KEY TEXT: Matthew 13:5 (KJV) – “Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:”
Matthew 13:20-21 (KJV) – “20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the Word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word, by and by he is offended.”
The seeds which fell on the stony ground couldn’t increase much because they didn’t possess deep roots. They didn’t carry strong roots because they did not fall on the good soil; rather, they fell on stony ground.
Let’s try to consider how roots are of importance in the Bible:
Job 14:7-9 (KJV) – “7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. 8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; 9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant.”
A tree will still rise when you cut it down and leave its roots. A tree will never grow when you cut it down and eradicate the root. It is simpler to uproot a year-old tree than to uproot a 100-year-old tree.
For the root of a plant to be stable, it requires air, water, nutrients, light, and good soil. Let’s see what the Bible speaks about these five things:
Air
Air is essential for plants’ growth and for preserving all living creatures.
Genesis 2:7 (KJV) – “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
If God had formed man out of dust and failed to breathe the breath of life into him? Would man be living? No. Why? Because he wouldn’t have air and life.
If we humans take clay and sculpt it to develop a person’s carved image. Will the molded image possess life? No. Why? Because God is the giver of life.
Therefore, as a tree depends on air, so should all created beings depend on God because God is the giver of life.
John 14:6 (KJV) – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
As living creatures, we all need air to breathe. God created the air (Psalm 146:6) as He is the creator of heaven and earth and all in it.
Jesus does not say He has the way, the truth, and the life. He says He is the way, the truth, and the life. If He had said, “I have,” it means once He offered it to someone or if someone came and stole it, He wouldn’t be able to get it back.
Let’s try to understand this better. When you have something, you can put it aside. When you are something, there is nothing you can do about it. For example, you can give or sell your clothes or cars and cease to possess them. However, when you are a man or a woman, you can do nothing about it because that is what you are. That is what Jesus means when He says He is the way, the truth, and the life. Therefore, through this, we learn that existence centers on God.
Exodus 3:14 (KJV) – “And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am.” Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) – ”For he that cometh to Him must believe that He is.” The phrase must believe that He is also shows that everything (except sin, including life) is centered on God. Therefore, we should understand that without God, we are nothing, and without Him, we cannot exist.
Water
Water is vital for the growth and sustenance of all living organisms.
Job 8:11-13 (KJV) – “11 Can the rush grow up without mire? Can the flag grow without water? 12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. 13 So are the paths of all that forget God, and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:”
It is with no hesitation that all living things require water for survival. Although both are fundamental, medical researchers and scientists have established water to be of higher priority than food.
Observe the grass irrigated frequently and contrast it to the one not watered continuously or never irrigated. One looks fresh, and the other one looks dry and dying.
When you stop watering plants, what do they do? They whither. Similarly, when you embrace God in your life, He shall always bless you. However, once you keep Him out of your life, your life will cease to have blessings. You may be financially thriving but filled with confusion and emptiness.
Take note that the plants may dry and whither without moistening, but the roots will still be there. However, they will finally die if you disregard the water for a long time. This is the same with you as a human being. When you reject God, your life will have fewer blessings, but He will still give you a chance to return to Him. When you return to Him, God will restore your blessings, and He will add more to you, just like the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
What are the uses of water?
Water is a cleansing agent
Hebrews 10:22 (KJV) – “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Water is a cleansing agent, which is why we use it to remove stains from all we consider dirty. That is why baptism is performed through immersion in water. The water symbolizes the cleansing (sanctification) of a person’s life from sin.
Water is essential for survival
Water is the basis of the fluids in living organisms, which is why you need it in your body. You can go for a number of days without food but only for a few days without water.
John 4:7 (KJV) – “There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.” Jesus asked the woman for water to drink because He was tired and thirsty (John 4:6).
Water (the liquid) is essential for the survival of all living things. However, there is a type of water that is greater, which is eternal. Which water is this? John 4:10 (KJV) – “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.” Take note that Jesus told the woman this after He had asked her for the physical water to drink.
The woman could not fathom what Jesus meant. Thus she asked Him what He meant, and Jesus responded and told her, John 4:13-14 (KJV) – “13 Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” This means that as much as physical water is fundamental for life, spiritual water is more vital.
Nutrients
Nutrients are indispensable for plants’ growth and sustaining of all living organisms.
Genesis 1:29 (KJV) – “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you, it shall be for meat. (In some versions, they replace meat in this verse with food).”
