"wATER prODUCES deEP rOOTS"

Water Produces Deep Roots

Luke 8:4-8 (NLT)

In the familiar parable of the sower, we see that even Jesus saw people respond superficially to His message. The problem was certainly not in His preaching, but in the audience’s hearing. The warning to those who hear the parable, of course, is to take it to heart so that we avoid a superficial faith. Whatever the current state of our hearts, we can appeal to God to grant us a new heart so that we will hold fast to Him and bear fruit with perseverance.

In the parable of Luke 8:4-15, Jesus likens the soils or grounds of a field to the different kind of people on this earth. Everybody falls into at least one of these four grounds. If you don’t like “your soil”, just know that the kinds of soils are not fixed forever. By God’s grace, a person can change. (can I get a amen)

The four soils can be grouped into two categories: the unfruitful and the fruitful. All four soils hear the Word. The first soil is the only one not to accept it at all. The second soil accepts the seed briefly and shows initial promise, but it soon dies out. The third soil seems to make even further progress, but eventually the thorns choke it out. Only the fourth soil eventually bears fruit.

Growing Pains

Luke 8:6 and 13 (NLT)

6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.

13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.

Begin to grow:

Growth spurt
Grew too fast; knees started to hurt
Going to experience pain

Hear and receive the word with joy

Excited in the beginning; reality sets in
Marathon not a sprint
Believe for a while

Shiny new object; start to wear off in 90 day

Put God on a 90 day probationary period
Need for mature Christian to come along side to encourage and instruct
Faced with temptation (sin takes over their belief)

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Here is what the Lord wants us to do when we have these Growing Pains

Hebrews 6:1 (Warns Against Falling Away) (NIV)
Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

1 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT)
Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

When we become Christians, we enter into a relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that will cause us to grow. With the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to become more like Jesus and to become more holy. It is this spiritual growth that becomes a birthmark of our faith! (help me somebody)

Need for Water – It Gives Us Life

John 4:11-15 (NLT)

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

You see, in Jewish culture, “dead water” referred to standing and stored water. “Living water” referred to moving water, as in rivers, springs and rainfall. Such water was precious because it was fresh, because it came directly from God.

In other words, this living water (Jesus) will give you life to keep you from eternal death! (help me somebody)
Now some of us need the living water (Jesus) in us so that we can have deep roots in Christ…

DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR PRAYER LIFE
DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR FASTING LIFE
DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR WORSHIP LIFE
DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR PRAISE LIFE
DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR THANKSGIVING LIFE
DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR READING OF THE WORD LIFE
DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR MEDITATION LIFE
DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR WITNESSING
DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR GRACE AND MERCY LIFE
DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR LOVE LIFE
AND DEEP ROOTS IN YOUR TITHING LIFE

The Bible says, “Whoever is thirsty, let him come and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life!!

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
None of us are perfect

As long as you have breath; you have another chance

I can’t promise you that it will be easy; but I can promise you that it will be worthwhile

Let the Word strengthen your roots so that your heart be transformed and you will grow