Turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Jeremiah chapter 17. Today we're going to be discussing some things that are near and dear to my heart, and I feel privileged that the Lord is allowing me to preach on them today. And when I first got saved here, and I mean scripturally saved, not that wolf-chicken version of salvation that some churches out there are selling, but true, born again, coming to life on the inside with a new spirit of righteousness imputed to me by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Amen? I'm talking about the kind of salvation that can never be taken away from you. The kind that makes you run around like a fool telling everyone that is willing to listen what God can do. Yeah, I was that kind of fool. Wouldn't shut up about it. Still am, matter of fact. I just went from telling you one-on-one to standing here behind this microphone telling the whole crowd. Now, I haven't been a Christian long enough or borne enough fruit for the kingdom of God to be standing here giving you advice on how best to accomplish bearing fruit. However, luckily for me and you, God left us a manual on how to do the things that we don't know how to do. And on top of that, he set up a church family to help guide one another, to help guide us through what we don't know as we grow. Now I hope, or I confidently expect, that's what the word hope means, that by now you've turned your Bibles to Jeremiah 17, and if you will, look with me here at verses seven and eight, and we'll find the message that the Lord is bringing us today. Jeremiah tells us, blessed is a man that trusteth in the Lord. and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out her root by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh. But her leaves shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Now, I find it very interesting that God uses a tree to describe Christians that plant themselves in Him. And after this sermon, you might just have a new outlook on what it means to be planted in the house of God. Now, in this Scripture, there's three main points that we're going to look at, and that's going to be trusting the Lord, being planted, and bearing fruit. Now, Jeremiah tells us, he says, blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is. You see, trusting in the Lord requires that you first trust in his word, and you cannot trust in his word until you've seen the evidence. The evidence proves that the Bible can only be the word of God because man simply does not have the capacity or the capability to write such a comprehensive book covering such a multitude of topics while staying in complete harmony with only one single theme. Now I could spend an entire sermon just on this topic alone and the amazing facts about the Bible that make it truly from out of this world and light years ahead of all the entire collective works of man. The archaeological evidence of the Bible itself has been mounting for years and years, time and time again, proving the Bible's true to the very letter. This isn't even touching the scientific finds or the historical evidence from outside sources that we find or other facts surrounding the Bible that simply make it unexplainable. Like, for example, it was written by over 40 different writers. Now, these men, they wrote in three different languages, and they were from three different continents, and they wrote it over a span of 1,500 years. All rights, that's impossible. unless it was inspired by someone else. Like I said, an entire sermon could be made out on this subject alone, and a long sermon at that. But the real question is, how much evidence will it take for you to realize the Bible is the true and only word of God? To some, there's never enough evidence, and to others, it takes very little. But no matter where you stand, there's no denying the fact that the evidence for Jesus Christ's life, his death, and his resurrection are insurmountable. There was even a man once that tried to disprove the gospel of Christ. His name was Lief Strobel. You may have heard of him. He was a professional investigative journalist, and he put his talents to investigating the gospel. And after examining the evidence, he went from being an atheist to preaching the very gospel that he was trying to debunk. You see, folks, when you look at the evidence, it literally takes more faith to deny the Word of God than it does to believe it. Well, let's just hear from the horse's mouth and we'll move on off this subject. In 2 Peter 1, starting at verse 19, It says, we have also a more sure word of prophecy. Where unto ye do well, that ye take heed, as unto the light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts, knowing first that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Now that we understand the Word of God can be trusted, and its contents is true, and it's inspired by the Holy Ghost, now we can take in, some of us may be here for the first time, the Gospel of Christ. For it alone gives you the power to become the sons and daughters of God. We see this in Romans chapter 1 and 16. