“THE IDEAL CHURCH”
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 5
A sermon outline based on Acts 2:42-47
Hillcrest CRC, July 14, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. They were eager to learn and grow. (Acts 2:42)

2. They were devoted to one another. (Acts 2:42)

3. They were committed to breaking bread together. (Acts 2:42)

4. They were passionate about prayer. (Acts 2:42)

5. They were amazed by the miracles of God. (Acts 2:43)

6. They willingly shared what they had with others. (Acts 2:44-45)

7. They experienced unity and joy. (Acts 2:46)

8. People were attracted to them. (Acts 2:47)

Next steps...

• Deepen your koinonia/fellowship with another believer by being more open and honest with them and meeting together weekly.
• What would happen if you devoted yourself to biblical teaching, fellowship and sharing meals with other believers, and prayer? 
• Think about and discuss what would make our congregation more attractive to others – especially those who don’t know Jesus or go to church.

“JESUS: A FIRM FOUNDATION”
“Amazing Stories,” part 3
A sermon outline based on Luke 6:46-49
Hillcrest CRC, July 14, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Building a house with a firm foundation is important.
     (Luke 6:46-49, Leviticus 26:19, James 1:22-27)

2. It’s easy to trust in the wrong things. (Isaiah 28:14-19)

• The Qumran community claimed they would be the new foundation. 
• The Jewish leaders claimed the temple system was the new foundation.

3. God wants our hearts. (Ezekiel 33:29-33, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 22:34-40)

4. Jesus is the only firm foundation. (Luke 6:46-49, Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6)

Next steps...

• What if you lost everything – like Job did?  Would your relationship with the Lord be strong enough to sustain you?  What do you really trust in?
• Ask yourself why you come to church on Sunday.  Is it because you know you should or is it because you really want to?  Recommit yourself to the Lord and ask Him to change your heart so that you desire more of Him and truly love and delight in Him. 
• Ponder and discuss why it’s easier to listen to God’s Word than it is to obey it. What is God calling you to obey?

“LISTENING TO THE SPIRIT”
Learning to Be More Missional, part 3
A sermon outline based on Acts 8:26-40
Hillcrest CRC, July 7, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters      

1. God was working in the background. (Acts 6:5, 8:5-13,26-29)
2. God knows who He wants to save. (Acts 8:26-29, John 6:44)
3. We need to learn how to listen. (Acts 8:26-30, John 10:1-5, 1 Samuel 3:10, James 1:19)
4. Philip obeyed the Lord. (Acts 8:26-29, 1:4-5,12)
5. Philip shared the good news. (Acts 8:35)
6. God’s plan was accomplished. (Acts 1:8, 8:39, Genesis 12:3)

Next steps...

• Eliminate distractions and spend 15-20 minutes just being still, enjoying God’s presence and listening to Him this week. Listen for words, pictures, songs, Scripture verses and/or direction/guidance.
• Pray and trust that God is at work in the hearts and lives of those around you, especially in those that you’re hoping and praying will come to faith in Jesus.
• Obey any guidance that you sense God may be giving you and step out in faith to do what He says, and see how it advances God’s kingdom and builds up your faith.

“THE MIRACLE OF PENTECOST”
How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 4
A sermon outline based on Acts 2:1-41
Hillcrest CRC, June 30, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. Where did this take place? (Acts 2:1-2,5-6,41, Luke 24:52-53)

 2. The Holy Spirit filled all of them. (Acts 2:3-4,16-21, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20)

 3. They spoke in tongues. (Acts 2:4-12)

 4. The Holy Spirit empowered them. (Acts 2:14-39)

 5. What did Peter want them to do? (Acts 2:37-39) 

•  Repent. (Acts 2:38)
•  Be baptized. (Acts 2:38-41)
•  Receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38, 8:14-17)

 6. About 3,000 people were saved. (Acts 2:40-41, Exodus 32:28)

 Next steps...

• Read and reflect on 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”  Consecrate your mind and body to the Lord.
• Invite God the Holy Spirit to fill and empower your words and actions in order to advance the kingdom of God.  Invite Him to live in and through you each day.
• Ask God to bring a certain country to your mind, then pray for the Spirit of God to move in that country, bringing many people to repentance and faith in Jesus.

Life (Driver's) Education:  The Necessity of Yielding 
Joshua 24:1-28 
Dr. Jul Medenblik, President, Calvin Theological Seminary

"Two Faces of Grace"
Jonah 1:17-2:10 
Pastor Cody Zuiderveen, GVSU Campus Ministries

“WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR?”
“Amazing Stories,” part 2
A sermon outline based on Luke 10:25-37
Hillcrest CRC, June 23, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29, Leviticus 19:18,34)
2. The priest passed by on the other side. (Luke 10:31, Leviticus 21:1-4)
3. The Levite also passed by. (Luke 10:32)
4. Jesus made a Samaritan the hero. (Luke 10:33-35, 9:52-56, 2 Kings 1:9-15)
5. Love goes beyond what the law requires. (Luke 10:33-37, Matthew 25:31-46)
6. Jesus draws their attention to another story. (2 Chronicles 28)
7. We are to love our enemies. (Matthew 5:43-48)
8. Will we follow Jesus? (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:8)

 Next steps...

• Invite Jesus to give you his heart of love for people, then step out in faith and follow where He leads you.  Be prepared to go above and beyond “what the law requires.”
• What kind of neighbor are you to the people who live next door to you?  How can you do a better job of showing love to your neighbor?
• Perform an act of kindness for someone who seems different from you this week.