FIRST GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST CHURCH
The Caring Church, Preparing the World by Sharing the Word

WEEKLY WORD

FROM OUR THEME: IT’S TIME TO GROW!
Like a Tree…

3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 1:3
New King James Version

There is a song that we sing in the traditional Baptist church where the lyrics went like this:
“Just like a tree; planted by the waters and I SHALL NOT BE MOVED.” This song places an emphasis on being “like a tree” regarding one’s stability in the faith. However, when looking at Psalm 1:3, we see more than STABILITY, BUT WE ALSO SEE A TREE THAT IS PLANTED FOR PRODUCTIVITY.

When we talk about “LIKE A TREE” in our title, there are some attributes of a tree that needs to be seen in the child of God. One of the things we recognize in being like a tree is that when God planted us that He did it on purpose. Being like a tree, suggests to us that we are born not only on purpose but with a purpose. You and I are not an accident, happenstance or by chance but instead we are here by God’s choice. We were born on purpose and with a purpose. The purpose we are born with is the ability to produce.

The text shares with us that to be like a tree that we must be fruitful which speaks to production. What is noteworthy of mentioning is what can potentially happen to a tree that has a purpose to produce that doesn’t produce.

Mark 11
12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.

It is possible to have bark, limbs, leaves and be called a tree but not be fruitful. Many have the appearance of a Christian but fail to have their lives display Christlike behavior. There is a saying that says, “If your mouth is the only thing that speaks, then your life maybe in trouble.” What this suggests is that what you believe should not only be heard but also be seen! We are planted with a purpose and that purpose is to produce fruit. One of the evidences of being FAITHFUL IS TO BECOME FRUITFUL!

Dr. James A. Simmons, Senior Pastor