The Proof is in The Fruit | Pastor Gladys Nordlund

In this profound sermon titled "The Proof is in the Fruit," Pastor Gladys draws parallels between the biblical parable of the sower found in Matthew 13 and the concept of spiritual growth and maturity. Pastor Gladys emphasizes the importance of internal transformation as signified by "fruit," specifically the fruits of the Spirit, derived from Galatians 5:22-23. By dissecting the four types of soil presented in the parable—path, rocky, thorny, and good—Pastor Gladys challenges listeners to evaluate their own spiritual states and the fruits they produce in their lives. As the message unfolds, Pastor Gladys articulates the necessity for intentionality in following Jesus, self-awareness in one's spiritual journey, and community support in cultivation of rich soil for spiritual growth. Pastor Gladys ultimately implores the congregation to assess what kind of spiritual fruit they are producing and whether they exhibit characteristics of love, joy, peace, and the other fruits borne from a genuine devotion to God.

 Highlights

- 🍏 Intentionality Matters: Pastor Gladys describes how Jesus deliberately left his home to teach by the lake, emphasizing the importance of being intentional in creating opportunities for spiritual engagement.

- 🌱 Identify Your Soil: A central theme is the four types of soil, each representing different heart conditions. Pastor Gladys encourages self-reflection on which type applies to the listeners' lives.

- 🌾 Movement is Essential: Jesus' act of stepping into the boat symbolizes the necessity of moving beyond comfort zones to reach and engage with others.

- 🔍 Understanding Through Action: The message stresses that merely knowing scripture is insufficient; one must truly understand and apply it to produce genuine spiritual fruit.

- 🍽️ The Fruits of the Spirit: The sermon highlights the critical attributes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as indicators of a growing faith.

- 🥕 Reflection and Growth: Engagement with scripture is vital. Pastor Gladys advocates for personal study, ensuring a deeper understanding of God's word.

- 🌟 Be Authentic: Being a whole leader involves authenticity, vulnerability, and the ability to create environments conducive to spiritual growth and solid relationships.

 Key Insights

- 🌿 The Power of Intention: The act of Jesus seeking solitude by the lake sets the stage for intentional actions in spiritual leadership. This demonstrates how personal intention can create communal spaces where spiritual truths can flourish. Leaders are encouraged to consciously carve out time for spiritual engagement, drawing parallels to today's fast-paced life where such intentional steps are often overlooked.

- 🎍 Diversity in Spiritual States: The categorization of believers into four types of soil enables a deeper understanding of the different spiritual states and receptiveness to God's word. Each type is a reminder that spiritual maturity is not a static state but rather a journey that reflects a variety of experiences. This can lead to introspection about one's personal spiritual journey and the need for transformation.

- 🌻 Cultivating Healthy Relationships: By illustrating the qualities of Jesus—who welcomed the broken and marginalized—Pastor Gladys demonstrates that cultivating authentic relationships is key to producing fruitful communities. It challenges the congregation to reflect on how they treat those who are different or struggling, urging them to embody Jesus' love in their daily interactions.

- 💫 The Importance of Community: Highlighting the mutual support within a faith community, the sermon emphasizes that believers should work together to help one another grow. Pastor Gladys points out that true discipleship can't exist in isolation and thus prompts listeners to consider their role in nurturing others. This aligns with the biblical concept of body believers, where every part holds significance.

- 🍇 Signs of Spiritual Health: The fruits of the Spirit act as litmus tests for spiritual health. The emphasis on examining one’s life for evidence of these attributes—love, joy, and peace—encourages personal accountability. Regular assessment of these spiritual fruits is a call to action, pushing for introspective evaluation of how well they manifest, especially during challenging times.

- 🌍 Revival Starts Within: The idea that revival must begin within individuals before it can extend to larger communities fosters a powerful movement towards spiritual awakening. Pastor Gladys calls for a heartfelt transformation, presenting it as foundational for broader societal revival.

- ✨ Legacy of Authentic Faith: Asserting that legacy transcends personal life, Pastor Gladys articulates the challenge for believers to leave behind a testimony of Christ's love and transformative power. It encourages individuals to think about what kind of spiritual legacy they are building for the next generation and urges for a commitment to authentically living out their faith.

In conclusion, this sermon eloquently communicates critical truths about spiritual growth, the need for intentional living, and the benefits of authentic relationships within the community, encouraging all listeners to prayerfully contemplate the fruits they produce in their lives as disciples of Christ.