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, Paul says, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also the Greek. And again, in John 1 and 12, but as many as received Him, that's the Word, that's Christ. So the many that received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Now we see the Gospel get all put together here in Corinthians. Chapter 15, starting in verse 1. And we're going to read down to 4. It says, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preach unto you. which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand, by which also ye are saved. If ye keep in memory what I preached to you, unless ye have believed in vain, for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, how he was buried and rose again on the third day." Not the first, not the second, not two and a half, the third day according to Scriptures. Do you see how important it is to understand that the Bible is the Word of God? His Gospel is according to the Scriptures. Now you have the power to become the children of God. And once you've seen the evidence and you've put your trust in Christ, there's no going back. You can no longer read something in the Bible and just cast it off as it's merely a suggestion, because now you know it's the truth. And you cannot hide from the truth. Now believe me, I know what that feels like, because I've sat right where you are. I've been sitting there, listening to the preacher quote things out of God's Word that I didn't necessarily want to hear. The truth can hurt. And sometimes, we may not like the truth all that much. But just because we don't like it doesn't make it any less true. The truth is that our greatest deeds are as filthy rags in comparison to what Christ has done for us. We were dead in our trespasses and sin, and God alone saved us from what we righteously deserve. And nothing you can do and nothing I can do can ever change that. We see this in John 10, starting at verse 27. This is Jesus speaking. It says, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life, that they may never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father which gave them Me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one. Now if God says no one can pluck you out of His hand, no one's going to pluck you out of His hand. Now that we've got that squared away, it's time to get planted. Back in our original text, verse 8, Jeremiah tells us, he shall be a tree planted by the waters. The man that trusts in the Lord will be a tree planted by the waters. Who here has planted a tree before? Anybody? A couple people? All right. So first thing you've got to do, you've got to dig a big hole. But then next you've got to take that tree out of the pot that she's been growing in. Kind of like God had to take you out of that world you've been living in. It's interesting that God would use a tree, huh? Now, if the tree is young, this part is relatively easy. The roots are normally not bound, and they're still looking for a way out. So some gentle rubbing around the root ball, a little guidance normally does the trick. Put them in the ground, and this tree will hit the ground running. Like a young Christian planted in the house of the Lord, the tree will put out new roots and flourish. But now if this tree is older, it gets a little more complicated. There's more baggage, there's more issues, there's more time spent in the bondage of that pot. It's interesting that God would use a tree, huh? The roots are bound up within themselves due to years of living in a pot, and normally you have to rip and tear and pull that pot apart to get it out. And when you do, you're going to find something out. that those roots have grown and formed themselves. They have conformed to every nook and every cranny that pot has. That's the last detail. A cow like we have spent many years conforming to this fleshy world, and it has taken root in every nook and every cranny of our lives. It's interesting that God would use a tree, huh? So you're going to have to cut off some of these roots on the bottom because they've choked out and they've died. Then you're going to have to take a shovel and you're going to have to sever that root ball in several areas so that all the roots that are no longer useful because they bound themselves up can be replaced with new roots that can grow in the right direction. Sound familiar to anybody? And this big tree will struggle a bit and the roots will want to turn back into themselves, back to the way they were growing. out of habit, but with the right soul, with the right nutrients, with the correct watering, and some time, the tree will make a full recovery and begin to flourish and bear fruits in abundance." It's interesting God would use a tree, huh? We Christians are so much like this tree getting planted in the house of God. Some of us with bound up roots after a lifetime out in the world needing a lot of TLC with correction and guidance and leadership. I know, I was one. We have tons of sinful habits that we have built up over the years and will need to be cut out so that new and righteous habits that bring God glory can be formed. Now, this process is harder for others than it is some, but no matter how bound your roots are before you get planted in the house of God, the Lord will provide you everything you need here in his house. Now, we've trusted the Lord. We've been planted. It's time to put down some roots. Back in our text, Jeremiah, the other half of verse eight, Jeremiah tells us, he says, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river and shall not see when the heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green and shall not be careful in the year of drought. When a tree is planted in the ground, it is most important thing for it to do is to put down roots. If it stands any chance of bearing fruit or even survival for that matter, it has to have roots and it has to be anchored in good soil. I don't think anyone here