Regaining Lost Ground

Shane Idleman: So you don't only talk about the very thing that is destroying our state, let alone our country. It's ridiculous. But you're fine when I talk about things on the political side that you agree with. You love when I'm political about things you agree with. Oh my goodness. Are you ready for this one?

Abraham Lincoln: "We have forgotten God. And we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own." Guys, we have been given a gift. Shouldn't we be so thankful? Shouldn't we be the most thankful people on planet Earth?

Guest (Male): 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 special liberty message titled, "If You Can Keep It."

In 1775, founding father Patrick Henry said, "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."

Are you weary of apathy and complacency? Is the flame once roaring now a dim whisper? Take your faith into action today. Be transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit and God's living, breathed-out word in this powerful war cry from Pastor Shane to get off the sidelines of faith. Charge the front lines of battle here on Regaining Lost Ground.

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.

Shane Idleman: The title this morning is going to be an interesting topic because I have to apologize. I promised you the book of Acts, but as soon as I said it, the next day I knew what I had to do. We are celebrating 250 years in our nation. I won't be here for that 4th of July, and I wanted to give a 4th of July message. So, this is actually technically the Sunday before 4th of July.

It's okay to go topical because this is important. This is not about glorifying a nation. What it's about is looking at the hand of God and what God has done and being thankful. If I could get this message out to young adults, I would jump at the opportunity every couple years to have the right information because they are going to universities and they are learning from revisionists who like to rewrite American history.

Why is this so important? Why is it the big deal? Let me tell you why. They're telling kids in the next generation that America is evil and bad and the whole foundation needs to come down, which is not true. Now, was there slavery? How did they treat the Native Americans? If you read history, you realize Christians were fixing those problems. Christian leaders were fixing those problems. So they want to throw America under the bus and it's bad because they want to rewrite American history.

It's not about draping the cross with a flag. It's about elevating the cross and thanking God for the flag. Big difference there. This information I'm about to give to you has been on my heart for years. I don't know why, but when I fully surrendered to the Lord, he gave me a couple different desires. One was for our nation and revival, in case you didn't know that. And that's our only hope.

I read lots of books on revivals. Many of you know David Barton, WallBuilders. They endorsed one of my books. Actually, I think we're going to be with one of their groups in Texas in 4th of July weekend, Patriot Academy. So I just have a passion for that because having the right information is key. It's okay to be a proud American in the right way, proud of what God has done. They were proud of Israel in the Old Testament. Look at what God has done. Now, American pride, that's where we get in trouble. Pride, arrogance. But to be proud for what God has done, do you see the switch?

Everything—we love immigrant immigration done the right way. We love legislation that honors God's word done the right way. We love all kinds of nationalities, and we also know what God has done, and it's so important. This information, you're not going to hear a lot, and we need to get it out there. As you've been hearing, one of the greatest threats is—and it's a hard threat because we're supposed to love all people. I don't know if you follow what's going on in New York with the elected officials, the Communist Democrat Party and Islam. It's going in a not good direction. That's the plan.

But you don't fight this battle with guns and bullets from the church. We fight it on our knees asking God for revival, praying and fasting. That's our only hope is for him to do that. But here's where it gets tricky. The Titanic's been hit, so it's hard to pull it out from underneath the Atlantic. That's all we need to fix this in America. Well, it's hard. For example, as a Christian loving all nationalities, all religions, you cannot coexist Islam with Christianity. You can't.

When you talk about legislation, you're not open-minded, you're bigoted. No, it's—they don't coexist. You can coexist as residents, as neighbors, but when it comes to legislation—and that's why we can say we love you, but this is a country built on God's word and you cannot bring in things that are destructive to that, are opposed to that. Yes, I realize this topic is putting me on the hit list, but I was on that list 26 years ago, so I have no plan on coming off that list.

So the title, "If You Can Keep It." How many of you know where this title comes from? I'm sure there's a few. Well, very interesting. In 1787—I probably should give you some background here. 1776 is where—and again, this is going to be very important information, guys. I'm not going to bore you with American history. I didn't like American history until I became a follower of Christ and then I love it because there's so much God in it. What brought slavery to an end? Christians. How many of you have heard of founding fathers who abhorred the practice? Oh, you won't hear about them.

All of this is in my book, One Nation Above God. Page after page of founding fathers who abhorred the practice. Everything I'm going to talk to you about is in this, and it's free. So get this information out to people. It's free on our church website. It's free out front. We're not here to make money. We're here to get the information out there. So back to what I was saying. 1776, America declared independence from Great Britain. And that was a process. I'm currently watching the show on HBO on John Adams. Jack Hibbs recommended it. So I'm getting a lot of background information on him and Thomas Jefferson and Washington. There's a lot of great information on what went down.

