“EXPANDING OUR BOX” (part 2)
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 12
A sermon outline based on Acts 8:9-25
Hillcrest CRC, October 6, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. We are all preachers.  (Acts 8:4)

2. God can heal people. (Acts 8:7,13)

3. Evil spirits are real. (Acts 8:7)

4. Sorcery is evil and should be avoided. (Acts 8:9,11)

5. Receiving the Holy Spirit is essential (Acts 8:14-17).

6. We must fully surrender our lives to the Lord. (Acts 18-22)

7. God can reveal “words of knowledge” to people. (Acts 8:23)

Next steps...

• Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide your thoughts, words and actions every day.
• Would you rather have God do your will, as opposed to having you do His will?  If so, confess that to the Lord and fully surrender your wishes and desires to Him, so that His will is accomplished in your life and He is glorified.
• Read and reflect on Romans 12:1-2 and examine your worldview. If it reflects more of our culture than of the Bible, expand your “worldview box” so that you no longer “conform to the pattern of this world” but believe in the truth of God’s Word.

“GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT”
Real Faith in Real Life, part 15
A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Hillcrest CRC, October 6, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. It’s important that we understand the gifts of the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:1)

2. Faith is a gift. (1 Corinthians 4:7, 12:3, Ephesians 1:4&11)

3. God gives a variety of gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

4. We are given gifts to serve others. (1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Peter 4:10)

• Some are gifted like prophets. (1 Corinthians 12:8&10, Romans 12:6-7) 
• Some are gifted like priests. (1 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 12:7-8,Mark 10:45)
• Some are gifted like kings. (1 Corinthians 12: , Romans 12:6&8)

5. God determines which gifts we get. (1 Corinthians 12:11, Matthew 25:14-15)

Next steps...

• Thank the Lord for the gift of faith that He’s given you. Pray that your faith would be strengthened and deepened; and pray that God would bring others to faith in Christ.
• What gifts has God given to you?  If you can’t list them, take a spiritual gifts inventory to discover which gifts He’s given to you.
• Read and reflect on 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Ask the Lord how you can use your gifts to serve others.

“EXPANDING OUR BOX”
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 12
A sermon outline based on Acts 8:1-8
Hillcrest CRC, September 29, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. We are all preachers. (Acts 8:4)

2. God can heal people. (Acts 8:7,13)

3. Evil spirits are real. (Acts 8:7)

Next steps...

• How might you “preach the Word” wherever you go? Who would you preach to?  And what would you say? Ask the Lord to help you be a more effective “preacher.”
• Read and reflect on Philip’s ministry in Acts 8:7: “With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.” Think about and discuss: Do we ask God for miraculous healing too often, or too little?  Why? What would the Lord want us to do?
• Share with others a time when you think you may have encountered an evil spirit.  The next time it happens to you, claim the authority you have in Jesus Christ, and command it to leave in His name, and see what happens.

“DISCERNING THE BODY OF CHRIST"
Real Faith in Real Life, part 14
A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Hillcrest CRC, September 29, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Is profession of faith required to participate in communion?

    (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)

2. As reformed Christians, we’ve never been fans of  “proof-texting.”

    (Proverbs 13:24, Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Corinthians 8:9, James 4:2)

 
3. What is the context? (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

4. What does the word “body” mean? 

    (1 Corinthians 10:17, 11:27&29, 12:12-26)

 
 5. Instead of discriminating against the poor, are we discriminating against the young? (Mark 1013-16, Matthew 18:1-6, 1 Corinthians 12:21-27)

 
6. But what about...?

 
Next steps...

• Read and reflect on 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 and discuss it with family members or friends.  What is Paul referring to when he uses the phrase “the body of the Lord?”
• Reflect on and share your experience of being excluded from participating in communion as a child.  Ask your children, grandchildren, or young friends how they feel about it.
• What caused you to want to publicly profess your faith?  Did being able to participate in communion play any role in your decision?

