Known by Our Fruit, Known by Our Father (Matthew 12:33–37) Jesus says a tree is known by its fruit—and our words reveal our roots. In this message we unpack Matthew 12:33–37 and connect it with John the Baptist (Matt. 3) and Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:21–23. It’s not just talking the talk; Jesus knows those who do the Father’s will. Scripture: Matt. 12:33–37; Matt. 3:8–10; Matt. 7:15–23; Matt. 12:46–50 Big idea: Your mouth is a mirror of your heart. Real disciples aren’t measured by information or moments of power, but by consistent fruit and obedience to the Father’s will. Key themes • Fruit reveals the tree: Good root → good fruit; bad root → bad fruit (words included). • Words matter to God: “Every idle word” will be accounted for—speech exposes devotion. • Talk vs. transformation: Knowing about Jesus ≠ being known by Jesus (Matt. 7:21–23). • Family resemblance: Jesus’ “mother and brothers” are those who do the will of the Father. • You can’t out-act your heart: Don’t just curate language; let God recalibrate the heart. Practical takeaways • Audit your speech for a week: What topics dominate? Worry? Bitterness? Worship? Mission? • Replace complaint with confession and praise (Ps. 34:1); replace gossip with intercession. • Fast to align desires: not to “get” something, but to break the flesh and seek God’s will. • Daily prayer: “Father, set my heart on Your will—let my words overflow with Your truth and love.” • Build on rock: Hear Jesus’ teaching and do it (Matt. 7:24–27). One-liner: “Don’t polish your words—plant a new heart. The right fruit will follow.” OUR STORY Our story begins when Pastor Tommy was only 15 years old. In 2002, Tommy’s parents, Pastor Paul and Patty Palmer visited Atlanta, Georgia, on a family trip. During their visit, they encountered a homeless man sleeping on the steps of a locked church. They knocked on the door of the building and discovered that the staff was inside attending to church business, little interested in the man sleeping on their steps. At that moment, the Atlanta Dream Center Church was born. The Palmers, along with nine of their eleven children, left a comfortable life in California and moved across the country to establish the church in the center of what was, at the time, one of Atlanta’s most crime ravaged communities. Before Sunday services were established, the church reached the city’s most downtrodden neighborhoods by knocking on the doors of local residents, offering simple acts of service, such as mowing lawns. This became the church’s first outreach, known as Adopt-a-Block. The premise was simple: show people the love of Jesus by serving them well. The outreach transformed the community within a matter of years. (It didn’t go unnoticed. Pastor Paul was given the Phoenix Award, Atlanta’s highest honor for citizens, by Mayor Kasim Reed in 2015 to acknowledge the impact of the Atlanta Dream Center Church.) The church quickly became known for having open arms (and doors) to those most overlooked by society. The homeless were welcomed in and helped, the neglected were accepted and loved, the outcast found a home. But over time, the church’s reach grew. Doctors, lawyers and prominent business owners worshiped, fellowshipped and served alongside men and women who walked in from the streets.The Atlanta Dream Center Church became – and continues to be – a church for everyone. It is a place where every person, regardless of economic standing, social class,race or age, is genuinely welcomed and loved. Today, as we focus on worship, fellowship, discipleship and outreach in order to meet the spiritual needs of our diverse community, we remain committed to keeping our hearts and doors open and doing all we can to see the restoration of broken lives and entire communities.