http://westsidechristianfellowship.org Glorifying Christ, Multiplying Disciples Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:03:09 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Westside Christian Fellowship Westside Christian Fellowship Sermons from Westside Christian Fellowship and Pastor Shane Idleman. Pastor Shane emphasizes the Bible as the ultimate source of truth and authority. We affirm the truth of the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God. We believe that Jesus Christ is God. Because of our sin - for all have sinned sin - we are in need of a savior, so Christ came as the sacrifice to pay the price to redeem us. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died for our sins, and rose again on the third day to make a way for us to join him in heaven for eternity. We believe in a literal heaven and hell, and believe that the only way to heaven is through Christ. Fore more information, or to read our full statement of faith, please visit westsidechristianfellowship.org. Glorifying Christ, Multiplying Disciples Westside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Morality no Westside Christian FellowshipWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,MoralityReligion & Spirituality/Christianityadmin@wcfav.orgWestside Christian Fellowshiphttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/WestsideChristianFellowshiphttp://feedburner.google.com http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/J_FnuCcjxEc/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/2-18-2012-marriage-divorce-the-walls-built-to-protect-may-imprison-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:30:57 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1832 Part four from a sermon series on Real Marriage by Shane Idleman—the truth about life together. As stated last week: A Focus on the Family newsletter stated that when a research team studied 5,232 married adults who were interviewed in the late 1980s, they discovered that 645 of them were unhappily married. Five years later, these same adults (some divorced, separated, or still married) were interviewed again. The study revealed that two-thirds of the unhappily married spouses who stayed together were actually happier five years later. The opposite is often true for those divorced. Although those who divorce may temporarily escape the pain, divorce introduces new emotional and relational difficulties... <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/2-18-2012-marriage-divorce-the-walls-built-to-protect-may-imprison-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=J_FnuCcjxEc:3MCy-9BEWyE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=J_FnuCcjxEc:3MCy-9BEWyE:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=J_FnuCcjxEc:3MCy-9BEWyE:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=J_FnuCcjxEc:3MCy-9BEWyE:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=J_FnuCcjxEc:3MCy-9BEWyE:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=J_FnuCcjxEc:3MCy-9BEWyE:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=J_FnuCcjxEc:3MCy-9BEWyE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=J_FnuCcjxEc:3MCy-9BEWyE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=J_FnuCcjxEc:3MCy-9BEWyE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/J_FnuCcjxEc" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/2-18-2012-marriage-divorce-the-walls-built-to-protect-may-imprison-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 Part four from a sermon series on Real Marriage by Shane Idleman—the truth about life together. As stated last week: A Focus on the Family newsletter stated that when a research team studied 5,232 married adults who were interviewed in the late 1980s, they discovered that 645 of them were unhappily married. Five years later, these same adults (some divorced, separated, or still married) were interviewed again. The study revealed that two-thirds of the unhappily married spouses who stayed together were actually happier five years later. The opposite is often true for those divorced. Although those who divorce may temporarily escape the pain, divorce introduces new emotional and relational difficulties... Continue reading &rarr;Part four from a sermon series on Real Marriage by Shane Idleman—the truth about life together. As stated last week: A Focus on the Family newsletter stated that when a research team studied 5,232 married adults who were interviewed in the late 1980s, they discovered that 645 of them were unhappily married. Five years later, these same adults (some divorced, separated, or still married) were interviewed again. The study revealed that two-thirds of the unhappily married spouses who stayed together were actually happier five years later. The opposite is often true for those divorced. Although those who divorce may temporarily escape the pain, divorce introduces new emotional and relational difficulties. In a nutshell, unless it is severe and/or life threatening, weather the storm—it’s worth it. In saying this, I’m not discounting the deep emotional and psychological pain of failed relationships, these pains are real and debilitating...you can’t just “get over it.” But I do want to remind you that God makes provision for all of our needs through a relationship with Him. In the book, Sacred Thirst, the author writes, “The bride and groom are standing in front of everyone, looking better than they are ever going to look again, getting so much attention and affirmation. Everybody even stands when they walk in so it’s easy to think this marriage, at least, is about them. It’s not. Just look at the worn-out parents sitting in the first pew—they understand this. The only reason these parents are still married is because long ago they learned how to handle the hurt they caused each other. They know that the last thing you ever want to do with hurt is to let it define you.” This last statement offers one of the most profound points that I’ve read on brokenness. Those who do not allow hurt to entrap them can turn brokenness into an unbreakable force, but those shackled by past pain are truly imprisoned by it. Married or divorced, the walls we build to protect may eventually imprison. How can we undo the emotional pain that we experience from failed relationships? First, we must understand that it’s not an external fight, it’s an internal struggle: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). God works within us by transmitting healthy thoughts into godly actions. Our mind is where battles are either won or lost. Those who do not forgive or release bitterness, anger, and hurt, never experience freedom, happiness, or ‘true’ restoration. It all starts here. Ephesians 4:31-32 says to “let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Simply stated, if you fail to forgive, bitterness and anger, though skillfully masked, can and will tarnish relationships. Married, divorced, separated, or single, God can turn brokenness into an unbreakable force, but it is imperative that your mind is renewed by applying biblical principles, beginning with forgiveness. Those who have walked in true forgiveness know that God restores. It’s been well stated that life makes us bitter or it makes us better—the choice is ours. A few years ago, I was listening to a syndicated Christian radio program. A survivor of the holocaust was being interviewed. She described the horrific conditions of the concentration camps and then made a statement I’d never forget. She described the emotional pain and the brokenness she experienced from her divorce as greater than the pain of the concentration camp. Six months later, another guest on the same program, described the pain of losing her husband to cancer. She spoke about how his illness devastated their lives after ten long months of suffering. I was again moved to hear her say that she would have rather lost her husband to death by cancer than divorce. Unbelievable! Two different women who had gone through more pain than many of us will ever know said that divorce is, or would be, more painful than death. My mind searched for understanding…why was divorce more devastating than a concentration camp, or cancer? For several weeks I pondered this question. My answer came: Death is a natural process and God makes provision, but the spiritual union of two people was never designed to be broken aside from death—the spirit is vulnerable in divorce and the pain is lasting. We may try to hide the pain that lingers, but it’s always there waiting for the opportunity to rise again. Unless God rebuilds the foundation, those divorced may find themselves in the same situation with the second, third, or fourth spouse. The good news, however, is that both of the women referenced God’s healing power. Regardless of what they had endured, God delivered them from emotional scares and feelings of abandonment. He can deliver you as well and break the walls that imprison. http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/2-18-2012-marriage-divorce-the-walls-built-to-protect-may-imprison-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/75Aud3a1lqY/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/real-marriage-2-breaking-up-fallow-ground-pastor-shane-idleman-2112012/#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:00:39 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1835 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/2-11-2012_real_marriage_2.mp3" "Real Marriage #2: Breaking Up Fallow Ground" — Pastor Shane Idleman - 2/11/2012 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" 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noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/real-marriage-2-breaking-up-fallow-ground-pastor-shane-idleman-2112012/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/wnNE0kIhUoY/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/2112012-real-marriage-2-breaking-up-fallow-ground-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:00:38 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1829 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/36792777?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" frameborder="0" width="600" height="338"></iframe> 2/11/2012 "Real Marriage #2: Breaking Up Fallow Ground" — Pastor Shane Idleman <a 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Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/2112012-real-marriage-2-breaking-up-fallow-ground-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/0QANqHe12Y0/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/2112012-marriages-are-failing-because-the-foundation-has-weakened-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:30:48 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1820 Part three from a sermon series on Real Marriage—the truth about life together, by Shane Idleman; WCFAV.org. Throughout my teen years, I worked with my father in the under-ground construction business. My dad’s closest friends, builders respected for their work, were very careful in preparing the ground and laying the foundation... <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/2112012-marriages-are-failing-because-the-foundation-has-weakened-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=0QANqHe12Y0:XRamAQQHPZg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=0QANqHe12Y0:XRamAQQHPZg:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=0QANqHe12Y0:XRamAQQHPZg:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=0QANqHe12Y0:XRamAQQHPZg:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=0QANqHe12Y0:XRamAQQHPZg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=0QANqHe12Y0:XRamAQQHPZg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=0QANqHe12Y0:XRamAQQHPZg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=0QANqHe12Y0:XRamAQQHPZg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=0QANqHe12Y0:XRamAQQHPZg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/0QANqHe12Y0" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/2112012-marriages-are-failing-because-the-foundation-has-weakened-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 Part three from a sermon series on Real Marriage—the truth about life together, by Shane Idleman; WCFAV.org. Throughout my teen years, I worked with my father in the under-ground construction business. My dad’s closest friends, builders respected for their work, were very careful in preparing the ground and laying the foundation... Continue reading &rarr;        Part three from a sermon series on Real Marriage—the truth about life together, by Shane Idleman; WCFAV.org. Throughout my teen years, I worked with my father in the under-ground construction business. My dad’s closest friends, builders respected for their work, were very careful in preparing the ground and laying the foundation. Granted, the cost to build a strong foundation was expensive, but a weak foundation would cost more. Without proper support, a structure may not be sound and could present future problems. Developers hired architects and engineers; appointed a contractor; paid fees to the county or to the city, as well as to other departments; developed a set of plans, and used heavy equipment to move tons of dirt, all to prepare the foundation. If only we were as careful in preparing for marriage. In the same way, a relationship with Christ provides the foundation for strong marriages. The foundation built today provides the strength to weather the storm tomorrow. