“HOW NOT TO HANDLE SIN”
Real Faith in Real Life, part 6
A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 5
Hillcrest CRC, April 14, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. What was this man’s sin? (Leviticus 18:8, Deuteronomy 22:30, 27:30, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11)

 2. Our attitude about sin is key. (Acts 3:19, 20:21, 1 John 1:9)

 3. What’s so bad about yeast? (1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Exodus 12:15, Mark 8:15)

 4. It’s our responsibility to judge other Christians. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13, 6:3, Matthew 7:1-6, Galatians 6:1)

 5. Paul supports the practice of church discipline. (Matthew 16:19, I Corinthians 5:2-5,11-13, 6:1-5, Hebrews 12:10-11)

 6. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15, Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:5-7, 5:18-20

 
Next steps...

• Invite the Lord to convict you of any sin in your life and to turn away from it so that you can be forgiven and walk with Him. (Psalm 139:23-24, Acts 3:19)
• Read and reflect on Acts 3:19: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...”
• The next time you hear someone say that we aren’t supposed to humbly and gently judge others, point out that the Bible actually invites us to judge people who claim to be Christians, but that we should let God judge people outside of the church. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13, 6:1-5, Galatians 6:1)

“WHY BOTHER DOING GOOD?”
Basic Beliefs, part 20
A sermon outline based on Romans 5:20-6:23 and Lord's Day 24
Hillcrest CRC, April 7, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters 

1. We have died to sin. (Romans 6:2,11)
2. We are no longer slaves to sin but to the Lord. (Romans 6:16,21,23)  
3. We love the Lord. (Romans 7:1-6, John 14:15)
4. We have the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:1-17)

 Next steps...

• The next time you’re tempted to sin, remind yourself that you have died to your sinful nature and that you no longer want to live as if sin is your master.
• Read Psalms of praise and thanksgiving, sing worship songs, and do other things that enhance your love for the Lord, so that you won’t want to sin.
• Read and reflect on Romans 6-8.  Actively pursue doing God’s will and advancing his kingdom in some way, so that you feel fulfilled doing what is right rather than wanting to do what is wrong.

“ANSWERING TO THE ULTIMATE JUDGE”
Real Faith in Real Life, part 5
 A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 4
Hillcrest CRC, April 7, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1.  Paul was Jesus’ servant, not theirs. (1 Corinthians 4:1-4, Romans 14:4)
2.  God is the best and ultimate judge. (1 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 7:1-2)
3.  God makes us who we are, so we can’t boast.  (1 Corinthians 4:6-7, John 3:27, Romans 12:3,6)
4.  Following Jesus is costly. (1 Corinthians 4:8-13, Luke 9:23, 1 Timothy 3:12)
5.  We all need role models. (1 Corinthians 4:14-21)

  Next steps...

• Don’t live your life to win the approval of others, but to win God’s approval.  Live for an audience of One, since His opinion is the only one that will ultimately matter.
• Thank the Lord for how he has uniquely made you and given you gifts and abilities. And rather than envying other people, thank God for the way He’s made them too.
• As a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ, find someone who can serve as a role model in the faith, and also find someone whom you can disciple and on whom you can have spiritual influence.

Scripture:  John 20:1-9
Message: "Resurrection Quartet"

I. MATTHEW: PROFOUND IMPACT

    Worship 

II. MARK: PERSONAL INTENSITY

      Urgency

III. LUKE: PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION

       History and God’s plan. 

IV. JOHN: PERSUASIVE INFORMATION

       Believe 

The Joke is on the Devil!

“UNDERSTANDING EASTER”
A sermon outline based on Luke 24:1-49
Hillcrest CRC, March 31, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters 

1. Jesus’ followers were frightened and confused. (Luke 24:4-5, 9:21-22,44-45, 17:24-26, 18:31-34, Matthew 17:22-23) 
2. They were depressed and slow to believe. (Luke 24:25-27,30-31) 
3. Jesus’ disciples were filled with doubt, even after Jesus appeared to them. (Luke 24:36-43) 
4. They only believed when Jesus opened their minds. (Luke 24:45) 
5. We only understand Easter when we know that we’re dead and need a resurrection! (Ephesians 2:1-7, John 20:29, 1 Peter 1:6-9) 

Next steps...

• Ask God to open your mind and help you understand and believe what you read in the Bible. Start reading the Bible every day, beginning with the Gospel of John.
• Admit that you are dead in sin and invite God to make you alive in Christ.
• Ask people what Easter means to them.  Then take the opportunity to explain what Jesus’ death and resurrection means to you and share the good news of the gospel with them!

“THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS”
Life-Giving Fruit, part 5
A sermon outline based on Genesis 50:15-21 and Colossians 3:12-14
Hillcrest CRC, March 24, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. Forgiveness is not:

•  Approving, excusing or denying what was said or done.
• Forgetting what was said or done. (Genesis 41:51)  
• Reconciling.  

 2. Keep the circle small. (Genesis 45:4-11, Matthew 18:15-16)

 3. Don’t use what happened as leverage. (Genesis 50:21, 1 Corinthians 13:5)

 4. Forgive no matter what. (Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60)    

 5. Let go and give them to God. (Romans 12:19) 

 6. Keep on forgiving them. (Colossians 3:13)

 7. Pray that God will bless them. (Genesis 45:8-11, 47:12, 50:21, Matthew 5:44)

 Next steps...

• If you've been deeply hurt or offended by someone and aren't ready to forgive, ask God to help prepare you to forgive them.
• Read and reflect on the entire story of Joseph in Genesis 37‑50 and watch how Joseph forgives his brothers.  
• Perhaps there's someone you know who's having difficulty forgiving someone.  Share this information with them and encourage them to forgive – for their own freedom and well-being.

“HOW TO HANDLE ANGER”
The 7 Deadly Sins, part 7
A sermon outline based on Ephesians 4:17-32 (26-31)
Hillcrest CRC, March 24, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Not all anger is sinful. (Ephesians 4:26, Mark 11:15-17)

2. Anger can quickly lead to sin. (Ephesians 4:26)

• Bitterness. (Ephesians 4:31)
• Rage. (Ephesians 4:31)
• Brawling. (Ephesians 4:31)
• Slander. (Ephesians 4:31)
• Malice. (Ephesians 4:31)

3. Anger can give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:27)

 4. Anger can grieve the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30)

 5. Resolve anger quickly. (Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 5:23-26)

 6. God poured out his wrath on Jesus. (Ephesians 4:32, 1 Peter 3:18)

 Next steps...

• The next time you’re angry, ask yourself why.  What’s causing you to be angry?  Hurt? Frustration? Pride? Not getting your way?  Lack of control? Deal with this root issue and you’ll learn to control your anger.  Consider meeting with a therapist for help, if necessary. 
• Identify how you tend to express your anger – whether outwardly through words or actions or inwardly through bitterness and resentment.  Ask the Lord to help you resolve your anger quickly before it leads to sin.
• Tell those that you may have hurt, because of anger, that you are sorry and invite them to forgive you.

“MADE TO WORK”
Life-Giving Fruit, part 4
A sermon outline based on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
Hillcrest CRC, March 17, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. We were made to work. (Genesis 1:28, 2:15, Ecclesiastes 2:24)

2. We can overdo a good thing. (Leviticus 23:3)

 3. Work can be difficult because of sin. (Genesis 3:19)

 4. Diligent and faithful work is wise and commendable.
      (Proverbs 6:6-8, 10:4-5, 13:11, 14:23, 13:4, Ecclesiastes 9:10)

 5. Self-sufficiency and generosity should be our goal.
      (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12, 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12, Ephesians 4:28)

Next steps...

• Think about your current situation.  Find ways that you can bless others, whether it’s through your “work” or at your workplace.
• Make sure the balance in your life between work, rest and relationships is healthy and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Thank someone who is diligent and hard-working. Tell them how they’re a blessing.

"THE DANGER OF LAZINESS”
The 7 Deadly Sins, part 6
A sermon based on Proverbs 24:23-34
Hillcrest CRC, March 17, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Laziness leaves us deeply ____________. (Proverbs 13:4, 15:19, Ecclesiastes 10:18)

2. Laziness leads to waste and ___________ excuses. (Proverbs 12:27, 19:24, 22:13)

3. Laziness results in ______________ and poverty.
     (Proverbs 6:10-11, 10:4, 12:24, 18:9, 19:15, 20:4, 21:25, 24:30-34)

4. We can be ___________ lazy. (John 15:5, 1 Corinthians 9:24, 15:58, 
     1 Timothy 4:7-8, 15-16)

5. Stay away from ________________.  (1 Thessalonians 5:14, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 1                   Corinthians 15:33)

Next steps...

• Identify an area of your life where you tend to be lazy. Tell a friend or family member and invite them to hold you accountable to reach new goals you set for yourself.
• Confess sloth and laziness as a sin and reflect on how it has adversely affected your life.  Repent and ask God to help you not to tolerate this sin in your life.
• How are you spiritually lazy?  What might God be calling you to do?