Rooted in Christ: Embracing Faith and Friendship

Devotional

Day 1: Communion as a Sacred Act of Remembrance

Communion is a profound moment of reflection, where believers are invited to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is not merely a ritual but a sacred act that centers our faith on the redemptive work of Christ. As we partake in the elements, we are reminded of His body broken for us and His blood shed for our cleansing. This act of remembrance is a powerful reminder of the access we have to God through the cross, emphasizing that our faith is not about us but about remembering Him. In this moment, we pause to reflect on the immense love and grace that has been extended to us, drawing us closer to our Father in heaven. [24:16]

"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" (1 Corinthians 11:23-25, ESV)

Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what specific aspect of Jesus' sacrifice are you most grateful for today, and how can you carry that gratitude into your daily life?

Day 2: Rooted in Faith Like an Oak Tree

Being rooted in faith is akin to the growth of an oak tree, which starts as a small acorn with a radical root. This imagery illustrates how God desires us to be deeply grounded in Him, ensuring that nothing can uproot us from our walk with Him. Our spiritual growth is dependent on our connection to Jesus, the true vine. By intentionally growing our faith in various areas of life, such as family, finances, and community, we become sturdy and steadfast like the oak tree. This year, the call is to be intentional about deepening our roots, allowing us to withstand life's storms and remain firmly planted in God's love and truth. [38:46]

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most uprooted or unstable? How can you begin to intentionally deepen your roots in faith in that area today?

Day 3: Embracing Our Roles in Christ

In our relationship with God, we embody three roles: branches, disciples, and friends. As branches, we receive nourishment and strength from the vine, Jesus, enabling us to withstand life's challenges. As disciples, we follow Jesus closely, allowing Him to prune and shape us to bear fruit that glorifies God. As friends, we share our lives with Jesus, embracing the privilege of being known and loved by Him. This multifaceted relationship invites us to grow in intimacy with Christ, understanding that we are not just followers but also cherished friends who are deeply connected to the source of life. [52:36]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Which role—branch, disciple, or friend—do you feel most connected to in your relationship with Jesus right now, and how can you nurture that connection further?

Day 4: Practical Discipleship Through Faithfulness and Teachability

Being a disciple of Jesus requires us to be faithful, available, and teachable. This journey involves serving others, sharing our faith, and allowing God to prune us for greater fruitfulness. By staying connected to God through prayer and His Word, we foster a life that glorifies Him. Practical discipleship is about being open to God's shaping and molding, understanding that growth often comes through challenges and trials. As we remain faithful and teachable, we become vessels of God's transformative work, impacting those around us with the love and truth of Christ. [01:06:22]

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you struggle to be teachable? How can you invite God to help you become more open to His guidance and correction?

Day 5: Friendship with Jesus as a Personal Relationship

As friends of Jesus, we are invited into a personal relationship where we can share our deepest desires and struggles. This friendship is marked by openness and trust, knowing that Jesus understands us completely and desires to walk with us through every season of life. Embracing this friendship means inviting Jesus into every aspect of our lives, not just as our Savior but as our friend. It is a relationship that offers comfort, guidance, and companionship, reminding us that we are never alone in our journey. [01:11:46]

"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your friendship with Jesus today? What specific area of your life do you need to invite Him into more fully?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we embraced the profound opportunity to connect with God through worship and communion, reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of the price Jesus paid for our salvation, emphasizing that it is not about us but about remembering Him. As we partake in the elements, we are reminded of His body broken for us and His blood shed for our cleansing, granting us direct access to our Father in heaven.

We also embarked on a new series titled "Rooted," focusing on the importance of being deeply grounded in our faith. The imagery of an oak tree, which starts as a small acorn with a radical root, illustrates how God desires us to be radically rooted in Him. This year, we aim to be intentional about growing our roots in various aspects of life, such as faith, family, finances, and community, to become sturdy and steadfast like the oak tree.

Our main scripture for this series is John 15:5, where Jesus declares, "I am the vine, you are the branches." This passage highlights three roles we embody in our relationship with God: as branches, disciples, and friends. As branches, we receive nourishment and strength from the vine, Jesus, enabling us to withstand life's storms. As disciples, we follow Jesus closely, allowing Him to prune and shape us to bear fruit that glorifies God. As friends, we share our lives with Jesus, embracing the privilege of being known and loved by Him.

