Deeply Rooted in God

Mark 4:-14-20
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Psalm 1:1-3

1. Things that can cause someone to fail to take root are:

- the devil takes away the Word before the person can even really listen and receive the message, perhaps because of distractions (footpath)

- the person receives the Word with joy but then once they are tested with problems or persecutions for believing in God’s Word, they fall away because their roots aren’t deep enough (rocky soil). This is why it’s so important to build a solid foundation in the beginning!!!

- worries of life and lure of wealth and desire for things–too much “I” so the person is unfocused and distracted (thorns) so that no fruit is produced. The message is crowded among a lot of junk.

2.To take root in the Lord, I need to trust in the Lord and make Him my hope and confidence.

Instead of following advice of the wicked or standing around with sinners or joining in with mockers, I should choose not to. Instead I should delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. The blessing that shall come as I rely on the Lord is that I will be like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit in each season. My leaves won’t wither, I’ll bear much fruit and I’ll prosper in all that I do!

A practical application of this passage is for churches to have a New Believer’s Class (read Mark 4:14-20) so that they can build upon a firm foundation!