“BALANCING WORK AND REST”

A sermon outline based on Genesis 1:26-2:3

Hillcrest, First and Messiah CRCs, September 3, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

 1. Work is a gift from God. (Genesis 1:28, Ecclesiastes 2:24, 12:12)  

2. Rest also is a gift from God. (Genesis 2:2, Psalm 127:2)

3. We’re commanded to rest.

    (Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Leviticus 25:4)

4. Heaven will be rest. (Hebrews 4:1-11)

5. Our challenge is balancing work and rest.

    (Deuteronomy 5:12-14, Proverbs 6:6-11)

Next steps...

• Ask the Lord to help you see the work that He gives you as a gift rather than a chore.  Thank Him for the energy and time that He give you to do something productive.
• Reflect on the work/life balance in your life.  Do you need to work more or rest more?
• Thank God for the gift of sabbath and rest! Make Sundays days where you enjoy worship and delighting in the people and gifts that God has given you rather than trying to be productive in some way. 

“QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD’S LAWS”

The Story of the Bible, part 6

A sermon outline based on Exodus and Leviticus

Hillcrest CRC, September 6, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

 1. Are people saved by obeying the law? (Exodus 20:2, Psalm 14:2-3, Romans 3:20)

 2. Did offering sacrifices save people? (Isaiah 1:10-20, Amos 5:21-24, Hebrews 5:1-10, 10:14-18)

 3. God is concerned about our hearts. (Isaiah 29:13, Psalm 51:16-17, Matthew 15:8, John 14:15)

 4. Why are there so many laws? (Leviticus 11:29-31, 13:40-41, Deuteronomy 24:19-22)

 5. Are we supposed to obey all of these laws today? (Mark 7:19, Matthew 5:17-48)

• There are civil laws. (Exodus 21:24, Romans 13:1-7)
•  There are ceremonial laws. (Leviticus 20:25, Mark 7:19)
• There are moral laws. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18)

6. Are God’s laws written on your heart? (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:7-13)

Next steps...

• Confess and renounce any attempt to earn God’s favor by obeying his commands and trying to live a good life.  Embrace the fact that you’re loved and saved by grace.
• Change the way you think about God’s laws – from a burdensome list of “do’s and don’ts” – to loving instructions from your Heavenly Father for a blessing-filled life. (Psalm 19:7-14)
• Examine your heart.  Invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart.  Surrender more of your life to Him.  Invite Him to write his laws on your heart so that you want to obey them.

“DEAD TO SIN, ALIVE TO CHRIST”

The Power of the Gospel, part 11

A sermon outline based on Romans 6:1-14

Hillcrest CRC, August 30, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

1. If God forgives all our sin, why not sin more? (Romans 5:20-6:1)

2. We are united with Christ. (Romans 6:5)

• We died with Christ to sin. (Romans 6:2)
• There are consequences to sin.(Romans 6:21-23)
• We rose with him to new life. (Romans 6:5,8-10)

3. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin, but alive to Christ. (Romans 6:11-14)

4. Embrace the gift of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:26, Romans 8:13-16, 1 Thessalonians 1:5)

Next steps...

• Discuss “cheap grace” – the idea that people can sin with abandon believing that God loves to forgive. Why might this appeal to people?  Are there Christians today who actually embrace this idea?
• Memorize Romans 6:11 “...count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
• Pray this prayer every day: “Thank you Jesus for living in my heart. May your Spirit guide my thoughts, words and actions today so that I give glory to You. Amen.”

“GOD THE DELIVERER”

The Story of the Bible, part 5

A sermon outline based on Exodus 1-12

Hillcrest CRC, August 30, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

 1. God is always at work. (Exodus 1:6-7)

 2. God put his people in an influential place. (Genesis 12:3)

 3. Shiphrah and Puah are unlikely heroes. (Exodus 1:15-21)

 4. God raised up Moses as an unlikely leader. (Exodus 2:1-3:17)

 5. God knows, cares and intervenes. (Exodus 3:7-8)

 6. Moses gave God five excuses. (Exodus 3:11-4:13)

 7. Moses was saved by a woman. (Exodus 4:24-26)

 8. God miraculously delivered His people. (Exodus 5-12)

 Next steps...

• How is God at work in your life?  Ponder the fact that He is working, even though you may not see it, bringing deliverance, faith, strength and hope.
• Use the influence that God has given you to be a source of light wherever He has placed you.
• Who are the unlikely leaders and heroes in your life?  Take time to thank them for their influence in your life.

“A TALE OF TWO SHIPS”

The Power of the Gospel, part 11

A sermon outline based on Romans 5:12-21

Hillcrest CRC, August 23, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

1. The ships have very different captains. (Romans 5:12-21)

2. We can stay with sin or “jump ship” to pursue God’s grace. (Romans 5:15,17)

3. Abandon judgement and condemnation in exchange for justification.

   (Romans 5:16,18-19)

4. Trade certaindeath for eternallife. (Romans 5:17)

5. You can never disqualify yourself from the kingdom of God.

    (Romans 5:20, 8:35-39)

Next steps...                                                                           

• Think about the nature of the sins that tempt you. What about them do you find appealing? How do you feel when you give in to temptation?  If you keep giving in to temptation, will you find what you’re looking for, or will you be disappointed?
• Read, reflect on and memorize the good news of the gospel in Romans 5:20: “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more...”
• Pray a prayer of thanks to God for the free gift of His grace, 

“GOD IS WITH US”

The Story of the Bible, part 4

A sermon outline based on Genesis 23-50

Hillcrest CRC, August 23, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

 1. God was with Eliezer. (Genesis 24)

2. God was with Isaac. (Genesis 26:3, 24, 28)

3. God was with Jacob. (Genesis 28:15-16, 31:3 & 5, 35:3, )

4. God was with Leah. (Genesis 29:31-35)

5. God was with Joseph. (Genesis 39:2, 20-21, 23)

6. God is with you. (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5)

Next Steps...

