Western Hills Church, Temple, TX

Desperate #9 For Mercy

Scripture:  Luke 15:11 - 32

Speaker:  Austin Hunt, Summer Youth Intern

Summary:  Mercy - Having the power to inflict deserved consequences, but choosing to refrain.  We have all been in need of mercy at some time in our lives.  Someone has chosen to not give you what you deserve.  Whatever that something was for which you received mercy made you deeply appreciative.  Using the story of the "Prodigal Son," Austin brings a message about the amazing mercy toward each of us. 

Desperate #8 For Healing

Scripture:  John 11:1-44

Speaker:  Brandon Reynolds

Summary:  How do we deal our suffering when it doesn't seem "fair."  Brandon brings a very personal message about suffering and healing as he considers the story of Lazarus. 

Desperate #7 For Forgiveness

Scripture:  Luke 19:1-10

Speaker:  Brandon Reynolds

Summary: This Sunday our preaching intern Brandon Reynolds brought us our seventh sermon in our "Desperate" series titled "Desperate for forgiveness". This sermon walks through the powerful story about the meeting of Christ and a man named Zacchaeus. Through this meeting Zacchaeus finds the much needed forgiveness that he has been looking for, but the crowd looks on judgmentally, refusing to accept their own need for forgiveness. Brandon challenges us to seek to be like Zacchaeus and acknowledge our need for forgiveness instead of hiding from it.  Will we see our sin and joyfully accept Christ or keep our pride judge from the crowd?

Desperate #6 Desperate for Relief

Scripture:  1 Kings 19:1-18, Matthew 11:28-30

Speaker:  Brandon Reynolds

Summary:  From the book of 1 Kings comes the story of Elijah, a prophet of God, who is in despair.  He is a man who is weary.  He is a man who needs relief.  In his story we can find ourselves when we experience those times of feeling burdened and exhausted.  Brandon brings a word for all of us who experience that same need.  Where do we turn for relief?

Desperate #5 For a Do-Over

Scripture:  Exodus 3

Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Lead Minister

Summary:  Have you ever wished you could just have a "do-over"?  In this message, the fifth in the Desperate Series, Scott addresses the concept of the "do-over" that is found in the Bible.  There are "Heroes" of the Bible that were used in a mighty way by God, but they were not perfect people.  In this message, Scott addresses the lives of Moses and of Paul the Apostle as examples of those chosen by God and given a "do-over."  Then he speaks to all who are in search of God's "do-over" for them.

Desperate #4 For a Name

Scripture:  Genesis 25-32

Speaker:  Brandon Reynolds

Summary:  As you think back over your life, do you recall being called by any names other than the one given you at birth.  Most of us would probably say that that has happened.  The name may have been complimentary or derogatory, but you probably remember it well.  In this message, Brandon, tells the story of Jacob, the name given him at birth.  It isn't a name whose meaning would be considered complimentary.  However, God takes this man who lives up to his name and changes his name.  The result of God's changing Jacob's name has great implications for the direction of his life.  How does God change your name to change the direction of your life?

Desperate #3 To Be Seen

Scripture: Genesis 16 ESV

Speaker: Brandon Reynolds

Summary:  Have you ever felt "unseen?"  Perhaps, all of us have had that feeling at some time in our lives.  From the story of Hagar, Brandon brings a message of hope. Hagar is in a desperate situation.  It seems as though there is no way out.  But in her desperation an angel from God brings her a message of hope that speaks to us today in this present time.

Desperate #2 In Weakness

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:6-10

Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Lead Minister

Summary:  What does it mean to find strength in weakness?  Paul, the Apostle, who wrote much of the New Testament, struggled with "a thorn in the flesh."  In this message, you will hear how Paul chose to demonstrate strength through his weakness.

Desperate #1 For a Purpose

Scripture:  Judges 6 & 7, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Speaker:  Brandon Reynolds, Summer Preaching Intern

Summary:  Brandon begins a new series titled "Desperate."  In each of the messages in this series, he will address something for which each of us desperate.  This first message explores Gideon's desperation in Judges 6 & 7 as God seeks to use him to deliver the people of Israel.  From Gideon's dilemma, he points out the dilemma we all experience in finding a purpose for our lives. 

The theme text for this series is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 in Paul's statement, "When I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Thessalonians #4

Scripture:  2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary:  This is the final message is the series on 2 Thessalonians.  Scott's message is one of encouragement.  It is the same encouragement that Paul gave the church in Thessalonica.  That message is "do not grow weary in doing good."  In the chaos of this world that we find ourselves every day, it is sometimes tempting to succumb the world's way of doing life rather than living the life we have been called to as followers of Jesus.  That temptation is overcome by the realization that the life devoted to loving God and loving your neighbor is the way to real joy and peace.