This sermon continues the "My Job Depends on Ag" series, using agricultural metaphors to explore the importance of stability and rootedness in the Christian life. Just as trees need to be planted by streams of water to bear fruit (Psalm 1), believers need to stay put—in a place, a community, and a calling—to flourish. However, our culture of hypermobility and fear of commitment (FOMO) often tempts us to run, leading to shallow roots and a lack of fruit.

Scripture References
Psalm 1:1-6: The righteous are like trees planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season.

Luke 8:26-39: Jesus heals the Gerasene demoniac. The man begs to leave with Jesus, but Jesus commands him to "return to your home" and testify there.

Genesis 2:15: God puts Adam in the garden to "work it and keep it," exercising skilled mastery.

John 15:1-8: Jesus calls us to "remain" in the vine to bear fruit.

Proverbs 27:19: "As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart."

Key Points
The Power of Staying Put Like trees, we cannot thrive if we are constantly transplanted. Staying put brings:

Security: A safe place to grow.

Identity: We are shaped by the places we inhabit.

Skilled Mastery: Staying long enough to become a "whisperer" in your field or community.

The Freedom to Stay The story of the Gerasene demoniac challenges our desire to escape. Though he had every reason to leave his past behind (shame, isolation), Jesus sent him back home. True freedom isn't always going where we want; sometimes, it's the freedom to live a new identity in the same old place.

Embrace Obligation and the Ordinary To stay rooted, we must reject the "duty-free" life.

Obligation: Belonging requires responsibility. We are members of a body, called to bear with one another, not just consume.

Ordinary: Extraordinary lives are built on ordinary habits. Greatness comes from doing consistently what others do occasionally. We must embrace the mundane routines of faithfulness—in marriage, parenting, and discipleship.

Conclusion
"Everyone wants a revolution, but nobody wants to do the dishes." True discipleship (discipline) happens in the mundane. If we run from obligation and the ordinary, we will never grow deep roots. We are invited to take a vow of stability—to commit to a place, a people, and a purpose—trusting that God will produce fruit in due season.

Calls to Action
Commit to Stability: Identify where you are tempted to run (a relationship, a job, a church) and ask God for the grace to stay and grow.

Embrace the Ordinary: Stop looking for the "extraordinary" next thing. Commit to the ordinary disciplines of prayer, scripture reading, and faithful presence this week.

Invest in Your Marriage: Sign up for the marriage workshop on January 31st to intentionally invest in your relationship.

Support the show

*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
Please notify us if you find any errors.