Measuring Spiritual Health Through Fruitful Love

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound question of how we measure our spiritual temperature. We often use various "thermometers" to gauge our spiritual health, such as moral decisions, spiritual practices, or outward expressions of faith. However, these can sometimes be misleading if they are not aligned with the instrument Jesus prescribes: the fruit of our lives. Jesus teaches us that spiritual health is evidenced by the fruit we bear, which is a reflection of our inner life and relationship with God.

We delved into the metaphor of fruitfulness, as Jesus uses it throughout the Gospel of Matthew. The fruit we produce is a testament to the health of our spiritual roots. Just as a gardener tends to the soil and plants, our spiritual lives require daily care and attention. This involves both the art and science of spiritual growth, acknowledging the mystery beneath the surface and the seasons of life that contribute to our development.

We examined three conditions that can lead to spiritual fruitlessness: pity, spiritual wellness, and scrupulosity. Pity is the passive empathy that feels like love but lacks action. Spiritual wellness focuses on self-care to the exclusion of others, while scrupulosity is the obsessive perfection of spiritual practices detached from God's compassion. These conditions can distort our spiritual practices and lead us away from the true purpose of spiritual formation, which is to become love for the sake of others.

Jesus calls us to a life of sacrificial love, where our spiritual practices are not ends in themselves but means to become more like Him. This love is not just for God but is inseparably linked to our love for others. Our spiritual journey is not about personal peace or character formation alone but about becoming first fruits—early signs of the coming kingdom of God. We are called to live lives that are promisingly out of season, reflecting the atmospheric change that Jesus' resurrection heralds.

To become first fruits, we must start where we are and begin today. Our sacrificial love in small, ordinary ways when the pressure is off prepares us to love in big ways when the pressure is on. This is the foundation for our teaching series this fall, where we will explore how our spiritual practices are meant to be poured out in love for the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. The True Measure of Spiritual Health: Spiritual health is not measured by moral decisions or spiritual practices alone but by the fruit we bear. Jesus teaches that a good tree produces good fruit, and this fruit is the evidence of our spiritual vitality. Our spiritual practices should lead us to become more loving and compassionate, reflecting the love of God to others. [06:17]

2. The Dangers of Misaligned Spiritual Practices: When the how of spiritual formation outruns the why, our practices can become deformed. We may keep the rules but lose sight of their purpose, leading to spiritual fruitlessness. True spiritual formation aligns our practices with the love and compassion of God, transforming us into people of love. [15:07]

3. The Call to Sacrificial Love: Our spiritual journey is not about personal peace or self-discovery but about becoming love for the sake of others. Jesus inseparably joins love for God with love for people, and our spirituality should reflect this. The love of God frees us to love others, and this is the true measure of our spiritual health. [18:56]

4. Common Conditions Leading to Fruitlessness: Pity, spiritual wellness, and scrupulosity are conditions that can lead to spiritual fruitlessness. Pity is passive empathy without action, spiritual wellness focuses on self to the exclusion of others, and scrupulosity is obsessive perfection detached from God's compassion. These conditions distort our spiritual practices and hinder our growth. [22:14]

5. Becoming First Fruits: We are called to be first fruits, early signs of the coming kingdom of God. Our lives should reflect the atmospheric change that Jesus' resurrection heralds. To become first fruits, we must start where we are and begin today, practicing sacrificial love in small, ordinary ways. This prepares us to love in big ways when the pressure is on. [37:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Holy Spirit Conference Announcement
- [02:00] - Measuring Spiritual Temperature
- [06:17] - The Fruit of Our Lives
- [09:45] - Jesus' Teaching on Fruitfulness
- [12:30] - The Pharisees and the Sabbath
- [15:07] - Spiritual Formation for Others
- [18:56] - Love for God and Neighbor
- [22:14] - Conditions of Spiritual Fruitlessness
- [26:17] - The Good Samaritan
- [29:14] - Compassion and Interruptibility
- [32:51] - Jesus' Compassion in Action
- [37:50] - Becoming First Fruits
- [40:52] - Sacrificial Love in Everyday Life
- [44:33] - Starting Where You Are

