“CHRIST: THE PERFECT MEDIATOR”

The Foundations of Our Faith, part 17

A sermon outline based on 1 Timothy 2:1-7 and

Belgic Confession Article 26

Hillcrest CRC, February 1, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

 1. Sin alienates. (Colossians 1:21 )

 2. Jesus is the perfect mediator. (1 Timothy 2:5)

• He easily represents both sides. (Colossians 1:19-20, Hebrews 2:17)
• He loves us. (John 15:13)
•  He is powerful. (Matthew 28:18, Philippians 2:9-10)
• He has influence. (Romans 8:34)
• He was tempted. (Hebrews 2:18, 4:15)   

 3. Jesus gives us access to God. (John 3:16-18, 4:6, Hebrews 4:15-16)

Next steps...

• Romans 8:34 says that Jesus is at God’s right hand and is interceding for us.  What do you think that He is saying to God the Father about you?
• Many people don’t think they need a mediator between themselves and God.  Why?  Develop a “plan” to try to convince them of the truth that the only way to God is through Christ.
• Read and reflect on Hebrews 4:14-5:10 and thank the Lord for sending Jesus as your high priest.

“THE BLESSING OF DEEP FRIENDS”

David: A Man After God’s Own Heart, part 4

A sermon outline based on 1 Samuel 18-20

Hillcrest CRC, February 1, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

Deep friends:

1. Have something in common. (1 Samuel 17, 19:8, 14:1-14)

2. Love each other. (1 Samuel 18:3-4)

3. Have faith in God. (1 Samuel 18:1, 14:6-10,12)

4. Are loyal. (1 Sam 19:4-5, 20:30-33, 42)

5. Are transparent with each other. (1 Samuel 20:41)

6. Encourage each other. (1 Samuel 23:15-18)

Next steps...

• Read and reflect on Proverbs 18:24 “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Think about the kind of friend that you are to others.
• Thank the Lord for the good friends that He’s given you, or pray that He would give you more and deeper friends.
• On a scale from 1-10, rate yourself in terms of how confidential you are.  Do you keep another person’s secrets, or do you tend to tell other people?

“DO YOU LOOK LIKE JESUS?”

The Foundations of Our Faith, part 16

A sermon outline based on Ephesians 4:7-32 

and Belgic Confession article 24

Hillcrest CRC, January 25, 2026, 5pm 

Rev. Curt Walters

1. Do you resemble Jesus?

    (Galatians 4:19, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Ephesians 1:4, 4:11-13, 1 Peter 1:2)

2. Sanctification is a cooperative effort.

    (Philippians 1:6, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 4:30, Hebrews 12:14)

3. How are we sanctified?

• Through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Peter 1:2)
• By putting off the old selfand putting on the new self. (Ephesians 4:22-24)
• By meditating on His Word. (Psalm 1:1-2, John 17:17, Ephesians 5:25-27)
• Through solitude. (Luke 4:42, 5:16, 6:12, Mark 6:31)
• By serving others. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
• Through suffering. (Romans 5:3-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

Next steps...

• Ask a trusted friend or family member “How do you see Jesus in me?”
• Practice solitude and listening prayer.  Spend an extended time alone with God.  Review the various aspects of your life (relationships, work, leisure time, thought life, etc.).  Invite the Lord to give you guidance and direction.  Pay attention to any thoughts or ideas the Holy Spirit may place in your mind.  Then act on them!
• Invite someone to hold you accountable to engage in some spiritual discipline that will help you grow (Scripture reading, prayer, serving, etc.).  Make a commitment, then invite them to ask you weekly whether or not you’re following through on your commitment.

“DAVID’S CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD”

David: A Man After God’s Own Heart, part 3

A sermon outline based on 1 Samuel 17

Hillcrest CRC, January 25, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

1. The Israelites had lost heart. (1 Samuel 17:32)

2. We develop confidence in the Lord by:

• Facing challenges with faith and courage. (1 Samuel 17:34-35)
• Persevering in spite of opposition. (1 Samuel17:28)
•  Resisting pressure to conform. (1 Samuel 17:38-39)
• Trusting Him fully and living for His glory. (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

Next steps...

