Hillcrest CRC Messages

“WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE DIE?” A sermon outline based on Luke 16:19-31 & Lord’s Day 22 Hillcrest CRC, January 21, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters  There are 3 steps that will happen to us:  1. We will experience an intermediate state.  The Old Testament calls it sheol . (Genesis 37:34-35, Psalm 16:10) The New Testament calls it hades . (1 Corinthians 15:55, Revelation 1:18, 20:13-14) We will be in p...

“CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? Real Faith in Real Life, part 2 A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 1:10-31 Hillcrest CRC, January 21, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. We all long for shalom . (Isaiah 11:1-9) 2. Paul asks them to agree with each other. (1 Corinthians 1:10) 3. We look to others for our identity. (1 Corinthians 1:11-12) 4. Our identity is found in Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:13-17)  ...

“WHY GO TO CHURCH?” Basic Beliefs, part 17 A sermon outline based on Acts 2:42-47 & Lord’s Day 21 Hillcrest CRC, January 7, 2024, 5 PM Rev. Curt Walters  We need biblical teaching . (Acts 2:42a)  We need koinonia . (Acts 2:42b)    We need to be reminded of foundational truths. (Acts 2:42c)  We need to pray together. (Acts 2:42d, 6:3-4)  We need to experience the presence and power of God.  (Ac...

“UNEXPECTED ENCOURAGEMENT” Real Faith in Real Life, part 1 A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Hillcrest CRC, January 7, 2023, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters  1. What was ancient Corinth like? (1 Corinthians 1:2)  2. They had many problems. (1 Corinthians 1,3,5,6,8,10,11,12-14,15,16)  3. They were sanctified in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:2)  4. They were eloquent and knowledgeable. (1 Cori...

“WHO GOES WITH US INTO THE NEW YEAR?” A sermon outline based on Exodus 33:12 – 34:7 Hillcrest CRC, December 31, 2023, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. Spiritual passion leaks . (Exodus 32:21-24, 33:3)  2. They took off their ornaments . (Exodus 12:35-36, 33:4-6)  3. This could be our prayer for the new year. (Exodus 33:13, Psalm 25:4-5)  4. What distinguishes us from everyone else? (Exodus 33:16, 1 Pet...

“THE LORD HAS COME!” Prepare the Way, part 5 A sermon outline based on Psalm 97 and Luke 2:8-14 Hillcrest CRC, December 25, 9:30 AM Rev. Curt Walters  The LORD reigns , even though His people don’t see it. (Psalm 97, Exodus 19:16-19)  The Lord came , even though they didn’t receive him. (Luke 2:11-14, John 1:10-11)  Jesus Christ is Lord , even though it doesn’t always seem like it. (Philippians 2:...

“FAITH AND RELATIONSHIPS IN LIGHT OF CHRIST’S COMING” Prepare the Way, part 4 A sermon outline based on 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13  Hillcrest CRC, December 24, 2023, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. Paul valued relationships. (1 Thessalonians 1:1-3, 2:8, 3:6-10, 5:23-28) 2. Nothing is more important than faith .      (Mark 8:36, 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8, 3 John 4) 3. He longed to be with them. (1 Thessalonian...

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

“PROMISED COMFORT” Prepare the Way, part 3 A sermon outline based on Isaiah 40:1-11 Hillcrest CRC, December 17, 2023, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters  1. God loves and forgives His people. (Isaiah 40:1-2, John 10:28)  2. How do we prepare the way ? (Isaiah 40:3-5, 35:8, Luke 1:17)  3. Build our lives on what endures . (Isaiah 40:6-8)  4. Announce the good news. (Isaiah 40:9-11, Luke 4:18-19)   Next steps...

“DEEP CLEANING” Prepare the Way, part 2 A sermon outline based on Malachi 2:17 – 3:5 Hillcrest CRC, December 10, 2023, 9:30 AM  Rev. Curt Walters We long for God to make things right . (Malachi 2:17) The Israelites longed for justice .  (Psalm 58, Isaiah 1:23, 5:23, 10:1-2, Malachi 2:17) God will come to bring justice, but He will start with His own people .  (Malachi 3:1-5, Luke 3:1-20) What kind...

