Regaining Lost Ground

Shane Idleman: God said it, not me. Everyone will listen and turn from his evil way. So that’s why I still have hope for America. They might not listen, but the hope is there that they’re called to repentance. Oh, wayward nation, would you come back to God again and drink deeply of the fountain of living water? Would you repent of your sin and embrace the one true and living God?

They might not listen. Hollywood might want to strip me of my license, even though I don't have one. They might want to kill me. But God says they might listen. So again, again, I love my Calvinist brothers, but—

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 the second part of the message titled "We Plan But God Directs."

The best direction we can find in our life is through God's living word, and one of the best verses that demonstrates this can be found in Proverbs 3:5-6, which tells us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Please join us today for this illuminating message from Pastor Shane as he sheds light on the confusion that can come through the trials and storms of life, encouraging us to fully trust God as He continues to direct your steps in His sovereign plan.

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: And so here's some practical application on better understanding God’s will. We plan, but God directs. Number one, the absolute will of God. Now, this is the will of God that no matter what you do, guess what’s going to happen? God’s will. There’s no "if you do this," "when you do this," "I’ll consider this." No, this is it, here it is. This is my will. Good luck trying to stop that.

Romans 9, it said that Rebecca will conceive Isaac. For the children—listen to this—the children weren't even being born yet. They haven't done anything right or wrong, but the purpose of God according to election might stand. Not based on any of their work, but on God who called them. And it was said—Romans 9 is quoting Genesis—the older shall serve the younger. God says, "My will of election will stand." You will not stop that. No king, no kingdom, no army, no demonic desire, no demon is going to stop this perfect will of God.

And then, you know, that’s what we’re going to talk about. We have permissive will of God in different areas of God’s will. We even see demonic opposition, like when Daniel was fasting and praying. Daniel’s prayer was answered on day one, but it took three weeks. And the angel said the Prince of Persia held me up. Spiritual battle. So see, here’s God’s will, but then the enemy can come in and thwart some of those plans.

But when it comes to this absolute will of God, we see this word "election" and "elect" in Matthew 24 as well, referring to the very elect. And so this is so funny because I don't have any of this in my notes, but the first service I talked about this point, and it was a person's first time here and believe it or not, they were struggling with this issue of election and it was able to clarify some things for them. I don't know exactly what clarified because this topic brings a certain level of healthy tension.

And anytime there's tension between two camps in Christianity, some healthy tension is good. When you’re holding up a big pole, you have healthy tension on both sides. And so what election is, to just summarize it biblically, election is—especially in the Old Testament—God elects or calls a certain person to accomplish a certain task. They are elect to do this. Abram, Isaac, and Jacob, you are the elect, the chosen to bring in the nation of Israel. There’s no way around it. That's your calling, you are elect.

And then in Matthew and in other places—I mean if we had a whole couple hours to unpack some verses in election—initially it had to deal with the nation of Israel. And then we do see that now the church, Christians are worked into this concept of election, that God will choose certain people for certain tasks. Paul was on his way to kill Christians, persecute Christians. And God said, "Enough of that," knocked him down to the ground and said, "Paul, you’re actually called, you’re elected to be a chosen vessel of mine." Change of plans.

Did you know that Jeremiah, before he was even born, the Bible says, "Before you were formed in your mother’s womb, I called you." Hmm, that’s interesting. "I called you to be a prophet among the nations." I don't know if he had much of a choice in that. I mean some people say he could have rejected it. I mean I don't know. Scripture is silent, so I’m going to remain silent. But God called him. He said, "I’m creating this child, this DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, in the mother’s womb to be this prophet." He’s elect to do that.

John the Baptist was called when? At conception, possibly. In the mother’s womb he was filled with the Spirit. And so we see that election is clearly taught in the Bible. Where it gets challenging is some people will say and teach that God only elects certain people to salvation. In other words, of the billions and billions of people throughout history, God only chooses certain people, elects them. And that elect is the chosen. They are elect by God, predestined. They have no choice in the matter and they are chosen, elect to go to heaven.