has a problem understanding how to put down roots. I mean, it's a fairly simple concept we as human beings tend to understand naturally. We're talking about making friendships, we're talking about building relationships, getting connected with one another. And once these connections are made, they grow stronger and stronger, providing ever new connections. And these connections are opportunities for growth, opportunities to learn, edify one another, the Bible says. How would you like to hear what God says, what happens to those of us that are planted and grow in this way? Want to hear what He says? In Psalms 92, starting at verse 12, it says, "...the righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the Lord, of our God, And they shall bring forth fruit in old age. They shall be fat and flourishing. Wow, what a promise. What a promise to be fat and flourishing. Now this word flourishing, it's an amazing word. It's talking about growing and thriving with the utmost ability. Properly defined in our English language is to thrive, to grow luxuriantly, to be prosperous, to grow in grace and good works. In the original language it was written in, it means to break forth as a bud, that is to bloom, generally, to spread. You put all this together, to flourish means to be prolific. Kind of like a tree planted by the waters. Sounds good, right? The question that you might have bouncing around your head right now is where? Where is it that God wants me to be planted and put down roots so I can bear fruit? I want to be fat and flourishing. Who here doesn't want to be fat and flourishing? Well, I'm glad you asked that question. Lighthouse Baptist Church is a place that Jesus brought you to hear his gospel. You are here today because God has been drawing you unto himself. that unexplainable pulling that you've been feeling, that strange urge that forced you through those doors, or maybe at home on the TV, that's God. John 6 and 44, no man come unto Me, except My Father which has sent Me draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day. John 12 and 32, this is Jesus speaking, and if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. The Lord drew you here to Lighthouse Baptist Church to hear his gospel, to manifest himself unto you through the foolishness of preaching. In 1 Corinthians 1 and 21 through 24, it tells us, for after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God. It pleased God that the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified unto Jews a stumbling block, unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto them that are called, that's you, unto them that are called, both Jew and Greek, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. So you're here today because God brought you here today. Because God called you, He drew you here today to hear His gospel. If you've already been saved at Lighthouse Baptist Church and you came to be baptized, then Lighthouse Baptist Church is the local body of Christ that Jesus, which is the head of the body, has planted you in. 1 Corinthians 12 and 18 tells us, But now hath God set the members, each one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him. You are in this church today because this is where God placed you. It is where God took your gifts and your talents to bring Him glory in the church. Unto Him be glory in the church. Ephesians 3.21. But then so many times, Satan will come after a young Christian and whisper, life is better over there. The soul is richer over there. They've got better preaching. They've got better songs. They've got better ministry. Whatever the lie is, he'll tell you. If that stick doesn't work, then he'll use his famous carrot. He'll dangle that carrot out in front of you. So you've got a better job over here and you can make more money over here. Whatever Satan can do to get you to walk out those doors, he'll do. Have you ever tried to transplant a tree that's taken root somewhere? You ever tried that? It didn't work too well, did it? Well, if you haven't, let me tell you. The first thing that's going to happen is you're going to chop off some roots. Now you say, so what? Chop off some roots. Roots can grow back. Sure they can. But what you're not understanding is the significance of what is being cut off. When you cut off the roots of a tree that has been planted, you are cutting off the life source of the tree. Let me take you here to John chapter 15. John chapter 15, 3 through 5. Jesus says, "...Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, and ye are the branches. He that abided in Me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing." This word abide. It's the Greek word meno. It means to stay, to continue, to dwell, to endure, to be present, to remain, stand, or tarry. It means stay put. When you leave the church God saved you in, when you leave the church God baptized you in, or the one He placed you in, you are leaving Christ. Sure, this isn't the only local church that's ran by Jesus, that's doctrinally sound, though I challenge you to find one, you're gonna have a tough time, but I'm sure they're out there, no doubt. Remember our verse back in 1 Corinthians 12, verse 18? It says, but now hath God set thee members, every one of them, in the body, as it hath pleased him. As it hath pleased him. So I ask you, are you smarter than God? Do you really think that you know more, do you know where the best soil for you to be planted in? I did once. I almost moved to Florida one time. Satan was dangling that carrot and