Rooted in Faith: The Journey to True Growth
Summary
Summary:
In reflecting on the journey of our church, I am reminded of the lessons from the bamboo plant. Bamboo, though it grows rapidly once it breaks the surface, spends years developing a strong root system underground. This metaphor serves as a reminder that true growth begins beneath the surface, in unseen places, and requires patience and faith. Our church has experienced significant growth, but God has shown me that not everyone is yet planted. Before we can experience accelerated growth, we must ensure that we are deeply rooted in faith, community, and commitment.
Being planted means more than just attending services; it involves a commitment to follow Jesus, not just worship Him. Many of us may find ourselves in environments that contradict our prayers and hinder our growth. Like a fish out of water, we need to be in the right atmosphere to thrive. This requires intentional decisions, such as distancing ourselves from negative influences and immersing ourselves in God's Word.
Growth is not always about size or speed. It is about health and sustainability. Just as a tree planted by the riverbank bears fruit in all seasons, we too can flourish regardless of external circumstances if we are rooted in Christ. This growth allows us to give freely, knowing that God is our provider.
Finally, we must steward well what we have, even if it seems insufficient. Jesus can work miracles with what we offer Him, no matter how small. Our journey is unique, and comparing ourselves to others can lead to discouragement. Instead, we should focus on our own path, trusting that God has a purpose for us that is unfolding in His perfect timing.
Key Takeaways:
- The Importance of Being Planted: True growth begins with being deeply rooted in faith and community. Without being planted, we risk being left behind when growth occurs. This requires a commitment to follow Jesus beyond just worshiping Him. [09:14]
- The Right Atmosphere for Growth: Just as a fish needs water to thrive, we need to be in environments that support our spiritual growth. This may mean removing ourselves from negative influences and immersing ourselves in God's Word. [13:24]
- Stewarding What We Have: Growth requires us to steward well what we currently possess, even if it seems insufficient. Jesus can work miracles with what we offer Him, no matter how small. [39:56]
- Growth is Not Always Bigger: True growth is about health and sustainability, not size. What's broken swells, but what's healthy grows. We must focus on being healthy in our spiritual journey. [45:31]
- Trusting God's Timing: Our journey is unique, and comparing ourselves to others can lead to discouragement. We must trust that God has a purpose for us that is unfolding in His perfect timing. [51:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:12] - The Bamboo Metaphor
- [03:37] - Blueprint's Accelerated Growth
- [05:43] - The Decision to Walk Away
- [07:55] - Fairlawn and the Call to Be Planted
- [09:14] - Worship vs. Following Jesus
- [10:08] - The Importance of Being Planted
- [12:12] - Contradictory Atmospheres
- [13:24] - The Right Atmosphere for Growth
- [16:11] - Stewarding What We Have
- [17:32] - Planted by the Riverbank
- [19:53] - Withholding Resources
- [21:48] - God as Our Provider
- [23:07] - The Process of Being Planted
- [25:19] - The Difference Between Buried and Planted
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 1:3
- Luke 5:1-10
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 1:3 say about the characteristics of a tree planted by the riverbank, and how does this relate to spiritual growth? [16:51]
2. In the sermon, what metaphor is used to describe the initial stages of growth and why is it significant? [02:12]
3. How did Peter respond to Jesus' instruction to cast the nets again, and what was the outcome? [31:42]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the difference between worshiping Jesus and following Him? [09:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of the bamboo plant illustrate the importance of developing a strong foundation before visible growth occurs? [02:12]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being in the right atmosphere is crucial for spiritual growth, similar to a fish needing water? [13:24]
3. How does the story of Peter and the miraculous catch of fish illustrate the concept of trusting in God's timing and instructions, even when they don't make sense? [42:37]
4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of comparing our spiritual journey to others, and how can this lead to discouragement? [51:20]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual environment. Are there any negative influences you need to distance yourself from to foster growth? What steps can you take this week to immerse yourself more in God's Word? [13:24]
2. Consider an area in your life where you feel "unplanted." What specific actions can you take to become more deeply rooted in your faith and community? [09:14]
3. Think about a situation where you feel you have little to offer. How can you steward what you have, trusting that God can work miracles with it? [39:56]
4. Identify a time when you compared your spiritual journey to someone else's. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's unique plan for your life? [51:20]
5. What is one practical way you can ensure that your growth is healthy and sustainable, rather than just seeking size or speed? [45:31]
6. Reflect on a recent decision or situation where you struggled to trust God's timing. How can you apply the lesson from Peter's obedience to "cast the nets" in your own life? [42:37]
7. How can you cultivate a mindset of giving freely, knowing that God is your provider, even in times of scarcity or uncertainty? [21:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Deep Roots for True Growth
True growth begins with being deeply rooted in faith and community. Without being planted, we risk being left behind when growth occurs. This requires a commitment to follow Jesus beyond just worshiping Him. Being planted is more than just attending services; it involves a commitment to follow Jesus, not just worship Him. Many of us may find ourselves in environments that contradict our prayers and hinder our growth. Like a fish out of water, we need to be in the right atmosphere to thrive. This requires intentional decisions, such as distancing ourselves from negative influences and immersing ourselves in God's Word. [09:14]
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 are some specific ways you can deepen your roots in faith and community this week? Consider one action you can take today to strengthen your commitment to follow Jesus.
