“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?

“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.