Hillcrest CRC Messages

“A PERFECT CHRISTMAS?” Immanuel: God With Us, part 5 A sermon outline based on John 1:1-14 (14a) Hillcrest CRC, December 25, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters  1. The first Christmas wasn’t perfect . (Luke 2:7, Hebrews 2:17)  2. Christmas for us isn’t perfect either.  3. The only thing perfect about Christmas is Jesus . (John 1:1-4)  4. Jesus came to save an imperfect world. (John 1:10-14, Philippians 2...

“PEACE ON EARTH” “Immanuel: God With Us,” part 4 A sermon outline based on Micah 5:1-5 Hillcrest CRC, December 22, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. Where will the Messiah will come from? (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:6, John 7:42, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29) 2. He will be their shepherd . (Micah 5:4, Psalm 23, 100:3, Ezekiel 34, Philippians 4:13) 3. His sheep will live securely . (Micah 5:4, Isaiah 11:6-9)  4...

“ WHEN GOD COMES NEAR” Immanuel: God With Us, part 3 A sermon outline based on Exodus 19:1-25 Hillcrest CRC, December 15, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. God wants to be with His people.     (Genesis 17:4-7, Exodus 19:4-6,  25:8-9, 29:44-46, 40:36-38) 2. God is a consuming fire.     (Exodus 19:16-19, Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 10:26-31, 12:29) 3. God made a relationship possible . He created boun...

“CAN’T WAIT!” “Immanuel: God With Us,” part 2 A sermon outline based on Isaiah 25:1-9 Hillcrest CRC, December 8, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters When Jesus returns... 1. The LORD will prepare a feast .     (Isaiah 25: 6, Exodus 24:9-11, Matthew 22:2-12, Revelation 10:7-9) 2. He will destroy the shroud.      (Isaiah 25:7, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, 1 Corinthians 13:12) 3. He will swallow up death.      ...

“WHO CONTROLS THE CHURCH?” How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 19 A sermon outline based on Acts 11:19-30 Hillcrest CRC, December 1, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1.  Some shared their faith with outsiders (Acts 11:19-21). 2.  They recognized the work of God and encouraged them.  (Acts 11:22-24) 3.  They taught and discipled all of the new Christians. (Acts 11:25-26) 4.  Through the gif...

“WHY WE NEED CHRISTMAS” “Immanuel: God With Us,” part 1 A sermon outline based on Genesis 2:4-3:19 Hillcrest CRC, December 1, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters                   1.  Everything was perfect ! (Genesis 1:31,2:7-10,21-25,3:8, Isaiah 11:6-9) The creation was perfect. (Genesis 1:31, 2:7-10, Isaiah 11:6-9) They had a perfect marriage . (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:21-25) They walked with God. (Genes...

“PENTECOST FOR GENTILES” How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 18 A sermon outline based on Acts 10:23 -- 11:18  Hillcrest CRC, November 24, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1. Jesus’ authority was superior to Caesar’s. (Acts 10:23-26, 36) 2. The gospel is for everyone . (Acts 10:27-29, 35, 11:18) 3. What should we share with others? (Acts 10:30-43) 4. Peter clarified the ministry of Jesus....

“WE GIVE YOU THANKS & PRAISE YOUR GLORIOUS NAME!” A sermon outline based on 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 Hillcrest CRC, November 24, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. We rejoice at the generosity of God’s people. (1 Chronicles 29:9,17)  2. Who are we to be blessed like this?      (1 Chronicles 29:14, Psalm 8:4, James 1:17) 3. We only give what we have received from the Lord.      (1 Chronicles 29:11,...

A GOD-THING How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 17 A sermon outline based on Acts 10:1-23 Hillcrest CRC, November 10, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1. God has a plan for advancing His kingdom. (Acts 10:3-6, 9-20) 2. Our role is to: Examine our beliefs. (Acts 9:43, 10:9-16) Walk with the Lord. (Acts 10:2 & 9) Be led by the Spirit. (Acts 10:3-6 & 11-16, 19-20) Change our plans. (M...

“THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD” Real Faith in Real Life, part 20 A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 15 Hillcrest CRC, November 10, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters  The lynchpin of Christianity is Jesus’ resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4,12-19) There is overwhelming evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:5-11) He was the firstfruits . (Leviticus 23:9–17, 1 Corinthians 15:20-...