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Contextually, this Scripture is dealing with relationship. This Scripture should cause all Christians to search their hearts as to whether they have been truly converted...do you truly know Him? It’s unfortunate that today’s focus is largely on external factors (e.g., looks, money, position, status, etc.). These superficial values have left the church in a moral, as well as a spiritual crisis. We’ve become a society focused on prosperity instead of provision, we value wealth instead of wisdom, and we are drawn to charisma instead of character. It’s little wonder that divorce is at an all time high—our foundation has slowly deteriorated. In the past, a life-long commitment and exclusive intimacy in marriage held the family together. It was in that setting that children learned, love grew, and character developed. Divorce was rarely an option...a spouse was considered an asset rather than a liability. Marriage today is not failing because it’s more difficult than in years past—it’s failing because the foundation has weakened. A “genuine” relationship with Christ is the solid rock upon which marriage must be built. Sadly, most are neglecting this foundational truth. Do you have a genuine relationship with Christ, or are you simply going through the motions? It all begins here. As a child, I was captured by the stories that my grandfather told about life on the farm in Oklahoma in the early 1900s. The images I’ve held are not those of pleasant surroundings and ideal conditions, they’re impressions of twelve-hour days spent working the land, wind storms that could devastate a crop, blistered and sunburned skin, and poverty unlike most Americans know today. Life, in general, was harder then, but, interestingly enough, character seemed much stronger. It was a time when commitment, integrity, and honesty stood in place of contracts, disclosures and bylaws. I’m not suggesting that we return to that time in history but that we revisit and strongly encourage those same principles today. What do you bring into a relationship? How is your relationship with Christ? Many focus on finding the “right” person without first focusing on becoming the right person. Why do so many marriages fail? In many cases, it’s because they have religion and not a true relationship with Jesus. No wonder Jesus said, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matthew 15:8). A.W. Tozer states it best: “Millions of professed believers talk as if [Christ] were real and act as if He were not. And always our actual position is to be discovered by the way we act, not by the way we talk.” Again, it all starts here. It’s no surprise that more than fifty percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Love doesn’t leave people—people leave love. True love is not just an ecstatic feeling, it’s a decision that we make to remain faithful to our commitment. Marriage was intended to be a commitment based on love, surrendered to servitude, built on perseverance, and held together with commitment. A Focus on the Family newsletter stated that when a research team studied 5,232 married adults who were interviewed in the late 1980s, they discovered that 645 of them were unhappily married. Five years later, these same adults (some divorced, separated, or still married) were interviewed again. The study revealed that two-thirds of the unhappily married spouses who stayed together were actually happier five years later. The opposite is often true for those divorced. Although those who divorce may temporarily escape the pain, divorce introduces new emotional and relational difficulties. In a nutshell, unless it is severe and/or life threatening, weather the storm—it’s worth it. Though the road ahead may be uncertain at times, the solid foundation beneath will never shift. It’s all about Who you know. http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/2112012-marriages-are-failing-because-the-foundation-has-weakened-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/DVHgQ1n3QRQ/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/wilt-thou-not-revive-us-again-a-must-hear-message/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:40:56 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1780 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/2012-02-05-Will-Thou-Not-Revive-Us-Again.mp3" “Real Marriage #1 Intro: Wilt Thou Not Revive Us Again” — Pastor Shane Idleman - 2/4/2012 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" 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noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/wilt-thou-not-revive-us-again-a-must-hear-message/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/cZWuwMhKVfQ/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/242012-real-marriage-1-intro-wilt-thou-not-revive-us-again-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:00:31 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1802 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/36362334?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" frameborder="0" width="600" height="338"></iframe> 2/4/2012 "Real Marriage #1 Intro: Wilt Thou Not Revive Us Again" — Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/242012-real-marriage-1-intro-wilt-thou-not-revive-us-again-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=cZWuwMhKVfQ:GDF9puHib1M:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=cZWuwMhKVfQ:GDF9puHib1M:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=cZWuwMhKVfQ:GDF9puHib1M:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=cZWuwMhKVfQ:GDF9puHib1M:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=cZWuwMhKVfQ:GDF9puHib1M:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=cZWuwMhKVfQ:GDF9puHib1M:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=cZWuwMhKVfQ:GDF9puHib1M:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=cZWuwMhKVfQ:GDF9puHib1M:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=cZWuwMhKVfQ:GDF9puHib1M:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/cZWuwMhKVfQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/242012-real-marriage-1-intro-wilt-thou-not-revive-us-again-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 2/4/2012 &quot;Real Marriage #1 Intro: Wilt Thou Not Revive Us Again&quot; — Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 2/4/2012 &quot;Real Marriage #1 Intro: Wilt Thou Not Revive Us Again&quot; — Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/242012-real-marriage-1-intro-wilt-thou-not-revive-us-again-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/satV2ZvN37g/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/divorce-are-we-twisting-scripture-to-make-it-fit/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:30:34 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1777 Part two from a sermon series on Real Marriage by pastor Shane Idleman—the truth about life together. Perhaps one of the most difficult Scriptures dealing with divorce or separation is found in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, “A wife must not leave her husband. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else go back to him. And the husband must not leave the wife.” This clearly states that those who are divorced and/or separated, unless “scripturally released,” should not remarry, but instead, seek restoration... <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/divorce-are-we-twisting-scripture-to-make-it-fit/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=satV2ZvN37g:L8Seyu6-FWU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=satV2ZvN37g:L8Seyu6-FWU:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=satV2ZvN37g:L8Seyu6-FWU:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=satV2ZvN37g:L8Seyu6-FWU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=satV2ZvN37g:L8Seyu6-FWU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=satV2ZvN37g:L8Seyu6-FWU:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=satV2ZvN37g:L8Seyu6-FWU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=satV2ZvN37g:L8Seyu6-FWU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=satV2ZvN37g:L8Seyu6-FWU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/satV2ZvN37g" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/divorce-are-we-twisting-scripture-to-make-it-fit/feed/ 0 Part two from a sermon series on Real Marriage by pastor Shane Idleman—the truth about life together. Perhaps one of the most difficult Scriptures dealing with divorce or separation is found in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, “A wife must not leave her husband. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else go back to him. And the husband must not leave the wife.” This clearly states that those who are divorced and/or separated, unless “scripturally released,” should not remarry, but instead, seek restoration... Continue reading &rarr;Part two from a sermon series on Real Marriage by pastor Shane Idleman—the truth about life together. Perhaps one of the most difficult Scriptures dealing with divorce or separation is found in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, “A wife must not leave her husband. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else go back to him. And the husband must not leave the wife.” This clearly states that those who are divorced and/or separated, unless “scripturally released,” should not remarry, but instead, seek restoration. I believe that if this Scripture was fully taught and acknowledged, it would create more serious consideration before marriage, and would be a deterrent to divorce...there would be fewer divorces without cause and more reconciliations. Lack of regard for this Scripture has taken us to the other extreme—no fault divorce. 1 Corinthians 7:15 continues, “But if the husband or wife who isn’t a Christian insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is not required to stay with them, for God wants his children to live in peace.” This Scripture has been repeatedly misused for personal advantage. Even though a spouses actions may resemble that of an unbeliever because they choose to leave, hard questions need to be asked. For example, if extreme anger, verbal or physical abuse, and frantic controlling and manipulating are occurring, a spouse may leave for a season with the goal and hope of restoration. In this case, the spouse leaves because the environment is unbearable, not because they are an unbeliever. The other spouse is not scripturally released in this case. What if a unbelieving spouse walks away for a so called “better life” and has no desire of returning? 1 Corinthians seems to indicate that the other is released. Blatant disrespect, financial irresponsibility, pornography, and so on, can also drive a spouse away. Some never return while others leave for a season. Clearly understand that I’m not advocating separation, divorce, or remaining in an abusive relationship, nor am I saying that if you are currently separated, that divorce become an option because better opportunities await you. God hates divorce and anyone who has been there knows why. This article is not designed to be a one-size-fits-all approach...there are too many variables to address every situation. I believe, first and foremost, in reconciliation and restoration but these are not always options. That’s why a personal relationship with Jesus and obedience to God’s Word is profoundly important. Through that relationship you will be able to make the right decision. It won’t be easy because lives have been damaged, dreams destroyed, and promises broken, but God continually redeems us through His forgiveness. God desires that we know His will and follow His lead in spite of detours. Even when 1 Corinthians 7:15 applies, it’s wise to allow a significant amount of time to pass before moving forward. This may reveal if the person left only for a season, or has chosen to leave permanently. One of the biggest obstacles when considering restoration or seeking direction, is to become involved in another relationship soon after the divorce or separation. This severely hinders any chance of reconciliation, as well as the ability to follow God’s lead. Restoration does not happen quickly…what takes years to destroy may take years to rebuild. Patience is the key—a person truly seeking God’s will, waits not rushes into a new relationship. Sadly, many rush this process, or twist Scriptures to pursue other relationships. Seeking advice or counsel during a separation requires good judgment. It may be tempting to accept the advice of others even though not Scripturally sound. Counseling with those skilled in the Word is invaluable, and desperately needed, but all the counseling in the world will not work if the heart is not right. God heals us primarily with the transforming power of His Word and repentance through a broken heart: “He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20). One goal of counseling is to take people back to the Word. Spouses must spend extended time in the Word with an open and teachable heart. My intent is not to disregard counseling—I do it daily and seek it often—I also don’t want to disregard the emotional pain of brokenness, I’ve experienced it myself. But I do want to remind you that God restores us primarily through obedience to His Word, along with faith and forgiveness. Obedience is the key: “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). We live in deception and futility when we fight against the spiritual principle of obedience. We only delude ourselves when we look for those who tell us what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. God’s Word often does the opposite…it reveals the heart and does not validate sin. The Word does not coddle feelings like some tend to do; it crushes them so that repentance takes place. It also builds and restores. When we justify sinful behavior, genuine repentance has not taken place. We become very good with our words; very good at excusing actions. Blame deflects responsibility—it excuses actions and prevents genuine repentance from taking place. Don’t twist the Scriptures or make excuses. Surrender the entire relationship to God and trust Him to see you through. More next week... http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/divorce-are-we-twisting-scripture-to-make-it-fit/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/Am8CBWrMklE/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1282012-truths-from-john-thoughts-on-election-salvation-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:00:47 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1764 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35923137?