West Church Peabody

The Devil and Our Shame

We're approaching the end of our series, "Rising from Shame." We will be looking at the story of Mary Magdalene who was set free from seven demons by the Lord Jesus. Shame is clearly one of the weapons that Satan would use to hinder us and keep us down. Sometimes we think the negative voices putting us down in our heads are our own negative selves. Sometimes they may be even more insidious. When we come to recognize the message of Jesus, we are better equipped to recognize the voice of Jesus over against other voices that trouble us. Jesus always brought God's freedom to those who came to him for help oppressed by unclean spirits. He overcame Satan when he rose from the dead. He wants us to experience freedom with him. The Devil and Our Shame Bill Shoemaker Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/661ab0d6876bed13b49b41be/t/6a25a6a8c107b26a33bdc5ee/1780852425198/Rising+From+Shame+-+The+Devil+and+Our+Shame.mp3]

Harmonizing for God’s Glory

This Sunday we have the privilege of Lincoln and Jenny Fitch visiting with us. Lincoln will be giving a message focused on Romans 15:1-13, Harmonizing for God's Glory. Today’s sermon used the metaphor of a choir to show how God calls His people into deep unity. Though individually gifted, Christians often clash when preferences, personalities, and cultural backgrounds get in the way. Paul reminds us that glorifying God requires laying down our preferences and moving toward one another in love, even when it is inconvenient. Christ Himself did not please Himself but bore reproach for us, welcoming sinners and drawing near to those who were far from God. His welcome becomes the model for how we welcome one another. Through the Spirit, God empowers us to overcome distance, pursue deeper relationships, and reflect the diverse unity of His people. The call is simple but challenging: serve like Jesus, welcome like Jesus, and glorify God together with one voice. Harmonizing for God's Glory Lincoln Fitch Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/661ab0d6876bed13b49b41be/t/6a25674e55f0b80a8af277ce/1780836219950/Harmonizing+for+God_s+Glory+-+Sunday+May+31%2C+2026+.mp3]

Facing Your Limitations

This Sunday we look at one of the most vulnerable moments in Elijah’s life—right after his greatest victory. Exhausted, afraid, and convinced he’s a failure, Elijah runs into the wilderness believing he’s alone and beyond help. His story exposes how shame twists our limitations into accusations and how isolation, resentment, and self‑pity can pull even the strongest believers into dark places. But it also reminds us that being human means having limits, and those limits are not signs of God’s absence. At Horeb, God meets Elijah not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper—showing that we need an unlimited God far more than we need unlimited strength. We’ll explore how God restores us through His presence, His people, and His purposes, and how Romans 11 echoes the same truth: God never abandons His own. If you’ve ever felt worn out, “not enough,” or unsure of your place, this message will help you see how dependence on God loosens shame’s grip and leads us toward hope and renewal. Facing You Limitations Bill Shoemaker Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/661ab0d6876bed13b49b41be/t/6a13284f2adf244805e8751f/1779640436724/Rising+from+Shame+-+Facing+Our+Limitations+-+Sunday+May+24%2C+2026+.mp3]

Spiritual Procrastination

As we think about "Rising from Shame" this week, we will look at the life of King Saul. He was anointed with high hopes as a King to rescue God's people. He was a valiant fighter, leading his nation to freedom from those who wanted to harm them. Yet his reign ends in shame. Why did he fall apart? The answer is not a single defining event as it was a series of escalating events that led him to his fall. When we fall short of what God expects of us (and all of us will), but we refuse to own it and admit it, we will journey from guilt to shame. When we are guilty of wrong, we can do something good about that. If we ignore it, it will take on a life of its own that drags us into self-defeating shame. Saul's life demonstrates this. How do we arrest our guilt and shame? How do we climb out of it and learn to move in a new direction? Let's find out together. Sprititual Procrastination Bill Shoemaker Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/661ab0d6876bed13b49b41be/t/6a12612af311fb77c8078cbc/1779589464050/Rising+from+Shame+-+Spiritual+Procastination+-+Sunday+May+17%2C+2026.mp3]

A Divided Heart

As we continue our series, "Rising from Shame," we will examine the life of Samson in the book of Judges. Here was a man that had so much going for him. But he was defeated by a divided heart. Whether or not we admit to battling a divided heart ourselves, we each know someone who has lost that battle. Shame always haunts those with a divided heart. It tells us we're helpless losers who will never change or get better. When someone is in that condition, they really need serious help. Where will help come from? What does help look like? when shame attacks our divided heart. Hebrews 11:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP4BLWzYC6g&t=684s] gives [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP4BLWzYC6g&t=684s] us a clue. If you can read Judges 13-16 before Sunday, it would help. If you come looking for hope, God will show us where to find it. A Divided Heart Bill Shoemaker Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/661ab0d6876bed13b49b41be/t/6a00b5d3ea99983fb2246280/1778431478303/Rising+from+Shame+-+A+Divided+Heart+-+Sunday+May+10%2C+2026.mp3]