Hello and welcome to the John Mark Coma teaching podcast. My name is Yinka Dawson and I'm your host.

Each week we feature teachings by John Mark or other voices in the formation space. And today we're

starting a new series for the sake of others. In our apprenticeship to Jesus, it can be easy to focus solely on formational practices,

that we miss the entire point, becoming people of love.

We all need to be reminded that our formation is for the sake of others,

so excited to share this series from the teaching team at Bridgetown.

This first teaching is from Tyler Staten.

Many of you might be familiar with Tyler, but if not, he's the lead pastor of Bridgetown Church

and the author of wonderful books that are all worth reading.

Tyler lays the foundation of this series by asking and answering the provocative question.

How do you measure your spiritual progress?

Here's the episode.

We're going to read on Matthew 7, verse 15 through 20.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit,

you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes 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, 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. This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Question.

What thermometer do you use to measure your spiritual temperature?

How do you know when you're spiritually maturing and how do you know when you're regressing?

...