Western Hills Church, Temple, TX

Christmas Cards #1

Scripture:  Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-12

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary:  Scott introduces the Advent series by comparing each Gospel’s account of Jesus’ birth to a unique Christmas card, beginning with Matthew’s perspective. Matthew highlights Jesus as the long-promised King by tracing His genealogy and openly presenting the difficult, even dark, realities surrounding His birth—especially Joseph’s initial crisis and courageous obedience. Joseph’s story shows that Christmas is proof God keeps His promises, both globally to the world and personally to individuals, even when circumstances feel disappointing or confusing. The visit of the wise men contrasts those who welcome Jesus with joyful worship against those, like Herod, who resist Him out of fear and self-protection. Ultimately, listeners are called to respond to Jesus' arrival with worship and trust, especially in the places where they feel fear, brokenness, or uncertainty.

Jesus: The Relationship Rabbi #5- HURTING WORDS, HEALING WORDS

Scott Meyer, Lead Minister, bring the 5th message in the series.

Jesus: The Relationship Rabbi #4- HUMILITY

Scott Seela, Community Impact Minister, brings the 4th message in the series.

Jesus: The Relationship Rabbi #3- GRACE

Scripture:  John 13:34, Ephesians 2:1-10

Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Lead Minister

Summary: The sermon emphasizes that human relationships often become transactional, but Jesus, as our rabbi, calls us to love others as He has loved us, rooted in grace rather than scorekeeping. Drawing from Ephesians 2, Scott reminds listeners that apart from Christ we were spiritually dead, yet God, rich in mercy, made us alive by grace, not by our works. This grace is a gift, freely received, and it reshapes how we see both God and others. Because of this gift, we are created in Christ to do good works, not to earn love but to live differently out of gratitude. Ultimately, grace received must become grace released—transforming marriages, families, friendships, and even interactions with enemies into places where unearned kindness flows.

Jesus: The Relationship Rabbi #2- BROKENNESS

Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Lead Minister

Scripture:  James 4:1, Matthew 7:3-5,  2 Samuel, Psalm 51

Summary:  Relationships bless and break us, and conflict often arises not from others’ faults but from the desires and brokenness within us (James 4:1).

Jesus’ teaching about the plank and the speck (Matthew 7:3–5) calls us to “stay in our circle,” practicing humble self-examination before attempting to fix someone else.

Confession clears our vision for compassion: when we acknowledge our wounds, sins, and patterns, we’re better able to love and help others without hypocrisy.

David’s fall and repentance (2 Samuel; Psalm 51) model this posture—bringing a broken and contrite heart to God and praying, “Create in me a clean heart,” trusting that God runs toward, not away from, our brokenness.

The sermon culminates in communion as an embodied response—offering our “planks” to Jesus who bore the cross (two planks) for our healing—inviting continued conversation with God and transformed relationships by His power.

 

 

 

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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.