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" frameborder="0" width="600" height="338"></iframe> 1/28/2012 "Truths From John–Thoughts on Election &#038; Salvation" — Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1282012-truths-from-john-thoughts-on-election-salvation-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Am8CBWrMklE:SM2MK9UTyU0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Am8CBWrMklE:SM2MK9UTyU0:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=Am8CBWrMklE:SM2MK9UTyU0:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Am8CBWrMklE:SM2MK9UTyU0:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Am8CBWrMklE:SM2MK9UTyU0:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=Am8CBWrMklE:SM2MK9UTyU0:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Am8CBWrMklE:SM2MK9UTyU0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Am8CBWrMklE:SM2MK9UTyU0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=Am8CBWrMklE:SM2MK9UTyU0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/Am8CBWrMklE" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1282012-truths-from-john-thoughts-on-election-salvation-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 1/28/2012 &quot;Truths From John–Thoughts on Election &amp; Salvation&quot; — Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 1/28/2012 &quot;Truths From John–Thoughts on Election &amp; Salvation&quot; — Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1282012-truths-from-john-thoughts-on-election-salvation-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/WegosLu_QLs/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/truths-from-john-thoughts-on-election-salvation-pastor-shane-idleman-1282012/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:00:26 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1775 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/1-28-2012_truths_from_john.mp3" "Truths From John–Thoughts on Election &#038; Salvation" — Pastor Shane Idleman - 1/28/2012 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/truths-from-john-thoughts-on-election-salvation-pastor-shane-idleman-1282012/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WegosLu_QLs:NPL501BXhBQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WegosLu_QLs:NPL501BXhBQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=WegosLu_QLs:NPL501BXhBQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WegosLu_QLs:NPL501BXhBQ:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WegosLu_QLs:NPL501BXhBQ:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=WegosLu_QLs:NPL501BXhBQ:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WegosLu_QLs:NPL501BXhBQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WegosLu_QLs:NPL501BXhBQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=WegosLu_QLs:NPL501BXhBQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/WegosLu_QLs" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/truths-from-john-thoughts-on-election-salvation-pastor-shane-idleman-1282012/feed/ 0 noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/truths-from-john-thoughts-on-election-salvation-pastor-shane-idleman-1282012/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/4lAb7VEl-5w/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1282012-adultery-god-can-restore-if-repentance-occurs/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:30:15 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1769 Part one from a sermon series on Real Marriage—the truth about life together. The Bible describes the intoxicating power of passion associated with lust and adultery. Misdirected passion deceives, misleads, and influences...we walk in darkness, stumbling...unable to see what we stumble over. This description well explains why so many caught in sexual sin describe a sense of confusion and a disconnect from God. Adultery moves us from the altar to the courtroom—transforming a couple, once deeply in love, into bitter enemies. Hopes and dreams for the birth of a child, now twisted, become a nightmare for innocent children. Adultery is selfishness at its core... <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1282012-adultery-god-can-restore-if-repentance-occurs/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=4lAb7VEl-5w:b2lrROTYgsg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=4lAb7VEl-5w:b2lrROTYgsg:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=4lAb7VEl-5w:b2lrROTYgsg:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=4lAb7VEl-5w:b2lrROTYgsg:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=4lAb7VEl-5w:b2lrROTYgsg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=4lAb7VEl-5w:b2lrROTYgsg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=4lAb7VEl-5w:b2lrROTYgsg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=4lAb7VEl-5w:b2lrROTYgsg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=4lAb7VEl-5w:b2lrROTYgsg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/4lAb7VEl-5w" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1282012-adultery-god-can-restore-if-repentance-occurs/feed/ 0 Part one from a sermon series on Real Marriage—the truth about life together. The Bible describes the intoxicating power of passion associated with lust and adultery. Misdirected passion deceives, misleads, and influences...we walk in darkness, stumbling...unable to see what we stumble over. This description well explains why so many caught in sexual sin describe a sense of confusion and a disconnect from God. Adultery moves us from the altar to the courtroom—transforming a couple, once deeply in love, into bitter enemies. Hopes and dreams for the birth of a child, now twisted, become a nightmare for innocent children. Adultery is selfishness at its core... Continue reading &rarr;Part one from a sermon series on Real Marriage—the truth about life together. &nbsp; The Bible describes the intoxicating power of passion associated with lust and adultery. Misdirected passion deceives, misleads, and influences...we walk in darkness, stumbling...unable to see what we stumble over. This  description well explains why so many caught in sexual sin describe a sense of confusion and a disconnect from God. Adultery moves us from the altar to the courtroom—transforming a couple, once deeply in love, into bitter enemies. Hopes and dreams for the birth of a child, now twisted, become a nightmare for innocent children. Adultery is selfishness at its core. &nbsp; How sad that sexual appetites often devour our own children, as well as ourselves. Proverbs 9:17-18 describes adultery, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell.” &nbsp; Adultery hardens the heart toward spouses...those who were once loved and cherished now feel insignificant and discarded. Children often feel to blame for not being good enough...trying hard enough. God help our selfish hearts! It would seem, that for loving parents, the thought of this horror would bring sexual sin to a sobering halt. &nbsp; Sexual sins ultimate goal is to destroy the marriage: “Sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:15). John 10:10 adds, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...” Often, the only way out of adulterous and destructive relationships is to do what is right regardless of feelings. Feelings can be unstable and deceptive, but obedience to scriptural truths can be trusted. &nbsp; The pain of adultery can make us bitter, or it can make us better—ultimately, it’s our choice. God can restores if the person is willing to admit that they are wrong. True repentance is unconditional and takes full responsibility for wrongs done. A truly repent person is desperate to be forgiven...to  focus on what they have done rather than placing blame or responsibility on others. Don&#039;t misunderstand, both spouses have work to do, but this comes later. &nbsp; Two areas often prevent reconciliation: &nbsp; 1.Complete separation never occurs. Reconciliation is nearly impossible if complete separation does not occur between the couple involved in adultery. The spouse often feels that this new person makes them feel loved and appreciated, and that may be true, but so did their spouse when they first met. The type of love that God calls us to have does not leave people—people leave it. Deception lies in the fact that we often do not see the full effect of an affair until sin is fully grown. Unrepentant sin brings death to the restoration process…death to clarity, direction, and peace (cf. James 1:14-15). &nbsp; Sexual sin hardens the heart and closes off forgiveness and brokenness. Again, when we are caught in sin, we are in darkness and we cannot see the things we stumble over. This is deception at its core...we loose the spiritual vision to see truth...believing that God will turn a blind eye, or be unconcerned. Worse yet, some even believe that God directed them to the adulterous relationship. &nbsp; Completely stepping out of the other person’s life to see where God will lead is the only way to clear vision. I often wonder how many marriages are never restored simply because of pride and disobedience. Many “say” that they will stop communicating with the other person, but the truth is that they are afraid to lose the relationship—it’s often a back up plan. The adulterer is often more concerned about the feelings of the other person, rather than the feelings of their spouse and family. &nbsp; 2.Genuine repentance does not occur. Many are sorry about adultery, but being sorry is not enough...only genuine repentance opens the ears of God and restoration. Many are sorry that they got caught; sorry that their reputation and life are ruined, and so on. The difference between sorrow and repentance is vital because the two can be easily confused. It’s not about “being caught”; it’s about “coming clean.” &nbsp; It’s possible to be sorry about the consequences of sin, but not truly repentant. A penitent person turns from their sin. They accept full responsibility for their actions without blame, resentment, or bitterness. When repentance is genuine, reconciling with those injured is a priority. Forgiveness is sought without conditions. We take full, not partial, responsibility for our actions. &nbsp; How can a truly broken and repentant person continue in a relationship that they know is wrong...a relationship that is destroying their family? They can’t. A person who is genuinely repentant will jump at the opportunity to foster restoration. Actions reveal the condition of the heart. Those who are truly repentant often walk away from the affair. (For those interested in learning more about genuine repentance, the message is available on our website and is entitled:Hearing and Doing.) &nbsp; There is hope. Don’t give up; look up. There are consequences for past mistakes, the answers is to live in God’s arms redeemed rather than to live broken outside of His will. Which way will you run? More next week... http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1282012-adultery-god-can-restore-if-repentance-occurs/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/XY47Vv4RSP0/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/hearing-and-doing-pastor-shane-idleman-1212012/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:00:50 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1773 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/1-21-2012_hearing_and_doing.mp3" "Hearing and Doing" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 1/21/2012 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a 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noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/hearing-and-doing-pastor-shane-idleman-1212012/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/yPlxzzOja1Y/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1212012-hearing-and-doing-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:00:21 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1762 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35637445?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" frameborder="0" width="600" height="338"></iframe> 1/21/2012 "Hearing and Doing" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1212012-hearing-and-doing-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span 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http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1212012-feelings-often-lie-but-obedience-can-be-trusted/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:30:12 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1753 <em>By Shane Idleman; www.WCFAV.org</em> In the eyes of a secular culture, obedience to God’s Word seems intolerant, tyrannical, and demanding. Yet, obedience is a spiritual principle intended to protect and honor others, as well as ourselves. Sadly, it is not only a cultural mindset, but many Christians have little regard for, or a skewed understanding of obedience. <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1212012-feelings-often-lie-but-obedience-can-be-trusted/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=XGTpLKE2ZV4:JmV_cDQu27s:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=XGTpLKE2ZV4:JmV_cDQu27s:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=XGTpLKE2ZV4:JmV_cDQu27s:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=XGTpLKE2ZV4:JmV_cDQu27s:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=XGTpLKE2ZV4:JmV_cDQu27s:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=XGTpLKE2ZV4:JmV_cDQu27s:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=XGTpLKE2ZV4:JmV_cDQu27s:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=XGTpLKE2ZV4:JmV_cDQu27s:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=XGTpLKE2ZV4:JmV_cDQu27s:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/XGTpLKE2ZV4" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1212012-feelings-often-lie-but-obedience-can-be-trusted/feed/ 0 By Shane Idleman; www.WCFAV.org In the eyes of a secular culture, obedience to God’s Word seems intolerant, tyrannical, and demanding. Yet, obedience is a spiritual principle intended to protect and honor others, as well as ourselves. Sadly, it is not only a cultural mindset, but many Christians have little regard for, or a skewed understanding of obedience. Continue reading &rarr;By Shane Idleman; www.WCFAV.org In the eyes of a secular culture, obedience to God’s Word seems intolerant, tyrannical, and demanding. Yet, obedience is a spiritual principle intended to protect and honor others, as well as ourselves. Sadly, it is not only a cultural mindset, but many Christians have little regard for, or a skewed understanding of obedience. One of the most common comments I’ve hear is, “I know what the Bible says! I’ve been in church all of my life.” But “hearing” is not enough. Jesus confirms this in Luke 6:49 when He said that the person who hears His words but does not put them into practice is like a man who builds a house without a foundation. When