Rooted in Christ

Scripture Text

Colossians 2:6-7

Intro: The apostle Paul says in these scriptures for today that we are to be “rooted” in Christ, rooted in His word, rooted in love, rooted in faith, and rooted in hope. The bible has much to say about spiritual roots. The deeper our spiritual roots the stronger we are.

I. Receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Colossians 2:6 (NKJV) As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord

a. To be able to walk and be rooted, built up, and established in Christ, you must have confessed your sins against God to Him and ask Him to save you and receive Him into your life! Then you should be baptized and begin to live for Him. He says not merely, "You received" the doctrine of Christ, but "Jesus" Himself; this is the essence of faith. You have received once for all the Spirit of life in Christ; carry into practice that life in your walk. When we receive Him, the Savior from heaven; then we accept Him as the Lord of our lives. That means He owns us and tells us what we should do.

II. Live your life in Christ. Colossians 2:6b so walk in Him,

a. Because Christ dwells within all believers through the Holy Spirit, they should walk or live our lives in obedience to him. We begin to do His will and bear His fruit! The past event of receiving Christ should be a present reality in the believers’ daily life. To live in Christ means to conduct yourself each day as Jesus would in every situation of life. To do that you must be rooted like a tree, built up in Jesus as your solid foundation, and established in the faith. So we will look at how we do that?

III. Be rooted in Christ. Colossians 2:7a Be rooted in Christ

a. How do you know when you don't have deep spiritual roots? You will have continual worry, doubts, fears, stress, guilt, shame, resentment, and bitterness, and so much more show up in your life. These are the results of not having deep spiritual roots.

Jesus told a parable about sowing seeds. The seeds represented God's word. Some fell on stony ground which represents hard hearts. The Word never penetrated the heart. Some received the word but never developed deep roots and soon the worries and problems of life choked out the word and it never developed deep roots. The roots withered away.(Matt. 6:4-7) But Jesus' will for us is to develop deep spiritual roots that will carry us through hard times and “produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as has been planted.” (Matt. 13:23)                                             IV. Be built up and established in Him. Colossians 2:7 (NKJV) built up in Him and established in the faith. We all build our lives on something we believe in. So Christian Build your life on Christ alone and you will be an overcomer!

a. For this to happen, You must spend time with God in bible reading and prayer. As you read God's word and pray you begin to become strengthened and built up in Christ. To build on Christ you have to know what God is saying to us from His word. We have to spend time studying and meditating on His word and be in communication with Him through prayer. If we don't spend time with God, we will dry up and blow away when the pressures of life are on. There is no substitute for time with God. We have to spend time with other believers as we gather together and worship and praise God. No one has life all figured out. That's why we need each other. We can learn from each other and encourage and help each other and thereby build each other up. Building on Christ means we have Him as the solid foundation of our lives and He directs everything we do. We build our lives on Him and His word. Jesus and His word become a part of us and helps us face whatever life throws our way and helps us live the victorious lifestyle.

Then we become established in Christ and we begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And this kind of life will abound in thanksgiving to God for His glorious provisions.

Conclusion: There is no substitute for growing in our Christ likeness because that's what God saved us for. [Rom. 8:29] As we are more rooted and grounded in Christ, the more victorious we will be in our daily walk, and we will begin to experience more and more the blessings and favor of God in our lives.

Invitation: Dear Lord, as we continue seek You, I pray that You will build up our lives into all that You have for us. May our lives bring glory and honor to Your great name. And Jesus , if the one reading this today has never confessed their sins to You and asked for Your forgiveness, may today be the day of their salvation I pray in Your name. Amen!

You Can Be Healed

If you are waiting for the full manifestation of healing to come into your body or mind, put God in remembrance of His Word by speaking His Word. Jesus defeated satan by "It is written." You can defeat him this way, too.

Here are some healing promises which are legally yours by inheritance as a heir of God and a joint-heir of Jesus Christ. Print this page. Meditate upon these promises daily. Speak them aloud, putting God in remembrance of His promises...

By Jesus' stripes I am healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

It is God's will that I prosper and be in health, just as my soul prospers. (3 John 2)

The Lord is my healer: (Ex. 15:26)

Jesus came that I may enjoy life and have it overflowing abundance. (John 10:10)

As I serve the Lord, sickness is taken from my midst. (Ex. 23:25)

Healing is one of God's benefits. (Ps. 103:3)

Jesus is the serpent of the pole lifted up in the New Covenant for my healing and deliverance. (John 3:14)

God sent His Word and healed me. (Ps. 107:20)

I pay attention to God's Word, for it is life to my body and health to my flesh. (Prov. 4:20-22)

God gives me good and perfect gifts. He has no sickness or disease to give me. (James 1:17)

As I submit to God and resist the devil, he must flee from me. Sickness and disease must flee from me. (James 4:7)

Jesus is able and willing to heal me. (Matt. 8:1-2)

Jesus can heal me through my believing, receiving, and speaking His Word or through the touch of another believer who is empowered by the Holy Ghost. (Mark 16:18)

Jesus paid for all sin and sickness at Calvary. (Matt. 8:17)

God Alone!

Scripture Text

Psalm 62:5-12

Intro: King David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is giving us his life experiences to help us in making wise decisions on how to live life correctly so we can avoid unwise decisions and actions that might harm us.

A. Who or what is your hope in? Psalms 62:5 (NKJV) My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.

1. David is in the midst of great trouble and he speaks to his own soul (the seat of his consciousness). David reminds himself that God alone is his hope. Hope here means confident expectation. David knows if he puts his hope in anyone or anything other than God, he will be greatly disappointed and miserable. So will we! His reminds himself that his confident expectation for help would come from God and Him alone!

