“THE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS”
Basic Beliefs, part 11
A sermon outline based on John 1:1-14 & Lord’s Day 14
Hillcrest CRC, October 8, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1.         Jesus is the eternal Son of God. (John 1:1-4, 8:58)

2.         Jesus became human. (John 1:14, Galatians 4:4-5)

3.         God values the physical. (John 1:3,10, 14)

4.         God is deeply personal. (John 1:14)

5.         The incarnation reveals the glory of God. (John 1:14, 2:11, 11:4&40, 17:1)

 Next steps...

• The next time you want to be near someone you love, thank God for having that same desire to be near us.
• Using all 5 of your senses, thank God for the beauty and wonder of world He’s given us.
• Look for an opportunity to “be Jesus” to someone by loving, helping, serving, or giving of yourself in some way, as Philippians 2:5-8 recommends.

“THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER”
Growing Deeper, part 4: Growing Deeper in Prayer
A sermon outline based on 1 Kings 8:22-61
Hillcrest CRC, October 8, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

 
1. Prayers of dedication are important. (1 Kings 8:22-61, Psalm 127:1)

 2. The posture of prayer matters. (1 Kings 8:22 & 54, Luke 22:41, Ephesians 3:14)

 3. God’s response is sometimes conditional. (1 Kings 8:22-61, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Mark 9:29)

 4. Sometimes we have to...

•  Repent. (1 Kings 8:33,35,47,48)
•  Confess the name of Jesus. (1 Kings 8:33&35, 41-43, Psalm 54:8, 106:47, 122:4)
• Pray. (1 Kings 8:29,30,33,35,42,44,48, 2 Chronicles 7:14)

 5. When we do our part, God...

• Hears our prayers. (1 Kings 8:30,32,34,36,39,43,45,49, 2 Chronicles 7:14)
• Forgives our sins. (1 Kings 8:30,34,3639, 50, 2 Chronicles 7:14)
• Acts in some way. (1 Kings 8:32,34, 36,43,45,49-50, 2 Chronicles 7:14)

 
Next steps...

• Think about the “opening prayers” you hear others pray or offer yourself.  Try to make sure that they are sincere and heartfelt rather than just a quick religious ritual before a meal or a meeting.  And expect God to do something in response to the prayer(s) offered.
• Experiment with different postures while you pray (you may be most comfortable doing this alone).  Try kneeling or standing with your arms raised or lying flat on the floor before God.  See how it affects the way to pray.
• Pray Psalm 139:23-24 and repent of any sin in your life.  Spend more time praying about the things that concern you than you do worrying about them. (Philippians 4:6-7)

“WHO’S ON THE THRONE?”
Basic Beliefs
A sermon outline based on 1 Peter 3:15 & Lord’s Day 13
Hillcrest CRC, October 1, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

When Jesus is our Lord:

 1. We should not be afraid to say so. (Philippians 2:9-11, Romans 10:9)

 2. We turn away from wickedness. (2 Timothy 2:19)

 3. We give Him control of our lives. (Philippians 2:9-11, John 14:15)

 4. We give Him control of our thoughts. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

 5. We live our lives to please Him. (Ephesians 5:10, Colossians 3:23-24)

 Next steps...

• Read and reflect on Philippians 2:5-11.  How does Jesus “call the shots” in your life?
• As you think about your life, are there any sins that you are holding onto as cheap substitutes for a deep and satisfying life with Christ as Lord?  Renounce out loud any sin in your life and declare: “Jesus Christ is Lord of my life!”
• What decisions need to be made in your life so that you live a “Christ-directed life” rather than a “self-directed life?”

“HOW DO WE EXPRESS OUR LOVE FOR THE LORD?”
Growing Deeper, part 3: In Our Love for the Lord
A sermon outline based on Mark 12:30
Hillcrest CRC, October 1, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

 
1. We are called to love the Lord. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:30)

 2. How can we love the Lord?

• Offer Him words of praise. (Exodus 15:2, Psalm 18:1-2, 71:8, 34:1, 145:21)
•  Perform acts of service. (Matthew 25:31-36)
• Give Him Gifts. (Matthew 6:19-21, Mark 12:41-44)
• Spend time with Him. (Psalm 27:4, 63:1-5, Luke 5:16)

 
Next steps...

