September 20, 2026
OPENING: What Happened This Week?
Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT – The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
INFORMATION: Beyond Sunday Breakthrough
Jesus said in Mark 4:5-6 (NLT) — “Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it withered and died.”
Mark 4:16-17 (NLT) — “The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.”
Three things from this passage:
1. Fast growth isn’t proof of depth.
- The rocky soil produced the quickest, most enthusiastic response of any soil in the parable — and it still didn’t last.
- Paul wrote in Romans 12:3 (NLT) — “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”
2. The rock was already there.
- The divorce, the layoff, the friend who walked away — those hard seasons don’t create the weakness, they reveal what was already there, the rocks just below the surface.
- “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” — Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
3. Deep roots grow when we inspect our soil.
- You can’t strip off a weight you don’t know you’re carrying, and you won’t know it’s there unless you ask.
- David wrote in Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) — “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
INSPIRATION: The Lord Wants To Go Deeper
Jesus isn’t only after your joyful response to him. He’s after a root system deep enough to carry fruit that lasts — and he loves you too much to leave the rock where it is.
1. Loving the seed isn’t the same as clearing the ground for it.
- You can love worship, love this church, love the message, and still never remove what’s underneath.
- Paul wrote in Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) — “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your life be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
2. Hard times come — the only question is how deep your roots are when they arrive.
- Trouble isn’t a sign you did something wrong or proof God is upset with you.
- “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” — Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)
MOTIVATION: Removing Obstacles To Build Faith
Obstacle 1: “I don’t have time to dig it up.”
- He’s not asking you to do this work alone or finish it by Friday.
- “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” — Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
Obstacle 2: “I might find something I don’t like.”
- Naming a rock isn’t a confession of failure — it’s the first honest step toward roots that hold when the heat comes.
- Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) — “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
TRANSFORMATION: The Lord Is With You
The rock doesn’t disqualify you. It just needs to be found and removed so the roots can go deeper.
THREE CALLS TO ACTION:
- Today — Ask God directly: “What’s the rock? What’s underneath that you want to remove?” Then ask him to remove it.
- Daily — Each morning, pray: “Show me how to be aware of the people you’ve put in my life to share your word with.”
- This month — Get into a TC Growth Track or a small group. You weren’t meant to do this alone.
Following Jesus, Sent On A Mission
The Community