To Live Openhanded

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The human appetite can be summarized in one word:

Anything I have, that I’m not willing to let go of, I don’t have it, .

⁴ This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. ⁵ All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. … ⁷ John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” (Mark 1:4-8)

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

³⁵ The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. ³⁶ As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. (John 1:35-37)

1. I am a not the owner.

Everything God has given me, He has given me to advance .

²⁶ So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us. ²⁷ John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. (John 3:26-27)

2. I am more concerned with long term than I am short term .

¹⁷ Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. ¹⁹ By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

So much of what we miss is a result of our unwillingness to of what we already have.

3. My life is .

²⁸ You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him. … ³⁰ He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. (John 3:28, 30)

Additional Notes

What’s Happening at Crossroads

NEW HERE?

We’re so glad you’ve chosen to come to Crossroads today! We want to thank you for visiting and would love to get to know you. Stop by and say hello at one of our Welcome Centers, our First Step area, or check out ecrossroads.info for more. We can’t wait to meet you!

EASTER AT CROSSROADS

Jesus didn’t come to make us a better version, He came to make us a brand-new creation. Learn more. ​We’ll be celebrating being made “brand new” this Easter with five different gathering times between both of our campuses on April 20th:
• South Campus: 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m.
• Downtown Campus: 10:00 and 11:30 a.m.

EASTER SERVING

Easter isn’t possible without a team of volunteers helping to make our special gatherings unforgettable. Will you join us this year? There are Easter serving opportunities available at both campuses. We encourage you to serve one gathering and attend one gathering. You can sign up.

GOOD FRIDAY EXPERIENCE

On April 18th, we will be having a Good Friday Experience from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at our South campus. This “Journey to the Cross” will help you reflect on Jesus’ death and the significance of that event in our lives today. This experience is self guided and you can arrive anytime. Families are welcome.

CRASH COURSE

We are launching a new version of Crash Course to help you discover your place at Crossroads. At this two-hour setting, lunch is provided and childcare available if prearranged. Our upcoming South date is April 13th. Our next Downtown date is May 18th. Find out more.

Do you have questions about giving? Learn more at ecrossroads.org/give.