And then the billions of others who aren’t chosen then are by default damned to hell because they’re not elect, they’re not chosen. So personally, I don't see that in the Bible. I have a hard time putting a lot of scriptures together to teach when God says repent and believe. He’s not saying, "Well, you know what? Billions of you can't. I'm just going to say that just to say it." When God commands something, it tells me that person has the ability to repent and believe.

So to me, it's not a good work, it's how God created us to repent and believe and reject or accept. And so there's a divide in the church though. Just because I made that statement, some people do not come to this church because of that statement. Oh well, I'm not here to please men. I'm just telling you how the Bible I read clearly teaches election, but it also teaches that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance.

So what do you do with that scripture and others? But it does teach—so I think God can call whoever He wants to call for salvation. I want this person, John the Baptist, I need Jeremiah, and I need Paul. Okay, yes for sure. But that doesn't necessarily mean that He elects only certain people to come to heaven. And that’s a big debate between Calvinism and Arminianism, and we’re not—it hasn't been solved for 2,000 years. You know, there’s been debates going on for centuries.

And that’s because some people feel very strongly about an issue and some people feel very strongly about another issue. A lot of it has to do with the experience. We look through biblical texts through our own experience. God clearly drew me to salvation, so obviously election must be true. God, man, I repented and I believed and I struggled and I had to make a choice, so obviously this is true. And so that’s where it gets challenging as we look—don't we? We all look at when we talk about the power of the Holy Spirit, we usually bring in our own experience about that.

And so all you need to know is I believe that the Bible has a healthy tension there, that man is responsible for his actions and judged based on those actions. Yet God’s sovereign plans will prevail. And if He wants to call somebody to salvation, amen, let it be me. And Charles Spurgeon even said, "We do not—we see God's sovereignty and man's responsibility running like two separate lines and we won't know where they cross until eternity." And so I just think that's very healthy.

Because I can't for the life of me, if you take this thought process out all the way to the end, that God creates then people, billions of people, creates them—there's nothing they can do even though the Bible says repent and believe. It’s your choice, you’re judged based on your choice. These billions of people are created basically to go to hell. I know I said repent, but you can't because you're not elect. I just—I can't gravitate towards that. I can't believe that because of all the scriptures in the Bible that talk about God not willing that people should perish, that sending His Son, all who believe. I love the whole world. And you can get really deep into theological discussions. You just need to know that God is sovereign and man is responsible for his actions, if I were to sum that up.

So the absolute will of God. Then we have the permissive will of God. The permissive will of God. Romans 1 is actually a great example of that if you read it tonight. And if you ever wonder like where does the LGBTQ issue come from, where does the homosexuality issue come from, where does the gay marriage issue come from? Just read Romans 1. As soon as they begin banning the Bible, that's probably going to be the first chapter. Trust me, if it was up to some legislators, you would have a whole new version of the Bible.

And it talks about that God is clearly revealed. But instead of embracing the truth, they suppress the truth. They begin to worship the creation and the creature instead of the God who created them. And they exchange the truth for a lie and they begin to worship creation. God then gives them over to a debased and corrupt mind, and it says they begin to exchange the natural use of a body. Natural use as God designed it and became—they were filled with vile passions, men loving men and women loving—it's in Romans 1. It's crystal clear. There’s really no debate.

Are we even having conversations that men can have babies? How is this possible? Or you ask a Supreme Court justice to define a woman and she, "I can't." Folks, we have—this is—this is asinine. Is there any stronger word? This is ridiculous. This is ludicrous. It's crystal clear. But when you begin to suppress the truth, God gives you over to a debased and corrupt mind. You'll believe whatever. And people want to fight and argue. Who are you to say that men can't become pregnant? That is so male-racist. Male-racist racism? All you have to do is look at the design. Where’s the baby coming out? What—I mean, golly. There’s no womb to support life. There’s no—I mean, it’s just silly.