1776, they declare independence from Great Britain. We should have lost. God's sovereignty. A whole bunch of stories there. But then they fought over what does this nation look like. The Continental Congress, they were yelling and it was just like they came from a monarchy and the separation of power. Finally, they came up with the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Somebody asked Benjamin Franklin, "Well, what do we have?" He said, "You have a republic if you can keep it." A republic is where we put God-fearing men in office to represent the people.

By the way, we're not a pure democracy. You don't take 300 million people and vote. It's a republic democracy, actually, based on the definition of those. But here's where it's going to get interesting. We have been given a great gift to steward. All the prophetic voices in the Old Testament were actually statesmen. They were reformers. They were preachers. They talked about political issues. They were next to the king. They talked about the laws.

So you cannot separate God's word from the legal system or the political system. Now, does it get convoluted? Yes. Do people say they're Christians and you really question what they're doing? Absolutely. But that doesn't remove the truth that God's word was the foundation of this nation. And so we should be saying, "Thank you, Lord. How can we steward this incredible gift that you have given us?"

I don't know if you follow legislation in Australia or what just passed in Canada. It's getting where you can't talk about things that upset the crybabies. Don't talk about sin. Don't challenge my lifestyle. We're going to have to enact laws to shut you up. Don't tell people their lifestyle is wrong. What a bunch of babies. I mean, I'm told I'm wrong all the time. What's the difference? Because they know they're wrong based on the truth and conviction.

And legislation matters. Leadership matters, guys. Hello. So all you people say, "Oh, the church shouldn't be involved in politics and shouldn't say anything." You might want to check yourself because the only reason we're not North Korea right now is because of leadership. That's the only reason. You want some Bible on that? I'll give you some Bible on that. Every time Israel fell and was judged by God was because of their leaders. And the leaders influenced the people to worship Baal.

Leadership matters. Now, are we Israel now? No, of course not. America's not Israel. Does God judge nations differently? I'm not sure exactly how it works. I just know there's principles in the word of God that we better adhere to. They are so important. Even look at what God has—even have you been seeing all the things that even the World Cup visitors have been saying about America? It's amazing. We still have a gift from God if you can keep it. We haven't fallen off that precipice yet.

Yes, there's legislation that doesn't honor God. I don't think he's pleased with the abortion legislation. I've called out—people say, "Oh, you don't call out Trump." I've called out that administration a lot of times on their position on abortion and the way they handle some of the immigration and the MMA fight at the White House. I called him out on that. And let me address it since I get pushback. You think that God is pleased with guys beating the crap out of themselves and all the girls around with the little things and all these guys? You think that pleases the heart of God, honestly? A place of respect and moral authority in our nation?

"Oh, it's cool. It's cool." Yeah, it's cool to the world. It shouldn't be cool to a Christian. I got Christians upset at me for saying that. Really? Why not put up a tent and have a weekend of prayer and fasting like they used to do? 1,400 proclamations of prayer and fasting in the first 50 or 60 years of our country from the government. So yeah, might be cool. I got it. But I should be able to come against it and say that's tacky. Any spirit-filled believer full of the Spirit of God is going to say that's a little tacky. We could do better. How's that?

If that upsets you, take it to the Lord. I have no problem saying what I just said. It's tacky. It's not needed. Elevating somebody like Dana White, who is a godless man and says godless things and hates God right now. Hopefully pray for him. I pray for these people. I love these people, but I will not be silent. The people who founded our nation gave all. They gave all. And we have a duty and responsibility to steward what they gave us. Do we not?

John Adams was gone from home for like a decade. He didn't even see his kids grow up. He was the ambassador to, I believe it was France, and the French on our side. And then he had to go in Denmark and then he had to go meet the King of England and negotiate those things. And then the people who gave their lives actually gave their lives. When they signed that Declaration of Independence, they signed their death sentence. That's what the King said. He came back and said by the sentence of death and hanging for treason every single one of them. What did they die for? Freedom. Freedom to worship God. Freedom to believe in God and not be bound by a king.

So I want to read this. In July 1776, during what many have called one of the greatest historical events of all time, the Constitutional Congress of the United States of America officially declared independence and its reputation as a great country was born. The Founders viewed the Revolution as a defensive conflict rather than an offensive war. After peaceful and legal redress had been exhausted, they moved towards independence from the King and dependence on God.

So that's how everything came about. That's what the big deal is at 250 years of celebration. And it wasn't a bunch of farmers with pitchforks rebelling. It was actually called, if I can remember this, the law of the lower magistrates, meaning these people were in positions of political influence. We had elected officials in America, and they were the ones who declared independence and they sought unity time and time again.