the storm comes, it collapses. The man “heard” but did not “do.” We must not only hear God’s Word, we must respond. A consistent theme throughout the Bible is: Hearing plus doing equals success. We live in a nation saturated with hearing. The Bible is readily accessible in many translations; Greek and Hebrew resources are in abundance; classes on homiletics and hermeneutics are flourishing; hundreds of Christian radio stations and thousands of sermon podcasts are aired daily. We are inundated with the Word of God. So what’s the problem? Why so many broken lives and families? The problem is, and has always been, obedience. In Genesis 4:7, at the beginning of creation, we read God’s words to Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Obedience matters. James 1:22 also reminds us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” We live in deception when we know the Word but do not obey it. For example, I remember counseling a man about anger. His response, “I know what the Bible says!” He then offered many excuses justifying his behavior. One of the frustrations when counseling is that many say the right thing, and often, quote Scripture, but few genuinely repent and obey the Word. On numerous occasions when I have spoken about the dangerous of sexual sin from the pulpit or during counseling, many enthusiastically agree that it’s wrong, but continue anyway (“hear” but do not “do”). Sexual sin is deceptive at its core...it draws us in to a false sense of attraction. Lust is extremely strong and enticing. It affects emotions, feelings, and our will at a very deep level. For those who are married, it often leads to the devastating words, “I don’t love you anymore.” At this point, unable to perceive and/or obey spiritual truth, sin’s deception has taken over and spiritual blindness has set in. When sexual sin has gained a stronghold, the heart hardens and an array of excuses follow. The spouse they once loved and cherished is now despised and discarded. Sin continues to deceive with the ultimate goal of killing the marriage: “Sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:15). Obedience is crucial…it stops sin dead in its tracks. Often, the only way out of adulterous and destructive relationships is to do what is right regardless of feelings. Feelings often lie, but obedience can be trusted. Sadly, many do not experience freedom and true restoration because wholeness is found in obeying the truth, not just in hearing it. Church, for some, serves as therapy for this very reason. They hear about sin, are convicted, and leave feeling justified because they “heard” and “felt,” but they did not repent and change. James 2:14-26 says, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works...faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Scripture does not promote a works-based religion; it demonstrates the importance of having a genuine relationship with Christ that, in turn, seeks to honor God and others through obedience. Genuine faith is reflected in obedience to God and His Word. The fruit that follows is sincere humility, selfless love, true repentance, and disengagement from the things of the world verses a love for them. Does your life reflect these characteristics? As you can see, hearing and obeying the truth are vitally important. http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1212012-feelings-often-lie-but-obedience-can-be-trusted/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/098bhWEBtBY/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/re-air-1152011-the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:00:55 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1748 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31823141?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> (Re-Air) 11/5/2011 "The Power Of Testimony (John 4)" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/re-air-1152011-the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a 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href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=098bhWEBtBY:ixhXgVq3_vI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=098bhWEBtBY:ixhXgVq3_vI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=098bhWEBtBY:ixhXgVq3_vI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/098bhWEBtBY" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/re-air-1152011-the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 (Re-Air) 11/5/2011 &quot;The Power Of Testimony (John 4)&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; (Re-Air) 11/5/2011 &quot;The Power Of Testimony (John 4)&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/re-air-1152011-the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/CT1LAgejGco/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/re-airthe-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-1152011/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:00:23 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1750 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/11-5-2011_the_power_of_testimony.mp3" (Re-Air) 11/5/2011 "The Power Of Testimony (John 4)" – Pastor Shane Idleman If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script 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noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/re-airthe-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-1152011/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/qdPUesF5xn4/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/1142012-jesus-is-messiah-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-todd-nighswonger/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:00:01 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1746 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35173163?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 1/14/2012 "Jesus Is Messiah" – Guest Speaker: Todd Nighswonger <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/1142012-jesus-is-messiah-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-todd-nighswonger/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=qdPUesF5xn4:vVZeIZuFgBM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=qdPUesF5xn4:vVZeIZuFgBM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=qdPUesF5xn4:vVZeIZuFgBM:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=qdPUesF5xn4:vVZeIZuFgBM:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=qdPUesF5xn4:vVZeIZuFgBM:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img 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http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/1142012-jesus-is-messiah-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-todd-nighswonger/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/liSVO-KJKfc/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/172012-a-message-from-the-mountain-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 08 Jan 2012 02:00:58 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1739 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/34900275?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> "1/7/2012 "A Message From The Mountain" – Pastor Shane Idleman" <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/172012-a-message-from-the-mountain-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=liSVO-KJKfc:-fqm1q4FxF0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img 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border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=liSVO-KJKfc:-fqm1q4FxF0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=liSVO-KJKfc:-fqm1q4FxF0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/liSVO-KJKfc" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/172012-a-message-from-the-mountain-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 &quot;1/7/2012 &quot;A Message From The Mountain&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman&quot; Continue reading &rarr; &quot;1/7/2012 &quot;A Message From The Mountain&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman&quot; http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/172012-a-message-from-the-mountain-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/m8TPVJk2CAc/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/a-message-from-the-mountain-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-172012/#comments Sun, 08 Jan 2012 02:00:54 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1741 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/1-7-2012_a_message_from_the_mountain.mp3" "A Message From The Mountain" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 1/7/2012 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/a-message-from-the-mountain-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-172012/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a 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noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/a-message-from-the-mountain-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-172012/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/GxEjUKToXjU/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/uncategorized/real-marriage/#comments Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:23:50 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1720 Click Play to hear quick info on the new series, 'Real Marriage' starting February 11th. http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/real_marriage_series_announcement <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/uncategorized/real-marriage/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a 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href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=GxEjUKToXjU:VmF--nYBBhU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=GxEjUKToXjU:VmF--nYBBhU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=GxEjUKToXjU:VmF--nYBBhU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/GxEjUKToXjU" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/uncategorized/real-marriage/feed/ 0 Click Play to hear quick info on the new series, &#039;Real Marriage&#039; starting February 11th. http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/real_marriage_series_announcement Continue reading &rarr;Click on the play button below to hear info on the new series, &#039;Real Marriage&#039; starting February 11th. noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/uncategorized/real-marriage/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/8He2z9KfVaY/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/172012-prayer-conviction%e2%80%94signs-of-a-spiritually-healthy-church/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:25:41 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1698 I recently spent a few days alone in a cabin to slow down, reflect, and pray—to renew my mind. The importance of time alone with God is invaluable. Renewal begins and ends with prayer. “When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live” (E.M. Bounds). <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/172012-prayer-conviction%e2%80%94signs-of-a-spiritually-healthy-church/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=8He2z9KfVaY:hbDQ6tGPQKk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=8He2z9KfVaY:hbDQ6tGPQKk:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=8He2z9KfVaY:hbDQ6tGPQKk:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=8He2z9KfVaY:hbDQ6tGPQKk:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=8He2z9KfVaY:hbDQ6tGPQKk:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=8He2z9KfVaY:hbDQ6tGPQKk:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=8He2z9KfVaY:hbDQ6tGPQKk:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=8He2z9KfVaY:hbDQ6tGPQKk:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=8He2z9KfVaY:hbDQ6tGPQKk:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/8He2z9KfVaY" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/172012-prayer-conviction%e2%80%94signs-of-a-spiritually-healthy-church/feed/ 0 I recently spent a few days alone in a cabin to slow down, reflect, and pray—to renew my mind. The importance of time alone with God is invaluable. Renewal begins and ends with prayer. “When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live” (E.M. Bounds). Continue reading &rarr;By Shane Idleman I recently spent a few days alone in a cabin to slow down, reflect, and pray—to renew my mind. The importance of time alone with God is invaluable. Renewal begins and ends with prayer. “When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live” (E.M. Bounds). To renew means “to reestablish something after an interruption.” Life can easily interrupt fellowship with God. We are renewed through prayer and time alone with Him. As a matter of biblical fact, mighty fillings of the Spirit often occurred after extended times of prayer. During this time of retreat, I was reminded that the overall spiritual condition of Westside Christian Fellowship in 2012 will be a reflection of my prayer life. E.M. Bounds believed that without prayer in the pulpit, “The church becomes a graveyard, not an embattled army. Praise and prayer are stifled; worship is dead. The preacher and the preaching encourages sin, not holiness…preaching which kills is prayerless preaching. Without prayer, the preacher creates death, and not life.” You may ask, “What does this have to do with me; I’m not a pastor?” Everything! Prayer moves the hand of God. Why is there a lack of conviction today? The reason may not be in the pew, but in the pulpit. Much depends on the prayer life of the preacher. William Bramwell, a powerful Methodist circuit rider, often spent hours a day on his knees to sustain his preaching. It was not uncommon for the great Scottish preacher, John Welch, who died in 1622, to spend hours in prayerful sermon preparation. Robert Murray M’Cheyne, one of Scotland’s most anointed preachers, was a powerful man of prayer. The Puritans, as the result of much prayer, produced some of the greatest writings and devotional material that the church has ever known. And, I am sure, this can be said of anointed writers today. Prayer is the first sign of a spiritually healthy church, and a spiritually healthy pastor. Pastors, preachers, and teachers must spend extended time in prayer to be truly effective—God prepares the messenger before we prepare