“THE HEADSHIP PRINCIPLE”
Real Faith in Real Life, part 12
A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
Hillcrest CRC, September 15, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Paul praises them. (1 Corinthians 1:4-7, 11:2)

2. Paul establishes the headship principle. (1 Corinthians 11:3,8-10,
    Ephesians 1:21-22, 5:21-33, Colossians 1:18, 2:10, 1 Timothy 2:12-14)

3. What does this have to do with angels?
    (1 Corinthians 11:10, Genesis 6:1-2, Isaiah 6:2)

4. Some interpret the word “head” differently. (1 Corinthians 11:3, Galatians 3:28)

5. Who should cover their heads in worship? (1 Corinthians 11:4-7)

6. Men and women need each other. (1 Corinthians 11:11-12, Genesis 1:27-28, 
    2:20-  24)

Next steps...

• Discuss with family members and/or friends what Paul says in this passage. How do you and others react to it?
• Read and reflect on Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Thank God for creating us male and female, and for the similarities and differences between the two genders.
• Ponder: Why are gender differences and roles so controversial for some in 

“THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH”
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 11
A sermon outline based on Acts 6:8-8:3
Hillcrest CRC, September 15, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Devoted followers of Christ are persecuted.
     (Acts 6:8-10, 2 Timothy 3:12)

2. Persecution is unfair, brutal and evil. (Acts 6:11, 54-58, 8:1-3)

3. God works even in the midst of persecution. (Acts 7:2, 55-56, 59-60)

4. The great commission is already being fulfilled. (Acts 1:8, 8:1,4)

Next steps...

• Ponder the following question: Is there enough evidence for you to be accused and convicted of being a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ?
• Pray for our brothers and sisters in the faith whose lives are threatened because of their faith in Jesus.
• Ask God to help you fulfil the great commission by making a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. 

“CHOOSING GODLY LEADERS”
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 10
A sermon outline based on Acts 6:1-7
Hillcrest CRC, September 8, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. The Grecian Jewish widows were going hungry. (Acts 6:1) 

2. The apostles called everyone together to resolve the problem. (Acts 6:2-3)

3. Prayer and teaching were their priorities. (Acts 6:2,4)

4. What were the qualifications needed to serve? (Acts 6:3)

• They had to be full of the Spirit. 
• They had to be full of wisdom.

 5. Who did they select?  

 6. How were they commissioned.  (Acts 6:6, Numbers 8:10, 27:18, Mark 1:41) 

 7. What was the result of their decision?

• The Word of God spread. (Acts 6:7) 
• The church grew rapidly. (Acts 6:7)
• Many priests were converted. (Acts 6:7) 

 Next steps...

• Read and reflect on the qualifications for Elders and Deacons listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. Are all of these qualities still important today?
• How do we grow in wisdom?  And how do we come to be filled with the Spirit? Ask the Lord to help you grow in both of these qualities.
• If prayer was such an important value for Jesus’ apostles, perhaps it should be more important for us.  Ask God to forgive you for relying on your own strength too often, and humble yourself and invite Him to live and work through you.

“HOW TO AVOID THE DEVIL’S TRAPS”
Real Faith in Real Life, part 11
A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 
Hillcrest CRC, September 8, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1.  Everyone is tempted. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

2. Temptation lures us away from God. (1 Corinthians 10:6-10)

3. Satan deceives us. (John 8:44, 1 Corinthians 10:13)

4. God won’t let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

5. Six ways out of temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

• Live a joy-filled life. (Nehemiah 8:10)
• Seek support and accountability. (James 5:16, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
• Fill your mind with Scripture. (Psalm 119:11, Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8)
• Pray. (Matthew 6:13, Philippians 4:13)
• Use common sense. (1` Corinthians 10:23, Proverbs 6:27)
• Put on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18)   

Next steps...

• Share your most common temptation with a trusted friend or family member.  The devil will be less successful when you have at least one other person to support and pray for you.
• Read and reflect on Mark 12:28-34. Find your joy and satisfaction in the Lord so that you won’t be tempted by lesser things. 
• Look up Bible verses that address your temptation and memorize them so that you can recite them to yourself (and to the devil) when necessary.