So let me put up some quotes for you. This is from the House and Senate Judiciary Committee. Are you ready? "In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity. This was the religion of the founders of the Republic, and they expect it to remain the religion of their descendants." Tell that to New York. In those days, politics were preached in the pulpits and men were led to action on side of freedom by faithful pastors.

So what happened? Two main problems: where we at? Revisionism and apathy. You ask most kids and they—"Oh, America's bad. Capitalism is bad." So here's what you need to do with your kids next time. Have them do a chore for $20, but give them five and give their other siblings the other fives. "Dad, that's not fair." That's socialism. Sorry, buddy. That's the way it works. The hard workers are penalized and the lazy are rewarded.

Now, let me put a disclaimer. I believe there are some groups, some people, that need help, need assistance. Praise God for that. But it's been abused big time. I love helping those who need it. I'm glad the government has programs that help those who need it. Praise God. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying. But for the most part, it's ridiculous. They're driving out so many people from California that should be here because they help the economy grow. It's called the billionaire tax. Have you heard of that? I don't know who thought that was a great idea. Like billionaires are going to stay. "Oh yeah, let me pay 18 million a year in tax." I'll just move to Tennessee. I'll just move to Florida. I'll just move to Texas. I'll just move to Idaho. I can keep going.

So they're out of here and you take all that—that's what has destroyed California is politics. So you don't only talk about the very thing that is destroying our state, let alone our country. It's ridiculous. But you're fine when I talk about things on the political side that you agree with. You love when I'm political about things you agree with. I'm not talking about you guys in general, I'm talking about the livestream or when this goes out on radio.

Oh my goodness. Are you ready for this one? Abraham Lincoln: "We have forgotten God. And we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own." Guys, we have been given a gift. Shouldn't we be so thankful? Shouldn't we be the most thankful people on planet Earth? I'll never forget when we have visitors from Africa, it's like, "Do you want some ice in your water?" "Ice? Where do you get ice from?" Air conditioning. "I've never felt—what is this wind coming in?" Guys, we are so blessed. We should be thankful. Yes, even in California. It's okay to be thankful in California. Go move to the Middle East for a season.

There should be a spirit of thankfulness because we've forgotten God. And there's a sense of entitlement has risen up, even in adults. I don't like high taxes. I'm with you. But do you know you get taxed more than most people in the world make a year? Hello. Did you get that? Oh, I'm stepping on toes and I don't care. I'm a toe-stepper today because we have to get that spirit of thankfulness back. It hurts us. It hurts the church.

Well, Vice President: "Remember, your country was founded by the stern old Puritans whose first act on touching the soil of the New World was to offer on bended knee thanksgiving to Almighty God." Daniel Webster: "There is no nation on earth powerful enough to accomplish our overthrow. Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter: from the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government and from their carelessness and negligence." Hello. Here we are, folks. These guys are prophetic.

It's all about alignment. Okay, Shane, so what do we do? It's all about alignment. The Lord will fight for you. The battle's not yours, but God's. I'm all for voting, I'm all for petition, but the end of the day, the church has got to be the church. Guys, I try so hard not to be too mean and convicting, but it's sad when you have, "Hey, let's have a prayer meeting for our nation," and nobody shows up. What do you really think's going to fix this? Voting? Trump's going to fix it? He might get us in more trouble. What's going to— "Oh, if we could just get the next guy in California." All hell's going to break loose and the Democratic system is going to go after him like never before. He'll have his hands tied in a senate that won't vote for anything. Our only hope is to get back on our face before God Almighty and cry out for revival. That's it.

There's no other hope. The sign out front isn't just so it looks good. "If my people"—that's the remedy. "If my people humble themselves and pray and seek my face." How many of you have ever read Newsweek magazine? Well, let's look at what they said in 1982: "Historians are discovering that the Bible, even more than the Constitution, is our founding document." Not me, Newsweek. I don't think they'd say that today, but they got it approved in '82. By the way, now the media is owned by mainly six major companies. Did you know that? And what you're reading on the media, that's why people are fed all this garbage. All these bullet points. They control how we think.

Shane Idleman: Hello, this is Pastor Shane Idleman. I wanted to let our listeners know that due to budgeting issues, we will be removing Regaining Lost Ground from some of the radio stations that we currently air on. Therefore, to continue listening to the sermons, I want to encourage you to follow me and Westside Christian Fellowship on YouTube and Rumble today, as well as other social media platforms.

Again, due to budgeting issues, we will be removing Regaining Lost Ground from some of the stations that we currently air our program on. Therefore, to continue listening to the sermons, I want to encourage you to follow me as well as Westside Christian Fellowship on YouTube and Rumble, and also follow us on all other social media platforms as well. If you have questions, please reach out to us at WestsideChristianFellowship.org. Again, that's WestsideChristianFellowship.org.

Guest (Male): 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.