Hillcrest CRC Messages

" FEAR IS FOR THE BIRDS" A sermon outline based on Luke 12:1-7 Hillcrest CRC, July 5, 2026, 9:30am Pastor Vern Hettinga   Luke 12:4-7 "Fear is for the Birds" Introduction:  What triggers YOUR Fear reflex?  I.  Jesus Suppressed Fear 4 What does Jesus suggest for overcoming our fears? II. Jesus Supported  Fear  5 Is this the opposite of what Jesus just said? Two definitions of Fe...

John 3: 1-21

Luke 24: 13-35

Introduction I. The Confusion about Christ’s Return (v 13) II. The Clarification of Christ’s Return (vv 14-17) Appeal to what Christ has done: Jesus’ Resurrection (v 14) Appeal to what Christ has said: “Word of the Lord” (vv 15-17) III. The Comfort of Christ’s Return (v 18) 

“HOW SALVATION WORKS” The Power of the Gospel, part 7 A sermon based on Romans 3:21-31 Hillcrest CRC, June 14, 2026, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1. We are all unrighteous sinners. (Romans 3:21-23, 1 John 1:8) 2. We are redeemed by Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:24, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) 3. Jesus is our atoning sacrifice.     (Romans 1:18, 3:25, Luke 18:9-14, Isaiah 53:5-6, 1 John 2:2) 4. We are justified by g...

“KNOWING THAT WE BELONG” Living in the Love of God, part 6 A sermon outline based on 1 John 5 Hillcrest CRC, June 14, 2026. 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. Eternal life is in Jesus . (1 John 5:11-12, Proverbs 16:25, John 10:10) 2. We can know if we have eternal life. (1 John 5:13-14, John 20:30-31) 3. We have overcome the world. (1 John 5:4&18, John 16:33) 4. Believing means complete allegiance an...

“THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MISTAKES AND SINS” The Power of the Gospel, part 6 A sermon based on Romans 3:1-20 Hillcrest CRC, June 7, 2026, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters    1. It’s easy to admit that we make mistakes .  2. It’s hard to admit that we are sinners . (Romans 3:9)  3. Jesus made it clear that we are all sinners . (Matthew 5:17-48)  4. We lack righteousness and don’t seek God. (Romans 3:10-12)  5....

“THE LOVE OF GOD” Living in the Love of God, part 5 A sermon outline based on 1 John 4 Hillcrest CRC, June 7, 2026, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters   1. We are easily deceived . (1 John 4:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3) 2. We must test the spirits. (1 John 4:1-3, Acts 17:11) 3. We invite God to work in and through us. (Matthew 28:18, 1 John 4:4-6) 4. Love is from God. (1 John 4:7-21) 5. The greatness...

Acts 1:1-11

“THE DANGER OF HYPOCRISY” The Power of the Gospel, part 5 A sermon outline based on Romans 2:12-29 Hillcrest CRC, May 31, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters    1. God will do the right thing. (Genesis 18:25, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 89:14)  2. Everyone knows what is right and wrong. (Romans 2:14-15)  3. What about those who haven’t heard the gospel? (Romans 2:12-16)  4. What about those who have heard the gospe...

“CHILDREN OF GOD” Living in the Love of God, part 4 A sermon outline based on 1 John 2:29 – 3:24 Hillcrest CRC, May 24, 2026, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. We are children of God. (John 1:12, Galatians 4:4-5, 1 John 3:1-2) 2. We believe in Jesus. (John 1:29, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5,23) 3. We don’t live in sin, but purify ourselves and do what is right.     (1 John 3:3,6,9-10) 4. We abide in h...

“MORAL SUPERIORITY” The Power of the Gospel, part 4 A sermon outline based on Romans 2:1-11 Hillcrest CRC, May 17, 2026, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters   1. We judge obvious sinners. (Romans 1:18-2:1) 2. We are guilty of the same sins . (Romans 2:1) 3. We sometimes want God’s grace only for ourselves . (Romans 2:4) 4. It’s hard to admit that our sins deserve wrath . (Romans 2:5) 5. God is the only one qual...

“THE MIDIANITES vs. GOD (and Gideon)” A children’s service outline based on Judges 6:11-22, 7:1-8, 15-21 Hillcrest CRC, May 17, 2026, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters   1. Gideon was scared .  (Judges 6:11,27, 7:10) 2. God often calls and equips the weak to do His will. (Judges 6:15, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29) 3. God is with us. (Judges 6:16, Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:31, Philippians 4:13) 4. God chose Gideon’s...

