:36])
Being deeply rooted in Christ is compared to a tree with deep roots. What practices can you adopt to deepen your relationship with Christ and ensure your life is stable and secure? ([42:02])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "If you want to prosper and have stability in life, you need to delight in, meditate on, and retain the words of God. That's what Psalm 1-2 says. Delight yourself in the Lord and meditate on his words. In Joshua 1-8, God says, Joshua, if you want to prosper and have good success, then meditate on my word day and night. Don't allow yourself to entertain the speech of the scornful or the gossiper or the one who divides with their words, and their opinions. Stay away from those who mock God and reject his ways." [40:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "Through the Holy Spirit and life built on the word of God, you can subdue the chaos and the complexities that life creates. If you maintain good works and keep doing the things that God says are right and good to do, you'll be blessed. Maintain good work. Do the right things. Even when it's hard. Even when you don't feel like it. Listen, I know some days you get up on Sunday and be like, man, I don't want to go to church. We got a live stream. Do the right thing. Get up and go. Amen." [43:25](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "You are who God says you are. You are called to a greater purpose, to a higher life, to a better life. Don't give in. Stand in that. Don't be what you can't be anymore. Amen. Do you know if you're born again in Jesus, you can't be a sinner anymore? Why? Because you're a new creation in Christ. You're a child of God now. So act like it. Don't be something you're not. Amen." [44:45](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "The key to flourishing in life is having a stable and blessed life. It's to be rooted and grounded in Christ. He's our rock. His words are our anchor. They're a sure foundation. It's so important that we get this. I know this is kind of like foundational but here's the reality: you and I are living not a stable life. We don't have peace that passes understanding. We're just trying to fend off anxiety. We're just trying to chase off our fear. We're just trying to deal with the things that trap us and close us." [16:56](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

5. "Do you want to have a blessed life? I want you to have a blessed life, but the only way you're going to get it is by doing what the word of God says. All right, I better move on." [32:37](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "One of the most effective schemes of the devil is to make us waver in faith and unbelief. He injects this instability into our lives through the contempt and disdain of the things of God and in the words and the attitudes of others. People mock God. Or they mock the life of faith. They disrespect God. They disrespect his ways. It's popular to make jokes about Christians or make jokes about faith and to make jokes about God. These people do not keep God's commands and their voice, if we're not careful, gets internalized. It becomes our inner voice." [40:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "The Bible tells us reject the fables and the stories and the narratives of those who are not anchored on God's word. Stand on the word of God. Dig deep. Set your foundation on Christ, the solid rock. He's the living word of God. This will lead to blessing and prosperity. Listen, don't get caught up. The scripture calls gossip tasty trifles. It's like little bonbons. You know, it's kind of like when you go to the fair and you get that cotton candy. What is cotton candy? Spun sugar. You put it in your mouth and what happens? Just dissolves. It melts. It's got no value for you. Nothing. That's gossip. That's lies. That's disdain. That's contempt." [42:02](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "The blessed person who is rooted and grounded has a stable and secure life. Does not follow the advice of the world. Does not follow the plans or the purposes or the decisions of those who are not godly. I'm waiting for that to get to you because here's our problem in the church. The reason why people have a problem with the church is because the church listens to the world instead of to Jesus. We're so busy chasing the wind. We're so busy allowing the world to influence how we approach life that we're not living as Christians and people know it." [25:41](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "If you want to live a blessed life, then you have to remain in that calling and live according to God's expectation. Not the world's expectation, not your mama's expectation if it's in conflict with God, not your brother or your cousin, your uncle, your boss, or any other person. The expectation you live up to is God's expectation. Amen? You can't have a stable and prosperous life if you allow yourself to remain on the path of the sinner." [33:44](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

5. "When we stand on the truth of God's word and the power of the Holy Spirit, we will have the ability to speak peace to them. We'll be able to speak to the storm. We'll be able to bring order to chaos and stability to uncertainty. We'll be able to bring life even to desolation when we stand on the word of God, when we're filled with the spirit of God." [09:40](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

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