“HOW MIRACLES GREW THE CHURCH” How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 16 A sermon outline based on Acts 9:32-42 Hillcrest CRC, November 3, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1. Aeneas was a paralytic . (Acts 9:33) 2. Jesus healed a paralytic . (Acts 9:32-35, Mark 2:11) 3. God resurrected a dead woman through Peter! (Acts 9:36-41) 4. God used these miracles to bring people to faith in Jesus. (Ac...

“NO ONE IS BEYOND GOD’S REACH” How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 15 A sermon outline based on Acts 9:1-31 Hillcrest CRC, October 27, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1. Saul was passionate about what he believed. (Acts 9:1-2) 2. Jesus confronted Saul. (Acts 9:3-9) 3. Ananias obeyed God. (Acts 9:10-19) 4. Saul quickly became a very effective preacher. (Acts 9:20-22) 5. Saul’s former frien...

“GIFTS THAT BUILD UP THE CHURCH” Real Faith in Real Life #18 A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 14:1-25  Hillcrest CRC, October 27, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. We learn some things about speaking in tongues . (1 Corinthians 14:2,4-6,9,13-14, 18-19, 21,23,26-27, 39) It’s a good gift. (1 Corinthians 14:5,18,26) It’s not always a foreign language. (1 Corinthians 14:2, Acts 2:4) Paul spoke...

“WITNESSING 101" How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 14 A sermon outline based on Acts 8:26-40 Hillcrest CRC, October 20, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1. Follow the Lord’s leading. (Acts 8:26-29) 2. Dare to cross racial and ethnic barriers. (Acts 8:27-31) 3. Watch for open doors . (Acts 8:32-34) 4. Be prepared to explain the gospel. (Acts 8:35, Colossians 4:5-6) 5. Take the next s...

"THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE" Real Faith in Real Life, part 17 A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 13 Hillcrest CRC, October 20, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. Why does Paul encourage them to love? (1 Corinthians 1,3,6,11,12,13,14) 2. Failing to love is a fatal flaw . (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) 3. What love is not . (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 4. What love is . (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 5. Love is...

“NOT SO IDLE THOUGHTS ABOUT IDOLATRY” A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 Hillcrest CRC, October 13, 2024, 5pm Dr. Jeff Weima INTRODUCTION (HISTORICAL CONTEXT) I. GENERAL EXAMPLES FROM ISRAEL’S WILDERNESS WANDERING  (vv 1-5) 1. Four “all’s” (vv. 1-4)  2. “Nevertheless” (v. 5)  II. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM ISRAEL’S WILDERNESS WANDERING  (vv. 6-11)  Four examples of “as some of them were/d...

“EXPANDING OUR BOX” (part 2) How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 12 A sermon outline based on Acts 8:9-25 Hillcrest CRC, October 6, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1. We are all preachers .  (Acts 8:4) 2. God can heal people. (Acts 8:7,13) 3. Evil spirits are real . (Acts 8:7) 4. Sorcery is evil and should be avoided . (Acts 8:9,11) 5. Receiving the Holy Spirit is essential (Acts 8:14-17)...

“GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT” Real Faith in Real Life, part 15 A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Hillcrest CRC, October 6, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. It’s important that we understand the gifts of the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:1) 2. Faith is a gift . (1 Corinthians 4:7, 12:3, Ephesians 1:4&11) 3. God gives a variety of gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) 4. We are given gifts to serve o...

“EXPANDING OUR BOX” How Spirit-Filled People Changed the World, part 12 A sermon outline based on Acts 8:1-8 Hillcrest CRC, September 29, 2024, 5pm Rev. Curt Walters 1. We are all preachers . (Acts 8:4) 2. God can heal people. (Acts 8:7,13) 3. Evil spirits are real . (Acts 8:7) Next steps... How might you “preach the Word” wherever you go? Who would you preach to?  And what would you say? Ask the...

“DISCERNING THE BODY OF CHRIST" Real Faith in Real Life, part 14 A sermon outline based on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Hillcrest CRC, September 29, 2024, 9:30am Rev. Curt Walters 1. Is profession of faith required to participate in communion?     (1 Corinthians 11:27-29) 2. As reformed Christians, we’ve never been fans of  “proof-texting.”     (Proverbs 13:24, Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ja...