Hillcrest CRC Messages

“A SPIRITUAL PATERNITY TEST”

The Power of the Gospel, part 17

A sermon outline based on Romans 8:12-17

Hillcrest CRC, November 1, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

1. We are led by the Spirit. (Romans 8:14)

2. We are growing in holiness. (Romans 8:13)

3. We are adopted children of God who love Him. (Romans 8:14-17)

4. The Holy Spirit confirms it in our hearts. (Romans 8:9-11, 16)

5. We share in Christ’s suffering as well as his glory. (Romans 8:17)

Next steps...

• Surrender yourself and your day to the Lord each morning.  Invite God to lead and guide you by His Spirit.
• Tell Jesus out loud multiple times each day that you love Him.  When you see something beautiful, or enjoy something good, say “I love you Jesus.”
• Offer a prayer of thanksgiving that God has adopted you as His child, forgiven your sins and made you an heir of eternal life.

“JOSHUA: LEARNING TO FULLY TRUST IN GOD”

The Story of the Bible, part 10

A sermon outline based on passages from Joshua 1-6

Hillcrest CRC, November 1, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

1. God called Joshua to trust Him. (Joshua 1)

2. Rahab bet everything on the God of Israel. (Joshua 2)

3. Crossing the Jordan was a big deal. (Joshua 3)

4. Sometimes God waits to act until we take a step of faith. (Joshua 3:8, 13-17)

5. God told them to set up a memorial. (Joshua 4)

6. They had to trust & obey God’s plan.

                  Why circumcise them now? (Joshua 5:1-12)

                  What a strange way to conquer a city! (Joshua 6)

7. Caleb followed the LORD wholeheartedly. (Joshua 14:6-15)

Next steps...

• Memorize Joshua 1:9 and recite it whenever you face a difficult situation.
• Is there a step of faith that God is calling you to take today?  It may seem risky at the moment, but God may work in wondrous ways if you obey Him.
• Try some listening prayer and seek God’s plan.  It might be very different from your own.
• Invite the Holy Spirit to give you the faith and courage of Caleb to follow God wholeheartedly. 

“GOOD NEWS!”

The Power of the Gospel, part 16

A sermon outline based on Romans 8:1-11

Hillcrest CRC, October 25, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

1. Condemnation is what we deserve.

    (Romans 1:18,21,2:11, 3:23, 5:12, 6:23, 7:24)

2. Condemnation is what we hear. 

3. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

• We have been freed from the penalty of sin. (Romans 8:3)
• We have been freed from sin’s power. (Romans 8:1-2)
• This is an exclusive gift. (John 3:18)
• It’s guaranteed.

Next steps...

• Repeat the words of the song “Amazing Grace” to yourself this week as a way to remind yourself that you are a wretch deserving condemnation because of your sin, but also reminding you that you’ve been saved because of God’s amazing grace through Jesus Christ.
• Memorize Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...”
• When you hear the condemning voice of the evil one, claim the truth by speaking Romans 8:1 out loud. 

Phillippians 3:1-7

Hebrews 10:19-11:1

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Philippians 1

Sermon: Ordinary

Text: Acts 2:42-47

   I. Intro: Trends in world and trends in the Church

  II. Context: Pentecost

III. Timeless elements of the Church (Acts 2) 

          A. Preaching/Teaching 
          “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42)      

               1. They were continually devoting themselves…

               2. Colossians 3:16-17

               3. Where the Spirit of God reigns, believers relate to God’s Word

           B. Fellowship 
           “...and to fellowship” (Acts 2:42) 

               1. “In common” 2:45 

               2. Spend and be spent for the sake of someone else. 

               3. Where the Spirit of God reigns, believers relate to each other

          C. Worship 
          “To the breaking of bread and prayer” (Acts 2:42) 

               1. Worship at all times and if necessary use music

               2. Worship as a lifestyle

               3. Where the Spirit of God reigns, believers relate to God

          D. Evangelism 
          “The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” 
          (Acts 2:47)

               1. Where the Spirit of God reigns, believers relate to the world

               2. Awe at the holiness of God (Isaiah 6:5)

               3. What if joy and awe were overflowing from the walls of Christian 
                   Reformed Churches?

 IV. Conclusion: Eternal & Timeless

“LOVING GOD’S LAWS”

The Story of the Bible, part 9

A sermon outline based on verses from Leviticus & Deuteronomy

Hillcrest CRC, October 4, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

1. They loved the Torah. (Deuteronomy 4:8, Psalm 19:10, 119:97 & 111)

2. God told them to give. (Deuteronomy 15:7-8)

• A 10% tithe. (Leviticus 27:30, Deuteronomy 14:22)
• The sabbath year. (Leviticus 25:2, Deuteronomy 15:1)
• The year of Jubilee. (Leviticus 25:8-12)
•  Gleaning laws. (Deuteronomy 24:19-22)

3. God commanded them to celebrate three great festivals. (Deuteronomy 16:16)

• The Feast of Passover. (Deuteronomy 16:1-8)
• The Feast of Weeks. (Deuteronomy 16:9-12)
• The Feast of Tabernacles. (Deuteronomy 16:13-15)

4. What about difficult laws?

    (Leviticus 24:19-21, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

Next steps...

• When reading the Bible, try replacing the word “law” with the word “instructions” and see if it doesn’t give you a more positive perspective.
• Make it a family project to give toward a specific charity or ministry.  Try to donate not just money but your time as well.
• The next time you’re feeling down, try reading a Psalm of praise or singing a hymn or praise song and see what effect it has on your mood.

“OUR BATTLE AGAINST SIN”

The Power of the Gospel, part 15

A sermon outline based on Romans 7:14-25

Hillcrest CRC, October 4, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

1. Paul wanted the right things. (Romans 7:15,18,21-22)

2. Paul failed to do the right things because of sin. (Romans 7:14-15,17,20,21-23)

3. Paul was frustrated with himself. (Romans 7:24)

4. The Christian life is an ongoing battle against sin. (Romans 7:14-24, Ephesians 6:10-12, Ephesians 3:12-14)

5. God will rescueus through Jesus Christ. (Romans 7:25a)

Next steps...

• Invite the Lord to help you desire the right things, like spending time with Him in prayer, reading His Word, asking for His guidance, thanking Him, and living on mission with Him.                 
• Make a list of common sins in your life, starting with sins of omission (things you should be doing but don’t do), then sins of commission (things you shouldn’t do but do). Confess all of them to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness.            
• Look to Jesus daily – even hourly.  Delight in Him, rest in Him, receive grace and strength from Him, worship and praise Him, and you will find your desire for sin decreasing and your interest in doing His will increasing.