Throughout this year, we will explore practical ways to deepen our roots in Christ, such as participating in prayer and fasting, engaging in life groups, and serving others. By staying faithful, available, and teachable, we can grow as disciples and share the transformative impact of Jesus in our lives with those around us. Let us invite Jesus into every aspect of our lives, not just as our Savior but as our friend, sharing our joys and struggles with Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Communion as Remembrance: Communion is a sacred act of remembering Jesus' sacrifice, focusing on His body broken and blood shed for our salvation. It is a moment to pause and reflect on the access we have to God through the cross, reminding us that our faith is centered on Christ's redemptive work. [24:16]
2. Rooted in Faith: Like an oak tree with deep roots, God calls us to be radically rooted in Him. This involves intentionally growing our faith in various areas of life, ensuring that nothing can uproot us from our walk with God. Our spiritual growth is dependent on our connection to Jesus, the true vine. [38:46]
3. Roles in Christ: We are called to be branches, disciples, and friends of Jesus. As branches, we receive nourishment from Him; as disciples, we follow His teachings and allow Him to shape us; as friends, we share our lives with Him, embracing the intimacy of being known and loved by God. [52:36]
4. Practical Discipleship: Being a disciple requires us to be faithful, available, and teachable. We grow by serving others, sharing our faith, and allowing God to prune us for greater fruitfulness. This process involves daily connection with God through prayer and His Word, fostering a life that glorifies Him. [66:22]
5. Friendship with Jesus: As friends of Jesus, we are invited into a personal relationship where we can share our deepest desires and struggles. This friendship is marked by openness and trust, knowing that Jesus understands us completely and desires to walk with us through every season of life. [01:11:46]
** [71:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:16] - Communion: Remembering Jesus
[25:37] - The Significance of the Cross
[27:00] - Trusting God's Timing
[28:04] - Faith in the Waiting
[38:46] - Introduction to "Rooted" Series
[43:16] - Rooted in Finances
[49:52] - John 15: The True Vine
[50:51] - Abiding in Christ
[52:36] - Roles: Branch, Disciple, Friend
[55:21] - Practical Steps to Abide
[59:51] - Following as a Disciple
[63:39] - The Process of Pruning
[66:22] - Staying Faithful, Available, Teachable
[71:46] - Friendship with Jesus

Sermon Clips

"And I believe that God is wanting us to be radically rooted in him, that we would shoot our roots down into him in such a way that we are so rooted and grounded in him. And as we continue to grow in him and as we continue to be sustained by him and as we continue to develop our roots and he nourishes us and strengthens us and our root system begins to grow, we will begin to become these solid, sturdy, steady oak trees that I believe God has called each and every single one of our lives to." [00:43:16] (36 seconds)

"There are three roles and identities that are shared in this passage of scripture that I believe help us understand the nature of our relationship with God. And from this understanding and truth, I believe we're also given practical ways for us to stay rooted in him. And these three areas I want us to know are not just empty, tiny, and empty. They're not just empty, but they are from the Lord himself. He is the author of this scripture, of these words that are written, that are spoken to us." [00:52:36] (36 seconds)

"A branch receives, what it needs from the vine. And as believers, we accept and we receive the truth that our life and our growth is dependent upon us staying connected to him. That's what it means to abide, to accept, to follow, to remain, to stay connected, to be rooted in him. We abide and we receive him. We are rooted in him. We are rooted in him. We are rooted in him. We are rooted in him. all of him because apart from him we can do nothing in other words apart from him we're just a bunch of sticks laying on the ground happy new year." [00:55:21] (49 seconds)

"And producing fruit requires us submitting and yielding to God's ways, not mine. And in and of ourselves, we cannot produce the fruit in our life. It is only by his spirit and his power at work that we are able to produce the fruit. He's the juice. As John would say, and we did a whole series on the fruit of the spirit last year. But it really is his power at work in us that produces the fruit. But we follow Jesus closely." [01:03:39] (35 seconds)

"I believe God is wanting to prune some things from our lives this year. He's wanting us to remove some things that have maybe taken place where he wants to come in and take full access. I believe he wants to prune some things in our lives and in our thoughts that can help us get rooted in him. And actually help us produce more. Because that is the purpose of pruning. It's not for us to be hindered or to be taken back or to be less than or to be left out or not as fun or whatever we think it is. It's actually a beautiful process that God uses to produce more fruit that brings honor and glory to his name." [01:06:22] (41 seconds)

"Being a disciple and following Jesus and producing the fruit requires us to stay fat. Being a disciple and following Jesus and producing the fruit requires us to stay faithful to what he's called us to do. To stay available to what he's asking of us and how he's called us to something. To stay teachable to the work that he's doing in our lives. And just to stay open and willing to what he wants. He can use that. And he will use that. But so often we become our own leader, our own guide. And we try to take the reins in our hands. But God is asking us to be rooted in him as a disciple. To stay faithful. Faithful, available, and teachable. And to follow him closely." [01:11:46] (40 seconds)

"Jesus invites us into a personal, close relationship with him. As friends of him, we are known, we are valued, we are loved, we are included in his plans. And what a humbling privilege that we would get to be called friends of Jesus. And I love that that scripture goes on to say that he didn't choose. We didn't choose him. He chose us. And he chose us. He chose you. He called you. He appointed you. And close friends share everything, don't they? You share the hopes. You share the struggles. Maybe even some secrets." [01:12:24] (55 seconds)

"Friendship with Jesus is similar, but on a divine level. And being rooted in him as a friend. As a friend means I get to share this life with him. Everything. The good. There's a passage of scripture in Psalm 25 that actually says the Lord shares his secrets with the ones who fear him. It's not like a fear like you're scared of him. It's a fear of like you're in awe of him. And he shares his secrets with the one who fears him. Who are in awe of him. And his secrets that he shares with us are secrets of life. Eternal hope. Strength. Peace. Clarity. He shares those with us as his friends." [01:14:49] (59 seconds)

"And most importantly, I believe, what we can do. What God wants to remind us of this morning is that as his friend, we get to share in the struggles and the pain that we walk through this side of heaven. There were a number of requests last week that were filled with painful situations and scenarios. And I believe God wants to remind us, if we're not in that season right now, we've probably been in a season that's bad. The valley, if you will. And I believe God wants to remind us that as his friends, we get to share that with him." [01:16:55] (42 seconds)

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