Dr. Stephen Rummage, Pastor

Greenhouse Christians

I have convinced myself that I will never have a green thumb. When it comes to making plants grow and flourish, the thickest digits on my hands seem to be a decidedly deadly shade of brown. I can point to numerous examples of my botanical butchery: the skeletal remains of a butterfly tree outside our kitchen window, the Japanese maple that I nearly assassinated when I failed to water it during the driest week of the summer (I believe that plant may pull through yet, under my wife's loving care), a once thriving and now sickly gardenia that I transplanted from the front to the backyard.

The most egregious illustration of my fatal way with foliage, though, is a spindly specimen of a plant tucked in the back corner of my office. It was thick and lush and green when some friends gave it to me just a few months ago. Now, only one stalk of it survives. That last remnant of the plant is striving valiantly to live on, straining toward the sunlight of my office window, and gasping with relief every time some kind soul (never me) nourishes it with some water.

I think about the beauty and the fullness of that plant when it came to me. I imagine that it had grown up in a nursery greenhouse somewhere - nurtured, fertilized, kept in an ideal environment. Imagine the shock to its system when that hothouse plant entered the harsh conditions of my office and my neglect. It's been tough going for that plant. But it continues to live and grow, in spite of its circumstances.

The sinewy determination of that plant reminds me of the faith of some Christians. Though their circumstances are tough - even emotionally, spiritually, or physically painful - they keep trusting in Jesus Christ. They let nothing keep them from following Jesus, obeying Jesus, loving Jesus, and depending on Jesus. And as a result, their faith continues to grow, and even to prosper and bear fruit.

Other Christians are like hothouse flowers. Their faith in Christ appears to be strong - but that's only because conditions are ideal. When the environment turns harsh, they wilt and fade away.

What's the difference between hothouse Christians and hang-tough Christians? It's how deeply they are rooted in the Word of God. Jesus told this parable:

"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold" (Luke 8:5-8, NKJV).

The seed that fell by the wayside represents those who hear God's Word and yet refuse to receive it. The Devil immediately steals it from their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil stands for those who receive God's Word gladly, but never grow deep spiritual roots, and fall away when the tests and temptations of life come. The seed on the thorny soil illustrates people who allow the cares of the world around them to choke out the work of God in their lives. But listen to what Jesus says about the seed that fell on good soil:

"The ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15, NKJV).

Don't be a hothouse Christian. By faith in Jesus Christ, ask God to give you the kind of faith that can survive and thrive in the toughest circumstances. By growing deep in His Word, the Bible, you can find strength for today - even when today is the most difficult time in your life.

People are asking questions all the time about God, Jesus, the Bible, and how to make sense of their world. Faith FAQs is a teaching series that will provide biblical answers for some of your biggest questions so that you can learn to view your world from a Christian perspective. Faith FAQs will take place at both Hickory Grove campuses. Dr. Rummage will teach the series on Wednesday nights at Main Campus; Rev. Steve Livengood will teach the same series on Sunday nights at North Campus. Here are just some of the questions they'll be addressing:
Does God really exist?

Is the Trinity biblical?
Why does God allow evil in the world?
Is Jesus God?
Wha's the big deal about the virgin birth?Why did Jesus die on the cross?
Did Jesus actually rise from the dead?
Who or what is the Holy Spirit?
Should all Christians speak in tongues?
Is Christianity the only way to God?
How can I know I'm saved?
Can I lose my salvation?
What happens when I die?
What will Heaven be like?
If God loves people, why is there is a Hell?
Are the Devil and demons real?
Can people be possessed by the Devil?
Can the Bible mean different things to different people?
Doesn't science contradict creation?
Should Christians care about the environment?
Why are there so many types of churches?
What's so important about believer's baptism?
Do I have a guardian angel?
Are men and women the same in God's eyes?
How can people know God's will?