Western Hills Church Of Christ, Temple

Scripture:  Judges 2:10-16, Judges 10:16, Judges 2:10, Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Judges 21:25, Romans 5:8 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: This sermon emphasizes the cycle of Israel's rebellion, repentance, and deliverance in the Book of Judges. It begins by illustrating how Israel repeatedly turns away from God, faces oppression, and then cries out for rescue, only to fall back into idolatry once a judge dies. Scott warns that neglecting God's instructions can lead to decay and emphasizes the importance of passing faith to the next generation. He draws a parallel to modern-day idolatry, urging believers to put their hope in Jesus rather than political systems or personal idols. The sermon concludes by affirming Jesus as the ultimate, perfect judge who breaks this cycle by shedding His own blood for our deliverance.

Scripture:  Joshua 3:1-9; Joshua 3:15-16; Proverbs3:5-6; Matthew  6:33; Philippians 4:6-7; Joshua 1:6; Joshua 2:9-11; Romans 8:37-39 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: The sermon focuses on the theme of stepping out in faith to claim the promises of God. Scott begins by telling the story of a man who lost access to his cryptocurrency, using it as a metaphor for how we sometimes struggle to access what God has promised us. The sermon is centered around the Israelites entering the Promised Land in the book of Joshua, emphasizing that while God promised them the land, they had to take action, such as crossing the Jordan River and conquering Jericho, to claim it. The concept of "walking out the premise" is introduced, which means that in order to receive God's promises, we must take steps of faith. Scott also highlights Rahab's faith and how she grasped God's promise, leading to her significant role in biblical history, and concludes by encouraging listeners to trust in God's promises and be courageous in their battl

Scripture:  Numbers 11:4-6;Numbers 14:2-4;Numbers 14:26-35;Numbers 21:4-9;    John 3:14-15 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: As the Israelites continue their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, they face a time of wandering and complaining. Their frustrations are very much like our own when we take a family road trip. The grumbling begins soon after the departure. The Israelites grumbled despite God’s provision of numerous blessings like the manna from heaven. They forgot as we often do that God not only delivers us from something (like the Israelites slavery in Egypt) but also into something greater, though this process often involves difficult "wilderness" periods of preparation and transformation. Our decision must be to trust in God's plan, even when the journey feels long or challenging. God forms and prepares His people through hardships. Our response to our difficulties is to remind ourselves that we have received the greatest gift, redemption through Jesus remembering that he succeeded in the wilde

Scripture: Exodus 24:8;Exodus 25:8;Genesis 34:6-7;Exodus 34:10;Exodus 34:14;Exodus 40:34-35;John 1:14;I Corinthians 3:16;Ephesians 1:13-14 Speaker:  Justin Hammond, Youth Minister Summary:  Justin Hammond, Youth Minister, brings a message from Chapter 5 of THE STORY. This message is focused on the theme of God’s presence and faithfulness, using the narrative of the Israelites in Exodus as a foundation. It begins by reflecting on the journey of the Israelites, especially in Exodus 24-25, and how God made a covenant with them through Moses, despite their lack of prior faithfulness or action. God is faithful even in the face of the Israelites’ failure. After their idol worship, God still promises to dwell with them, symbolized by the construction of the Tabernacle. Justin relates this to the New Testament, where God's presence is manifested in the form of Jesus Christ, and later, the Holy Spirit, which now dwells in believers. Justin encourages patience and trust in God's timing and knowing that God is always pr

Scripture:  Exodus 2:7-10, Exodus 3:13-14, Exodus 5:2, Exodus 6:6-8, Exodus 4:22-23, Exodus 12:12-13, Exodus 7:12, I Corinthians 5:7, Ephesians 1:7 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  The sermon reflects on the identity of God and His power to deliver His people, focusing on the story of Moses and the Exodus. It begins by addressing the question, "Who is God?" and explains that God consistently reveals Himself through His actions, as seen in Joseph’s story and later in Moses' life. Moses is delivered from his own self-doubt and then tasked with delivering the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. The sermon emphasizes how God's miracles, including the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, answered Pharaoh's challenge, "Who is the Lord?" Finally, the sermon connects the Exodus to Jesus' sacrifice, portraying Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb, bringing redemption and deliverance to all.

Series:  THE STORY:  The Lord is With You Scripture:  Genesis 39:17-20; Genesis 40:23; Genesis 50:15-21;                    Genesis 50:24-26; Hebrews 11:22 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: This sermon focuses on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis and draws lessons from his experiences of betrayal, adversity, and faithfulness. You will notice that even when Joseph faced great hardships—being sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten—God was with him. One key point is that being in God's will often takes us outside of our comfort zones, and like Joseph, we are called to maintain integrity and use our gifts even in difficult and obscure circumstances. The sermon emphasizes that we can grow old without becoming angry, and that God can turn our trials into blessings for others, as seen in Joseph's role in saving many lives. Finally, it encourages hope by reminding listeners that this life is not the end and that God's promises will ultimately be fulfilled, just as Joseph believed in the

Series:  THE STORY Scripture:  Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:1-6; Romans 4:18-25; Genesis 22:13-14 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: In this message, the story of the life of Abraham is told with a focus on understanding how its various parts are interconnected and ultimately point to Jesus. The narrative highlights Abraham's journey, starting with God’s promise to him and his wife, Sarah, to have a child despite their old age, leading to the birth of Isaac. Abraham demonstrates the importance of faith and obedience, even when God's commands, such as the call to sacrifice of Isaac, seem incomprehensible.  In this message we find encouragement to trust in God's provision, drawing parallels between Abraham’s story and the sacrifice of Jesus, portraying the theme of God using imperfect people to fulfill His greater purpose.

Series:  THE STORY Scripture: Genesis 1-3 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: Scott discusses the beginning of the biblical story from Genesis, focusing on themes of creation, the goodness of God's world, and humanity's fall from grace due to sin. Key questions addressed are the origins of humanity, the purpose of existence, and why the world is flawed. The sermon also emphasizes that God's ultimate plan is to restore creation through salvation, as symbolized by the cross.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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."

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.

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.    

Scripture:  Mark 5:1-20 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: The "Interrupted" series continues, focusing on how Jesus handles interruptions by going to places others avoid. Using the story from Mark 5, where Jesus heals a demon-possessed man in a graveyard, the sermon illustrates how Jesus willingly enters dark and scary places to bring redemption and renewal. Note that Jesus redeems our past, renews our strength and mind, and restores our identity, even when we feel overwhelmed by our sins and failures. The story demonstrates that no matter how dire our circumstances, Jesus has the power to transform our lives.  The application for us is to let Jesus interrupt our lives and make all things new, with the hope and renewal that Jesus offers.

Scripture:  Mark 4:35-41 Speaker:  Grant Perkins Summary: The speaker shares a personal story about his family's experience with fostering a child named David, who was eventually moved to an unsafe placement despite their prayers. This event led him to grapple with the notion of unanswered prayers and feeling abandoned by God. He relates this to the biblical story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4, where the disciples, in their fear, doubted Jesus' care and ability. The sermon emphasizes that fear often interrupts faith, leading us to believe that Jesus either doesn't care or isn't able to help. However, the true lesson is that Jesus cares and is able, regardless of whether every storm is calmed. The speaker concludes by encouraging the congregation to remain faithful and obedient, using their past experiences and the reality of eternity to strengthen their faith amidst fear.