“PENTECOST FOR GENTILES”
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 18
A sermon outline based on Acts 10:23 -- 11:18 
Hillcrest CRC, November 24, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Jesus’ authority was superior to Caesar’s. (Acts 10:23-26, 36)

2. The gospel is for everyone. (Acts 10:27-29, 35, 11:18)

3. What should we share with others? (Acts 10:30-43)

4. Peter clarified the ministry of Jesus. (Acts 10:38)

5. The Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles. (Acts 10:44-47, 11:15-17)

Next steps...

• Think about how much hope you put in political power. Confess the sin of political idolatry, if necessary, and put your hope in the Lord Jesus Christ to change lives and save the world.
• Read and reflect on 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...” Make sure that you’re prepared to share the good news about Jesus and salvation with others.
• What might God want to do through you this week? How might He enable you to speak or act in such a way that you advance His kingdom?  Invite the Lord to use you however He can. 

“WE GIVE YOU THANKS & PRAISE YOUR GLORIOUS NAME!”
A sermon outline based on 1 Chronicles 29:10-20
Hillcrest CRC, November 24, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. We rejoice at the generosity of God’s people. (1 Chronicles 29:9,17)

 2. Who are we to be blessed like this?
     (1 Chronicles 29:14, Psalm 8:4, James 1:17)

3. We only give what we have received from the Lord.
     (1 Chronicles 29:11,14,16)

4. May God always keep our hearts loyal to Jesus.
     (1 Chronicles 29:18, Luke 12:34)

5. Praise and thank the LORD! (1 Chronicles 29:10,20)

Next steps...

• Share a story of generosity with family members or friends as you reflect on how others have been generous to you. Discuss why people find generosity attractive.
• Read and reflect on James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
• Ask the Lord to keep your heart, and the hearts of those you love, faithful and loyal to Jesus Christ.

“THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD”
Real Faith in Real Life, part 20
A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 15
Hillcrest CRC, November 10, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters 

1. The lynchpin of Christianity is Jesus’ resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4,12-19)
2. There is overwhelming evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:5-11)
3. He was the firstfruits. (Leviticus 23:9–17, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
4. He completed his mission. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28)
5. Why were people being baptized for the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:29)
6. Be careful who you allow to influence you. (1 Corinthians 15:30-34)
7. What will our resurrected bodies be like? (1 Corinthians 15:35-53)
8. God gives us victory through Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Romans 8:37)

  Next steps...

• Read and reflect on what Jesus said in John 11:25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
• Think about and discuss what people, books and media that you allow to influence what you think and believe. Avoid that which is not based on truth or pushes you away from God.
• Thank and praise the Lord for the hope of resurrected bodies and eternal life with Christ one day! What are you most looking forward to about heaven and living on a new earth one day?

A GOD-THING
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 17
A sermon outline based on Acts 10:1-23
Hillcrest CRC, November 10, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. God has a plan for advancing His kingdom. (Acts 10:3-6, 9-20)

2. Our role is to:

• Examine our beliefs. (Acts 9:43, 10:9-16)
• Walk with the Lord. (Acts 10:2 & 9)
• Be led by the Spirit. (Acts 10:3-6 & 11-16, 19-20)
• Change our plans. (Matthew 6:33)
• Follow through. (Acts 10:7-8, 21-23)

Next steps...

• Thank God that He knows who He wants to bring to saving faith in Jesus. Pray for your family members, friends, neighbors or coworkers haven’t yet surrendered their hearts and lives to the Lord.
• Cultivate a close relationship with the Lord by spending time alone with Him every day, reading and reflecting on His Word, and praying
• Invite the Lord to use you each day to share His love with others and play a role in bringing people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Then listen for Him to nudge you to do or say something, and altar your plans in order to do what He wants you to do. 

“HOW MIRACLES GREW THE CHURCH”
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 16
A sermon outline based on Acts 9:32-42
Hillcrest CRC, November 3, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Aeneas was a paralytic. (Acts 9:33)

2. Jesus healed a paralytic. (Acts 9:32-35, Mark 2:11)

3. God resurrected a dead woman through Peter! (Acts 9:36-41)

4. God used these miracles to bring people to faith in Jesus. (Acts 9:35,42)

Next steps...

• What are you turned toward? What occupies your attention?  Work? Family? Yourself? Turn toward the Lord and invite Him to be the center of your life.
• Read and reflect on Colossians 1:27 “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” 
• Reflect on these questions: What effect has Jesus had on your life?  Are you always doing good? Do you help the poor? How is your life different because Jesus lives in your heart?

“NO ONE IS BEYOND GOD’S REACH”
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 15
A sermon outline based on Acts 9:1-31
Hillcrest CRC, October 27, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Saul was passionate about what he believed. (Acts 9:1-2)

2. Jesus confronted Saul. (Acts 9:3-9)

3. Ananias obeyed God. (Acts 9:10-19)

4. Saul quickly became a very effective preacher. (Acts 9:20-22)

5. Saul’s former friends became his enemies. (Acts 9:23-30)

6. God blessed the Church. (Acts 9:31)

Next steps...

• Read and reflect on Ezekiel 11:19 “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”  
• Who is God prompting you to pray for, that their heart of stone would be replaced with a heart of flesh?
• Think of the most influential people in our culture who are spiritually lost and seem to be enemies of Christ.  Pray that God would convert them to Jesus and make them influential for the kingdom of God instead!

“GIFTS THAT BUILD UP THE CHURCH”
Real Faith in Real Life #18
A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 
Hillcrest CRC, October 27, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. We learn some things about speaking in tongues.
(1 Corinthians 14:2,4-6,9,13-14, 18-19, 21,23,26-27, 39)

• It’s a good gift. (1 Corinthians 14:5,18,26)
• It’s not always a foreign language. (1 Corinthians 14:2, Acts 2:4)
• Paul spoke in tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:18)
• Interpretation is important in a group setting. (1 Corinthians 14:13,28)
• Some people sing in tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:15-16)
• The Christians in Corinth over-emphasized speaking tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:4-6,9,12,19
• Spiritual gifts aren’t just abilities we’re born with. (1 Corinthians 14:1,12)

 2. What is the gift of prophesy? (1 Corinthians 14:1,3-6)

 3. Why does Paul promote the gift of prophesy?
(1 Corinthians 12:7, 14:12,17,19,24-25, 1 Peter 4:10-11)

Next steps...

• Does this passage change the way you think about speaking in tongues?  If so, how? Talk with family members or friends about your understanding of and experience with speaking in tongues.
• Read and reflect on 1 Peter 4:10-11 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
• Ask the Lord to help you find ways to use your gifts and talents to bless and serve others.