Western Hills Church of Christ, Temple

INTRODUCTION TO THE STORY

Scripture:  Luke 24:13-27 (The post-resurrection account of Jesus's encounter with two men on the road to Emmaus.)

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary: NOTE:  Due to technical issues we were unable to record the entire message.  At the 11:46 point in the recording, we lost the                                    stream.  There will be a bit of silence before the second part of the recording begins.  In the second section, Scott                                        discusses the text, Luke 24:13-27.  We apologize for the inconvenience.  

This is an invitation to explore the Bible's story, emphasizing that it’s an epic narrative rather than just a set of rules or history. You will have opportunities to dive deeper, including a class on campus called "The Beginner's Guide to the Story" and another initiative called "Beyond the Sermon."

Scott reflects on how he received his first Bible as a child, and how his understanding of it has evolved over time. He describes the Bible as a unified story about Jesus, even though it spans many centuries and contains diverse books and characters. He encourages everyone to engage deeply with Scripture and to connect their personal stories to the larger narrative of Jesus. The ultimate goal is to be with Jesus, become like Him, and live out His teachings.

 

Be the Church

Scripture:  Matthew 16:18

Speaker:  Chris Stephens, Lead Minister, Avenue G Church of Christ

Summary: In this sermon, the Chris reflects on the nature and purpose of the church, focusing on Matthew 16:18. He emphasizes that the church is not merely a building or a social club but a "called-out" group intended to influence the world positively. By using the term "eklesia," Jesus indicates that the church is a community meant to be active and impactful, breaking down barriers and confronting societal issues. His emphasis is that the church's strength lies in its foundation on Jesus as the Messiah, and it is designed to withstand challenges and continue its mission regardless of worldly obstacles. Ultimately, he encourages believers to actively embody the church’s mission in all aspects of their lives, influencing the world through their faith and actions wherever they go day by day.

In Our Hands

Think about the responsibilities you have encountered throughout life, starting from small tasks to significant roles.  Each of these emphasize the importance of taking responsibilities seriously.  Particularly think about the responsibility given by Jesus to his disciples which includes each of us to spread the gospel.  This mission, entrusted by Jesus, is not just about living a good life but also about actively speaking and sharing the message of Jesus with others.  Pray for opportunities to share your faith, build trust with others, and invite people into the Christian community. Finally, take this responsibility with passion, knowing that Jesus is always with you in this mission.

Interrupted #12

Scripture:  Mark 15:25-41

Speaker:  Grant Perkins

Summary: Death is the ultimate interruption in life, affecting both the short-term and long-term, often leaving people disoriented and angry.  Even Jesus was not exempt from the interruption of death, as seen in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection are detailed. The key message is that Jesus's resurrection turns death from a permanent interruption into a temporary one, offering hope to believers. You will find encouragement by holding onto the reality of Jesus's victory over death, especially when faced with our own experiences of loss.

INTERRUPTED #11

Scripture:  Mark 10:46-52

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary: This message emphasizes the importance of seeking not just restoration but true transformation in life, using the story of Jesus healing the blind man Bartimaeus from Mark 10.  Bartimaeus' healing symbolizes both physical sight and spiritual insight, illustrating a deeper need for change and commitment to follow Jesus. True discipleship requires embracing the transformative power of following Jesus fully, even if it leads to hardship. The message concludes with a prayer for boldness and clarity to follow Jesus wherever He leads.

Interrupted #10

Scripture:  Mark 10:13-16

Speaker:  Callaghan Mitchell, Summer Intern

Summary: In this message, Callaghan discusses a biblical passage where Jesus is interrupted while teaching, highlighting how Jesus welcomed children despite cultural norms that undervalued them. He emphasizes that Jesus values those who come to Him like children, with nothing to offer and without hesitation. He encourages the congregation to examine their own attitudes, whether they lean towards pride or unworthiness, and to approach Jesus with a childlike heart. Then He concludes with a call to avoid judgmental behavior and to embrace grace, remembering that "the ground at the foot of the cross is level."

INTERRPUTED#9

Scripture:  Mark 10:17-22

Speaker:  Grant Perkins

Summary: In this message,Grant discusses the theme of "inconvenient truths" and how they impact our lives, particularly focusing on the story from Mark 10:17-22. He explains that inconvenient truths are those realities that make our lives more difficult or uncomfortable, using personal examples to illustrate this concept. Grant highlights the story of a wealthy man who approaches Jesus, seeking eternal life, and is told to sell all his possessions and follow Jesus, which he finds difficult to accept. The message emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing the things in our lives that interrupt our relationship with Jesus, whether it be wealth, career goals, or hobbies. Grant's challenge is to look at our own lives and through prayer ask to discover and overcome these interruptions, emphasizing the ultimate goal of following Jesus wholeheartedly.

INTERRUPTED #8

Scripture:  Mark 8:22-38

Speaker:  Scott Meyer

Summary: The message explores the concept of life's interruptions and their profound impact on our perspectives and actions. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical narratives, Scott highlights how unexpected events, like the assassination of JFK or the Challenger explosion, leave lasting marks on individuals. The focus then shifts to Mark 8, where Jesus heals a blind man in two stages, illustrating a deeper lesson on spiritual perception and understanding. Peter's reaction to Jesus' prediction of his suffering and death is examined, emphasizing the difficulty of aligning personal expectations with divine purposes. Ultimately, the message calls for a committed discipleship that embraces sacrifice and service, encapsulated in the story of William Borden, who lived by the principles of "No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regret."

INTERRUPTED #7

Scripture:  Mark 5:21-34

Speaker:  Grant Perkins

Summary:

This message highlights Jesus’ deliberate action to see and acknowledge the unseen, drawing a parallel to the need for individuals to do the same in their communities. Grant encourages the congregation to make intentional efforts to see and acknowledge those who feel invisible, whether at work, school, church, or other places. Following Jesus example, we must be willing to welcome interruptions in our routines to make others feel seen and valued.

The call to action is  to identify someone in your life who feels unseen and to make a deliberate effort to acknowledge and connect with them. This will require prayer to have boldness and awareness to carry this out, but the reward of seeing the transformative impact of making others feel seen is truly a blessing for your life.

INTERRUPTED #6

Scripture:  Mark 6:30-44

Speaker:  Grant Perkins, Preaching Intern

Summary:

The sermon begins with Grant reflecting on his experience as a fraternity chaplain, highlighting the challenge of fulfilling promises due to various constraints like time and resources. The central theme is the tendency to use "I don't have enough" as an excuse to avoid stepping into needs and ministry opportunities. The message draws a parallel with the story from Mark 6:30-44, where Jesus feeds 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish, emphasizing that Jesus's provision redefines what's possible. The disciples' initial doubt is contrasted with Jesus's ability to provide abundantly. The message encourages believers to trust in Jesus's provision and not let perceived shortages hinder their willingness to serve and meet needs, urging them to embrace ministry opportunities boldly and rely on Jesus to provide.