Western Hills Church, Temple, TX

Scripture: Matthew 5-7 Speaker: Scott Meyer Summary: The message teaches that it is easy to admire someone’s abilities or character without committing to the discipline required to become like them, and the same can happen in our relationship with Jesus. The challenge is this: Don't simply admire Jesus but truly follow Him by putting His teachings into practice. Using the Sermon on the Mount, Scott highlights Jesus’ contrasts between the narrow and wide roads, good and bad trees, true and false disciples, and houses built on rock versus sand. These contrasts emphasize that genuine discipleship is intentional, produces visible fruit, and is rooted in a real relationship with Jesus rather than outward religious performance. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to build their lives on Jesus’ teachings so they can withstand life’s storms and live as true apprentices of their rabbi.

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 already present in Christ, anchoring believers in clarity, renewing their identity, and empowering them to live and witness with confidence.

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