“THE BLESSING OF BELONGING”
Basic Beliefs, part 1
A sermon outline based on Romans 14:1-8 (7-8)
Hillcrest CRC, June 18, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curt Walters

1. We were created to “belong” (Genesis 2:18).

2. It is a blessing to belong.

3. There is forgiveness when we belong to Jesus. (1 John 2:2)

4. There is freedom when we belong to Jesus. (Colossians 1:13-14, John 8:36)

5. There is security when we belong to Jesus. (Psalm 121, Matthew 10:29-31)

6. There is comfort when we belong to Jesus. (Romans 8:28, 14:7-8, John 10:28)

Next steps...

• Think about your life – have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in or belong?  Share that experience with a friend or family member.  Then commit to reaching out to others so that they don’t feel that way when you’re around.
• Read, reflect on and memorize Romans 14:7-8: “For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
• Discuss why belonging to Jesus is deeper and more significant than belonging to another person or group.  What makes belonging to Him such a comfort for you?

“A PSALM OF PRAISE”
A Study of the Psalms, part 1
A sermon outline based on Psalm 146
Hillcrest CRC, June 18, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

 1. We are called to praise the Lord. (Psalm 146:1,2,10)

 2. Put your hope in the LORD rather than people. (Psalm 146:3-5)

 3. Why should we praise the LORD? (Psalm 146:6-10)

•  He’s awsome. (Psalm 146:6)
•  He’s faithful. (Psalm 146:6)
•  He helps those in need. (Psalm 146:7, 145:15, 107:7)
•  He sets prisoners free. (Psalm 146:7, 68:6)
•  He gives sight to the blind. (Psalm 146:8, Luke 4:18)
•  He lifts up those who are weighed down. (Psalm 146:8, 3:3-4)
•  He cares for the vulnerable. (Psalm 146:9, Zechariah 7:10)
• He frustrates the plans of the wicked. (Psalm 146:9)
• He will reign forever. (Psalm 146:10, Daniel 2:44, 6:26)

  Next steps...

• Read and reflect on other psalms of praise this week, like the following: Psalm 9,29,103,104,111,145,147,149,150)
• Think about which qualities under point #3 above you’d like to demonstrate more of, then ask God to give you opportunities to do so. 
• Write a prayer of praise to the Lord.  In it write down all of the reasons that you have to praise Him.