the message. Luther’s motto, “He that has prayed well has studied well,” rings true. Moses spent time on the backside of the desert before leading Israel out of bondage. Elijah heard the still small voice of God alone in a cave. Jacob wrestled with God in the stillness of the night and his name was changed to Israel. John the Baptist lived alone in constant prayer with God. Jesus often retreated to isolated places for extended times of prayer. How then are we to lead the church in these dire times if we do not cultivate a strong prayer life? The depth of our relationship with God is in direct proportion to the depth of our prayer life. Prayer matters. Great men and women of prayer have always been great men and women of conviction. There must also be conviction in a true spirit-filled church. Unless people are challenged and convicted, they rarely change. Never, in all of Scripture, are we encouraged to make people feel comfortable in sin. God-given conviction is always good. Prayer and conviction are inseparable, as seen in the life of Christ. Theologians have rightly identified Christ’s role as prophet, priest, and king, but prophet is often the most controversial. A prophet would encourage and build, but they would also warn, compel, challenge, and convict—they were not necessarily popular; they were often controversial. Pastors and preachers must balance the prophetic (convicting) with the pastoral (shepherding). In addition to asking, “Will unbelievers feel welcome,” when evaluating the effectiveness of a church, we should also ask, “Will they feel convicted?” Conviction prepares the heart for repentance. One of the signs of a dying church is not necessarily the size of the church, but a general lack of conviction. Jesus warned the lukewarm church in Laodicea, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:15-17). In this church, and many others, conviction is replaced with complacency. The Laodicea’s thought that they were in the center of God’s will. They were large, wealthy, and involved in the community, but Jesus said that they were “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Jesus’ strong words were meant to convict and challenge, not coddle and comfort. The lukewarm church disdains the heat of conviction. Church history bears this out—men such as William Tyndale and John Huss were burned at the stake for convicting the Church. Martin Luther was asked to recant or face possible execution because of his convicting material. John Calvin experienced the same in Geneva, John Knox in Scotland, and Ulrich Zwingli in Switzerland. Nevertheless, we are to embrace conviction, not run from it—“And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers [to convict them], rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.” We must stop confusing God’s patience with His approval and preach with conviction from the pulpits again. http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/172012-prayer-conviction%e2%80%94signs-of-a-spiritually-healthy-church/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/quIkOvPQiFM/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/12312011-re-run-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-2/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:00:46 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1712 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/11-19-2011_a_prophet_has_no_honor.mp3" 12/31/2011 - (Re-Run) - "A Prophet Has No Honor" – Pastor Shane Idleman If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, 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height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/12312011-re-run-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-2/feed/ 0 noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/12312011-re-run-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-2/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/n8_GJQ52h5M/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12312011-re-run-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:00:03 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1710 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/32517876?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 12/31/2011 (Re-run) "A Prophet Has No Honor" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12312011-re-run-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=n8_GJQ52h5M:Mu-rx6uV2Hg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=n8_GJQ52h5M:Mu-rx6uV2Hg:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=n8_GJQ52h5M:Mu-rx6uV2Hg:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=n8_GJQ52h5M:Mu-rx6uV2Hg:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a 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Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 12/31/2011 (Re-run) &quot;A Prophet Has No Honor&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12312011-re-run-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/nR9k66_rfaY/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/12312011-forgetting-whats-behind-and-moving-forward-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-russell-pence/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:00:01 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1744 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35054383?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 12/31/2011 "Forgetting What's Behind And Moving Forward" – Guest Speaker: Russell Pence <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/12312011-forgetting-whats-behind-and-moving-forward-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-russell-pence/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=nR9k66_rfaY:x-HSmHpgrpE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=nR9k66_rfaY:x-HSmHpgrpE:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=nR9k66_rfaY:x-HSmHpgrpE:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=nR9k66_rfaY:x-HSmHpgrpE:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=nR9k66_rfaY:x-HSmHpgrpE:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=nR9k66_rfaY:x-HSmHpgrpE:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=nR9k66_rfaY:x-HSmHpgrpE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=nR9k66_rfaY:x-HSmHpgrpE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=nR9k66_rfaY:x-HSmHpgrpE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/nR9k66_rfaY" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/12312011-forgetting-whats-behind-and-moving-forward-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-russell-pence/feed/ 0 12/31/2011 &quot;Forgetting What&#039;s Behind And Moving Forward&quot; – Guest Speaker: Russell Pence Continue reading &rarr; 12/31/2011 &quot;Forgetting What&#039;s Behind And Moving Forward&quot; – Guest Speaker: Russell Pence http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/12312011-forgetting-whats-behind-and-moving-forward-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-russell-pence/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/jZk56APthSU/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12312011-we-must-speak-the-truth-in-love-in-2012/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:30:14 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1685 There is a dangerous trend in the evangelical church today. A futile attempt is being made to conform God’s Word to social norms, rather than to conform social norms to His Word. As a result, truth is vague, doctrine is blurred, and the fundamentals of the Christian faith are often avoided. The need to speak the truth in love has never been greater. Darkness and dense fog forced the captain to maneuver anxiously through uncertain waters. The eerie silence was shattered as he faced his greatest fear. Through the thick fog, a faint light signaled disaster. He was on a collision course; another light was fast approaching... <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12312011-we-must-speak-the-truth-in-love-in-2012/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=jZk56APthSU:Z4-LuZneYLo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=jZk56APthSU:Z4-LuZneYLo:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=jZk56APthSU:Z4-LuZneYLo:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=jZk56APthSU:Z4-LuZneYLo:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=jZk56APthSU:Z4-LuZneYLo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=jZk56APthSU:Z4-LuZneYLo:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=jZk56APthSU:Z4-LuZneYLo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=jZk56APthSU:Z4-LuZneYLo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=jZk56APthSU:Z4-LuZneYLo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/jZk56APthSU" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12312011-we-must-speak-the-truth-in-love-in-2012/feed/ 0 There is a dangerous trend in the evangelical church today. A futile attempt is being made to conform God’s Word to social norms, rather than to conform social norms to His Word. As a result, truth is vague, doctrine is blurred, and the fundamentals of the Christian faith are often avoided. The need to speak the truth in love has never been greater. Darkness and dense fog forced the captain to maneuver anxiously through uncertain waters. The eerie silence was shattered as he faced his greatest fear. Through the thick fog, a faint light signaled disaster. He was on a collision course; another light was fast approaching... Continue reading &rarr;There is a dangerous trend in the evangelical church today. A futile attempt is being made to conform God’s Word to social norms, rather than to conform social norms to His Word. As a result, truth is vague, doctrine is blurred, and the fundamentals of the Christian faith are often avoided. The need to speak the truth in love has never been greater. Darkness and dense fog forced the captain to maneuver anxiously through uncertain waters. The eerie silence was shattered as he faced his greatest fear. Through the thick fog, a faint light signaled disaster. He was on a collision course; another light was fast approaching. In a desperate attempt to avert calamity, the captain signaled: “COLLISION INEVITABLE. TURN TWENTY DEGREES STARBOARD!” To the captain’s amazement, the light signaled back: “COLLISION CONFIRMED…CHANGE COURSE IMMEDIATELY!” Now near panic, the captain signaled: “HIGHEST RANKING OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY—ALTER COURSE IMMEDIATELY!” The oncoming light did not move, but signaled: “ALTER COURSE IMMEDIATELY!” Infuriated that this small vessel would challenge his authority and endanger both ship and crew, the captain gave a last alert: “FINAL WARNING: ALTER COURSE. WILL OPEN FIRE. I AM A BATTLESHIP!” The final signal was chilling: “CAPTAIN, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, ALTER YOUR COURSE. I AM A LIGHTHOUSE!” I’ve heard this story numerous times, yet I’m always reminded that absolute truth, like a lighthouse, stands solid, immovable, and unyielding as a guiding light. A weapon of destruction has set its sites on our nation, our homes, and our families. Relativism and postmodernism continue to challenge truth, but to their own destruction. Attacking absolute truth is like challenging a lighthouse. It cannot be negotiated or bargained with. Truth cannot move. We live in a culture that often describes conservative Christians as “ignorant” and “narrow-minded” simply because we claim that we can know the truth. Postmoderns, on the other hand, often interpret only by experience and feeling. Truth is relative to the situation rather than absolute. Feelings shouldn’t lead but follow: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Although feelings can be good and God-ordained, when it comes to making decisions, we shouldn’t interpret the Scriptures in the light of our feelings, but rather, interpret our feelings through the light of Scripture. When people, groups, denominations, or movements depart from absolute truth, and thus quench and grieve the Spirit of God, they become mechanical in their approach to Christianity and lose the ability to guide. The Word of God is not in their hearts “like a burning fire” (Jeremiah 20:9), but relative, powerless, and debatable. This is what we see today; many are not truly worshipping God, as Jesus said, “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). Unfortunately, those Christians who are sounding the alarm are often categorized as irrational, judgmental, bigoted, and intolerant. But how can we warn if we won’t confront, correct if we won’t challenge, and contend if we won’t question? We must speak the truth in love. When my daughter was 18 months old, my wife and I took her to a local feline zoo. As we walked through the facility, we were entertained by a variety of small leopards, tigers, and other exotic felines. My daughter enjoyed seeing all the “kitty cats.” Before leaving, we took a ride on a miniature train. As we rounded the first turn, I was amazed and shocked to see a large lion leaning against the chain-link fence with his massive paws slamming against it. As the train moved slowly through the lion exhibit, I looked down, and to my horror, my daughter was unbuckling her seat belt. She shouted, “Daddy, hug the lion; play with the lion,” as she desperately tried to get out of the train. I replied with an emphatic, “No,” as I pulled her tightly to me and refastened her seat belt. Needless to say, she wasn’t happy. She began crying, hoping that it would change my mind. To her, and others looking on from a distance, I may have appeared narrow-minded, judgmental, and intolerant, but had I let my daughter play with the lion, she might have been mauled to death. That’s the truth in love: loving enough to tell the truth, even if it hurts—to spare others tremendous pain. We must speak the truth in love in 2012. &nbsp; BY SHANE IDLEMAN, WWW.WCFAV.ORG &nbsp; http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12312011-we-must-speak-the-truth-in-love-in-2012/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/-OsOahGvIQs/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/hope-is-in-the-son-john-5-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-12242011/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 02:00:06 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1695 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/12-24-2011_hope_is_in_the_son.mp3" "Hope Is In The Son [John 5]" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 12/24/2011 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" 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<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=-OsOahGvIQs:5b4FYoL0bPg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=-OsOahGvIQs:5b4FYoL0bPg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=-OsOahGvIQs:5b4FYoL0bPg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=-OsOahGvIQs:5b4FYoL0bPg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=-OsOahGvIQs:5b4FYoL0bPg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/-OsOahGvIQs" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/hope-is-in-the-son-john-5-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-12242011/feed/ 0 noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/hope-is-in-the-son-john-5-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-12242011/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/aUgqbWFsZ14/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12242011-hope-is-in-the-son-john-5-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 02:00:00 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1690 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/34313740?