An Open Heart to God's Word

SPEAKER: Josh Taylor

PASSAGE: Colossians 2:6-7; Luke 8:4-15, 19-21

If we want a fruitful future, we must choose deep roots now. Centered on Jesus’ parable of the sower in Luke 8, this message explores how the way we receive God’s Word determines the fruit of our lives.

We’re reminded that God’s Word is more than information—it is life itself. From God’s spoken revelation that created the world, to Scripture written down for generations, to Jesus as the ultimate Word made flesh, God’s Word reveals who He is and invites us into relationship with Him.

Jesus’ parable exposes four postures of the heart—hardened, shallow, crowded, and open—and shows that while the seed (God’s Word) and the sower remain the same, the soil of our hearts changes everything. Real growth doesn’t come from simply hearing or knowing God’s Word, but from receiving it with openness, retaining it through practice, and persevering in obedience over time.

This message challenges listeners to examine their hearts: Are we closed off, distracted, or emotionally driven—or are we making space for God’s Word to take root and produce lasting fruit? As a church, we’re invited to slow down, cultivate healthy spiritual rhythms, and center our lives on Jesus through Scripture, prayer, and Sabbath.

This teaching closes with a call to action: commit to growing deep roots this year by reading Colossians together, memorizing Colossians 2:607, and choosing practices that help us experience life in Jesus. Text "ROOTED" to 740.936.5040 to read with us. Because what grows beneath the surface determines what thrives above it.