he knew just which carrot to dangle because I told him which carrot to dangle. He almost got me. Praise the Lord for my church family and some guidance. I'll tell you what, let's go back for just a second. Let's take a look at this in our original text, and we'll read down just a couple more verses. We stopped at verse eight. Let's go through Jeremiah 17, nine through 11. It says, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart. I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings. as a partridge sitteth on an egg, and hatcheth them not, so is he that getteth riches, and not by right. He shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool." The heart is where your feelings come from. Trusting the Lord means staying where He puts you. Abide, he says in John 15. As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For without me you can do nothing. Now I've heard it said, and I've stood there looking past it right dead in the eye, telling him, it just feels right. This move, it feels right. Everything lines up so perfectly. My entire list of plans and goals and all this stuff I've been wanting to do is lining up just right. If I just move down over here, it's gonna take care of itself. If I just take this job that's gonna take me out of church, it'll take care of itself. I'll finally get that boat I've been wanting all my life. Satan's really good at dangling those carrots. And he's gonna dangle them right outside them doors. If you fall for his tricks, you're going to be like that transplanted tree. Now, sometimes you're going to be transplanted tree that withers away immediately. Sometimes you're going to be the transplanted tree that looks fine for a couple of years, but doesn't ever grow and suddenly and seemingly from nowhere withers away. And sometimes you're going to be the transplanted tree that stays alive, but is stunted for life, never producing a single fruit. Now, bearing fruit is the most important thing about being a Christian. I didn't have time to put it in the message today, but go home and look up what the Bible says about trees that don't bear fruit. The last part of our scripture today is back in Jeremiah, it says, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Now, there's a lot of different types of fruit that Christians can bear to the Lord. However, there is one fruit that stands out from all the rest, and that's the fruit of another Christian. That's bringing another to Christ and showing them how His blood paid our debt. Christ is going to do the rest. It's our job to simply turn the pages, to show the evidence, to show the truth. The truth is that hell is a real place and so is heaven. The truth is that we have disobeyed God. In doing so, we have condemned ourselves to the devil's hell, which is the only place God is not. Hell was not made for me and you. It was made for Satan and his fallen angels. We are not meant to be there. The truth is that Jesus is God, and He fixed the sin problem that we could not, and if we will but put our trust in Him to do so, He will. The truth is that once you have put your trust in Him, your life will never, ever be the same again. You are a new creature. The truth is there is no greater achievement, no greater honor, no greater glory that you can do in your lifetime than lead another to Christ. It's a joy like you've never experienced before. I have personally been blessed enough to be a part of a few salvation journeys and even got the opportunity to sit across the table at a couple and turn the pages. If you haven't borne this type of fruit from the Lord, I tell you, it's something that will never leave you as long as you live. And the Bible has it right, it's not going to leave you when you die either. It's quite literally watching a real-life miracle happen right before your eyes. But that comes with time. if you stay planted in the house of God and feed off His life-giving nutrients." He says, "...blessed is the man," in Jeremiah, he says, "...blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord, whose hope the Lord is." Once you trust the Lord for salvation, it's time to trust Him to nourish you. When you were first saved, you were a babe in Christ and in need of sincere milk of the Word. And as you grow, you start taking some more meat, But that growth only happens when you're planted in God's house. You ever heard the saying, plant your hind end in a seat? Look around here today. I bet if this place was empty and I gave you a list of names, you could go put them right where those people sit every day. That goes for Wednesday night too. You could put some names on some seats, planted in the house of God, some people are. So I ask you today, Have you put your trust in Christ? Have you been planted in His house? Have you begun putting down roots? The Lord says you will flourish in the house of the Lord and never cease from bearing fruit. What a beautiful promise. To be able to spend your entire life bringing God glory and bearing Him fruit. This life will tug and pull at you a hundred different ways. It can leave you lost, feeling unappreciated, overwhelmed, and just plain all out exhausted. But Jesus says in Matthew chapter 11, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart. And ye shall find rest unto your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Jesus' command is simple. Trust in Him. Be baptized into the local body. And if you will stay planted, if you will stay, if you will abide, as the Bible says, He will bear fruit through you. Pastor? I