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 12/24/2011 "Hope Is In The Son [John 5]" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12242011-hope-is-in-the-son-john-5-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=aUgqbWFsZ14:JAi0b2Ry5nk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=aUgqbWFsZ14:JAi0b2Ry5nk:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=aUgqbWFsZ14:JAi0b2Ry5nk:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=aUgqbWFsZ14:JAi0b2Ry5nk:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=aUgqbWFsZ14:JAi0b2Ry5nk:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=aUgqbWFsZ14:JAi0b2Ry5nk:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=aUgqbWFsZ14:JAi0b2Ry5nk:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=aUgqbWFsZ14:JAi0b2Ry5nk:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=aUgqbWFsZ14:JAi0b2Ry5nk:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/aUgqbWFsZ14" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12242011-hope-is-in-the-son-john-5-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 12/24/2011 &quot;Hope Is In The Son [John 5]&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 12/24/2011 &quot;Hope Is In The Son [John 5]&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12242011-hope-is-in-the-son-john-5-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/s7unHItNl4g/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12242011-christmas%e2%80%94the-tree-the-cost-and-the-cross/#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 01:15:17 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1677 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). There is a significant shift in the church today to avoid controversial truths, such as sin. God’s Word says to confront, confess, and turn from sin, whereas many encourage us to ignore, overlook, and continue in them. Silence about sin minimizes the cross, making it less offensive. The cross only makes sense in light of the consequences of sin. “To convince the world of the truth of Christianity, it must first be convinced of sin. It is only sin that renders Christ intelligible” (Andrew Murray; 1794-1866). <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12242011-christmas%e2%80%94the-tree-the-cost-and-the-cross/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=s7unHItNl4g:nweGjXfuQ9w:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=s7unHItNl4g:nweGjXfuQ9w:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=s7unHItNl4g:nweGjXfuQ9w:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=s7unHItNl4g:nweGjXfuQ9w:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=s7unHItNl4g:nweGjXfuQ9w:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=s7unHItNl4g:nweGjXfuQ9w:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=s7unHItNl4g:nweGjXfuQ9w:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=s7unHItNl4g:nweGjXfuQ9w:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=s7unHItNl4g:nweGjXfuQ9w:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/s7unHItNl4g" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12242011-christmas%e2%80%94the-tree-the-cost-and-the-cross/feed/ 1 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). There is a significant shift in the church today to avoid controversial truths, such as sin. God’s Word says to confront, confess, and turn from sin, whereas many encourage us to ignore, overlook, and continue in them. Silence about sin minimizes the cross, making it less offensive. The cross only makes sense in light of the consequences of sin. “To convince the world of the truth of Christianity, it must first be convinced of sin. It is only sin that renders Christ intelligible” (Andrew Murray; 1794-1866). Continue reading &rarr;“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). There is a significant shift in the church today to avoid controversial truths, such as sin. God’s Word says to confront, confess, and turn from sin, whereas many encourage us to ignore, overlook, and continue in them. Silence about sin minimizes the cross, making it less offensive. The cross only makes sense in light of the consequences of sin. “To convince the world of the truth of Christianity, it must first be convinced of sin. It is only sin that renders Christ intelligible” (Andrew Murray; 1794-1866). Many mistakenly believe that Jesus didn’t mention sin—after all, He was “a friend of sinners.” However, Scripture reveals quite the opposite. For example, in John 5:14 Jesus exhorted a man to sin no more or a worse thing would happen to him. He also told the woman caught in the act of adultery to “go and sin no more.” In Luke 10:13-14 Jesus reprimanded cities that did not repent and turn from sin. It’s clear that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (I Timothy 1:15), why, then, is there a move within the church to avoid mentioning sin? John 12:43 may reveal the answer, “They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” “The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it” (A.W. Tozer). Little sins or vices eventually grow and become strong influences (strongholds). Sin has a life cycle—it either grows or withers depending on whether we feed or starve it. This is why the puritan author, John Owen, wrote, “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.” With that said, here are a few points to consider: Sin is within: “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). Our sinful nature is at war with God. No peace treaties can be signed; no concessions can be made...sin must be aborted: “make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:14). The Bible says to flee, not feed sin; to crucify, not coddle it. Sin has a cost: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). It’s been said that sin takes you farther than you want to go, costs you more than you want to pay, and keeps you longer than you want to stay. Sin has a tremendous price, but fortunately, this greatest of debts was paid: “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Sin separates: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). Contextually, God is dealing with His people here, but the overlapping principle applies—sin separates all nations, tribes, and tongues from God. There are two types of separation: separation from God eternally, and separation that believers experience as the result of besetting sin. If God seems distant, Bible study boring, and church inconvenient, it may be that sin is hindering your relationship with Him. Look within...is jealousy, envy, bitterness, gossip, lust, or anger controlling your thoughts? Do you have a critical spirit? Are you compromising? Are you filled with pride and judgmentalism instead of love, joy, peace, contentment, and gentleness. If there is no repentance of besetting sin, one can never experience true freedom in Christ. Sin enslaves (controls): “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). Mike Wilkerson, in his book Redemption, writes, “Sin corrupts worship. Not a ceasing of worship but a distortion of it. We never stop worshiping. Rather, in sin, we worship anything and everything other than God. We tend to exalt a substance, an experience, a person, or a dream to the level of a god. We define life by its attainment, and we feel like dying when it eludes us...The Bible calls this ‘idolatry.’ So addictions, for example, aren’t just drug, alcohol, food, or pornography problems. They are worship disorders. They flow from hearts bent on worshiping created things rather than the Creator.” Sin enslaves, controls, and distorts. As a note of great encouragement, Jesus came to “save His people from their sins.” This is the true reason for the Christmas season—the penalty for sin was paid on the cross (propitiation), and our guilt was removed (expiation). Christmas points us to the cross. The tree once dead and barren, supporting a lifeless Savior now stands evergreen, as the symbol of eternal life, with radiant lights penetrating the dark; light that darkness cannot overcome. This Christmas, let the tree remind us of the cross and the transformation from barren and dead to vibrant and eternal. John 10:10 says that Jesus came to give us life, freedom, and a relationship with God. Are you experiencing this abundant life? Or are you bound by sin, rules, compromise, or tradition? That can be changed...2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation. The old has gone, and the new is here. You must trust in Him as Lord and Savior. If you’re a believer, but find yourself trapped in sin, misery, and depression, there is also hope. God’s continually calls His people back to Himself. If you return to Him with all of your heart, He will return to you. That’s a gift of the greatest value...a promise that will never fail. by shane idleman; WCFAV.org http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12242011-christmas%e2%80%94the-tree-the-cost-and-the-cross/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/1J-7dRE0NnA/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12172011-sin-sabbathsalvation-judgment-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:00:48 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1675 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/33965924?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 12/17/2011 "Sin, Sabbath,Salvation &#038; Judgment" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12172011-sin-sabbathsalvation-judgment-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=1J-7dRE0NnA:85HUV5anwpk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=1J-7dRE0NnA:85HUV5anwpk:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=1J-7dRE0NnA:85HUV5anwpk:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=1J-7dRE0NnA:85HUV5anwpk:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=1J-7dRE0NnA:85HUV5anwpk:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=1J-7dRE0NnA:85HUV5anwpk:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=1J-7dRE0NnA:85HUV5anwpk:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=1J-7dRE0NnA:85HUV5anwpk:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=1J-7dRE0NnA:85HUV5anwpk:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/1J-7dRE0NnA" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12172011-sin-sabbathsalvation-judgment-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 12/17/2011 &quot;Sin, Sabbath,Salvation &amp; Judgment&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 12/17/2011 &quot;Sin, Sabbath,Salvation &amp; Judgment&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12172011-sin-sabbathsalvation-judgment-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/WoTA0v7YcS8/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/sin-sabbathsalvation-judgment-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-12172011/#comments Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:00:25 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1680 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/12-17-2011_sin_sabbeth_salvation_justice.mp3" "Sin, Sabbath,Salvation &#038; Judgment" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 12/17/2011 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/sin-sabbathsalvation-judgment-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-12172011/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WoTA0v7YcS8:cZMjX2ZHNkY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WoTA0v7YcS8:cZMjX2ZHNkY:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=WoTA0v7YcS8:cZMjX2ZHNkY:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WoTA0v7YcS8:cZMjX2ZHNkY:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WoTA0v7YcS8:cZMjX2ZHNkY:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=WoTA0v7YcS8:cZMjX2ZHNkY:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WoTA0v7YcS8:cZMjX2ZHNkY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=WoTA0v7YcS8:cZMjX2ZHNkY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=WoTA0v7YcS8:cZMjX2ZHNkY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/WoTA0v7YcS8" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/sin-sabbathsalvation-judgment-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-12172011/feed/ 0 noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/sin-sabbathsalvation-judgment-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-12172011/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/y83BiVWlZmI/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12102011-do-you-really-want-to-change/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:30:55 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1665 “I’ve had enough! I’m filing for divorce! You will never change,” yelled the angry wife as the door slammed behind her. Sadly, this scenario happens all too often. Change is difficult, but we risk endless difficulties, and often, tragedies if we don’t change. Change requires self-examination, grace, responsibility, humility, discipline, and obedience...character qualities that run counter-cultural. <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12102011-do-you-really-want-to-change/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=y83BiVWlZmI:RV0tQ93hZkU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=y83BiVWlZmI:RV0tQ93hZkU:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=y83BiVWlZmI:RV0tQ93hZkU:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=y83BiVWlZmI:RV0tQ93hZkU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=y83BiVWlZmI:RV0tQ93hZkU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=y83BiVWlZmI:RV0tQ93hZkU:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=y83BiVWlZmI:RV0tQ93hZkU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=y83BiVWlZmI:RV0tQ93hZkU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=y83BiVWlZmI:RV0tQ93hZkU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/y83BiVWlZmI" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12102011-do-you-really-want-to-change/feed/ 0 “I’ve had enough! I’m filing for divorce! You will never change,” yelled the angry wife as the door slammed behind her. Sadly, this scenario happens all too often. Change is difficult, but we risk endless difficulties, and often, tragedies if we don’t change. Change requires self-examination, grace, responsibility, humility, discipline, and obedience...character qualities that run counter-cultural. Continue reading &rarr;“I’ve had enough! I’m filing for divorce! You will never change,” yelled the angry wife as the door slammed behind her. Sadly, this scenario happens all too often. Change is difficult, but we risk endless difficulties, and often, tragedies if we don’t change. Change requires self-examination, grace, responsibility, humility, discipline, and obedience...character qualities that run counter-cultural. 