“THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT”
Life-Giving Fruit, part 3
A sermon outline based on Philippians 4:10-13
Hillcrest CRC, March 3, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Why is it so hard to be content? (Ecclesiastes 5:10, 6:7, 1 Timothy 6:9-10)

2. We can learn to be content. (Philippians 4:11)

• In the midst of plenty. (Luke 12:48, 1 Timothy 6:17-19)
• In the midst of need. (Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8)

 3. Jesus is the secret of contentment. (Philippians 3:7-11, 4:13, Psalm 73:23-26,                        Matthew 11:28-30, John 6:35, 2 Peter 1:3-4)

Next steps...

• Read and reflect on Psalm 73 as a case study of envy and contentment. Where does Asaph find contentment and why?
• Discuss which is harder for you – being content with much or being content with little.  Why?
• Read Philippians 3:7-11 and ask the Lord to help you find your joy and satisfaction in Him alone. Sing or play “In Christ Alone” as a reminder of this truth.

“THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER...”
The 7 Deadly Sins, part 4: Envy
A sermon outline based on 1 Samuel 18:1-9
Hillcrest CRC, March 3, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. What is envy?

2. What do we envy? (Exodus 20:17)

3. We envy when we compare ourselves with others. (1 Samuel 18:6-9,12,15,28-30)

4. Envy causes us to be ungrateful. (1 Samuel 18:8-9)

5. Envy can lead to dark thoughts. (1 Samuel 18:10,17,21,25,19:1,11)

6. Love prevents envy. (1 Samuel 18:1-4, 20:17, 1 Corinthians 13:4)

Next steps...

• Whenever you feel yourself desiring what someone else has, thank God for what He’s given you and done for you, especially through His Son Jesus Christ.
• If you find yourself thinking “dark thoughts” about others, immediately confess the sin of envy – as well as any other sins the Lord brings to your mind – and repent of it/them.  Claim the forgiveness of Jesus and command any evil spirits that might be afflicting you to leave in Jesus’ name.
• Ask God to help you truly love others – especially people you may tend to envy.  Thank God for his blessings in their lives and pray that they would appreciate and enjoy all that God have given them.

“BE GENEROUS”
Life Giving Fruit, part 2
A sermon outline based on 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Hillcrest CRC, February 25, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. God is generous to us. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11,14-15)

 2. We have the joy of being generous to others. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)

 3. Some things hinder us from being generous.

 4. Generosity results in thanksgiving. (2 Corinthians 9:11-12)

 Next steps...

• Make a list of all the ways that God has been good and generous to you.  Then offer a prayer of thanksgiving and praise to Him.
• Every time you make a contribution to our church, or another organization, thank the Lord that He’s given you the opportunity to give.
• Read and reflect on 1 Timothy 6:3-19 on money, greed and generosity. How is God speaking to you through this passage?

“THE LURE OF GREED”
The 7 Deadly Sins, part 3
A sermon outline based on 1 Timothy 6:3-21
Hillcrest CRC, February 25, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. What is greed? (Colossians 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:17)

 2. Greed is dangerous because: 

•                It’s never satisfied. (Ecclesiastes 5:10) 

•                It breeds other sins. (1 Timothy 6:9-10, James 4:2, 1 Kings 21)

•                It always disappoints us. (1 Timothy 6:7) 

•                It suffocates our love for God. 
                   (Mark 4:18-19, 1 Timothy 6:11, Luke 16:13, Psalm 52:6-7)                              

•                It destroys our soul. 
                   (1 Timothy 6:9-12, Luke 12:15-21, 18:25, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, James 5:1-3)

 3. What should we do about greed? 

•                Flee from it! (1 Timothy 6:11, Psalm 119:36, Colossians 3:5, Hebrews 13:5-6)

•                Put our hope in God. (John 6:35, Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:25-34)

•                Be generous. (1 Timothy 6:18, Luke 18:18-22)

Next steps...

• Ask God to reveal any greed in your heart.  Do you desire things more than you desire God? 
• Read, reflect on and memorize Hebrews 13:5-6 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
• Generosity can be an effective antidote to greed.  Try doing something unusually generous this week and pay attention to how it makes you feel.

“LEARNING TO CONTROL UNHEALTHY DESIRES”
“Life-Giving Fruit,” part 1
A sermon outline based on Galatians 5:16-26
Hillcrest CRC, February 18, 2024, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. Keep our long term goals in mind. (Galatians 5:19-23)

 2. Crucify our old desires. (Galatians 5:24, Colossians 3:5)

 3. It requires discipline. (Titus 1:6-8, 1 Timothy 4:7-8)

 4. Keep in step with God. (Galatians 5:25, Philippians 3:7-11)

 5. Be patient and don’t quit.
      (Galatians 5:22-23, Titus 2:11-12, 1 Timothy 4:7-8)

 Next steps...

• Ask for God’s help.  Nurture a closer relationship with Him, so that you value Him more than anything else. 
• Set your sights on a healthier lifestyle.  Keep your goal firmly in mind and don’t allow failures or setbacks to keep you from working toward it. 
• Try fasting from something small and manageable in order to prove to yourself that you can exercise self-control.  At the same time start a new, healthy habit to prove that you can be disciplined.

“GLUTTONY: EXCESSIVE INDULGENCE”
The 7 Deadly Sins, part 2
A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Hillcrest CRC, February 18, 2024, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. What is gluttony? 

 2. What is beneficial? (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23)

 3. Consider a fast. (John 4:34)

 4. Seek Jesus! (1 Corinthians 6:13, Isaiah 55:1-6, Philippians 3:7-11)

Next steps...

• Read and reflect on Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”  What is God saying to you in this verse?
• As you reflect on your life, ask the Lord to reveal to you any areas of excessive indulgence.  Ask Him to show you what deeper need you might be trying to fill and how you might fill it in a more God-honoring way.
• Try fasting from something that you enjoy indulging in.  Instead, seek a closer relationship with Jesus and see if you are more satisfied.