• Thank the Lord for sending Jesus into our lives to be our Immanuel, God with us!
• Ask your friends or family members where they’ve seen God at work lately. (Remember, God is often present and working even when we don’t realize it.)
•  Watch for God at work this week.  It may be an answer to prayer, strength for a task, a prompting to do or say something, a calm assurance, or something else.

“REJOICE IN SUFFERING?”

The Power of the Gospel, part 10

A sermon outline based on Roma­ns 5:1-5

Hillcrest CRC, August 16, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

1. Suffering is painful (Romans 5:3).

2. How can we rejoice in our sufferings? (Romans 5:3)

3. We rejoice because of what we know about suffering. (Romans 5:3)

4. Suffering teaches us patient endurance. (Romans 5:3b)

5. Suffering refines our character. (Romans 5:4a)

6. Suffering reinforces our hope. (Romans 5:4b)

Next steps...

• Think about how God has used suffering in your life to produce something good?  Share how He did this with family members or friends.
• Read and reflect on a Psalm of lament, like Psalm 13.  Do you trust in God’s unfailing love like David did?
• The next time you know someone who’s suffering, walk alongside of them and love them through it.  Encourage them to look forward to the day when Jesus will make all things new.

“THE CHALLENGE OF WALKING WITH GOD”

The Story of the Bible, part 3

A sermon outline based on Genesis 12:1-5, et. al.

Hillcrest CRC, August 16, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

1. God called Abram to leave everything and follow Him. (Genesis 12:1-5)

2. God assured Abram of his promise by cutting a covenant with him. (Genesis 15:1-21)

3. God called Abraham and Sarah to trust his outrageous promise. (Genesis 16:1-4, 15-16, 17:1-10, 23-27, 21:1-7)

4. God tested Abraham. (Genesis 22:1-18)

Next Steps...

• Talk with your family about what God may be calling you to leave behind in order to follow Him – then do it!
• When you struggle with doubts or fears, claim God’s promises – and remember His unwavering commitment to keep all of them.
• Talk with friends or family members about your walk with God.  Share the ups and downs of your journey and celebrate God’s faithfulness.
• What step of faith is God calling you to take that will help you walk more closely with Him?

“THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF SIN”

The Story of the Bible, part 2

A sermon outline based on Genesis 3-11

Hillcrest CRC, August 9, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

Scene 1: Adam & Eve rebelled against God and sinned. (Genesis 3)

• The tactics of the enemy:

1. He twists the truth. (Genesis 3:1)

2. He undermines our trust in God. (Genesis 3:3)

3. He sugarcoats sin. (Genesis 3:5)

4. He isolates us. (Genesis 3:6)

5. He gets us to focus on the forbidden. (Genesis 3:6)

6. He entices us to invite others to join us. (Genesis 3:6)

•  The consequences of sin:

1. Shame, (Genesis 3:7-10)

2. Fear. (Genesis 3:8-10)

3. Alienation. (Genesis 3:8-10)

4. Blame. (Genesis 3:11-13)

5. Pain. (Genesis 3:16-19)

Scene 2: Cain murdered his brother Abel. (Genesis 4:1-16)

• Abel offered God the fat portions of his firstborn. (Genesis 4:4)
• Sin got deeper with Cain and Lamech.

Scene 3: God destroyed the world but saved Noah. (Genesis 6-9)

• Sin got wider in Noah’s day. (Genesis 6:5-7,11-13)
• Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:9)

Scene 4: Humankind arrogantly defied God at the Tower of Babel. (Genesis 11)

Next Steps...

• Talk together about your own propensity to ignore, rebel, disobey and defy God.  Use Psalm 51 as your prayer of confession.
• What would it look like for you to offer God the first and best portion of your time, talent and money?  Start doing it this week.
• The next time you see a rainbow, discuss what it means.

“GOOD NEWS”

The Power of the Gospel, part 9

A sermon outline based on Romans 5:1-11

Hillcrest CRC, August 9, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

 1. We’ve been made right with God. (Romans 5:1a)

2. We can live in harmony and peace with God. (Romans 5:1b)

3. God loved us and saved us at our worst. (Romans 3:23, 5:8&10, Ephesians 2:1-3)

4. We have been reconciled to God. (Romans 5:10-11)

Next steps...

• Read John 1:12-13. Then believe in Jesus, receive Him into your heart and invite Him to forgive your sin and to take control of every area of your life. 
• Read and reflect on Psalm 103. Think about and discuss why this Psalm is often read after we participate in the Lord’s Supper.
• Think about the worst sin you’ve ever committed or the time in your life when you were most rebellious and felt the most distant from God.  Then reflect on the fact that even then God loved you, forgave you and claimed you as His own (Romans 5:6-8).  Praise and thank God for this amazing truth!