Western Hills Church, Temple, TX

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.

Steadfast #4: You Can't Stop This!

Chris Stephens, Preacher from the Avenue G Church, brings us a message in the Steadfast series from Acts 5.

Steadfast #3: A Church on Target

Grant Perkins, our Preaching Intern, highlights four key practices that kept the early church in Acts focused and steadfast. His message challenges us to align with these same foundational priorities as we pursue being a church on target today.

Steadfast #2: Proof & Power

This message series journeys through the book of Acts, spotlighting powerful moments of faithfulness in the early Church—both the devotion of believers to God and the steadfast faithfulness of God to His people. As we walk through the stories of the early Christians, we’ll see how the gospel spread, communities formed, and lives were transformed—all through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Steadfast #1: Waiting Well

Join us as we dive into our new summer series "Steadfast: God's Faithfulness and Ours.  In this message our preaching intern Grant Perkins leads us into the book of Acts.

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.