Day 2: The Right Environment for Spiritual Growth
Just as a fish needs water to thrive, we need to be in environments that support our spiritual growth. This may mean removing ourselves from negative influences and immersing ourselves in God's Word. The right atmosphere is crucial for growth. If we find ourselves in environments that contradict our prayers and hinder our growth, we must make intentional decisions to change. This might involve distancing ourselves from negative influences and seeking out communities and practices that nurture our spiritual journey. [13:24]
Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Reflection: Identify one negative influence in your life that you can distance yourself from this week. How can you replace it with a positive influence that supports your spiritual growth?
Day 3: Stewarding What We Have
Growth requires us to steward well what we currently possess, even if it seems insufficient. Jesus can work miracles with what we offer Him, no matter how small. We must steward well what we have, even if it seems insufficient. Jesus can work miracles with what we offer Him, no matter how small. Our journey is unique, and comparing ourselves to others can lead to discouragement. Instead, we should focus on our own path, trusting that God has a purpose for us that is unfolding in His perfect timing. [39:56]
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (ESV): "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God."
Reflection: What is one small thing you have that you can offer to God today? How can you trust Him to multiply it for His purposes?
Day 4: Health Over Size in Growth
True growth is about health and sustainability, not size. What's broken swells, but what's healthy grows. We must focus on being healthy in our spiritual journey. Growth is not always about size or speed. It is about health and sustainability. Just as a tree planted by the riverbank bears fruit in all seasons, we too can flourish regardless of external circumstances if we are rooted in Christ. This growth allows us to give freely, knowing that God is our provider. [45:31]
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: In what areas of your life are you focusing on size or speed rather than health and sustainability? How can you shift your focus to ensure you are growing in a healthy and sustainable way?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
Our journey is unique, and comparing ourselves to others can lead to discouragement. We must trust that God has a purpose for us that is unfolding in His perfect timing. Comparing ourselves to others can lead to discouragement. Instead, we should focus on our own path, trusting that God has a purpose for us that is unfolding in His perfect timing. Our journey is unique, and God’s timing is perfect. [51:20]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you are tempted to compare yourself to others. How can you shift your perspective to trust in God's unique timing and purpose for your life?
Quotes
You can come here every Sunday, every Wednesday Bible study. You can come in here. You can listen to the songs. Be led by the praise team. You can sing the songs. You can lift your hands. You can pray. You can worship. But not be planted. Because it's one thing to worship Jesus. It's another thing to follow. Jesus. And there's people here that you've been worshiping Jesus and thinking it's all good. But you haven't been following him. [00:09:28] (31 seconds)
See, the atmosphere that you put yourself in needs to be not about the best presentation or the most fun at the moment, but it needs to be an atmosphere where you are able to grow. So, number one, I got five points here. And you're like, this is going to be a five-hour message. Nope, it is not. We're going to go through these pretty quick. [00:15:01] (25 seconds)
God wants to plant us next to the riverbank. He wants to plant us next to living water. Why? We can grow, but why so big about planting us next to the riverbank? Because you've got water right there, right? If you're planting. If you're planted in God's word. If you're planted next to the living water, then you won't be dependent on the elements. [00:17:19] (32 seconds)
And some of you, you get discouraged because you don't automatically look like a tree. You're expecting things to happen right away. You're looking at other people's lives and thinking that I'm supposed to have that, too. And God's saying, you haven't even got planted yet. See, it starts off looking like this. Starts off looking like seeds. [00:23:31] (28 seconds)
And there's some of you, you haven't seen growth in your personal life for 10 plus years because you've never got planted. You have put what God's given you and you put it on a table and you're expecting something to happen without you doing anything. God's saying, no, no, no, no, no, I need something from you. No, no. I need. I need you to get in there. [00:24:15] (23 seconds)
And we're ready to throw away the thing that didn't work. But I'm telling you, if you want to experience growth in your life, you are going to have to steward well what's not working well. All I had a dream the other night. Scared me to death because I had a dream. I got up here today, and I started to speak, and there was four people in the sanctuary. [00:38:13] (28 seconds)
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