Western Hills Church Of Christ, Temple

Scripture:  Luke 2:8-12, Matthew 2:9-10 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  Do you have Fearless Joy? Discover the distinction between happiness and joy, anchoring our unwavering joy in the arrival and significance of Jesus as Savior, Messiah, and Lord. By exploring the biblical narrative of Jesus's birth, learn to pursue Fearless Joy, encouraging each of us to fix our gaze upon Jesus, finding unshakable joy that transcends life's distractions and circumstances."

Exploring the Old Testament's concept of 'Shalom,' we discover peace as more than the absence of conflict, emphasizing its essence of restoration and completeness. Through Zachariah's song (Luke 1:57-80), this message unpacks three crucial themes—redemption, remembrance, and restoration—highlighting the promise of Christmas: the restoration of all things.

Scripture: Luke 5:1-25 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: In this message explore the Advent themes of Hope and Waiting. As we delve into the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth, discover how their faithful waiting and unexpected encounter with an angel brought forth a message of hope. Explore the parallels between their anticipation and our own waiting, learning that God's timing is always perfect. Embrace the essence of hope this Christmas season and beyond, understanding that sometimes God's answer isn't 'no,' but 'not yet.'

Scripture:  Matthew 26:17-20, 26-30 Speaker:  Scott Seela and JustinHammond Summary: Today we focus on what it means to remember Christ as we share the bread, along with what Christ has done as the complete sacrifice for us as we share the cup.  Jesus has paid the full price for us; we remember this when we share the bread and the cup together.

Scripture:  1 Peter 5:6-11 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  In this concluding sermon, we're reminded by Peter's words to stay firm in our faith despite challenges. He emphasizes moving beyond mere religion, urging us to embrace a relationship with God. Using powerful imagery, he compares Satan's threats to a roaring lion but assures us of our ability to resist through our Living Hope in Christ. Peter encourages humility, unwavering strength, and a commitment to prayer as we navigate a world that may feel alien to our beliefs. Ultimately, he reassures us that God's grace will restore, confirm, and strengthen us amid suffering. It's a message that challenges us to hold onto hope in a world that desperately needs it.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: This message delves into the vital message from 1 Peter 5 about the significance of humility and servant leadership in your faith community. Discover how embracing humility, both as leaders and followers, can strengthen the bonds of our faith and create a sanctuary where our faith can weather life's storms.

Scripture:  Luke 5:17-26 Speaker:  Justin Hammond, Youth Minister Summary: Youth ministry happens primarily at home as we raise our kids. The process of parenting is no simple or easy task.  Sometimes we fall into the trap of believing lies that cause us to focus on our own strengths or weaknesses.  Instead, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, and tie into a community of faith as we boldly step up to the opportunity of parenthood that God has given us.

Scripture:  1 Peter 4 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: In this message, we explore the concept of judgment and its profound impact on our faith and lives. Discover how embracing the reality of judgment can transform your perspective and bring comfort, hope, and purpose to your life. Listen to this podcast to gain a fresh perspective on your faith and the significance of living with intention in a world that challenges it.

Scripture:  1 Peter 3:8-12 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  Discover the Power of Living Hope! Join us as we dive into the inspiring words of 1 Peter 3:13-22. Uncover the three profound reasons to have Living Hope, from Christ's Redemption to His Victory and Coronation. Our living hope is anchored in the unshakable truth of Christ's triumph over all challenges. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience renewed faith and purpose. Listen to the podcast now and let your heart be filled with Living Hope! 

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-12 (ESV) Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: Church can get awfully messy! This message reveals that church is more than mere rituals—it's about transformation, unity, and our witness to the world. Through the letter of 1 Peter, we learn the importance of humility, sympathy, brotherly love, and tender hearts as we navigate the challenges of faith in a culture that often opposes it. Discover why belonging to a church matters and how it reflects our commitment to Jesus' teachings.

Scripture:  1 Peter 2:11-17, 3:1-7, 1 Peter 2:21-25 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: In this message, we explore the challenge of living faithfully in a culture that is at odds with our faith. Peter emphasizes the importance of responding to cultural conflicts with actions that silence ignorance and honor others, following the example of Christ's selfless love and sacrifice. It challenges us to embrace a different way, not isolating or accommodating but engaging with the world to bring healing and hope.

Scripture:  1 Peter 2:1-10 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  The search for identity and belonging is what Peter addresses in this scripture from his letter to the followers of Jesus.  This is the same search that challenges us today.  Scott brings the things Peter says to his listeners into our current cultural situation when we ask, "Who am I and where do I belong."  

Scripture:  1 Peter 1:13-2:3 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  What does it look like to be "holy?'  In this passage from 1 Peter, Scott discusses the definition of holy as written by Peter to his audience.  As believers our desire is to look more and more like the one who gave his life to save us.  Peter very clearly states what a life that has been given in light of the great sacrifice made for it must look like.

Scripture:  1 Peter 1:1-12 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  In this second message of the "Beyond Religion" series, Scott shows how the same challenges that the people to whom Peter is writing compare to the challenges followers of Jesus face in this present culture. Scott says, "Where we establish our hope makes a difference."  That is what Peter is telling his audience as well.  Where does our culture encourage us to place our hope?  Where does Peter's culture encourage his audience to place their hope?  Scott reveals how in the most critical of ways the two cultures are very much alike.  

Scripture:  1 Peter 3:15; Matthew 14:28-31;John 13:8;John 21:17;1 Peter5:12 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  "How do you have faith while living in this current culture?  This question is the theme that Scott Meyer explores in this series called "Beyond Religion."  In this first message of the series Scott discusses the life of the apostle Peter, who is the author of the book in the Bible that bears his name. This letter to believers in and followers of Jesus is the basis for this message series.    

Scripture:  Matthew 5:38-48 Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Scott Seela Summary:  In this message, Scott explores this text in Matthew that reveals a radical concept for the people of his time on earth.  This radical message is one for us today.  That message is that when it comes to serving others the minimum is not our goal as followers of Jesus.  Rather, what Jesus would have us do is go beyond that and "Go the Extra Mile."

Scripture:  Matthew 28:19, Romans 10:14-15 Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Lead Minister; Denville Willie, Missionary to South Africa Summary:  During his visit to Western Hills, his supporting congregation, Denville Willie discusses his work in Africa with  Scott Meyer during this interview conducted during the Sunday morning worship service.

Scripture:  Matthew 5:11-16 Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Lead Minister Summary:  What does it mean to be "salt and light?"  Scott's message comes from a metaphor used in Matthew's gospel to challenge his readers to live in this world as "salt and light."  Scott begins with a description of "a beautiful life."  As he brings real life situations to us, he challenges us to become "salt and light" in this world and demonstrate the "beautiful life" we can and do live in Christ.

Scripture:  Matthew 5:13-14 Speaker:  Justin Hammond, Sarah Berg, Cooper Strait, Cooper Meyer, Tyler Benedick, Evan Yost Summary:  Justin Hammond, Student Minister, interviews several students who have been involved in various mission activities this summer emphasizing how they have been salt and light among those they have served.

Scripture:  John 7:53 - 8:11 Speaker:  Brandon Reynolds Summary:  This is the final message in the series, "Desperate."  In this message, Brandon addresses the need  we have for a Savior.  And there is only one who can fulfill the mission of saving us from ourselves.  That one paid the price for all.  Who is that one?  As Brandon continues it becomes very clear who that is, why he is and how he can become your Savior.