But I know pastors, they’ll say, "Don't talk about that stuff, Shane." Well, the problem is everyone else is talking about lies and those who are supposed to be talking about the truth are so quiet so they don't offend people. That’s what wokeness is. Wokeness, political correctness, you’re going to offend a whole—yeah, the God—God's word is going to offend quite a bit of people. And the more we progress, the more we digress, it's actually going to get more offensive and more offensive and more offensive because we’ve developed, we've created a whole generation of crybabies that can't have their feelings hurt. And yes, we can challenge things that are wrong.

Did you know that I could come up here—I don't care if you call me political or not—but I could come up here and with the Bible talk about our borders. I could talk about, I could talk about sanctuary cities and the immigration issue and what’s going on in Martha’s Vineyard from a biblical perspective. Why shouldn’t we? Did you know that President Biden can fly in immigrants under the radar at midnight or two in the morning and drop them off somewhere and sneakily? But if Governor DeSantis decides to put them on a bus, put them into a sanctuary city—they said they’re a sanctuary city—and puts them there, now he’s evil.

The hypocrisy is alarming. Grow up, wake up, and look at the truth. And just saying that, people on Facebook, "I’m throwing your books in the trash. I can't believe you. I thought you were loving." I am loving. Let's do it the right way. Let's help immigrants that need help. I see the mom and their dad and their kids and I’m like, how can we help them? I love them. Right? That's what we’re supposed to do. And theoretically, technically, you should be able to send them to a sanctuary city. Hello, hence the word "sanctuary" meaning you’re welcome here, we can take care of you. But once you do that, no.

See, what happens is the truth comes out. These groups are after votes and they do not truly love people. And that’s the truth. If we can't tell you the truth, who can? And now, granted, a group this size, the internet this size, I know that’s not going to please everyone. Absolutely. But it’s the truth and I think we need to give especially the younger generation the truth. Let them know here’s what’s really happening, here’s how this works. They don't want to secure the borders because they want votes.

The only reason they want you to think they’re out for helping the poor is to get votes. They’re not really out to helping the poor because all you have to do is check their tithing records and see where the money really goes. It's, "I want to appear, I want to appear like I want to help people." But when the people really come that need help, Martha’s Vineyard, they already kicked them all out of their area. Did you know that? All of those immigrants—why? Why didn't they say, "Hey, you know what? I’ve got a guest house. Let me see, is there some Christians here and families who are willing—let me see if I can help you."

When the rubber meets the road, they drop the ball. It’s called hypocrisy. And they need to be called out because they are deceptive and it's false narratives that are causing division in our nation. So, my political rant for the day is over. But did I say anything that’s not only not true but is necessary and needs to be said in this culture? Here’s why I'm so passionate about this. You see young adults, 15, 16, 17, watching deceptive CNN and being brainwashed into thinking the good people are evil and thinking the evil people are good.

And that has to—I have to say something because it’s wrong. It’s deceptive and that’s how the enemy works. Romans 1:21, you guys are getting me off track here this second service. Choices have consequences, good and bad. That’s God's—what do we call this will? His permissive will. He allows things to happen. Now this is incredible. This is going to move right into number three, God’s conditional will. I’ve got to read this for you. Jeremiah 26:2-3.

"Thus says the Lord." Okay, God is saying this. Not Shane, not Jeremiah. God is saying this to Jeremiah. "Do not diminish a word." What does that mean? Well, I know exactly what that means because I have to deal with the same things Jeremiah does as a preacher. That means I get up here and I’m like, okay, such and such is here, I can't talk about that. They’re not going to like this one. And you’re new, it's your first time? And there’s such and such, they hate when I get political. Man. You see? But is that not what this is?

He says, "Jeremiah, I dare you. You better not. I double-dog dare you. Do not diminish one word. You tell the people they are backslidden. You tell the people they are sinners. You tell the people they are spiritual adulterers and they have embraced idolatry and harlotry. Jeremiah, you call them to repentance. I don't care what they say. I don't care if they want to kill you. But my word is in you like a burning fire and you let it out and you let it fall where it may." And I have to rely on that every single week. Do not diminish a word.