B. David reminds himself of God's characteristics. Psalms 62:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. ⁷ In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.

1. God is my Rock. A symbol of steadfastness, unmovable, and unchanging.
2. My salvation- Not only of his soul, but from every situation and circumstance in which he might find himself. He knew there is no other savior but God alone.
3. My defense- God alone would be David's defense against all his enemies and every other problem or circumstance he would go through.
4. Because God was all these things to him, he would not be moved or shaken by any circumstance or situation he found himself in.
5. In verse 7 David repeats that God alone is his salvation. He goes on to say that God is his glory which means his honor. He didn't look to his own qualifications for his honor. Self honor is worthless. Peoples honor are also worthless.
  6. David says God is the rock (the stability, steadfastness) of his strength. Even though he was a great king and an experienced warrior, he didn't look to himself for the strength he needed to make it thorough life's circumstances and problems.


C. David instructs the saints to trust in God alone. Psalms 62:8 (NKJV) Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
       1. At all times! Whatever might be going on in your life.
       2. He says to pour out your heart to Him because God is a refuge or shelter from all the     storms in our lives.


D. David advises all saints what not to trust in. Psalms 62:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹ Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor. ¹⁰ Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them.
1. Don't trust in mankind, whether they are common people or men of high degree. They are not reliable and are sure to let you down.2. Don't oppress others to get wealthy. Don't be cruel or treat people unjustly to get what you want.3. Don't steal from others to get what you desire. Look to God alone.4. Don't set your heart on money. Don't let it become an idol to you.

       E. David's advises look to God alone. Psalms 62:11-12 (NKJV) ¹¹ God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. ¹² Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.

1. Because all power belongs to God alone. He alone is strong enough to provide all your needs. Mercy or unfailing love belongs only to God alone. God will render to everyone his judgment. It will be based on what you have done. God alone is qualified to judge because He alone judges justly, righteously.

Invitation: Who or what are you looking to for your salvation? Who or what are you putting your hope in for this life and the life to come? If it is not Jesus Christ alone and His finished work on the cross, confess your sins to Him right now and ask Him to forgive and save you from Hell and for Heaven. Invite Him to take charge of your life from this day forward. The choice is yours to make!

Be wise and trust in Christ alone for your salvation! Make your decision public in church!

Example of a Great Mother!

Scripture Text

Luke 1:26-38, 45-55, John 19:25-27

Intro: As we honor our mothers today I would like for us to look at some characteristics that make a great mother. In the bible we have the story of the greatest mother that ever lived. Her name is Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. What made her so great?                                  

 I. Mary was chosen and highly favored of God. Luke 1:28a (NKJV)  And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one,

    God was well  pleased with her life.

God saw the pureness of her heart and her love for Him. She was the ideal woman to be Jesus’ mother. God chose Mary to fulfill His plan for her life! (V:26) God has chosen you Mother to fulfill His plans for your life. He has highly favored you thru His Son Jesus.

II. The Lord’s presence was with Mary. Luke 1:28b the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" She was blessed among women. She was blessed because the Lord God was with her and she was to become the mother of His Son, Jesus Christ. She was the special recipient of God’s grace and so are you Mother. Since Christ has come, every mother and person can now... be highly favored by God: have the Lord's presence with them, and be blessed among all others. A godly mother is blessed among women!

III. Mary was to bear the Messiah. Luke 1:31-33 (NKJV) 

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." God chose her apparently, because from her response throughout this passage, she had a sweet spirit that was full of softness, warmth, and tenderness, and she was responsive and willing,thoughtful and kind. Godly mothers are to have these same characteristics. They bear the fruit of the Spirit . Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Mothers are very important in carrying out the plan of God for the world just as Mary. We wouldn't be here otherwise! Where would we be without godly mothers in our lives? Godly mother's display God's love to her family and others!

 IV. Mary was submissive to God’s will. Luke 1:38 (NKJV)  Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Mary submitted to God's will, knowing that she was merely the Lord’s servant. Mary obeyed despite the risks, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." She took the risk of faith, for she knew that God was asking her to serve him. God's will for all mothers is to be submissive to His will in every area of their lives! His way is best!

 V. Mary read and memorized God’s word. Luke 1:45-55 (NKJV) ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." ⁴⁶ And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. ⁴⁸ For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. ⁴⁹ For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. ⁵⁰ And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. ⁵¹ He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. ⁵² He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. ⁵⁴ He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, ⁵⁵ As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever." 

God's word was of utmost importance to Mary. It took priority in her life.

1.  God was the subject of her song (v.46).

2.  Mary rejoiced in God her Savior for His favor toward her. (v.47-48).

3.  Mary proclaimed the greatness of God’s power, holiness, mercy, and faithfulness, strength. (v.49-55). She taught her faith to Jesus as He grew up!

 VI. Jesus' love for His mother an example for us. John 19:25-27 (NKJV) ²⁵ Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. The first woman mentioned at the Cross is Jesus’ mother. She was there because of her never ending love for her Son, and Jesus' love for His mother was evident by His making provisions for Her welfare even in the midst of His great suffering. We are to follow Jesus' example and show love and help take care of our mothers if they are still living. How many mothers are neglected as they grow older? May that never be said of your mother because mothers are God's gift to the world. She brought you into being!

Conclusion: If your mother is living, tell her and show her your love not only today but every remaining day she has left on this earth. Show honor to her! Let her know how you feel about her!

Invitation: Mary proclaimed in Luke 1:47 ^“My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” Can you say the same today? Do you know for sure as Mary did that God has saved you through Jesus Christ? If not confess your sins to Jesus and ask him to forgive and save you right now. Every mother living or in Heaven wants all of their children saved so they can see them in Heaven!