Regaining Lost Ground

Pastor Shane Idleman: And the thing happened in Washington 250 years ago. They go after those speakers and worship leaders who have the most following and impact the most marketing. If you truly want those anointed by God, they might not be that well known. And that's why we're not seeing revival break out like we could, because the superstar is there.

This world thinks if we could just get this person to speak or this person to lead worship, oh man, revival's in the air. Is it really? It might be a great event. I'm for good events. Amen. But God often works in the least likely, those who are humble before him.

Announcer: Thank you for joining us here at Westside Christian Fellowship, located in Leona Valley, California, one hour north of Los Angeles. Today on Regaining Lost Ground, we hear part one of this theologically sound message titled, "Building a God; Summoning a Demon."

Revivalist George Whitefield once said, "The great and important duty which is incumbent on Christians is to guard against all appearance of evil, to watch against the first risings in the heart to evil, and to have a guard upon our actions that they may not be sinful or so much as to seem to be."

Listen now to the strong, powerful message as Pastor Shane brings the important truth that every soul must hear. Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. Listen now. You can hear the whole message at Pastor Shane's YouTube and Rumble channels. Make sure to subscribe today.

For more information, visit us online at westsidechristianfellowship.org. We also encourage you to hear more truth from Pastor Shane with the Idleman Unplugged weekly podcast. And now from Westside Christian Fellowship in Leona Valley, California, here's Pastor Shane Idleman.

Pastor Shane Idleman: The title this morning is a little heavy. Are you guys ready for a heavy title? Are you sure? Building a god; summoning a demon. Building a god; summoning a demon. And we're going to get to where a miracle was performed and they begin to worship the apostles. When you do things like that, you summon a demon.

Have you seen all these transitions in Hollywood, how these people start out nice and innocent and dress normally? It's like, what happened? Summoning a demon. And their performances are completely demonic. We have to be careful, because as you build a god, you can summon a demon instead.

I didn't know whether to talk about this at the beginning or the end, but I also want it to go out as the sermon in this as well so people know. A lot of veterans listen, and Memorial Day is today. Well, we're celebrating it tomorrow, right? I wanted to read something very interesting.

Mr. O'Brien wrote this in World War II: "It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate."

He continues, "It's the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag who allows the protester to burn the flag." We celebrate those who gave their lives for what we now enjoy. Most of those people were 18, 19, 20, or 21.

Abraham Lincoln said, "We have forgotten God, and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our own hearts that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own." We just need to remember that. It gets us back to a spot of thankfulness and appreciation and realizing that freedom is never free.

I know it's a controversial topic, but as Christians, you need to realize that the role of the church and the role of government, although they should be interwoven in their core values, are completely different. God actually designed government to be a terror to those who do evil. That's the role. So, stop telling the government to turn the other cheek. That's not their role. If that were the case, we would not be very happy with the outcome of whom might be ruling and reigning over us right now.

But it's also an important day the church celebrates. It's the day of Pentecost. If you don't know what that means, it is the day the church celebrates where the early church met in an upper room for 10 days and they just prayed. They waited on God. That's why in worship, we're not in a hurry.

The old saints used to call it travailing, petitioning, warring, and laboring. You're seeking God. I don't know how you can put that in the microwave. Let's get a few songs in. No, it's a heart cry. It's a panting after. It's a desperation for. So, the church was waiting. I'm assuming people were going back to work and things, but that's when the promise that Jesus said came. He said to go and wait until the promise of the Father comes.

What happened is, as they're praying and as they're waiting, they're Christians waiting on the Lord. Probably just not going to witness much, with not a lot of real passion, and just praying. But then the Spirit came upon them. It says that it looked like tongues of fire and they began speaking in tongues, and the Holy Spirit filled them to capacity.

That's the difference in the church today, honestly. There's a lot of people who are not filled mightily with the Spirit of God. Yes, you have the Holy Spirit as a believer, if you are a believer. But as I often say, does the Holy Spirit have all of you? That's what tips the scale. That's why maybe the worship was kind of boring and long this morning.

If that's you, you need a fresh filling of the Spirit. You need to surrender and say, "I want more." You're excited about the World Cup, you're excited about MMA, and you're excited about hitting Laughlin and the river. I can go there. Do you want me to go there? Havasu.

Nothing wrong with that if you want, but God needs to be the pursuit. If you have a desire for all that and not God, you're out of alignment. You need to get to that tire store quickly. The altar. Out of alignment. It's the day of Pentecost, and I shared right before the service started that it's literally the difference between night and day. As a Christian, you can quench and grieve the Spirit. The more carnal you are, the less you hunger for God.

So, if there's no heart for worship, I guarantee, let me see your spiritual diet this week and I'll tell you exactly what's happening. Once you surrender, like when it says, "Break every chain. God, break every chain," how do you break a chain? I broke a few where they call them binders. Men, you know what binders are?