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 7:16-20 - "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
2. Matthew 12:33 - "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit."
3. John 15:5-6 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Matthew 7:16-20, what is the significance of the fruit a tree bears in determining its nature? How does this metaphor relate to spiritual health? [06:17]
2. In Matthew 12:33, Jesus repeats a similar teaching about trees and fruit. What context does this teaching occur in, and how does it differ from the context in Matthew 7? [15:07]
3. How does the metaphor of the vine and branches in John 15:5-6 illustrate the relationship between Jesus and his followers? What is the consequence of not remaining in Jesus? [32:51]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "fruit" in these passages relate to the evidence of one's spiritual health and relationship with God? [06:17]
2. What might be the implications of using the wrong "thermometer" to measure one's spiritual temperature, as discussed in the sermon? [15:07]
3. How does Jesus' teaching on sacrificial love challenge the common conditions of spiritual fruitlessness, such as pity, spiritual wellness, and scrupulosity? [22:14]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our spiritual practices should be aligned with the love and compassion of God? [18:56]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the "thermometer" you currently use to measure your spiritual health. Is it aligned with the instrument Jesus prescribes? How can you adjust it to focus more on the fruit you bear? [06:17]
2. Consider a time when your spiritual practices felt misaligned with their intended purpose. How did this affect your spiritual growth, and what steps can you take to realign them with God's love and compassion? [15:07]
3. Identify one area in your life where you tend to show passive empathy (pity) rather than active compassion. What practical steps can you take to transform this into co-suffering love? [22:14]
4. Think of a recent situation where you prioritized self-care over helping others. How can you balance self-care with sacrificial love for others in your daily life? [22:14]
5. Reflect on a relationship where you struggle to show sacrificial love. What small, ordinary actions can you take this week to practice sacrificial love when the pressure is off? [40:52]
6. How can you become more interruptible like Jesus in your daily interactions? Identify one specific way you can practice being present and attentive to those around you. [32:51]
7. What does it mean for you to be a "first fruit" in your community? How can your life reflect the atmospheric change that Jesus' resurrection heralds? [37:50]

Devotional

Day 1: The Fruit of Our Lives
Our spiritual health is not merely about the moral decisions we make or the spiritual practices we engage in. Instead, it is about the fruit we bear, which is a true reflection of our inner life and relationship with God. Jesus teaches that a good tree produces good fruit, and this fruit is the evidence of our spiritual vitality. Our spiritual practices should lead us to become more loving and compassionate, reflecting the love of God to others. This means that our actions and attitudes should be a testament to the transformation happening within us, driven by our connection to God. [06:17]

Matthew 7:17-18 (ESV): "So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit."

Reflection: Consider the fruit you are currently bearing in your life. What does it reveal about your spiritual health and relationship with God? How can you cultivate more love and compassion in your daily interactions?


Day 2: Aligning Practices with Purpose
When the methods of spiritual formation overshadow the reasons behind them, our practices can become distorted. We may adhere to rules but lose sight of their purpose, leading to spiritual fruitlessness. True spiritual formation aligns our practices with the love and compassion of God, transforming us into people of love. It is essential to remember that our spiritual disciplines are not ends in themselves but means to grow closer to God and reflect His love to others. [15:07]

Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"

Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual practices. Are they aligned with the purpose of becoming more loving and compassionate? How can you ensure that your practices are not just routine but transformative?


Day 3: Love for God and Neighbor
Our spiritual journey is not about personal peace or self-discovery but about becoming love for the sake of others. Jesus inseparably joins love for God with love for people, and our spirituality should reflect this. The love of God frees us to love others, and this is the true measure of our spiritual health. Our journey with God should lead us to a deeper love for those around us, demonstrating the inseparable link between our love for God and our love for our neighbor. [18:56]

1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Reflection: How does your love for God manifest in your love for others? Identify one way you can actively demonstrate love to someone in your community today.


Day 4: Overcoming Spiritual Fruitlessness
Pity, spiritual wellness, and scrupulosity are conditions that can lead to spiritual fruitlessness. Pity is passive empathy without action, spiritual wellness focuses on self to the exclusion of others, and scrupulosity is obsessive perfection detached from God's compassion. These conditions distort our spiritual practices and hinder our growth. Recognizing these pitfalls can help us realign our focus on the true purpose of spiritual formation, which is to become love for the sake of others. [22:14]

James 2:15-17 (ESV): "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are experiencing spiritual fruitlessness? How can you move from passive empathy to active love and service for others?