And you think I’m joking, but I’m not. I do that. "Oh, they’re not going to like this part." I just had a conversation with somebody who left because I am too political. I don't know what to tell you. Do not diminish a word. It's what God puts on my heart. You’re not going to find the perfect church. And I do—"Oh, there’s the big givers. Oh my gosh." Now, we don't know that because I don't see offering records at all. But sometimes people, they’ll—"Here’s a $10,000 check, here’s a $20,000 check, put it towards children’s ministry, whatever you guys want." And then, "Oh, is this going to offend? Is this going to upset them?"

And then they don't want me, you know—and if there's new people—and we love all ethnicities. But being careful with what I—you know, people get upset. Hispanic community upset at the immigration issue. When we’re saying the same thing: we love all groups. How can we help? Do it the right way. And if I talk about—back when I used to just mention five letters, I’ve had some African-Americans leave the church because I mentioned Trump too much. And so, but I understand what they’re feeling. I understand it once I talk to them, you know what I mean? So I’m just trying to tell you I understand.

And I ask Pastor, "Am I talking about this too much? Am I upsetting?" Ask him. Ask him. Every other week or so. "Is this—?" And people, and I’ll ask people. I’m open for feedback, but it has to come from the right heart. I don't want to hear from Negative Nelly or Judgmental Jerry. I want to hear from people who love the church and will speak the truth in love. And I go to dozens of core team members, and when they all say, "No, we need to hear this," then I’m just going to set my course and let the chips fall where they may.

So that’s what He’s saying here. That’s why I did like COVID. I just had a camera. "Here’s what I’ve got to say. I can't see anybody. I'm just going to preach and I'll see you next week." But He’s saying that. Do not diminish a word, which tells me He might want to diminish a word because there’s cowardliness and weakness coming in. When the flesh comes up, the Holy Spirit may be quenched. And He’s saying, "Jeremiah, do not diminish a word. Why? Why?" This is amazing.

God said it, not me. "Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way." So that’s why I still have hope for America. They might not listen, but the hope is there that they’re called to repentance. Oh, wayward nation, would you come back to God again and drink deeply of the fountain of living water? Would you repent of your sin and embrace the one true and living God? They might not listen. Hollywood might want to strip me of my license, even though I don't have one. They might want to kill me.

But God says they might listen. So again, again, I love my Calvinist brothers, but this brings that doctrine into question. They might listen and repent. The Bible often says, "You were not willing. You did not repent." It never says you could not repent. Never says you could not. It always says you would not. See, the choice goes back on them. I just upset a lot of people today. I’m telling you. Funny for you guys, not for me. My poor wife, we have conversations—she goes, "I don't know that many people don't get upset." I go, "I just don't share with you." You’ve just got to guard.

Amend your ways. This is God. Telling the people amend your ways, change your ways, repent and obey the voice of the Lord. Then the Lord will relent concerning the doom He has pronounced against you. So if you read scripture, if you believe scripture, do you believe that? Because that tells me inside God’s permissive will—next screen will be His conditional will—that tells me God can change His plans.

Hello, Regaining Lost Ground listeners, this is Pastor Shane Idleman. Hey, I want to let you know that my new booklet titled "A Calculated Assault Against Cancer" is now available. You can download it for free right now at ShaneIdleman.com. Again, my new booklet, "A Calculated Assault Against Cancer" is now available at ShaneIdleman.com.

And the reason I did this is because there's so much negativity and fear that encompasses that word and especially in the medical industry. There’s not a lot of hope. And so I wanted to release this booklet to give people hope and perspective and let them know, hey, with God, all things are possible and His sovereignty can be your sanity. So again, get this to anybody struggling with their health, especially and primarily cancer. The title of the booklet is called "A Calculated Assault Against Cancer" and it's available right now at ShaneIdleman.com.

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."