Radical Obsessed

When we hear the word "radical," our minds often jump to extremes—extreme politics, extreme sports, or extreme lifestyles. But what if the truest form of being radical has nothing to do with being extreme and everything to do with being rooted?

The word "radical" comes from the Latin radicalis, meaning "having roots." In mathematics, the radical symbol (√) literally points us back to the root of a number. In politics, grassroots movements seek reform from the ground up. The original meaning of radical wasn't about being at the edge of control—it was about being deeply established in something foundational.

The Root of Jesse

Scripture reveals that Jesus Himself is described as a root. The prophet Isaiah foretold that "the root of Jesse will spring up," and the Apostle Paul confirmed this prophecy, writing that "one will arise to rule over the nations and in him the Gentiles will hope." In the book of Revelation, Jesus declares, "I am the root and the offspring of David and the bright morning star."

To be truly radical as a Christian means to be rooted in Christ—to draw nourishment from Him as branches draw life from the vine.

Jesus illustrated this beautifully in the parable of the sower. Those who hear God's word but remain unrooted are like seeds that spring up quickly but wither when trouble comes. They have no endurance because they have no depth. By contrast, the seed that falls on good soil—the one who hears the word and understands it—produces a crop. Understanding here isn't merely intellectual; it's becoming rooted, becoming radicalized in the truest sense.

Sharing in the Nourishing Sap

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans with a powerful image: "If the root is holy, so are the branches." He explained that Gentile believers have been grafted into the olive tree, now sharing "in the nourishing sap from the olive root." This isn't about superiority—the root supports the branches, not the other way around.

What is this nourishing sap? It's the life of Christ flowing through us by the Holy Spirit. It's fellowship and intimacy with God—not what we do for Him, but who we are in Him.

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians captures this beautifully. He prayed that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith, and that they would be "rooted and established in love." When this happens, we gain power—together with all God's people—to grasp how wide, long, high, and deep is the love of Christ. We come to know a love that surpasses knowledge and are filled with all the fullness of God.

This is revelation. This is transformation. And God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us.

Remaining in the Vine

Jesus said it plainly: "I am the true vine... Remain in me as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

Paul echoed this to the Colossians: "As you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness."

The Christian life cannot be lived in our own strength. It's not meant to be. Everything God wants to do in us and through us flows from relationship and intimacy with Him. We're not called to get busy doing things for God; we're called to know Him. When we know Him, He changes our disposition, our expressions, and even our desires.

Jesus defined eternal life this way: "to know him, the only true God."

Mixed Motives and True Purpose

Life is messy. We all carry mixed motives. We come to Christ initially for our own sake—to escape hell, to gain heaven, to find relief from our struggles. But God saves us for His own glory and for His great name.

Throughout Scripture, this theme repeats: "He restores my soul and leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." "He saved them for his name's sake." "I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake."

Paul wrote that God "made us alive together with Christ... so that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us in Christ Jesus." Three times in Ephesians chapter one, Paul emphasizes that our salvation is "to the praise of his glory."

This isn't narcissism on God's part—it's the proper order of reality. We were created for His glory, and when we live for that purpose, we find our truest joy and deepest fulfillment.

Transformed by Renewal

The challenge is that we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Our hearts and lives need to come into communion with His call, His purpose, and His glory.

James wrote, "Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." That's a promise. Then James calls us to do what seems impossible: "Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded."

We can't do this on our own. That's the point. It's supposed to be impossible. The gospel is that even our faith is a gift from God. We are recreated and made new in Christ Jesus. Because of what we've received, we now have something to give.

The Eyes of Your Understanding

Paul prayed that God would give believers "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him," so that "the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened." When God reveals Himself to us, we come to know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glory, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.

This power is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him far above all authority and power—not only in that age, but in this one too.

An Invitation to Be Radical

As we navigate an increasingly chaotic world, the call isn't to try harder or do more. The call is to be rooted—to find our nourishment in the Lord, to draw near to Him, to remain in the vine.

Being truly radical and obsessed means watching the Lord closely, pursuing Him, occupying our minds with His love, staying close to Him, and abiding in His presence. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us is the seal of our redemption, and He's able to do abundantly more than we ask or imagine.

God's Word isn't just information—it's relational. Jesus, the root and the nursing sap, is also called the Word of God. When we read Scripture as fellowship rather than merely for information, we encounter the living God who longs to transform us.

The invitation stands: draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Be rooted. Be radical. And watch what God will do.

To Watch Full Sermon "Radical Obsessed" Click Here