Western Hills Church Of Christ, Temple

Scripture:  John 14:15-17,Romans 8:16,Ephesians 1:13,John 16:14,Acts 1:8,Acts 4:13 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: This sermon concludes a series on the Holy Spirit by emphasizing that it is impossible to fully follow Jesus without the Spirit’s presence actively connecting us to Him. Drawing from Gospel of John chapters 14–16, the message explains that the Holy Spirit shapes our obedience through love, secures our belonging with permanence, and reveals Christ’s mission through our lives. Rather than striving to earn God’s approval, believers are “sign, sealed, and sent,” living from a secure relationship marked by the Spirit’s lasting presence. Referencing passages like Romans 8 and Ephesians 1, the sermon reminds listeners that the Spirit testifies to their identity as God’s children and seals them as His own. Ultimately, Christians are called not to perform or live anxiously, but to rest in the Spirit’s connection to Christ—allowing His life to shape their obedience, steady their hearts, and shine through th

Scripture:  John 16,  1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Romans 12:2 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: This sermon teaches that following Jesus in a world filled with confusion and deception requires the guidance of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promises in John 16 as the Spirit of truth. Using the image of a smoke-filled room, the Scott explains how lies—rooted in Satan’s deception—distort our understanding of sin, righteousness, and judgment, but the Spirit anchors believers in what is truly wrong, what is right through Christ, and who ultimately wins. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 2, the message emphasizes that the Spirit reveals truth to us, about us—especially our identity in Christ—and through us, giving believers the mind of Christ and the courage to speak boldly. The Spirit primarily works through Scripture, the renewing of our minds, and life in Christian community, reshaping our thinking and exposing lies we believe about ourselves. Ultimately, the Spirit does not create a new reality but reveals the vibrant truth alre

Scripture:  John 14, John 15, Galatians 5:22-23 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: This sermon teaches that when life pressures and “cracks” us, what spills out reveals what is truly inside, and behavior modification alone cannot produce the character of Jesus. Jesus promises in John 14 that the Holy Spirit is our Helper—an Advocate who dwells within believers to make possible what is otherwise impossible, such as loving enemies, forgiving deep wounds, and living with joy in hardship. Rather than trying harder to improve ourselves, we are called to “remain” or abide in Christ, staying connected to Him so the Spirit can form His life within us. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is not produced by willpower but grows naturally from a surrendered, Spirit-filled life. Ultimately, the message urges believers to stop decorating the outside and instead depend on the Holy Spirit to transform the inside, praying in life’s hardest moments, “Sp

Scripture:  John 14:15-17, John 16:7, Luke 11:11-13 Speaker: Scott Meyer Summary: This sermon begins a yearlong focus on following Jesus as disciples who seek to be with Him, become like Him, and do what He did. Scott's emphasis is that fully following Jesus is impossible in our own strength as he introduces a new series on the Holy Spirit as essential to living the disciple’s life. Drawing from Gospel of John chapters 14–16 and Gospel of Luke chapter 11, he explains that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as an Advocate and declared it better for believers that He go away so God could dwell within them. He emphasizes two core truths: the Holy Spirit is fully God and the Holy Spirit is a good gift from a loving Father, empowering believers from the inside rather than merely guiding them from beside them. Concluding with the testimony of a transformed life, he urges the church to recognize and rely on the Spirit’s supernatural power, which enables true spiritual transformation and faithful discipleship.

Scripture:  Luke 4:14-21, Mark1:14-15, Mark 10:41-45, John 13:14, Colossians 2:15, Acts 16:2526 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: This sermon concludes a four-part series on following Jesus as our rabbi, emphasizing that true discipleship means spending time with Him (habitation), becoming like Him (formation), and ultimately doing what He did (imitation). Centering Luke 4, the message highlights that Jesus carried out His mission—proclaiming freedom, healing, and hope—by the power of the Spirit, the same Spirit now given to believers. Scott identifies three key aspects of Jesus’ life that disciples are called to imitate: speaking truth boldly, serving humbly, and bringing light into darkness. Drawing from passages in Mark, John, Acts of the Apostles, and Colossians, the sermon shows that Jesus redefined greatness through service, confronted false cultural narratives with truth, and defeated the powers of sin and evil through the cross. The church is challenged not merely to admire Jesus but to imitate Him daily