“WHEN GOD GIVES IN” The Power of the Gospel, part 3 A sermon outline based on Roma­ns 1:18-32 Hillcrest CRC, May 10, 2026, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters    1. We are easily deceived . (Romans 1:25) 2. At times God judges us by giving us what we  want .     (Romans 1:24-32, Galatians 6:7-8) 3. God gives people over to sexual impurity . (Romans 1:24, 26) 4. God gives people over to a depraved mind. (Romans...

“DON'T LOVE THE WORLD”  Living in the Love of God, part 3 A sermon outline based on 1 John 2:15-27 Hillcrest CRC, May 10, 2026, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters   1. Stop loving the world. (1 John 2:15) 2. What does John mean by “the world?” (Genesis 1:31, John 3:16,     16:11, 17:24, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 John 2:15) 3. What does the word “love” mean? (1 John 2:15) 4. How can we tell if we love the wo...

“WALKING AS JESUS DID”  Living in the Love of God, part 2 A sermon outline based on 1 John 2:1-14 Hillcrest CRC, May 3, 2026, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters    How can we tell when someone is a real Christian?   1. True Christians want to obey God. (1 John 2:3-6, John 14:15)  2. True Christians try to live like Jesus. (John 14:15, 1 John 2:5-6)  3. True Christians seek to know the Lord.     (Jeremiah 31...

“WHEN WE TURN AWAY FROM GOD” A sermon outline based on Romans 1:18-23 Hillcrest CRC, May 3, 2026, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters   1. God reveals himself through creation . (Romans 1:18-20, Psalm 19:1-6) 2. Knowing God should result in worship . (Romans 1:21) 3. We tend to suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18-19) 4. Suppressing the truth results in wickedness . (Romans 1:18) 5. God’s love can result in his wra...

“THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL” The Power of the Gospel, part 1 A sermon outline based on Romans 1:1-17 Hillcrest CRC, April 26, 2026, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters    1. Paul introduced himself. (Romans 1:1-6) 2. Paul greeted them. (Romans 1:7) 3. Paul shared his heart with them. (Romans 1:8-15) 4. Paul was passionate about the transforming power of the gospel.     (Romans 1:16-17)   Next steps... Think about...

Introduction Our union with Christ, and what it means to identify with him, is to share in both sufferings and Glory.  To be a Co-heir means we are also Co-Suffering with Christ. (see Rom 8:17) Acts 5:41; Romans 8:18; 2 Cor 4:17 It can be hard to turn our eyes to the horizon and keep an Eternal  Perspective in the midst of suffering.  The Text Creation’s Groan (Rom 8:19-22) Creation suffers becaus...

“WHEN WILL JESUS RETURN?” The Foundations of Our Faith, part 21 A sermon outline based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11  and Belgic Confession article 37 Hillcrest CRC, April 19, 2026, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters   1. Many have made predictions about Christ’s return. (Matthew 24:36)  2. Are we living in the last days? (Matthew 24)  3. Jesus Christ will return . (2 Peter 3:3-10, Revelation 22:7,12,20) It w...

“WALKING IN THE LIGHT” Living in the Love of God, part 1 A sermon outline based on 1 John 1 Hillcrest CRC, April 19, 2026, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters   1. What are the details of this letter? (Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, 1 John 1:1) 2. John was an eyewitness . (1 John 1:1-3) 3. Jesus is life . (John 1:4, 10:10, 1 John 1:1-2) 4. God is light . (John 1:4-9, 1 John 1:5) 5. Confess your sins.     (Psalm 32:3...

1 John 1

Revelation 1

“MY REDEEMER LIVES!” An Easter sermon outline based on Job 19:23-27 Hillcrest CRC, April 5, 2026, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters   1. We need a Redeemer . (Exodus 6:6, Job 19:25, Jeremiah 50:34) 2. How certain are you? (Job 19:25, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Hebrews 11:1) 3. The end is coming. (Job 19:25, Psalm 103:15-16, Hebrews 9:27) 4. Jesus will be the last one standing .     (Job 19:25, Zechariah 14:3-4, Ph...