“READY OR NOT...”
Basic Beliefs, part 15
A sermon outline based on Mark 13:24-37
Hillcrest CRC, November 12, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters


1. Jesus is coming back. (Mark 13:26-31) 

2. No one (but God) knows when. (Mark 13:32) 

3. Don’t be found sleeping. (Mark 13:36, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)

4. We all have an assigned task. (Mark 13:34).

5. Be prepared! (Mark 13:23,33,35,37)

Next steps...
 

• Think carefully about your life and the things that you’re doing and not doing.  If there’s anything you’d be embarrassed to be caught doing if Jesus returned, stop doing it immediately.  If there’s something you’d like to be found doing more of, start doing more of it. 
• Read and reflect on the Apostle Paul’s thoughts of what will happen when Jesus comes back in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
• Give yourself a score from 1-10 on how ready you are for Jesus to return.  Talk with your family members or friends about how ready you are and what you could do to be more prepared for Christ’s return.

“THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD”
Growing Deeper, part 8
A sermon outline based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Hillcrest CRC, November 12, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. All Scripture comes from God. (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:21)

 2. We need to know and walk in the truth. (2 Timothy 3:16, John 8:31-32) 

 3. We need correction. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Luke 3:19)

 4. We need a spiritual training regimen. (2 Timothy 3:17, 1 Timothy 4:7-8)

 5. We are God’s people equipped to do His work. (2 Timothy 3:17, Ephesians 1:1, 2:10)

 Next steps...

• Rededicate yourself to spending time reading and reflecting on God’s Word.  Invite the Lord to mold and shape your thoughts, beliefs and actions through it.
• Ask a trusted family member or friend if they think that you are humble enough to be corrected if something you say or do is wrong.
• Memorize 2 Timothy 3:16&17.  How might God’s Word prepare and equip you to be a positive influence for Jesus Christ this week?

“WHERE JESUS IS AND WHY IT MATTERS”
Basic Beliefs, part 14
A sermon based on Acts 1:1-11 & Lord’s Day 18
Hillcrest CRC, November 5, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. We have the best advocate there is.

    (1 John 2:1, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25)

 2. Part of us is already in heaven. 

    (Romans 5:19, 6:8, Colossians 2:13, Ephesians 2:4-6)

 3. We now have both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 

    (John 16:7,Colossians 3:1-4)

                        The Holy Spirit gives us better access to Jesus.

                        The Holy Spirit guarantees what is to come. (2 Corinthians 5:5)

                        The Holy Spirit adjusts our priorities. (Colossians 3:1-4)

 Next steps...

• Pray a prayer of thanks that Jesus is our advocate.  The next time you face challenges in your life, talk to Jesus about it and ask Him to help you.
• Since we are “in Christ” and He is in heaven, read and reflect on Colossians 3:1-2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
• Ask God to help you make His priorities and values, your priorities and values, so that you better reflect Jesus in your daily life.

“IT ALL BELONGS TO THE LORD”
Growing Deeper, part 7
A sermon outline based on 1 Chronicles 29:1-20
Hillcrest CRC, November 5, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. They gave freely, wholeheartedly and generously. (1 Chronicles 29:3-8)

 2. They gave glory to God. (1 Chronicles 29:9-10)

 3. Everything good comes from God. 

    (1 Chronicles 29:11-16, Romans 11:33-36, James 1:17)

 4. Why are we so blessed? (1 Chronicles 29:14, Psalm 8:3-6)

 
5. It’s always about our hearts. 

    (1 Chronicles 29:17-19, Psalm 86:11, Ezekiel 11:19, 1 Kings 11:1-8)

 Next steps...

• Thank the LORD for the success of our Growing Deeper Capital Campaign!  If you haven’t yet made a 3-year commitment, please do so.  There are commitment cards and envelopes at the Welcome Center.
•  Read, reflect on and pray Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” What is God saying to you in this verse?
• Keep track for one day of every good thing that you experience, from health to clean drinking water to life-giving relationships.  Then thank and praise the LORD for the many ways that He’s been good to you!

“JESUS IS ALIVE!”
Basic Beliefs, part 13: Lord’s Day 17
A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, 50-57
Hillcrest CRC, October 29, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. Jesus has overcome death. (Hosea 13:14, 1 Corinthians 15:17,55)

2. We are made righteous. (Romans 5:19) 

3. We have new life. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 2 Corinthians 5:17) 

4. It guarantees our resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)  

5. It motivates us to share the good news. (Matthew 28:7, 10,19)

 Next steps...

• Praise and thank the Lord for the hope we have of a new life in newly resurrected bodies on a new earth one day!
• Read and reflect on 1 Peter 1:3-5 written by one of the witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection.
• Watch for opportunities to share the hope that you have in Christ, even in the face of illness, aging and/or death.

“GIVING TO THE LORD”
Growing Deeper, part 6
A sermon outline based on Exodus 35:4-29, 36:4-7
Hillcrest CRC, October 29, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

 
1. They gave to the LORD. (Exodus 35:5,21)

 2. What they gave came from God.
      (Exodus 3:21-22, 12:33-36, 1 Corinthians 4:7)

 
3. They gave willingly.
     (Exodus 35:5,21,26,29, Luke 12:48, 2 Corinthians 9:7)

 4. Their hearts moved them to give. (Exodus 35:21, Matthew 6:21)

 5. They offered their skills to the LORD. (Exodus 35:10-19, 35:30 – 36:3)

 6. They collected more than enough. (Exodus 36:5-7)

Next steps...

• Invite Jesus to be Lord of your heart, your mind and your money, so that you willingly and eagerly put Him first in all things.
• Thank the Lord for all that He has given you and the many ways that He has blessed you.  Recognize that He is the ultimate source of everything good in your life. 
• Think and pray about what God is calling you to personally contribute to the Growing Deeper capital campaign over the next 3 years and make your commitment on or before November 1.

“SACRIFICES OF LOVE”
Basic Beliefs, part 12
A sermon outline based on Isaiah 53:1-12, Philippians 2:5-11 & Lord's Days 15 & 16
Hillcrest CRC, October 15, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. Jesus was conceived and born as a human. (John 1:14, Philippians 2:7)

 2. Jesus didn’t fit in. (Isaiah 53:2, John 1:11)

 3. Jesus suffered. (Isaiah 53:3,5, Matthew 8:20,11:19,26-27)

 4. Jesus died. (Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 27, Philippians 2:8)

 5. Jesus was buried (Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:57-61)

 6. Jesus experienced hell. (Matthew 27:46)

 Next steps...

• Read and reflect on Jesus’ last few hours on earth in Mark 15:16-39.  How does this passage give you a renewed appreciation for what Jesus did for you?
• Think of a unique way that you can say “thank you” to Jesus for all of the steps of humiliation that he went through so that you could be saved.