The Triumph of the Gospel
Colossians 1:1-8

“MONEY DOESN’T GROW ON TREES”
What the Bible Says About Money, part 1
A sermon outline based on Proverbs 6:6-11
Hillcrest CRC, January 12, 2025, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters


1. Work is not a curse. (Genesis 2:15)
 
2. Hard work is a good thing.
    (Proverbs 6:6-11, 12:11, 14:23, 28:19, 2 Thessalonians 3:10)

3. Work can be satisfying. (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)

4. Ultimately we work for Jesus.
    (Matthew 9:37-38, John 9:4, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Colossians 3:23)

Next steps...
•Think about how you view work.  Is it a gift from God or a drudgery you need to endure to pay your bills? Thank God for the abilities that God has given you and the health to be productive doing something useful.
•Read and reflect on Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
•Look for opportunities in your work, or as you volunteer, to influence people for Christ and share the love of God with them. Consider whether God may be calling you into full-time ministry.

To All Generations
Psalm 90

The First Christmas Evangelists
Luke 2:1-10

“A PERFECT CHRISTMAS?”
Immanuel: God With Us, part 5
A sermon outline based on John 1:1-14 (14a)
Hillcrest CRC, December 25, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. The first Christmas wasn’t perfect. (Luke 2:7, Hebrews 2:17)

 2. Christmas for us isn’t perfect either.

 3. The only thing perfect about Christmas is Jesus. (John 1:1-4)

 4. Jesus came to save an imperfect world. (John 1:10-14, Philippians 2:5-7)

 
Next steps...

• Ponder and discuss with others why the Christmas story has been romanticized – when that doesn’t reflect reality.
• Share a memory of when something went wrong at Christmas, and reflect on the amazing truth that Jesus came to save us from our sin and brokenness.
• Thank the Lord that Jesus was willing to come into our lives and our world to forgive our sins and save us.

“PEACE ON EARTH”
“Immanuel: God With Us,” part 4
A sermon outline based on Micah 5:1-5
Hillcrest CRC, December 22, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Where will the Messiah will come from? (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:6, John 7:42, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29)

2. He will be their shepherd. (Micah 5:4, Psalm 23, 100:3, Ezekiel 34, Philippians 4:13)

3. His sheep will live securely. (Micah 5:4, Isaiah 11:6-9) 

4. It’s all about God. (Micah 5:4, 1 Samuel 17:46, Ezekiel 38:23, Malachi 1:11)

5. He will be our peace. (Micah 5:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Ephesians 2:11-22)

Next steps...

• Read Psalm 23 and think about what aspect of God as your shepherd you appreciate the most. 
• Think about whether you tend to live believing that God exists for you and for your salvation or that you exist for God to give Him glory.  Why does it make a difference?
• Invite Jesus to be present in every circumstance of your life this week and to be your peace.        

“WHEN GOD COMES NEAR”
Immanuel: God With Us, part 3
A sermon outline based on Exodus 19:1-25
Hillcrest CRC, December 15, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. God wants to be with His people.
    (Genesis 17:4-7, Exodus 19:4-6,  25:8-9, 29:44-46, 40:36-38)

2. God is a consuming fire.
    (Exodus 19:16-19, Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 10:26-31, 12:29)

3. God made a relationship possible.

• He created boundaries for their safety. (Exodus 19:10-24)
• He developed procedures they had to carefully follow. (Exodus 29:42-46, Leviticus 1-7,16)

4. God sent the ultimate high priest.
    (John 1:29, Galatians 4:4-5, Hebrews 1:1-3, 4:14-16)

Next steps...

• How might God be reaching out to you and desiring a closer relationship with you? (Revelation 3:20)  How will you respond?
• Read and reflect on Hebrew 10:26-31 as a New Testament description of how serious our sin is before a holy God.  Spend some time confessing your sins and thank the Lord for the cleansing blood of Jesus.
• Consider memorizing Galatians 4:4-5 as a great summary of what we celebrate every Christmas: “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (NLT)

“CAN’T WAIT!”
“Immanuel: God With Us,” part 2
A sermon outline based on Isaiah 25:1-9
Hillcrest CRC, December 8, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

When Jesus returns...

1. The LORD will prepare a feast.
    (Isaiah 25: 6, Exodus 24:9-11, Matthew 22:2-12, Revelation 10:7-9)

2. He will destroy the shroud.
     (Isaiah 25:7, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, 1 Corinthians 13:12)

3. He will swallow up death.
     (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, 1 Corinthians 15:54)

4. He will remove our tears and sadness.
     (Isaiah 25:8, Revelation 7:17, 21:4)

Next steps...

• Read and reflect on Revelation 21&22 to help you anticipate the glorious future we have in Christ.
• Pray for God to remove the “veil” from the minds and hearts of people you know and love so that they may know Christ as their Savior and King.  Think and pray about how you might share the good news about Jesus with them this Christmas.
• If this season is difficult for you because someone you love has died, read and reflect on 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 and be encouraged by the victory and hope that we have in Christ.

“WHO CONTROLS THE CHURCH?”
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 19
A sermon outline based on Acts 11:19-30
Hillcrest CRC, December 1, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters


1.  Some shared their faith with outsiders (Acts 11:19-21).

2.  They recognized the work of God and encouraged them.  (Acts 11:22-24)

3.  They taught and discipled all of the new Christians. (Acts 11:25-26)

4.  Through the gift of prophecy, God provided for his people.  (Acts 11:27-30)

 Next steps...

• If someone had to prove in a court that you are a disciple of Jesus, would they have enough evidence to declare you guilty?  Or do you live your life pretty much like everybody else? Discuss what kind of evidence might convince non-Christians that you are devoted to Jesus.
• Ask the Lord to bring someone into your life that you can teach and disciple. Step out in faith and you will be the one who is blessed!

“WHY WE NEED CHRISTMAS”
“Immanuel: God With Us,” part 1
A sermon outline based on Genesis 2:4-3:19
Hillcrest CRC, December 1, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters                  

1.  Everything was perfect! (Genesis 1:31,2:7-10,21-25,3:8, Isaiah 11:6-9)

• The creation was perfect. (Genesis 1:31, 2:7-10, Isaiah 11:6-9)
• They had a perfect marriage. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:21-25)
• They walked with God. (Genesis 3:8)

 2.  Because of disobedience and rebellion they sinned. (Genesis 3:1-6)

 3.  Sin ruined everything. (Genesis 3:7-4:24)

• They hid from God. (Genesis 3:8)
• They blamed each other. (Genesis 3:12-13,16)
• Work was a pain. (Genesis 3:16-17)
• We have a spiritual enemy. (Genesis 3:15, 4:7, Romans 7)
• We face the reality of death. (Genesis 3:19, 4:8)

 4.  We need a Savior! (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 9:1-7)

 Next steps...

• What aspect of the perfect world that Adam and Eve enjoyed appeals to you most and why? Share with God and with another person your longing in that area.
• Think about how sin has affected your life under #3 above. Confess your sins to the Lord and admit your need for a Savior. 
• Read and reflect on Isaiah 9:1-7 and revel in the hope that we have in Christ. Pray that Jesus will return soon!