Isaiah 24:21-25:5

“QUESTIONS ABOUT SIN”
Basic Beliefs, part 2
A sermon outline based on Romans 5:12-21 and Lord's Day 3
Hillcrest CRC, July 9, 2023, 5pm
Rev. Curtis A. Walters


1. Who's responsible for sin? (Q&A 6)


2. Should be we held accountable for sinning when we didn’t have a choice? 
     (1 Corinthians 15:22)


3. What is the extent of our sin? (Romans 3:10-12, Q&A 8)


4. What is total depravity?  (Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:10-12)


5. Are we as Christians still totally depraved? (2 Corinthians 5:17)
 

6. Does God forgive every sin?  (Romans 5:20, 8:1, Matthew 12:31)

“O GOD, HELP ME!”
A Study of the Psalms, part 3: A Psalm of Lament
A sermon outline based on Psalm 31
Hillcrest CRC, July 9, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. We should expect trouble. (Psalm 31:9-13, John 16:33)


2. Talk to God about it. (Psalm 31:1-5, 22)


3. The LORD is our refuge. (Psalm 31:1-4,19-20)


4. We are in His hands. (Psalm 31:5, 15)


5. Trust in the LORD. (Psalm 31:6-8, 14-20)


6. Love and praise the LORD. (Psalm 31:21-24)


Next steps...

• When you face trials or difficulties, read a Psalm of lament, like Psalm 3,6,10,13,22,31,41,54,64,70, 86 or 141 and make it your prayer to the LORD.
• Cry out to God when you experience suffering or have deep questions. Tell Him how you feel and ask Him for His help.
• Seek refuge in the hands of God and trust that in His time, He will take your sorrow and exchange it for joy.

“GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD”
A Study of the Psalms, part 2: A Psalm of Thanksgiving
A sermon outline based on Psalm 30
Hillcrest CRC, July 2, 2023, 9:30am
Rev. Curt Walters

1. David was thankful for healing. (Psalm 30:2-3, 8-10)

 2. He was thankful for God’s favor. (Psalm 30:4-5, 1 Chronicles 21:13, 2 Samuel 24:14)

• God is gracious. (Psalm 30:4-5)
•  God is angry about sin, but it’s short-lived. (Psalm 30:5)
• We need to keep suffering in perspective.
• This is not true for those who don’t love Jesus. (Hebrews 10:31)

3. He was thankful for God’s grace. (Psalm 30:6-10)

 4. He was thankful for God’s answer to his prayers. (Psalm 30:8-11)

 5. Don’t be silent. (Psalm 30:12)

Next steps...

• Think of at least 5 things every day that you are thankful for and keep a running list of them.  Review your list regularly to remind yourself to be thankful in all circumstances.
• Read and reflect on Deuteronomy 8. Why is it so easy to forget the Lord and to give ourselves credit for all of our blessings?
• Write your own prayer of thanksgiving, like David does in Psalm 30.  List the reasons why you are thankful to God.  Then share your prayer with others, just as David shared Psalm 30, and invite them to join you in thanking and praise the Lord.  

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31 

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

“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.