Plants and all living things depend on nutrition to preserve their life and keep them healthy. Who is the maker of nutrition? It is God.
Light
Light is essential for the growth of plants and sustaining them. It is also fundamental for human activity.
Who created light? God. Genesis 1:3 (KJV) – “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
Therefore, it is crystal clear that God is the source of light.
Soil
Matthew 13:8 (KJV) – “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.”
Without good soil, the plants wouldn’t grow. They are required to be entrenched in the soil.
In Matthew 13:23, Christ says that the seed which fell on the good soil is the same as one who hears the Word of God and understands it.
Many people interact with God’s Word but cannot comprehend it. Some understand it but find it difficult to apply it. Therefore, one should seek wisdom, understanding, and discernment when engaging with the Word of God so that he can have significant growth spiritually and in all areas of his or her life. Also, one should seek divine help to assist them in applying God’s Word in their life.
After studying this, what can we draw?
Air, water, nutrients, light, and good soil are essential for the growth of plants. They are also essential for the sustenance and growth of all living organisms. However, God is the only one we can depend on because He is the Creator and Source of all these.
The seeds that fell on the stony ground represent the people who hear the Word and receive it with joy but have no root in themselves. Therefore, it doesn’t endure for long. (Matthew 13:20).
The roots are important because they represent the foundation. We need to build our lives on Christ, the solid rock, so that we may have a firm foundation like the builder who built his house on a rock (Matthew 7:24-27).
The good thing about a sound foundation is we will be firm amid trials and temptations that usually come to test our faith because even if you cut a tree and don’t remove the roots, it will still grow. Also, it is easier to uproot a tree that has existed for a shorter time than a tree that has existed for a longer time.
How can we as Christians have strong roots in Christ?
Surrender to God 100%.
Pray.
Study the Word of God and ask Him you understand it.
Strive (with the help of God to obey all the commandments of God, including the Sabbath.
Most Christians depend on sermons in church, YouTube videos, spiritual books, other spiritual written materials (like this one), pastors and spiritual leaders. Few go to search the Word of God for themselves. Philippians 2:12 ( KJV) – “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Therefore seek other sources for counsel and guidance but put in diligent work in studying the Word of God by yourself. If you do that, you will have a deeper and higher understanding of God and be deeply rooted and not easily uprooted.
“As the roots of a plant strike down into the soil, gathering moisture and nutriment from the ground, so the Christian must abide in Christ, drawing sap and nourishment from him, as does the branch from the vine, until he cannot be turned away from the Source of his strength by trials.” – The Review and Herald, June 7, 1892, par. 4, Ellen G. White.
“He who knows Christ, is willing to deny self, to suffer the loss of all things, if he may but have the privilege of laboring with Christ, for he lays hold of eternal realities by living faith, and develops a symmetrical character. But those who have but a superficial religion make it manifest that they have no vital connection with Christ; they are stony-ground hearers.” – The Review and Herald, June 7, 1892, par. 5, Ellen G. White.
GOD BLESS YOU!
Prayer
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives life. Help me to be deeply rooted in You, not swayed by trials or difficulties. Strengthen my faith so that I may stand firm, trusting in Your promises. May my heart be like good soil, ready to receive and live out Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity
Reflect and write what you have understood from this excerpt.
What actions have you been compelled to do after reading this? Write them down.
Meditate on how you can deepen your roots in God’s Word and write down ways that you can do that.
Before listening to any sermon or reading any spiritual material, ask God to guide you on how you can apply the Godly principles in it.
After engaging with any spiritual material, find out ways you can apply that message. It will be best if you write them down.
Share this message with someone.
Author: Mark Alex
BUY MY EBOOK: A FAITH FUELED LIFE: I RUN ON FAITH AND I’M NEVER RUNNING LOW
A FAITH FUELED LIFE: I RUN ON FAITH AND I’M NEVER RUNNING LOW (Amazon): https://amzn.to/4atSjuO
A FAITH FUELED LIFE: I RUN ON FAITH AND I’M NEVER RUNNING LOW (Google Play): https://bit.ly/4i9fXQp
Email: gettruthgetlife@gmail.com
Phone Number: +254710633247
My LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-alex-0b87a9109/
PayPal: gettruthgetlife@gmail.com
Revolut: revolut.me/markalex92
Get Truth Get Life 
Leave a comment