• How do you tend to express your love for the Lord? Through words, deeds, gifts or time? Think of at least one way that you could try to deepen your love for Him.
• Read and reflect on a Psalm of Praise, like Psalm 95-100, 145-150.Turn the words of the psalmist into your own words of praise to the Lord. 
• Spend extra time with God this week enjoying, worshiping, or serving Him in some way.

“WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?”
Basic Beliefs, part 9
A sermon outline based on Colossians 1:1-14 and Lord's Day 12
Hillcrest CRC, September 17, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

 
1. We belong to Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, Romans 14:8)

 
2. We confess the name of Jesus. (Colossians 1:3-4, Romans 10:9-10)

3. We are also committed to follow Jesus. (Colossians 1:10-11, Romans 12:1, Luke                 9:23)

4. We are spiritual soldiers. (Ephesians 6:12)

5. We are to exercise authority. (Colossians 1:12, Matthew 25:21, 2 Timothy 2:12)

 Next steps...

• Thank the Lord for your “union with Christ” in His death and resurrection, so that the old has gone and the new has come. Ask God to help you live out of your new nature in Christ.
• As you wear your Growing Deeper bracelet, be prepared to tell people about your desire to grow deeper in your love for Jesus and your commitment to His kingdom.
• Think about what has God put you in charge of.  How can you exercise your authority so that people see Jesus in and through you?

“WORK TO STAY UNITED”
Growing Deeper, part 1: Our Love For One Another
A sermon outline based on Ephesians 4:1-6  
Hillcrest CRC, September 17, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. The devil divides people. (Mark 3:24, 1 Corinthians 1:12-13)

 2. God has united us in Christ. (Ephesians 1:4&11, 2:4&6,11-21)

 •           There is one Spirit. (Ephesians 4:3&4)

 •           We have one hope. (Ephesians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Peter 1:3-5)

 •           We have one Lord. (Ephesians 4:5)

 •           We share one faith. (Ephesians 4:5)

 •           There is one baptism. (Ephesians 4:5)

 •           There is one God and Father of all. (Ephesians 4:6)

 3. Keep the unity we have in Christ. (Ephesians 4:3)

 4. Be humble and gentle. (Ephesians 4:2)

 5. Be patient. (Ephesians 4:2)

 6. Bear with each other in love. (Ephesians 4:2, Galatians 6:10)

 
Next steps...

• As you drive by other churches, thank God for our brothers and sisters in Christ who worship there and pray for God to bless them.
• If you always sit in the sanctuary, choose to worship in The Hill (or visa versa), and thank God for the people there and for the different venues our church is able to offer.
• Read and reflect on 1 Corinthians 12. Thank God for the many different gifts He gives and the various roles that people play in His kingdom.

“SIX WAYS THAT JESUS SAVES”
Basic Beliefs, part 8
A sermon outline based on Acts 4:5-12 and Lord’s Day 11
Hillcrest CRC, September 10, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

 
Being saved means:

1. We have been rescued from hell. (John 5:24, 11:25-26)

2. We have been brought from darkness into light.
     (John 8:12, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:5-7)

 
3. We are healed, restored and made whole.
     (Psalm 103:1-5, Acts 4:10, 10:38)

 
4. We are being transformed to live and love like Jesus. 
     (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 1 John 3:3)

 
5. We have been adopted into God’s family. 
     (Ephesians 1:4-5, 1 Peter 2:9-10, 1 John 3:1)

 
6. We bless others and are fruitful.  (John 15:5)

Next steps...

• Ponder and discuss which of the six points above you have personally experienced.  Which one do you relate to the most?  Ask the Lord to allow you to experience all of them!
• Pray regularly for those you know who have not yet come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

“KIDS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”
A sermon outline based on 2 Kings 5:1-19
Hillcrest CRC, September 10, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

 
1. Namaan was the commander of the Aramean army. (2 Kings 5:1)

 
2. Namaan had leprosy. (2 Kings 5:1)

 
3. Everyone gets sick. (2 Kings 5:1)

 
4. Salome was kidnapped . (2 Kings 5:2)

 
5. Salome tried to help her master. (2 Kings 5:3, Romans 12:21)

 
6. Salome had more faith than the king. (2 Kings 5:3&7)

 
7. Namaan had to trust and obey. (2 Kings 5:9-14)

 Next steps...

• Read and reflect on Mark 10:13-16. Talk about why Jesus said what He did about children and the kingdom of God.
• Forgive the people who have hurt you until you can pray for God to bless them.
• Where is God calling you to either trust Him, obey Him, or both?  Talk and pray with a trusted friend or family member about it.