Opening God longs for us to know Him. Is that our desire? The Upper Room Conference Experience (What am I doing here?) The H.S was connecting me to the Father Jesus was deeply connected to the Father (John 5:19) (What value do I have here?) My value comes in the strength of my connection to God.

Strength of connection The Book of Acts You know when you’ve found a good connection Examples: Golf Relationships Internet Story of Returning from Bolivia Good connection= Peace Bad connection= Frustration

Measure of Connection Jeremiah 2:13 Matthew 22:36-39 “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me,     the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns,     broken cisterns that cannot hold water. 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Jeremiah 2:13= Poor Connection Matthew 22:36-39= Strong Connection How can you tell what is the strength of your connection? If you love another (John 13:35) Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) Love to the un-lovable Grace to the undeserving Compassion on the fool

Holy Disruptions 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished…12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? …16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. God disrupts our lives. Jesus ministry Pentecost Holy Disruptions test the strength of our connection to God. Disciples’ value to the H.S was determined by the strength of their connection to Him. Holy Disruption #1= Healing of Lame Beggar (Chapter 3)= Strong Connection. Application: Top of the Mountain

Holy Disruptions 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Holy Disruption #2= Apostle’s Arrest (Chapter 4)= Strong Connection Application: Bottom of the Valley

Holy Disruptions 1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Holy Disruption #3= Ananias and Sapphira (Chapter 5)= Poor Connection. Application: Dishonesty The issue wasn’t that they didn’t give 100%. But, that they said they gave 100% when they didn’t. Transition: The H.S is gathering, filling, speaking and sending. Our connection to Him impacts our value to Him.

Connection Scale Closing What is the strength of your connection to God? Response: Reflection while listening to song, After You by Upper Room Worship. Pray with someone from the other side of pews.