Rooted in Christ: The Path to Discipleship

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound question of what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. This inquiry is not just a theological exercise but a vital aspect of our faith journey, as Jesus commissioned us to make disciples of all nations. To fulfill this mission, we must first understand what it means to be a disciple ourselves. At the heart of discipleship is the concept of fruitfulness, which is deeply rooted in our relationship with God. The title, "The Fruit is in the Root," encapsulates this idea, emphasizing that our spiritual fruitfulness is directly tied to our rootedness in Christ.

We delved into Isaiah 37, where God promises His people that they will "take root downward and bear fruit upward." This imagery illustrates that our spiritual growth and fruitfulness require intentionality and a deepening relationship with God. Discipleship is not a quick or easy process; it demands a disciplined pursuit empowered by love. Just as in a loving relationship, where the cost seems easy when love is the driving force, our relationship with Jesus should be fueled by love, making the pursuit of spiritual growth a joy rather than a burden.

Paul's words in Colossians 2 further illuminate this journey. He encourages believers to be firmly rooted in Christ, emphasizing that our faith should affect how we live. Discipleship is not merely about initial conversion experiences but about ongoing growth and transformation into the likeness of Christ. This transformation requires developing holy habits, such as prayer, scripture reading, and community involvement, which challenge our base desires and promote godliness.

Ultimately, our lives will reflect what we are rooted in. If we are rooted in Christ, our lives will bear the fruit of the Spirit. This journey is not about striving to produce fruit but about staying connected to Jesus, allowing His life to flow through us and naturally produce fruit. As we begin this year, let us commit to being deeply rooted in Christ, allowing His love to transform us and bear fruit in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Rootedness in Christ: Our spiritual fruitfulness is directly tied to our rootedness in Christ. Just as a tree must take root downward to bear fruit upward, we must intentionally deepen our relationship with God to grow spiritually. This requires a disciplined pursuit empowered by love, as our relationship with Jesus should be fueled by love, making the pursuit of spiritual growth a joy rather than a burden. [05:05]

2. The Role of Love in Discipleship: Discipleship is not a burdensome task but a journey fueled by love. When we fall in love with Jesus, the work involved in deepening our relationship with Him becomes a natural expression of our affection. Just as in a loving relationship, where the cost seems easy when love is the driving force, our relationship with Jesus should be fueled by love, making the pursuit of spiritual growth a joy rather than a burden. [09:48]

3. Holy Habits for Growth: Developing holy habits, such as prayer, scripture reading, and community involvement, is essential for spiritual growth. These disciplines challenge our base desires and promote godliness, helping us become more like Christ. Just as physical exercise strengthens our bodies, spiritual disciplines strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with God. [25:53]

4. Faith in Action: Our faith in Jesus should affect how we live, transforming us into His likeness. Discipleship is not merely about initial conversion experiences but about ongoing growth and transformation. Our lives should reflect the fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating the love, joy, peace, and other qualities that come from being rooted in Christ. [18:12]

5. The Sufficiency of Christ's Work: Trusting in the sufficiency of Jesus's finished work of redemption is crucial for our relationship with Him. Jesus has done everything necessary for us to know Him and become His disciples. Our role is to stay connected to Him, allowing His life to flow through us and naturally produce fruit. [36:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:21] - The Fruit is in the Root
- [03:06] - Isaiah 37 and Discipleship
- [05:05] - Intentional Rootedness
- [06:47] - Love as the Driving Force
- [08:03] - The Blind Date Story
- [09:48] - Falling in Love with Jesus
- [11:39] - Paul's Encouragement in Colossians
- [13:36] - Beyond Initial Conversion
- [16:54] - The Goal of Our Faith
- [18:12] - Faith in Action
- [20:28] - The Church's Role
- [22:42] - Rooted in Christ
- [25:53] - Developing Holy Habits
- [36:06] - Trusting in Christ's Sufficiency
- [38:24] - Bearing Fruit Naturally
- [41:42] - The Importance of Being Rooted in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 37:31
2. Colossians 2:6-7

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Isaiah 37:31 suggest about the relationship between taking root and bearing fruit? How does this relate to the concept of discipleship? [03:06]

2. In Colossians 2:6-7, what does Paul mean by being "firmly rooted" in Christ, and how does this relate to the stability of faith? [11:39]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the role of love in discipleship through the pastor's personal story about his relationship with his wife? [06:47]

4. What are some "holy habits" mentioned in the sermon that can help believers grow spiritually? [25:53]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the imagery of taking root downward and bearing fruit upward in Isaiah 37:31 apply to the life of a disciple today? What does this suggest about the nature of spiritual growth? [03:06]

2. In what ways does being "firmly rooted" in Christ, as described in Colossians 2:6-7, impact a believer's daily life and decisions? [11:39]

3. The sermon emphasizes that discipleship is a journey fueled by love. How does this perspective change the way one might approach spiritual disciplines and growth? [09:48]

4. How can the concept of "holy habits" challenge a believer's base desires and promote godliness, according to the sermon? [25:53]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any "holy habits" you feel called to develop or strengthen to deepen your relationship with Christ? [25:53]

2. Consider the role of love in your spiritual journey. How can you cultivate a deeper love for Jesus that makes the pursuit of spiritual growth a joy rather than a burden? [09:48]

3. Identify one area of your life where you feel your faith in Jesus should have a greater impact. What practical steps can you take to align this area with your faith? [18:12]

4. Think about the people you interact with regularly. How can you demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in these relationships, and what specific actions can you take this week to do so? [38:24]

5. Evaluate your current priorities. Is your relationship with Jesus at the center of your life, or are there other things taking precedence? How can you adjust your daily routine to reflect your commitment to being rooted in Christ? [32:12]