1. Self-examination...recognize areas that require change. Jesus often asked, “Do you want to be made well?” (cf. John 5:6). Although theologians are divided on the motive behind such questioning, one thought is clear: We must “want” to change. Take anger for example...it does not produce good fruit (cf. James 1:20). What about controlling the tongue? The Lord hates gossip, backbiting, slander, etc. What about wrong attitudes? Self-righteousness and judgmentalism are dangerous. What about addictions? This can include anything from food to caffeine, and pornography to other unhealthy lusts. Sadly, many do not want to change. We enjoy sin but not the consequences. One of the first steps toward change is in recognizing and admitting destructive areas. C.H. Spurgeon rightly noted, “We are never, never so much in danger of being proud as when we think we are humble.” 2. Repentance must take place. Some suggest that repentance is self-improvement or a call to fulfill our natural potential. When we repent we do improve, and our God-given potential becomes more apparent, but repentance is not about self-improvement—it’s about renouncing and turning from sin. Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change in action…brokenness, genuine sorrow over sin, and humility are marks of sincere repentance. Lasting hope and joy are also by-products of a right relationship with God, beginning with repentance. There is always a link between genuine change and sincere repentance. 3. Ask God for help. Seek to identify the middle ground between our responsibility and God’s role in changing us. If the pendulum swings too far in the direction of grace, obedience suffers. The Bible is filled with passages about obedience. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” 1 Peter 1:14 adds, “As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.” Obedience is a hallmark of genuine faith...I John 2:3-4 says, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him [Christ],’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” The word “keep” here means to keep watchful care of. In the same way that a ship’s captain is committed to keep his course to reach his destination, the sincerity of our commitment to Christ can be measured by how well we follow the scriptural course. Sanctification is God’s job, but keeping the course is ours. On the other hand, if the pendulum swings too far in the direction of obedience, one can become legalistic and never appreciate or understand true grace. “The grace that is not strong enough to change me will not be able to save me” (Spurgeon). Legalism can be defined as “Christ plus something equals morality.” Legalism prevents change because it hardens the heart. The legalist often justifies sinful behavior because “they are right,” at least in their eyes. Proud people don’t change until they are broken and humble. Brokenness, humility, and full surrender provide fertile ground for change. We have responsibilities, yet we are totally dependent on God. We must do our part, but we can&#039;t do His. It is God who makes us stand firm in Christ (cf. II Corinthians 1:21). Seek Him. 4. Avoid excuses and the victim mentality. When we fail to take responsibility for our actions, the endless cycle of blame, anger, and unforgiveness continues. Those enslaved by blame and unforgiveness are truly imprisoned, and the walls they build to protect may eventually imprison them. These destructive attitudes prohibit change. By excusing actions, we deny responsibility. Those who continue in harmful addictions, for example, often excuse their actions and even justify them. Don’t blame parents, race, spouse, circumstances, or the government. Take responsibility, even if it hurts. 5. Never underestimate the seriousness of sin. Be crystal clear on this issue—sin destroys. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...” (John 10:10). Little sins or vices that we enjoy eventually grow and become strong influences (strongholds). Sin has a life cycle—it either grows or withers depending on whether we feed or starve it. “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you” (John Owen; Puritan). James 1:14-15 illustrates sin’s destructive course, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Don’t blame the devil…we are often led away by our own desires. As a note of encouragement, the last half of John 10:10 states that Jesus came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly. Are you experiencing this abundant, fruitful life? If not, consider who or what is leading you—rules and traditions, or a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. “There is no peace until we see the finished work of Jesus Christ—until we can look back and see the cross of Christ between our sins” (D.L. Moody). http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/12102011-do-you-really-want-to-change/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/BVAoLDT4ySs/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/the-seriousness-of-sin-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-12102011/#comments Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:00:29 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1671 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/12-10-2011_the_seriousness_of_sin.mp3" "The Seriousness Of Sin" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 12/10/2011 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> 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noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/the-seriousness-of-sin-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-12102011/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/1jWx8-ObgTE/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12102011-the-seriousness-of-sin-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:00:26 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1668 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/33579854?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 12/10/2011 "The Seriousness Of Sin" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a 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http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/12102011-the-seriousness-of-sin-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/VZ6k52EDyQk/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1232011-do-you-want-to-change-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:00:46 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1656 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/33202484?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 12/3/2011 "Do You Want To Change?" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1232011-do-you-want-to-change-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=VZ6k52EDyQk:bM5nZHeOH48:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img 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border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=VZ6k52EDyQk:bM5nZHeOH48:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=VZ6k52EDyQk:bM5nZHeOH48:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/VZ6k52EDyQk" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1232011-do-you-want-to-change-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 12/3/2011 &quot;Do You Want To Change?&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 12/3/2011 &quot;Do You Want To Change?&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1232011-do-you-want-to-change-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/qnAXwQHZUs8/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/do-you-want-to-change-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-1232011/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:00:03 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1660 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/12-3-2011_Do_you_want_to_change.mp3" "Do You Want To Change?" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 12/3/2011 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/do-you-want-to-change-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-1232011/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=qnAXwQHZUs8:YPS9hXpE4Ss:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img 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http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1232012-emerging-vs-emergent-churches-clearing-up-the-confusion/#comments Sat, 03 Dec 2011 13:30:07 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1650 I’m often asked about the difference between the emerging and emergent church. The following article is one of the best that I’ve read on the subject. I don’t know of anyone better than Jason Carlson (www.Jude3.com) who approaches this subject with humility, honesty, and truth. He was involved with the emergent church movement during its conception. His perspective has been a tremendous blessing to me and countless others as well. <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1232012-emerging-vs-emergent-churches-clearing-up-the-confusion/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Tnz0i8K9LN4:3x1VDaYh1bo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Tnz0i8K9LN4:3x1VDaYh1bo:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=Tnz0i8K9LN4:3x1VDaYh1bo:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Tnz0i8K9LN4:3x1VDaYh1bo:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Tnz0i8K9LN4:3x1VDaYh1bo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=Tnz0i8K9LN4:3x1VDaYh1bo:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Tnz0i8K9LN4:3x1VDaYh1bo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=Tnz0i8K9LN4:3x1VDaYh1bo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=Tnz0i8K9LN4:3x1VDaYh1bo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/Tnz0i8K9LN4" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1232012-emerging-vs-emergent-churches-clearing-up-the-confusion/feed/ 1 I’m often asked about the difference between the emerging and emergent church. The following article is one of the best that I’ve read on the subject. I don’t know of anyone better than Jason Carlson (www.Jude3.com) who approaches this subject with humility, honesty, and truth. He was involved with the emergent church movement during its conception. His perspective has been a tremendous blessing to me and countless others as well. Continue reading &rarr;I’m often asked about the difference between the emerging and emergent church. The following article is one of the best that I’ve read on the subject. I don’t know of anyone better than Jason Carlson (www.Jude3.com) who approaches this subject with humility, honesty, and truth. He was involved with the emergent church movement during its conception. His perspective has been a tremendous blessing to me and countless others as well. What is the emerging church? Jason writes, “The “emerging” church movement is basically a generic term. It typically refers to any church or organization that sees as its primary mission reaching today’s postmodern culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are thousands of these emerging churches in our country today and they span a multitude of denominations. Churches and organizations that would describe themselves as part of the emerging church generally have evangelical tendencies. They tend to hold to and defend theological positions that have been widely accepted and embraced by the wider evangelical community. Emerging churches generally recognize the reality of absolute truth, many have a high regard for the authority of Scripture, and most will unashamedly proclaim the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone…Where these emerging churches most differ from their more traditional, evangelical counterparts is typically in their methodology. They generally are more cutting-edge in their use of music, media, and other art forms as tools for communicating the message of the gospel…. What is the emergent church? The “emergent” church movement, on the other hand, is a much more specific term. It refers to those churches and organizations that align themselves, whether formally or informally, with the vision and philosophy of an organization officially named Emergent…This organization was founded and is led by prominent spokesmen like Brian McLaren, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt and others. Churches and organizations that would fall under the emergent label come from a diversity of Christian traditions. Accordingly, the theologies found within the emergent church are as diverse as the traditions that make