Day 5: Becoming First Fruits
We are called to be first fruits, early signs of the coming kingdom of God. Our lives should reflect the atmospheric change that Jesus' resurrection heralds. To become first fruits, we must start where we are and begin today, practicing sacrificial love in small, ordinary ways. This prepares us to love in big ways when the pressure is on. By living out this calling, we become a testament to the transformative power of God's love in the world. [37:50]

James 1:18 (ESV): "Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

Reflection: What small, ordinary acts of sacrificial love can you practice today? How can these prepare you to demonstrate love in more significant ways when challenges arise?

Quotes

"How do you know when you're spiritually maturing and how do you know when you're regressing? Or what makes you feel close to God and what makes you feel distant? When do you feel spiritually strong and when weak? When you're spiritually hot or cold or lukewarm, how can you tell?" [00:02:31]

"Is it your moral decisions? Like, do you gauge your spiritual temperature by whether you overdid it at Friday's happy hour or what you did or didn't click online this week or the ethical boundaries of your current dating relationship or whether or not you lost it on your kids or your spouse?" [00:02:51]

"Or could it be the quality of your spiritual practices? Like maybe you gauge your spiritual temperature by how many times you cracked the Bible this week or the length of time you spend in prayer or your perception on the quality of your Sabbath rest? Or maybe for you it's less related to your inward sense of peace and it's more related to your outward witness." [00:03:10]

"Is the instrument telling you the truth? Is your instrument giving you an accurate reading? Maybe the best way of saying it is, is it the same instrument Jesus prescribes for determining spiritual health? By their fruit, you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles." [00:04:53]

"Jesus, never one to miss a chance at a well-placed agricultural metaphor, says fruit. That's how you tell. It's how you know. It's how you measure. Fruit. For the first time in my life, I'm trying my hand at gardening at the moment. I'm attempting to grow a few winter veggies on this small plot on the side of my tiny mulch bed, and these little sprouts require daily tending." [00:05:25]

"In your spiritual life, it's kind of like the little sprouts in my mulch bed, right? They're bursting with potential. Your spiritual life requires daily care and tending to, and it's a lot more art than it is science. It requires trial and error, slow cultivation over the course of the year, and involves seasons of green leaf and warm sunshine and other seasons that are long, cold, dark, and damp, both of which, though, are necessary for your own spiritual growth." [00:06:13]

"Instead of becoming people resting and delighting in God's presence and the God who keeps his promises to provide for his children, the very life that the practice of Sabbath is meant to free me to enjoy, these guys are morally policing everybody else. They're uptight on the Sabbath day, the opposite of restful, easy, peaceful company. You're taking your spiritual temperature by the wrong instrument." [00:10:54]

"But when we keep the why first in our imaginations, when we engage the practices of Jesus in a deeply formative way that includes both daily tending and takes into respect the fact that there's mystery beneath the soil of our lives, in the end, the roots of my inner life are proven true by the fruit that my outer life bears in season." [00:15:07]

"The Apostle John asks, if anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? If you see someone to love, but you withhold love, that reveals who or what you really love, what kind of love is really within you." [00:16:25]

"Spiritual formation does benefit me, certainly. It offers me a sense of peace, self-discovery, freedom, and joy. It is life and life to the full. The evidence, though, that I'm becoming that, the gauge of my spiritual formation, is am I becoming a person of love to the people who know me best and interact with me most frequently?" [00:18:56]

"Common in the American church today is the apprentice running herself ragged between Enneagram workshops and Sabbath training seminars and personal silent retreats, all while doing very little to actually engage the needs around her. It's a high-input, low-output spirituality. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in a sermon a number of years ago, some have been tempted to revise Jesus' command to read, go ye into all the world, keep your blood pressure down, and low, I will make you a well-adjusted personality." [00:23:08]

"Romans chapter 8 says the Holy Spirit that's been given to you and I is forming us into first fruits right here in this world now. And James chapter 1 picks up on the same saying he chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might become a kind of first fruits of all he created." [00:37:50]

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Transcript
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