You grab the chain and you put a binder. I would actually get a long cheater bar so I could pull it down harder and the chains would break. Why? Because the strength pulling it was greater than the strength of the chain. When we pray that, we need God to break those things. Only God is greater than those struggles, those challenges, those addictions, those strongholds, and that fear.

We have to press in like never before. We have to get rid of the carnality, the lukewarmness, the shallowness, the pettiness, and the lack of desire for God. It begins with repentance. I find it ironic that it's Pentecost. There's a cost. There's a cost to experience God, and there is something that has to die.

In every deep level that a Christian goes where they experience the power of God, there's a cost. Something has to die. What is it in your life that has to die, maybe this morning? The Bible refers to it as idolatry. That's what we celebrate in many churches, that day that the Holy Spirit came upon the church.

Once that happens, it doesn't mean you don't struggle. It doesn't mean you don't have pride come up. But there's a fullness and a filling of the Spirit that takes place. You want to witness, you want to put God above everything else, and you want to worship. That's why some of you can't sing that song, "I'm a Lover of Your Presence," because you don't know what it means. You've never experienced it.

God's presence is throughout Scripture. His presence would come upon the mountain. His presence would descend upon the Holy of Holies. Wait, God's everywhere? Oh, yes. But when he decides to show you a little bit more of his glory, it's powerful.

I love that verse that the priests could not continue to minister inside of the Holy of Holies because the presence of God was so thick. The presence of God came upon that upper room. You read church history, and the presence of God came upon Savonarola, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Ignatius, and Augustine later in his life.

You keep reading and you read about the Whitefields, the Tyndales, and the Huss's. You read about the Welsh revivals of the 1700s. There are times where the presence of God would come upon places. That's why we sing it, because it's thoroughly biblical. Basically, you're saying, "I want more of you. I want more of you. I'm a lover of your presence."

Something is already presiding in your heart. Is it the flesh? Is it lust and carnality? Or is there a sensing of God's presence and a drawing near? The more you seek him, the more you find him. The more you find him, the more you love him. That's why it's hard for men, because they think that's not tough.

Could you go to your work and say, "Man, I'm a lover of his presence"? "I'm a fireman, no way." "I'm a policeman, no way." Law enforcement or military? You kidding me? "I work at a business where that's weird." Really? Okay. Because when you're hungry for more of God and you have that presence and that desire for more of him, you're not ashamed. Because it's the Holy Spirit flowing out. It's not you. It's the Holy Spirit flowing out.

Building a god; summoning a demon. Back to this topic. We are in Acts 14, beginning in verse 8: "And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting." Okay, remember, I believe I talked about this last week or the week before? A crippled man from his mother's womb, he'd never walked. This man heard Paul speaking, and Paul noticed that he had faith to be healed.

He said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And the man leaped up and he walked. So, last Sunday was a fresh perspective on healing. What does the Bible say about healing? Not all these people on YouTube or Christian television. What does the Bible say about healing?

On Wednesday, I gave some more scriptures on that in "Healing Part 2." I opened up a little bit more about just what I've been through in my life, so I want to encourage you to check out Wednesday's message. I believe it's just Part 2 of "A Fresh Perspective on Healing."

But there are a couple things here. This man was healed instantly. We see sometimes, as many of you can attest, healing is progressive. Anybody can raise their hand to that? No, there's a lot more, you're just being shy. We know sometimes God takes his time, and we don't like that. We want it now.

In the book of Acts, in the Gospels, and for us, faith plays a huge role. Faith plays a huge role in this topic of healing. However, as I said before, God's sovereignty is what brings harmony. So, faith plays a role, but as I reminded you before and I'll do it again because it's important, faith does not mean, "I'm in charge, and I'll tell God what to do."

This is why sometimes people will mock those who believe in the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. "Well, if God still heals, why don't you walk into the hospital?" Well, there's got to be a level of faith. I can't just go in and do this. I'm not God. Now, I think it might be a good idea to say, "Lord, I'm going to go in there. How do you want to use me today?" He might use you.

Because see, he's sovereign, and I'm not. That's where people get confused. They see an incredible miracle, and then they get this pride about them. They think they're God's man or God's woman. As soon as that happens, they no longer have that strong anointing. They lose that. No flesh shall glory in my presence.

Like Samson, he knew not that the Spirit had departed. As believers, the Spirit won't depart, thank God. I thank God weekly on that one. But you can quench the fire and grieve the Spirit to where you no longer feel that passion and desire for God anymore. It's a sad spot to live. Break out of that this morning, if that is you.

In Hebrews 12:6, since sanctification is a process, many healings are also progressive. Did you know that you're being sanctified? I hope you're a little bit closer to looking like Jesus than you were a decade ago. Sometimes I get worried about myself. It's like you progress and you digress a little bit. But sanctification is a process, and many times healing is a process too.

Here's a verse we don't like a lot. I had to be selective because I'd be talking for three hours today, so I had to take some verses and notes out. Hebrews 12:6 talks about God disciplining those he loves. We never hear that too much, do we? God loves, he does this, he opens doors, he provides blessings. But there's a part of God that says, "Hey, stop it. And I'm going to help you stop it. I'm going to discipline you."