Scripture:  Romans 8:29, Luke 6:39-40,Galatians 3:3, Matthew 11:28-30 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: The sermon teaches that the goal of the Christian life is not merely to get to heaven, but to become more and more like Jesus each day. Everyone is always being formed by something.  It may be stories, habits, relationships, experiences, and environments.  Disciples of Jesus must intentionally choose what is shaping them. Becoming like Jesus is a lifelong process that requires the power of the Holy Spirit and our active participation in the practices of Jesus. Spiritual formation is not achieved by knowledge alone or passive faith, but through cooperating with God as we adopt Jesus’ way of life. Our lives are “under construction,” and by God’s Spirit, we are being transformed to reflect Christ more clearly until the end.

Scripture:  John 15:4-8 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: The second in a four-part series exploring what it means and looks like to Follow Jesus. The sermon teaches that the goal of the Christian life is not merely to get to heaven, but to become more and more like Jesus each day. Everyone is always being formed by something.  It may be stories, habits, relationships, experiences, and environments.  Disciples of Jesus must intentionally choose what is shaping them. Becoming like Jesus is a lifelong process that requires the power of the Holy Spirit and our active participation in the practices of Jesus. Spiritual formation is not achieved by knowledge alone or passive faith, but through cooperating with God as we adopt Jesus’ way of life. Our lives are “under construction,” and by God’s Spirit, we are being transformed to reflect Christ more clearly until the end.

Scripture:  Mark 8:34, Mark 1:16-20, Mark 2:13-14, Mark 10:21 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: This message introduces 2026  as a year focused on rediscovering what it truly means to follow Jesus.  Everyone is constantly being formed by something, and the church must move beyond attendance and information toward genuine spiritual formation. Using Jesus’ invitation to “follow me,” a call to discipleship that means becoming an apprentice of Jesus — being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. The goal of faith is not simply being right or religious, but being transformed into the character and life of Christ through an active relationship empowered by the Holy Spirit.  This challenge is for each person to consider who or what they are following and to commit their lives to following Jesus as their rabbi.

Scripture:  John 1:1-18 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:   The apostle, John’s “Christmas card” in John 1, shows us that Christmas is the miracle of God stepping into the world through the incarnation of Jesus, the Word made flesh. It highlights three gifts Jesus brings: He is the Light that overcomes darkness and reveals truth, He gives believers a new identity as children of God, and He offers inexhaustible grace. Christ's coming is not about human effort to reach God but about God descending to reach humanity and bring humanity into relationship with God. Through Jesus, God becomes present with us and offers rescue.  The invitation of Christmas is to receive the Light, accept our identity as God’s children, and live from grace instead of guilt.

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: Luke’s Christmas story is written for those who feel overlooked, excluded, or left out, showing that God intentionally enters ordinary, difficult, and uncomfortable realities. Jesus is born not in glitter or comfort, but amid bureaucracy, travel, poverty, and a manger, revealing that God meets people right where they are. The first announcement of Christ’s birth is given to shepherds—outsiders and nobodies—proclaiming that the gospel is for all, especially the marginalized. Through Jesus, true peace (shalom) becomes possible: peace with God, with others, and within ourselves, regardless of circumstances. Christmas, therefore, is not just a story to admire but a Savior to seek, respond to, worship, and joyfully share with others.

Scripture:  Mark 1:1 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: The sermon presents Mark’s Gospel as a Christmas “card” that proclaims not a sentimental birth story but a bold headline: “The beginning of the good news about Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God.” Mark’s nativity is framed as a decisive announcement that something world-changing has happened—God has acted in history, not merely offered an idea or feeling. The good news is that Jesus, whose name means “God saves,” is the promised Messiah who fulfills every hope and promise of Scripture by coming as a Savior first. By calling Jesus the Son of God, Mark declares that God is not distant but has stepped into our broken world and our personal stories to rescue us. Christmas, therefore, is a proclamation of victory and hope, inviting us to receive and boldly declare that Jesus has arrived for us.      

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.