1. All of Us!

2. Connect to Jesus: Fruit

3. Connect to Truth: Realistic Yet Joyfully Confident

4. Connect to People: Healing and Wholeness

5. What makes you so special?

6. It's easy to hate on "The church"

7. It's easy to hate on "The church" Why?

8. What are we hating? The building? Or the people? Or the religious structure?

9. Jesus created the Ekklesia And he Gifted and Designed you to be A vital part of Christ's Community

10. Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

11. And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets”

12. BToL: Just because the crowd says it Doesn't make it true

13. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

14. Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

15. Unbelievable!

16. Understanding who you serve Determines how you serve

17. And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

18. Spiritual things have to be Spiritually revealed …the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ - 2 Cor. 4:4

19. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" - Matthew 16:13-18

20. Not built upon a man And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" - Matthew 16:13-18

21. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"

22. He has to be both - A man can't save me

23. He has to be both - A man can't save me - A god can't die for me

24. He has to be both - A man can't save me - A god can't die for me Upon this rock…

25. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" - Matthew 16:13-18

26. We are a type of building...you are (plural)…members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone…

27. Cornerstone Everything is lined up with And measured against Out of line= pull others out

28. Cornerstone A measurement of success Is how we line up with Jesus And his purposes for us

29. …in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

30. In him you (plural) also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit - Eph. 2:19-22

31. Kirche vs. Ekklesia "I will build my gathering…"

32. Church is not a building But a people gathered together

33. Church (Ekklesia) Is Jesus' idea Did he know?

34. Church (Ekklesia) Is Jesus' idea Then why begin her?

35. Church (Ekklesia) Is Jesus' idea Does he love her anyway?

36. Church (Ekklesia) Is Jesus' idea Then how should we feel?

37. Jesus created the Ekklesia And he Gifted and Designed you to be A Vital part of Christ's Community

38. Church/Ekklesia - Gathering of believers - Common identity and purpose - Mission greater than themselves

39. - Biblically-recognized structure - Authoritative Scriptures - Mutual accountability - Jesus is the Senior Pastor

40. Why Should I? - Christ created "a gathering"

41. Why Should I? - Christ created "a gathering" - He loves his bride so much He's coming back for her

42. Why Should I? - Christ created "a gathering" - He loves his bride so much He's coming back for her - None of us is as strong as all of us

43. - There is no Grace Without Community

44. - There is no Grace Without Community …with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace - Eph 4:2-3

45. 2 Things: - The person who clashes with you Is in every church!

46. 2 Things: - The person who clashes with you Is in every church! - They are there for your growth

47. - The ekklesia is Christ's Evidence …that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me - John 17:21

48. - The ekklesia has the privilege of doing Christ's Work Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it - 1 Cor. 12:27

49. - Our mission: Go therefore and make disciples… (Plural)

50. We train disciples to change their world for Jesus by: Teaching the scriptures for real life-change

51. We train disciples to change their world for Jesus by: And intentionally creating opportunities for Community, Prayer and Worship We train disciples to change their world for Jesus by: And intentionally creating opportunities for Community, Prayer and Worship

52. We train disciples to change their world for Jesus by: So that God will be glorified and People will become whole

53. - Worship together is Great Practice for Eternity

54. - Strength, Protection Encouragement

55. Jesus created the Ekklesia And he Gifted and Designed you to be A Vital part of Christ's Community

56. - You have spiritual gifts… To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good - 1 Cor. 12:7 Church was never intended to be a spectator sport

57. "Our greatest needs are not met By seeking to have our needs met But by investing ourselves In God-given opportunities As God leads"

58. The basis of our healing Is not found in Receiving but Giving

59. Spiritual Gifts are Spiritually Empowered When used for Spiritual Purposes

60. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good

61. Because Christ loves you… You were called to connect As an essential part of Christ's Gathering

62. How we connect Is as important as it is That we connect

63. To be part of the church: "What I can get…" "On my terms…" "Until I get a better offer…" "As long as I run this thing!"

64. "What I can get…" "On my terms…" "Until I get a better offer…" "As long as I run this thing!" Engage – Represent – Belong

65. To use my gifts: "To be seen…" "On my terms…" "Tell me how amazing I am!"

66. "To be seen…" "On my terms…" "Tell me how amazing I am!" How can I serve Jesus By serving his people?

67. I believe I'm looking at The greatest volunteers In the Valley

68. 5 Catalysts for Growth: - Practical Teaching - Private Disciplines - Personal Ministry - Providential Relationships - Pivotal Circumstances

69. Jesus created the Ekklesia And he Gifted and Designed you to be A Vital part of Christ's Community

70. I Repent: I haven't made it easy To find a place of service

71. What makes you so special?

72. What makes you so special? - Personality - Passion - Spiritual Gifts and God-Given Talents

73. Greatest growth - DiscipleNow - Teaching/Leading College and Youth

74. Worship Program…