“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.

“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.