6. Reflect on the sufficiency of Christ's work in your life. How does trusting in His finished work of redemption influence your confidence and peace in your spiritual journey? [36:06]

7. Consider the pastor's challenge to ask a friend about the fruit they see in your life. Are you willing to have this conversation, and how might it help you grow as a disciple of Jesus? [46:55]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Rootedness in Christ: The Foundation of Spiritual Fruitfulness

Our spiritual fruitfulness is directly tied to our rootedness in Christ. Just as a tree must take root downward to bear fruit upward, we must intentionally deepen our relationship with God to grow spiritually. This requires a disciplined pursuit empowered by love, as our relationship with Jesus should be fueled by love, making the pursuit of spiritual growth a joy rather than a burden. The imagery from Isaiah 37, where God promises His people that they will "take root downward and bear fruit upward," illustrates that our spiritual growth and fruitfulness require intentionality and a deepening relationship with God. Discipleship is not a quick or easy process; it demands a disciplined pursuit empowered by love. [05:05]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Christ and ensure your spiritual roots are growing deeper?


Day 2: Love as the Driving Force in Discipleship

Discipleship is not a burdensome task but a journey fueled by love. When we fall in love with Jesus, the work involved in deepening our relationship with Him becomes a natural expression of our affection. Just as in a loving relationship, where the cost seems easy when love is the driving force, our relationship with Jesus should be fueled by love, making the pursuit of spiritual growth a joy rather than a burden. This love-driven approach transforms the way we view our spiritual disciplines, turning them from obligations into opportunities to express our love for Christ. [09:48]

1 John 4:19-21 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Reflection: How can you let love be the driving force in your spiritual practices this week, transforming them from duties into expressions of your love for Jesus?


Day 3: Developing Holy Habits for Spiritual Growth

Developing holy habits, such as prayer, scripture reading, and community involvement, is essential for spiritual growth. These disciplines challenge our base desires and promote godliness, helping us become more like Christ. Just as physical exercise strengthens our bodies, spiritual disciplines strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with God. By cultivating these habits, we create space for God to work in our lives, transforming us into His likeness and enabling us to bear the fruit of the Spirit. [25:53]

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Reflection: What holy habit can you commit to developing this week, and how will you incorporate it into your daily routine to promote spiritual growth?


Day 4: Faith in Action: Living Out Our Transformation

Our faith in Jesus should affect how we live, transforming us into His likeness. Discipleship is not merely about initial conversion experiences but about ongoing growth and transformation. Our lives should reflect the fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating the love, joy, peace, and other qualities that come from being rooted in Christ. This transformation is a continuous process, requiring us to actively live out our faith in every aspect of our lives, allowing the world to see Christ through us. [18:12]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: In what specific area of your life can you put your faith into action this week, demonstrating the transformation that comes from being rooted in Christ?


Day 5: Trusting in the Sufficiency of Christ's Work

Trusting in the sufficiency of Jesus's finished work of redemption is crucial for our relationship with Him. Jesus has done everything necessary for us to know Him and become His disciples. Our role is to stay connected to Him, allowing His life to flow through us and naturally produce fruit. This trust frees us from striving to earn God's favor and allows us to rest in His grace, knowing that our fruitfulness comes from our connection to Christ, not our efforts. [36:06]

Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."

Reflection: How can you deepen your trust in the sufficiency of Christ's work this week, allowing His life to flow through you and produce fruit naturally?

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Quotes


If we're going to take root downward, and bear fruit upward, it's going to require us to desire to grow because we've seen the beauty of God. So often we miss that part of discipleship. You know, so far what I've said to you, it sounds like a lot of work, doesn't it? [00:05:20] (27 seconds)


The more we fall in love with Him, the less we begin to think about the work that we're having to do to deepen that relationship. The more we fall in love with Him, the less we begin to think about the work that we're having to do to deepen that relationship. [00:10:27] (13 seconds)


Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed and overflowing with gratitude. Paul is talking to them about their new life in Christ. [00:12:48] (25 seconds)


You see, it's not just about getting people to pray a prayer and to go through a baptismal tank it's about helping them become disciples of Jesus to help them grow up into Christ you heard it mentioned a couple of times on the video that it's this expectation that people are becoming more like Jesus. [00:14:06] (26 seconds)


If you're rooted in the worship of self, guess what's going to come out of your life? Selfishness. Oh, you might talk the talk, but as we look at your life, we're going to see a trail of selfishness that's going to demonstrate exactly what you're rooted in. [00:24:13] (24 seconds)


Prayer assaults that sense of self-sufficiency and causes us to build God's... God-sufficiency in our lives. Do you see what I'm talking about here? We don't like the word discipline, do we? That's why I called it holy habits. Sounds a little less intimidating. Same concept, though. [00:29:57] (26 seconds)


You allow these disciplines to root you into Christ. The second thing that Paul says will help us get rooted in Jesus. He said he commends their stability of their faith in Christ. And for us, I think that means that we need to learn to trust the sufficiency of Jesus's finished work of redemption to hold us in a relationship with Him. [00:36:39] (38 seconds)


If the tree has got a good root, then the tree is going to, produce good fruit. If the tree has got a diseased root, it's going to bear diseased fruit. See, you don't have to strive to be fruitful. You just stay connected to Jesus and all of a sudden, the love, the joy, the peace, the patience, the kindness, the goodness, the gentleness, and the self-control, the fruit of the Spirit is going to begin to show up in your life. [00:41:04] (46 seconds)


If you're not rooted in Christ, you can attend all the worship services you want to. You can read all the Christian literature you want to. You can memorize all the scripture you want to. And trust me, folks, the devil knows more scripture than anybody in here does. He quotes it accurately. [00:41:42] (20 seconds)


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Transcript
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