• The next time you’re tempted to give up hope, read and reflect on the words of Jesus in John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
• Are you more like Saul (trusting in yourself and your resources) or like David (trusting in the LORD)? Ask God to give you the faith and perspective of David.
•  Let the Apostle Paul encourage you like he did the believers in Ephesus: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10)

“WHEN GOD DECLARES BAD PEOPLE GOOD”

The Foundations of Our Faith, part 15

A sermon outline based on Romans 5:1-11 

and Belgic Confession article 23

Hillcrest CRC, January 18, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

1. God declares us “not guilty” in Christ.  (Romans 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21) 

2. God pays our debt in Christ. (Galatians 2:16)

3. How do we know if we've been justified?  

• The Bible tells us so. (Acts 2:21, Romans 5:1&18)
• The Holy Spirit assures us. (Romans 8:16)
• We walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)
• We love each other. (John 13:35, 1 John 2:9-10)

4. What are the results of justification?

• We have peace with God.  (Romans 5:1)
• We have access to God. (Romans 5:2, Hebrews 4:14-16)
• We have the hope of the glory of God.

            (Romans 5:2, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Revelation 21:1-7)

 Next steps...

• The next time the evil one attacks you with false guilt for sins that have already been forgiven, quote the following verses to him and to yourself: Romans 5:1, 8:1, and 2 Corinthians 5:21.
• Discuss with a close friend or family member the points under #3 above to determine if there is “evidence” of your justification.
• Read and reflect on Revelation 21&22 about our glorious future hope because of what Christ has done for us.

“DAVID: DEVELOPING A HEART FOR THE LORD”

David: A Man After God’s Own Heart, part 2

A sermon outline based on 1 Samuel 13:13-14, 16:1-13

Hillcrest CRC, January 18, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

1. Our heart is more important than our appearance. (1 Samuel 16:7)

2. David had a passionate heart. (2 Samuel 6:14, Psalm 9:1)

3. David had a deep heart for God. (Psalms 8, 23, 51, 63, 103, 139, 145)

 4. David had an obedient heart. (Acts 13:22)

Next steps...

• The next time you catch yourself judging someone by how they look, ask God to help you see their heart, so that you can see them the same way that God does.
• What would it look like if you worshiped the Lord passionately? Try raising a hand as we sing something inspiring about God and see how it enhances your worship.  And don’t think about what others might think.  Focus on the Lord and express your worship and praise to Him alone.
• Ask the Lord what he wants you to do, and do it.  Always seek to do His will rather than your own, and you will develop a heart for the Lord.

1 John 2:15-17

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

“HOW SINNERS (LIKE US) ARE SAVED”

The Foundations of Our Faith, part 14

A sermon outline based on Ephesians 2:1-10 and 

Belgic Confession Article 22

Hillcrest CRC, January 4, 2026, 5pm

Rev. Curt Walters

 1. We are spiritually dead without Christ.  (Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13)

 2. God gives us life. (Ephesians 2:4-5, 1 John 5:13-15)

3. We are saved by grace. (Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 3:22-24, Titus 3:5)

4. Without Jesus no one stands a chance. (Ephesians 2:6-7, John 3:18)

5. We are saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8, Acts 16:31, Romans 3:22)

6. Christianity is unique among all other religions. (John 3:16-18, 14:6)

Next steps...

• Thank and praise God every day for the miracle of His grace in your life – for reaching out to save you from your sins and offer you the free gift of salvation in Christ.
• Pray for God to bring your family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers who don’t know the Lord, to repentance and faith in Jesus, so that they may be saved.  And look for opportunities to share a verbal witness with them.
• The next time you hear someone claim that all religions are alike, inform them that Christianity is unique, because eternal life is a free gift of grace through faith, not something that we earn.

“SAUL: A DECAYING HEART”

David: A Man After God’s Own Heart, part 1

A sermon outline based on 1 Samuel 9:1-2, 13:1-15, et. al.

Hillcrest CRC, January 4, 2026, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

1. Saul started out strong. (1 Samuel 9:1-2, 10:23-24)

2. Spiritual decay often happens slowly. 

3. There were five stagesof spiritual decay in Saul’s life:

• First, he made excuses for his disobedience to God. (1 Samuel 13:1-14, 15:1-35)
• Second, he didn’t want to deal with the root of the problem. (1 Samuel 16:14-23)
• Third, he allowed jealousy to consume him. (1 Samuel 18-19)
• Fourth, he tried to use God. (1 Samuel 28:4-6)
• Fifth, he violated his own moral standards. (1 Samuel 28:3, 7-12)

Next steps...

• Think about the 5 stages of spiritual decay in Saul’s life under point 3.  Do any of them describe you?  If so, what is God calling you to do?
• What do you need to leave behind in 2025, and what is God calling you to begin in this new year in order to live more in tune with Him?