Western Hills Church, Temple, TX

Jesus: The Relationship Rabbi #1- LOVE

Scripture:  John 13, 1 John 4

Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Lead Minister

Summary: This sermon introduces a new series on relationships, emphasizing that they are both the greatest source of blessing and the deepest source of pain in our lives. Scott contrasts cultural “gurus” who sell advice with Jesus as our true Rabbi, who not only teaches but models a way of life grounded in sacrificial love. Drawing from John 13 and 1 John 4, he reminds listeners that love originates with God and must first be received from Him before it can be shared with others. Biblical love is defined not as a feeling but as a decision and action—patient, kind, forgiving, and persistent—radically different from the transactional love promoted by culture. You are invited over the coming weeks to follow Jesus’ example in your relationships, choosing daily to love as He loved, so that their lives and communities may be transformed.

Steadfast #13: The Power of Your Story

Scripture:  Acts 26

Speaker:  Grant Perkins

Summary:  Grant reflects on personal experiences of feeling inadequate compared to others, describing this as “imposter syndrome,” a feeling many also have when it comes to sharing their faith.  Using Acts 26, he highlights Paul’s example of simply telling his story—who he was, how he met Jesus, and how his life changed—rather than relying on eloquence or persuasion.  Paul demonstrates that faithfulness is not about guaranteeing conversions but about boldly sharing his story regardless of the outcome.

Even in limiting circumstances such as imprisonment, Paul continued to share, showing that God uses our weaknesses and constraints as opportunities to spread the gospel.

The sermon concludes by encouraging believers to share their own stories faithfully, trusting that God can do “immeasurably more” with them than we could ever imagine.

Steadfast #12: Finishing Well

Scripture:  Acts 20

Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Lead Minister

Summary:  Using Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 as a blueprint for finishing well in faith, Scott emphasized that steadfast discipleship begins with living humbly and visibly among others, not just speaking truth but modeling it. Paul’s example shows that obedience to God may lead into storms and hardships, but God’s presence and mission remain constant, even when leaders must let go and trust others to carry the work forward. Steadfast leaders give sacrificially, guard the flock from spiritual danger, and are not afraid to show deep emotion, loving and leading with both strength and tenderness. The message closed with the encouragement that no matter how one’s story began, by God’s grace anyone can choose to run faithfully now and finish well, leaving a legacy that glorifies Christ.

Steadfast #11: When the Gospel Disrupts Culture

Scripture:  Acts 19

Speaker:  Everett Reichardt, Youth Ministry Intern

Summary: This sermon uses the story of John Newton’s transformation and Acts 19 to show how the gospel disrupts culture and changes lives. Paul’s preaching in Ephesus challenged the worship of Artemis, disrupting the city’s economy, religion, and traditions, which led to a riot fueled by blind cultural loyalty. In this message, Everett draws parallels to modern culture, which promotes self-serving attitudes, following one’s heart, and defining success by wealth—values that conflict with the gospel’s call to selflessness, following Christ, and storing treasures in heaven. Believers are urged to boldly confront and challenge cultural norms with the truth of the gospel, living as visible witnesses of Christ’s love. The message concludes with an invitation for those blinded by culture to let God’s amazing grace transform their lives, just as it did for Newton and Paul.

Steadfast #10: The God Who is Known

Scripture:  Acts 17

Speaker:  Grant Perkins

Summary: The sermon begins by highlighting that many people today identify as “religious nones,” but most still believe in or seek a higher power, showing our culture’s deep spiritual curiosity. Grant  connects this to Acts 17, where Paul finds himself in Athens, a city full of idols and curious philosophers, much like today’s spiritually searching culture. Paul uses the Athenians’ altar “to an unknown god” to introduce the one true God who is powerful, personal, and gives us everything though He needs nothing from us. The message reminds believers that God is knowable and near, even when we sometimes feel uncertain. The sermon closes by challenging everyone to respond like some Athenians did — by choosing to truly know and worship the God who has made Himself known.

Steadfast #9: The Gospel Turns the World Upside Down

Scripture:  Acts 17:1-9

Speaker:  Grant Perkins

Summary: This sermon explains how Paul and Silas preached the gospel in Acts 17, boldly declaring that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus is King instead of Caesar, and that Jesus rose from the dead — claims that disrupted the established religious and political order. Their message angered some Jews, leading to accusations that they were “turning the world upside down,” but the Grant clarifies that Jesus is actually turning the world right side up. The sermon shows how humanity lives in an “upside-down” world because of sin, but Jesus’ life, teachings, and resurrection reveal the way life was always meant to be. Believers are challenged to live “right side up” now by boldly proclaiming who Jesus is, following his radical teachings, and serving like he did, even when it clashes with cultural norms. Ultimately, Christians are called to embody this gospel way of life as a glimpse of eternity here and now.

Steadfast #8: When Grace Crosses the Line

Scripture:  Acts 10

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary: The sermon uses the childhood memory of playing games at recess to illustrate how people draw lines of “in” and “out,” which we often use to judge and separate others. It focuses on Acts 10, where Peter learns through a vision and his encounter with Cornelius that God’s grace breaks down these human-made divisions. Peter, who once saw Gentiles as “unclean” outsiders, realizes God calls no one unclean and extends the same Spirit to all. The message challenges believers to move toward people they might normally avoid and not withhold grace where God has already extended it. Ultimately, it reminds us that we should see people not by their past or present but by what God’s grace can make them become.

Steadfast #7: Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone for Christ

Grant Perkins, Preaching Intern, brings a message from Acts 9:1-19 in the Steadfast series.

Steadfast #6: Freedom from Earthly Labels

Grant Perkins, Preaching Intern, brings a message from Acts 8:26-40 in the Steadfast series.

Steadfast #5: Caring Across Division

Scripture:  Acts 6

Speaker:  Grant Perkins

Summary:This sermon emphasizes the importance of the church staying true to its mission: sharing the gospel and caring for each other. Using examples like Kodak’s failure and Chick-fil-A’s success, Grant illustrates how knowing and living out a clear mission keeps an organization relevant. Acts 6 is used to show how the early church corrected "mission drift" by addressing neglect of Greek-speaking widows, empowering culturally different leaders, and uniting across divides. The message challenges the church today to break barriers—whether of race, politics, age, or ideology—by showing real, active care across those lines. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to embody Christ’s example of love that transcends division to become a transformative presence in the world.