“WHY WE NEED CHRISTMAS” Prepare the Way, part 1  A sermon outline based on Hebrews 10:1-1 Hillcrest CRC, December 3, 2023, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters  1. What does this passage have to do with advent ?    2. Why did God become human ? (Hebrews 10:5-7)  3. We have a sin problem. (Hebrews 10:3-4, Galatians 4:4-5)  4. Animal sacrifices don’t remove sin. (Leviticus 4, Isaiah 53, Hebrews 10:1,4,8–11)  5....

“THE GOODNESS OF GOD” A Thanksgiving Day sermon outline based on Psalm 100 Hillcrest CRC, November 23, 2023, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. The LORD is good. (Psalm 100:5, Luke 18:19, 1 John 1:5) 2. He created a good and beautiful world. (Genesis 1, 1 Timothy 4:4) 3. He chose to redeem us. (Psalm 100:5, Genesis 3:15, Romans 5:8, 2 Peter 3:9) 4. He gives good gifts to his children. (Matthew 7:11, Jame...

“A SPIRITUAL NIGHTMARE – LIFE WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT” Basic Beliefs, part 16 A sermon outline based on Romans 8:1-17 Hillcrest CRC, November 26, 2023, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters Without the Holy Spirit... 1. We would be mired in sin and misery. (Romans 8:5-14, John 16:8) 2. We would be ignorant of God and His ways. (John 14:26, 16:13) 3. We would be spiritually stagnant.  (Romans 8:14,15:16, Galatians...

“THE DISCIPLINE OF BEING THANKFUL” Growing Deeper, part 10 A sermon outline based on 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Hillcrest CRC, November 26, 2023, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters   1. Ingratitude is common but toxic .   We’re born ungrateful . (Psalm 51:5, 107:1)  Ingratitude is a mark of an unbeliever. (Romans 1:20-21)  Ingratitude is a sin . (1 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Timothy 3:1-3)   2. Give thanks in all circums...

“READY OR NOT...” Basic Beliefs, part 15 A sermon outline based on Mark 13:24-37 Hillcrest CRC, November 12, 2023, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1. Jesus is coming back. (Mark 13:26-31)  2. No one (but God) knows when . (Mark 13:32)  3. Don’t be found sleeping . (Mark 13:36, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6) 4. We all have an assigned task. (Mark 13:34). 5. Be prepared ! (Mark 13:23,33,35,37) Next steps...   Think c...

“THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD” Growing Deeper, part 8 A sermon outline based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Hillcrest CRC, November 12, 2023, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters  1. All Scripture comes from God. (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:21)  2. We need to know and walk in the truth . (2 Timothy 3:16, John 8:31-32)   3. We need correction . (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Luke 3:19)  4. We need a spiritual training regi...

“WHERE JESUS IS AND WHY IT MATTERS” Basic Beliefs, part 14 A sermon based on Acts 1:1-11 & Lord’s Day 18 Hillcrest CRC, November 5, 2023, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters  1. We have the best advocate there is.     (1 John 2:1, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25)   2. Part of us is already in heaven .      (Romans 5:19, 6:8, Colossians 2:13, Ephesians 2:4-6)  3. We now have both Jesus and the Holy Spirit .      (...

“IT ALL BELONGS TO THE LORD” Growing Deeper, part 7 A sermon outline based on 1 Chronicles 29:1-20 Hillcrest CRC, November 5, 2023, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters  1. They gave freely, wholeheartedly and generously . (1 Chronicles 29:3-8)  2. They gave glory to God. (1 Chronicles 29:9-10)  3. Everything good comes from God.      (1 Chronicles 29:11-16, Romans 11:33-36, James 1:17)  4. Why are we so bles...

“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)...

“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...