Please click below to download the study guide which accompanies the sermon preached on February 28. The study guides are beneficial for personal use but primarily designed for use within our Community Groups.

ACCESS - Week 2

To learn more about our Community Groups please visit: westportchurch.org/information/groups

In our sophisticated, intellectual age, the conversation surrounding “spiritual warfare” can be stilted. But talk to someone in the Two-Thirds World where the church is growing fastest, and you won’t have to convince anyone!

If this is an area of your understanding you wish to expand, I recommend starting with a couple books. The first, The Bondage Breaker by Dr. Neil T. Anderson is a classic that’s been recently updated. Dr. Anderson has a long history of merging the intellectual and the spiritual. He engages in the topic of spiritual opposition without “losing his head.” And, hey, he’s a former aerospace engineer like me :).

Another great book to read on this topic is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Lewis does a “reverse-take” and writes as if the demons are the good guys and God is “the enemy.” It is fascinating reading and challenging to think through the myriad means our spiritual enemy may seek to undermine our faith and keep us in bondage. You can check out  an online version of this book here.

May you know FREEDOM in Christ. May you know VICTORY over the spiritual opposition you currently face. And, as a result, may you know JOY.

Best,

Shane

Ever have the chance to meet someone famous? What did it feel like to first enter the room? Intimidating?

In a previous job, I had the chance to work on a project that involved a partnership between the organization I worked for and the Office of the Governor of Arkansas. On a couple different occasions I met with the Governor himself.

The first time that happened, I was scheduled to meet him in his office. When I was ushered in, I felt this overwhelming sense of awe. Picture the setting: big, ornate corner office in the Capitol building with busts, pictures and memorabilia from decades of state history! I stumbled over my greeting and struggled for several minutes getting started in the conversation. I mean, this was the GOVERNOR! Who am I to speak with the GOVERNOR?! Eventually I learned that he genuinely wanted to meet with me and the emotional barrier in my own heart toward him broke down.

A similar type of intimidation happens, I think, between us and God. We get this picture that he’s too important, or two busy, or not interested in our little problems. As a result, a barrier can develop between us and God. But Hebrews 4:14-16 makes it clear: Through JESUS, the Son of God, we not only have ACCESS to the throne of God, we can go confidently knowing that he sympathizes with our weaknesses and is ready to offer mercy and grace in our time of need.

I love what Larry Crabb has written recently on the subject of prayer in his important book: PAPA Prayer. Through the acronym PAPA, he invites us to go boldly to God in prayer. If you want a pathway for approaching God in prayer with confidence, get your hands on this book.

May you know Jesus as your sympathetic high priest; may you have courage to go to him with confidence in your time of need; and may you find his mercy and grace sweetly meet your deepest hunger.

Best,

Shane

Please click below to download the study guide which accompanies the sermon preached on February 21. The study guides are beneficial for personal use but primarily designed for use within our Community Groups.

ACCESS - Week 1

To learn more about our Community Groups please visit: westportchurch.org/information/groups

Please click below to download the study guide which accompanies the sermon preached on January 24th. The study guides are beneficial for personal use but primarily designed for use within our Community Groups.

trueish-week-4-study-guide

To learn more about our Community Groups please visit: westportchurch.org/information/groups

Please click below to download the study guide which accompanies the sermon preached on January 17th. The study guides are beneficial for personal use but primarily designed for use within our Community Groups.

trueish-week-3-study-guide

To learn more about our Community Groups please visit: westportchurch.org/information/groups