Because we often don't humble ourselves. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and in due time he'll exalt you. But if you exalt yourself, he'll humble you. So, God will use situations. He knows what it takes. Sometimes it's financially, sometimes relationally, sometimes our health, and sometimes different things. It's kind of that God-given wake-up call. When that happens, sometimes it can be progressive because God is working on your heart.

That's why I talked about this before. I don't want to reiterate, but it is important. Sometimes God doesn't heal right away because it's a process. It's like, "Hey, I'm not done yet. That tree still needs to grow. There's some lessons that still need to be learned. There are some things that still need to be repented of. There's some growth in character that needs to take place."

Sometimes that doesn't happen right away. We have to remember that and rest. I thank God for God's sovereignty. Honestly, that's the only thing that keeps me going. Lord, I trust in you. You're sovereign and you're in control. We'll do all we can do. We'll use wisdom. We'll take care of the temple. We'll seek God, but Lord, I trust in you. If we don't have that, what do we have? Our healthcare system?

In Acts 14, it continues. Now when the people saw what Paul did, remember, Paul didn't do it. Here's the thing that drives me crazy about some of these people on YouTube and TV. They think they're God's man or God's woman. "Apostle such and such is coming to speak in Los Angeles."

It's hard because I know a lot of the Christian influencers and what's at the top. The thing happened in Washington 250 years ago, but they go after those speakers and worship leaders who have the most followers so they can get the most impact and marketing. If you truly want those anointed by God, they might not be that well known.

That's why we're not seeing revival break out like we could, because the superstar is there. This world thinks, "If we could just get this person to speak or this person to lead worship, oh man, revival's in the air." Is it really? Might be a great event. I'm for good events. Amen. But God often works in the least likely, those who are humble before him.

Many times, I get letters in the mail from apostle such and such and prophet such and such, telling me, "God told me to speak at your church. I'll be in your area." Well, he didn't tell me. Sit down. Sit down and be fed. Isn't that true though? I'm just being honest. I'm well aware the more I exalt myself, the more God will humble me.

He must be exalted. He must increase. When you not just say it but truly believe it, then God can move in your heart, because he knows your heart better than you do. A lot of people say it. "Oh Lord, I'm just a humble messenger of yours. Anyway you want to use me, God." "Hey, can you go and unplug the men's toilet?" "No, no, I don't do that. I'm not called to do that. I'm called to teach."

Look at what Paul had done. By the way, I'm sure I have it in here somewhere, but I just don't want to forget to say it: do not elevate man. Do not elevate man. Do not elevate pastors or worship leaders. We are all broken people, just like everybody else. Do not elevate them and do not put them on a pedestal, because you will be let down.

When we elevate someone, it's like, "If I could just meet such and such." I've met such and such, and it's disheartening sometimes. So, Paul had done this, and they raised their voice in the Lycaonian language: "The gods have come down to us!" Oh, the gods are here in the likeness of men. Barnabas they called Zeus and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. "Let's elevate these guys. The gods have come down." So, a couple quick notes.

Building a god begins with approval and applause from men. Watch out. Watch out when you start to get approval and applause from people. That's how you begin to build that god, because it's self-exaltation. You see these people on social media. You know they are so dead wrong, but they have all these followers saying, "Oh, wow. Wow."

I'll call it out. I can't stand to watch Tucker or Candace Owens anymore. I'll call it out. It's ridiculous. What the heck are you talking about? You've lost your mind. Literally. But look at all these people supporting them. Look at this. You've drifted from the truth. I will not be silent if they're not silent. Who told me to shut my mouth? Not God.

And if you don't know what I'm talking about, that's fine. Just move forward. A god is fed with worship and the intoxication it brings. For people in Hollywood and musicians, there's nothing more intoxicating than being on stage. Have you heard that before from some people? They'll say it. Country music, hip-hop, rock, whatever it is.

There's nothing more intoxicating, why? Because it's "Worship me. Worship me." And that's what they're doing, aren't they? "Oh my gosh, look at this." It's intoxicating. You're building a god, and you're actually summoning a demon, because there is no god there. They're demons. You're opening that door.

That's why these people turn. You've seen me show pictures before of Sam Smith, Katy Perry, and even Taylor Swift. Again, I'm just telling you the truth. I'm not being arrogant. But look at how they started. Billie Eilish or whatever happened to Hannah Montana.

Announcer: You've been listening to Regaining Lost Ground with Pastor Shane Idleman. You can find more information at westsidechristianfellowship.org. That's westsidechristianfellowship.org. For all the latest on what God is doing with his ministry here, please be sure to follow us on most social media platforms.

Westside Christian Fellowship is located 60 miles north of Los Angeles in Leona Valley, California. Thank you again for listening to today's message of Regaining Lost Ground, where we are reminded daily: times change, truth does not.