This week at Crosspoint 04/22/2022

Live Generously🙏🎉

We don’t talk about money around Crosspoint very often, and one reason that I hesitate to talk about it is that many pastors have abused church members with selfish ambition and greed, teaching unbiblical practices and doctrines. However, it is an important topic so it doesn’t need to be neglected.

You may ask, “Why is it important?” It is very important because God talks a lot about giving and management of financial resources in His Word - especially as it relates to giving to and through the local church for the work of gospel ministry.

Randy Alcorn says it well in his book, The Treasure Principle.

The Macedonian Christians understood the joy of giving: “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2).

How do “severe trial,” “overflowing joy,” “extreme poverty,” and “rich generosity” all fit in one verse? Giving isn’t a luxury of the rich. It’s a joyous privilege of the poor.

The Macedonians, according to Paul, “urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints” (v. 4). They had to plead, presumably because others were telling them that their poverty exempted them from giving.

These early Christians were dirt-poor but came up with every reason they could to give. What a contrast to those who have so much but come up with endless justifications for not giving!

It’s humbling to receive gifts from people in far greater need than you. I’ve experienced this on missions trips where the poor gladly serve their best food to visiting Americans. They’re not pretending their sacrifice makes them happy. It really does. When the tabernacle was being built, people were so excited they had to be “restrained” from giving more (Exodus 36:5–7). That’s what giving will do to you.

God uses giving to conform us to His image. Gaze upon Christ long enough and you’ll become more of a giver. Give long enough and you’ll become more like Christ: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (v. 9).

Our giving is a reflexive response to God’s grace in our lives. It doesn’t come out of our altruism or philanthropy for which we might congratulate ourselves. Rather, it comes out of Christ’s transforming work in us. We give because He first gave to us. While our giving to Him pales in comparison to His giving to us, it pleases God when we follow His example:

The greatest passage on giving in all Scripture ends not with “Congratulations for your generosity,” but with “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). When God’s grace touches us, we give joyfully.

I guess the question to ask ourselves then is if I am not giving generously, why not? It’s not a matter of just doing it out of necessity or because we feel guilted into it - instead it’s a matter of the heart. Generosity will be the outflow  of our hearts when we are walking closely with Jesus Christ. Generosity is not simply an action, it is a lifestyle.

Find out what needs fixing down deep in your heart, and choose to love Jesus and others so much that you live generously.

‍Mark your calendar! 🗓Exciting things are coming to Crosspoint! See below for several of these opportunities to serve and grow together. Be sure to save the dates and be a part.

April 28

Prayer gathering
This Thursday, at 7:00 pm, our prayer team is meeting at the Murphy’s for a time of prayer. This is the regular prayer team gathering, but we encourage anyone to come.

Ezekiel and Emily Murphy
95 N Michigan Avenue, Apt. 14
Pasadena, CA 91106

Let Emily know you’re coming
@ 816-308-3032

May 8

Mother's Day
Invite your mom to Mother's Day at Crosspoint! We will have a special gift for all the women in attendance that day.

May 19-21

Ladies' Retreat
The ladies are going to Big Bear! Check out this place!  Get away with other ladies for a few days of relaxing, encouragement, spiritual growth, and fellowship.

Click here for a list of nearby restaurants, activities, and hiking

... and here is a map of nearby hiking trails

Cost: $100 (includes 2 dinners and 1 breakfast)

Sign up here!

What is your Next Step?

God intends for us to grow in our new life in Christ. Here are several things you can do to jumpstart that growth.

Enroll in Christian Life Coaching.

Sign up for Baptism.

Become a Member of Crosspoint.

Join a ministry team.

Whatever your next step is, we are here to support you and help you make it! Not sure of your next step? That's ok too! We can help. Click here!

Service Times and Location

434 N Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107  

Sunday @ 10:30 am - Worship gathering
Childcare through age 5 and children's church for 1st - 5th graders is available. Check-in starts at 10:15 am

Sunday @ 5:00 pm - AWANA
Our fun and exciting program for teens and children continues every Sunday evening at 5:00 pm. Check-in starts at 4:45 pm.  Click here for information you can share.

Wednesday @ 7:00 pm - Growth Group Bible studies
This week, we have separate Bible studies for Men and Ladies. Join us for Bible teaching, small group discussion, and prayer time!
(Childcare for ages 0 through 5th grade is available, and childcare check-in starts at 6:50 pm)

LIVESTREAM

We will be streaming the 10:30am service LIVE on our Facebook page https://m.facebook.com/CrosspointLA/ and on our YouTube channel https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCkIjDyR1-iaiYk0FdVi3I-A/ or on our website (with Google Chrome only) www.crosspoint.la

Important stuff 😉:

• Would you like to join our prayer team? Simply text PRAY to 855-955-4585. You will be added to the list and you will receive notifications of specific prayer requests so you can "bear one another's burdens,"
• Who are you going to bless this week? Reach out to one another via text, call, or FaceTime, and get together with an individual to share Christ’s love (Christian or non-Christian).  😊  Satan would love to divide us. Be careful to be looking out for others and sharing Jesus with people who don’t know Him.
• Let us know if you or someone you know has a need.🙏
• Let’s remember to give financially through our tithes and offerings so the work of the church can continue. You can give online @ crosspoint.la/give or through the app. If you would prefer to text your monetary gift, simply text GIVE to (424) 343-2378. You can also mail checks to:

Crosspoint Baptist Church
1112 E Mountain Street
Pasadena, CA 91104

Love and Share

Share Crosspoint on social media! Help your friends and family see what God is doing in lives! As you love and share our posts, others see how excited you are about what God is doing. Hey, they just might show up and start walking with Jesus too!

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