1. Connect To the People of God
Pray for & dismiss children to Sunday School
Take 30 seconds and greet someone next to you.
To the People of God

2. Do you feel like your life is a juggling act?
Introduction
Our lives often feel like a juggling act.
Following Jesus often feels like a juggling act.

3. Connect To the Person of God ”Connect” Person of God= Holy Spirit
How do we connect to the person of God?
Know & Trust Him (Body Position)
Follow His example & surrender to His control (Eye Position & Correct technique)

4. Connect To the Purpose of God
Purpose of God= The establishment & advance of the Kingdom of God

5. Connect
To the People of God
People of God= Church

6. What has been your “juggling experience”?
Satisfaction
Contentment
Joy
Peace
Loneliness
Unmet Expectations
Heart Break
Anger
Key Lessons I have learnt from my juggling experience:
The church is not perfect. And yet God can still work through our imperfections.
Pastors/ Elders/ Ministry Leaders are not the elite. They aren’t necessarily the most gifted or talented. But they are called by God.
I need the church, even though I sometimes don’t want them.

7. Ephesians 2:11-22
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—  12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

8. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

9. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

10. Who are the People of God?
Fellow Citizens with the saints (2:19)
Members of the Household of God (2:19)
A Holy Temple (2:21)
“But our citizenship is in heaven…”
(Philippians 3:20)
Citizenship
Ambassadors
Representatives
My experience of being a British Citizen in the USA:
Funny Stories:
UK/Ukraine
Do you speak English in England?
Different language, accent, perspective, social cues– identity.
For those who have never been to the UK before, I am their point of reference of a Brit.
We are citizens of heaven– what an incredible privilege!
WATCH MASTERCARD COMMERICAL!
There are some things that money can’t buy. The People of God are priceless!

11. The People of God are Priceless!
Why should I connect to the People of God?
In whom God dwells
In whom God reveals himself
In whom God carries out His purpose of redemption & reconciliation
Because you cannot make it on own your own
Because you were never designed to make it on your own
With great privilege comes great responsibility!
The People of God are Priceless!

12. The Art of Juggling Body Position Eye Position Correct Technique
1“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3
How do I connect to the People of God?
Body Position– Humility & Service

13. The Art of Juggling Body Position Eye Position Correct Technique
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
 Ephesians 4:4-6
Eye Position– “Us not me”
Fellow Citizens have Equal Access & Equal Status!

14. The Art of Juggling Body Position Eye Position Correct Technique
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32
Correct Technique– Dependence on the Holy Spirit
The strength of our connection to the Person of God directly affects our connection to the People of God.
Sarah shares her testimony of connecting to the People of God.

15. Connect To the People of God Who are the People of God?
Why should we connect to the People of God?
How do we connect to the people of God?

16. What is the strength of your connection?
Response
Pray & ask God to bring to mind 1 person from FICF
Write their name down
Ask God to give you 3 things which you can pray for them.
Write them down
Pray for them for 3 mins every day this week.
Fix a time to meet up with them and tell them what you God was speaking to you about them.
Or…
Connecting to the Person of God= Prayer & Word
Connecting to the People of God= Home & Table (outside of a Sunday AM)