Western Hills Church, Temple, TX

When Church Hurts: Invitation to Heal

Church should be a place of healing-but what is it's where you were hurt? Join us for "When Church Hurts," a series about finding hope, healing, and restoration when church wounds instead of welcomes.

When Church Hurts: When the Church Fights

Scripture:  John 10:11-13, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, John 17:20-23, Ephesians 4:1-6

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary:  Scott's message emphasizes that unity in the church is essential for fulfilling God’s purpose and requires believers to live in harmony, love, and humility. He draws from Ephesians 4 to stress the importance of maintaining the unity of the Spirit through peace, acknowledging the one body and one Spirit that binds all believers. Unity is portrayed not as uniformity, but as a shared commitment to Christ and His mission, allowing for diversity within the body. From scripture he points to the warning that division and disunity hinder the church’s witness and effectiveness, and urges members to guard against pride, selfishness, and gossip. Ultimately, this message calls the church to reflect the unity of the Trinity and be a powerful testimony of God’s love to the world.

When Church Hurts: Overlooked, Outcast and Judged

Church should be a place of healing-but what is it's where you were hurt? Join us for "When Church Hurts," a series about finding hope, healing, and restoration when church wounds instead of welcomes.

When Church Hurts: We all have scars

Church should be a place of healing-but what is it's where you were hurt? Join us for "When Church Hurts," a series about finding hope, healing, and restoration when church wounds instead of welcomes.

Chapter 31: Don't Be Afraid

Scott Meyer, Lead Minister, brings a message from Chapter 31 of The Story. The message begins by confronting the common fears and anxieties that grip people today—financial struggles, health worries, relationship pain—and reveals that underneath it all lies the fear of death. Drawing from Revelation, the sermon emphasizes that Jesus, who conquered death and now holds the keys to it, invites us to live without fear because He transforms whatever He passes through. John’s vision of Jesus in Revelation contrasts worldly power, like that of the Roman emperor, with the true authority of the Lamb who was slain and now reigns on the throne. The sermon celebrates Easter as the declaration that the tomb is empty, the Lamb reigns, and the story is far from over—it is the beginning of a new creation. Ultimately, the hope of Easter is that Jesus makes all things new, and no matter where we are in our personal story, He offers to rewrite it with grace, victory, and eternal life.

Chapter 30: Storms, Shipwrecks and Snakes

Scott Meyer, Lead Minister, brings a message from Chapter 30 of The Story.

Chapter 29: Transformed to Transform

Chris Stephens, Lead Minister of the Avenue G. Church, brings a message from Chapter 29 of The Story.

Chapter 28: They Told Someone

Scripture:  Acts 1:1-11

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary: Scott reflects on the things we often take for granted, highlighting how we only realize their value when they're suddenly gone, like electricity. He emphasizes the miracle of being present today, worshiping Jesus, which ties into the story of the early church's launch in Acts. Jesus, after His resurrection, teaches His disciples, urging them to wait for the Holy Spirit's power to be His witnesses, not just informed but empowered. Scott challenges the idea that witnessing is for "professional Christians" and encourages everyone to share their personal testimony of what Jesus has done in their lives. Ultimately, the message is that ordinary, imperfect people empowered by the Holy Spirit can carry out Jesus' mission, spreading the gospel through an unbroken chain of witnesses, just as it has reached us today.

Chapter 27: But We Had Hoped

Scripture:  Luke 24:13-36

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary: The sermon emphasizes that the Christian faith is not based on the Bible itself but on a single historical event—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Scott stresses that if the resurrection did not happen, then the rest of Christian teachings would not hold significance, but if it did, it validates everything Jesus said and did. The passage from Luke 24 is used to illustrate how the resurrection transformed despair into purpose for Jesus’ disciples, particularly the two on the road to Emmaus. The sermon highlights that the resurrection turns disappointment into direction and that Jesus’ presence brings peace even in moments of failure and regret. Ultimately, it concludes that our worst moments do not have the final say—Jesus, through his resurrection, does.

Chapter 26: The Table and the Cross

Scripture:  John 13:1-5, John 13:12-17, Matthew 26:26-29, John 19:28-30, Luke 23:46, Matthew 27:51-54,

                   Romans 5:8

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary: The sermon begins with a reflection on pivotal historical events, like the Challenger explosion, that change everything, leading into the central theme—the crucifixion of Jesus as the defining moment of history. Jesus, knowing his impending sacrifice, humbles himself by washing his disciples' feet, demonstrating that true leadership is rooted in servanthood. During the Last Supper, he redefines the Passover meal, revealing that he is the ultimate Passover Lamb whose sacrifice will bring deliverance from sin. On the cross, Jesus endures suffering, abandonment, and ultimately declares, "It is finished," signifying the completion of his mission to redeem humanity. The message concludes by emphasizing that Jesus' sacrifice is final and complete, calling believers not just to admire him but to follow his example of love and selfless service.