VIDEO RECORDING OF THIS SERMON

AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS SERMON

Is 37:31 says, “take root downward, and bear fruit upward.”  This is in the context of a prophecy against Sennacherib.  The goal of Israel’s enemies is to destroy Israel from being a nation, Ps 83:4.  However, following this attempted siege, Sennacherib was destroyed.  Despite the attacks of their enemies, the prophecy of Isaiah is that a remnant of Israel will continue.  One day, following the Tribulation, this prophecy of taking root downward and bearing fruit upward will literally be fulfilled in Israel.  

This testimony of the remnant of Israel is like our testimony when we get saved.  When you get saved, God plants you by the rivers of waters, Ps 1:1-3. He wants us to come away from the ungodly, from sinners, and from the scornful.  God plants you by the living waters of everlasting life, Jn 4:10-14, the waters of the Holy Spirit, Jn 7:38-39, and the waters of the words of God, Eph 5:26.  

Once you are planted by God:

You must take root – Prov 12:3, “the root of the righteous shall not be moved.”  We read in Is 37:31 “take root downward.”  A person who is rooted is not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine; not drawn away by lusts or self will.  Our roots are not legs for running around.  We don’t come to the water every so often and then leave.  Our roots are planted, and they’re planted by the waters.  The Lord wants us to stay rooted.

Roberts is rooted and continues in the work God gave him to do even though his wife can’t be with him.  Tillman was the same way; his wife couldn’t be with him on the field.  Ellzey stayed rooted even when Angie came down with tuberculosis.  And when, finally, they had to return to the States for her final days, he started and pastored Iglesia Bautista Colonia.  Now his wife, Brooke, is pregnant and dealing with complications requiring her to stay in the States.  He’s back in Bolivia, and just completed three days of special meetings in the jungle, where many heard the gospel and a good number of souls were saved.  David Robinson came to the States for back surgery and, during rehab, revived a church in Oregon, which is now being pastored by a good pastor.

You will bear fruit – Prov 12:12, “the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.”  Prov 11:20, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.”  The fruit God produces on our tree is for the benefit of others.  Others can find life there.  That’s because a tree planted by the Lord by the waters is a good tree.  And good trees bring forth good fruit, Matt 7:17.  You’ll bear fruit:

In your season – Ps 1:3, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Trees take a long time to grow, mature, and produce fruit.  Be patient.  You’ll bear fruit in your season.

In a drought – Jer 17:7-8, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.  For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”  We’ll certainly see heat and drought in these coming days.  And yet we’ll still be producing fruit.  Men have found all kinds of ways these days to still be fruitful in their ministries.

In old age – Ps 92:12-14 “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon… They shall still bring forth fruit in old age.”  We still have fruitful ministries even though we are older, now.  How encouraging to know that our lives can still be fruitful.

Conclusion: and there is a reward for bearing fruit upward.  Is 3:10, “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.”  The Lord allows us to eat the fruit of our doings when we bear fruit for him.  

And if you aren’t saved, you must be saved because “A corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit,” Matt 7:17.  If you will get saved, God will make you a good tree.  And if you will get rooted and planted by the waters, your good tree will bring forth good fruit.