it up. This theological diversity is widely celebrated within the movement and is the primary reason behind the emergent church’s disinterest in producing statements of faith, which are viewed as constricting and limiting to ongoing dialogue and theological imagination….” Reflections on the emerging and emergent church Jason continues, “While I would never offer a blanket endorsement of all things emerging’, the evangelically inclined emerging church movement can generally be viewed as a positive force within the church. Wherever we find emerging churches remaining faithful to the authority and truths of Scripture, the wider evangelical community should embrace and support them as co-laborers for the Kingdom. The goal of spreading the gospel to the entire world, including the postmodern world, is a clear biblical mandate and the emerging church movement is helping to carryout this task. The church must recognize that throughout history the tactics we’ve used in communicating the gospel message have regularly changed. The medium for delivering the message, as long as it does not clearly violate biblical norms, should not be our primary concern. Rather, the advancement of the message of the gospel should be paramount. When sharing this goal, the emerging church movement can be viewed as an ally of traditional evangelicalism. The emergent church movement, on the other hand, has given traditional evangelicals more cause for concern. As I have observed the evolution of the emergent church over the past few years, I have noticed an increasing trend towards theological revisionism, theological liberalism, and an open embrace of postmodern philosophy. The emergent church has moved beyond the practice of simply adapting the methods we use in order to reach the postmodern world for Jesus Christ. By and large the emergent church has adopted an uncritical embrace of the postmodern worldview. And postmodernism is a worldview that in many regards is antithetical to biblical Christianity. Prominent leaders within the emergent church are on record denying objective truth, promoting relativism, and questioning a number of the core doctrines of biblical Christianity. All of these facts greatly disturb me and should concern all discerning believers. One last thought regarding the more evangelically inclined emerging church. I would encourage any evangelical church or organizations currently identifying with the label of “emerging church” to strongly consider dropping the use of this term…Why would evangelically inclined churches or organizations want to associate themselves with a term that is so easily confused today with a movement (Emergent) that is causing so much concern within evangelical circles? Are the confusions, false labeling, and attacks associated with calling yourself an emerging church worth it? For example, it’s like when you’re throwing a party… you don’t send out invitations that say, “Come to my gay party”. You might be throwing the happiest, most joyous party in the history of the world, but in today’s culture you just don’t use certain terms because of their “perceived” meaning. Not only is the use of the term “emerging” confusing and for many people loaded with negative connotations, it’s also just plain cheesy. When are we evangelicals going to get over our penchant for jumping on the bandwagon of the latest fad movement to come along? We’ve got seeker-sensitive churches, purpose-driven churches and now Emergent comes along and suddenly everybody wants to be an emerging church. It’s getting ridiculous.” http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/1232012-emerging-vs-emergent-churches-clearing-up-the-confusion/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/OFalriQlp14/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/11262011-signs-wonders-seeking-to-clear-the-confusion-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:00:17 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1647 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/32805476?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 11/19/2011 "A Prophet Has No Honor" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/11262011-signs-wonders-seeking-to-clear-the-confusion-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=OFalriQlp14:ET3J5KK7Q2M:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=OFalriQlp14:ET3J5KK7Q2M:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=OFalriQlp14:ET3J5KK7Q2M:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=OFalriQlp14:ET3J5KK7Q2M:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=OFalriQlp14:ET3J5KK7Q2M:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=OFalriQlp14:ET3J5KK7Q2M:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=OFalriQlp14:ET3J5KK7Q2M:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=OFalriQlp14:ET3J5KK7Q2M:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=OFalriQlp14:ET3J5KK7Q2M:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/OFalriQlp14" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/11262011-signs-wonders-seeking-to-clear-the-confusion-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 11/19/2011 &quot;A Prophet Has No Honor&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 11/19/2011 &quot;A Prophet Has No Honor&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/11262011-signs-wonders-seeking-to-clear-the-confusion-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/CYH5QjR-KSs/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/signs-wonders-seeking-to-clear-the-confusion-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-11262011/#comments Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:00:16 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1653 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/11-26-2011_signs_and_wonders.mp3" "SIGNS &#038; WONDERS: Seeking to clear the confusion [John 4]" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 11/26/2011 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/signs-wonders-seeking-to-clear-the-confusion-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-11262011/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CYH5QjR-KSs:kMZ2f3xPHiQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CYH5QjR-KSs:kMZ2f3xPHiQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=CYH5QjR-KSs:kMZ2f3xPHiQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CYH5QjR-KSs:kMZ2f3xPHiQ:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CYH5QjR-KSs:kMZ2f3xPHiQ:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=CYH5QjR-KSs:kMZ2f3xPHiQ:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CYH5QjR-KSs:kMZ2f3xPHiQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CYH5QjR-KSs:kMZ2f3xPHiQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=CYH5QjR-KSs:kMZ2f3xPHiQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/CYH5QjR-KSs" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/signs-wonders-seeking-to-clear-the-confusion-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-11262011/feed/ 0 noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/signs-wonders-seeking-to-clear-the-confusion-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-11262011/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/t1UDmbGgMAU/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/practical-steps-to-overcoming-pornography-part-2/#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:30:34 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1644 Last week, I ended with a few practical suggestions to overcoming pornography; here are more (in addition to last weeks). Become men and women of prayer. Men would live better if they prayed better. Porn cannot gain a stronghold in a broken, praying heart. If we’re too busy to cultivate a prayer life that places God first—we’re too busy. We’re often too busy because we’re doing too much. “When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live” (E.M. Bounds). We must spend much time on our knees before God if we are to overcome addictions. <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/practical-steps-to-overcoming-pornography-part-2/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=t1UDmbGgMAU:bH8c6qvwXeg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=t1UDmbGgMAU:bH8c6qvwXeg:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=t1UDmbGgMAU:bH8c6qvwXeg:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=t1UDmbGgMAU:bH8c6qvwXeg:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=t1UDmbGgMAU:bH8c6qvwXeg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=t1UDmbGgMAU:bH8c6qvwXeg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=t1UDmbGgMAU:bH8c6qvwXeg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=t1UDmbGgMAU:bH8c6qvwXeg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=t1UDmbGgMAU:bH8c6qvwXeg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/t1UDmbGgMAU" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/practical-steps-to-overcoming-pornography-part-2/feed/ 0 Last week, I ended with a few practical suggestions to overcoming pornography; here are more (in addition to last weeks). Become men and women of prayer. Men would live better if they prayed better. Porn cannot gain a stronghold in a broken, praying heart. If we’re too busy to cultivate a prayer life that places God first—we’re too busy. We’re often too busy because we’re doing too much. “When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live” (E.M. Bounds). We must spend much time on our knees before God if we are to overcome addictions. Continue reading &rarr;Last week, I ended with a few practical suggestions to overcoming pornography; here are more (in addition to last weeks). Become men and women of prayer. Men would live better if they prayed better. Porn cannot gain a stronghold in a broken, praying heart. If we’re too busy to cultivate a prayer life that places God first—we’re too busy. We’re often too busy because we’re doing too much. “When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live” (E.M. Bounds). We must spend much time on our knees before God if we are to overcome addictions. Sorrow doesn’t work; repentance does. Many are sorry, even anguished about pornography, but not repentant. We must see porn as God sees it—a sin that destroys—and repent from it. Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change in action. Brokenness, genuine sorrow over sin, and humility are marks of sincere repentance. Most advice will fail if the heart is not changed. Repentance is the key. Avoid compromise. The enemy rarely pushes us off the cliff, so to speak. We’re often led down one step at a time, one compromise at a time, one wrong choice at a time. For example, the enemy doesn’t show a man the pain and anguish and the years of regret that pornography brings; he deceives him with the temporary enjoyment. If the full story was known beforehand (divorce, broken relationships with his children, and so on) no doubt different choices might have been made. We’re often not shown the pain that sin brings; we’re enticed by the temporary pleasure. Remember: sin brings death. Avoid looking intentionally at things that stimulate lust. There are times when we cannot avoid what we see: a person walking by, a commercial on TV or an unannounced Internet page emerging. Temptation is not sin, but what we do with it can be. What we choose to look at determines where our thoughts will go. Determine beforehand to avoid looking at things that can stimulate lust—entertainment plays a huge role here. Deliverance is often a heart issue that involves action on our part. Sanctification is God’s job, but obedience is ours. This is where the phrase “I’m a work in progress” comes from. Salvation is instantaneous, but sanctification is a process. David said, &quot;I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes&quot; (Psalm 101:2-3). Integrity and moral uprightness should be pursued, especially in the home. Don’t make plans to sin. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” What you think provides the framework for who you become—thoughts become words, words habits, and habits a lifestyle. Consequently, the more we feed sexual lust, the more we’ll have to fight this desire. Romans 13:14 tells us to “make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” The word provision means forethought, or planning—don’t make plans to sin. What goes in the mind ultimately comes out in our actions. A paraphrase of a popular story helps to illustrate this truth: A young man in need of help for his troubled life, walked to a neighboring church. He told the pastor that his life was meaningless and in constant turmoil. He wanted to make better choices but couldn’t. He described the conflict, “It’s as if I have two dogs constantly battling within me. One dog is evil, while the other is good. The battles are long and difficult; they drain me emotionally and mentally.” The pastor asked, “Which dog wins the battles?” Hesitantly, the young man admitted, “The evil dog.” Without a moment’s thought, the pastor said, “Son, that’s the one that you feed the most…you need to starve that dog to death!” The source of our strength comes from the food that we choose. What we feed grows, and what grows becomes the stronger force within our lives. Sin has a life cycle—it either grows or dies depending on whether we feed or starve it. Avoid places that stimulate lust. I remember reading an article about a man who avoided the beach in the summer after admitting his addiction to pornography to his wife. He concluded that being around people who were barely covered often triggered his compulsion. Another case involved a man who stopped visiting certain sections at a local video store, and a woman who stopped reading romance novels. Both concluded that viewing this material was stimulating lust. Although these examples may seem extreme, to counter lust, we must avoid places, people, or things that stimulate that desire. We must be selective when posting pictures on Facebook as well, especially pictures of females. Guys are very visual and the distractions can be endless. Avoid listening to things that stimulate lust. Much of today’s music can be incredibly sexual in nature. Music is a compelling force and lyrics continually place thoughts in our minds. As thoughts grow, actions often follow. What you choose to listen to is vitally important. Whether it’s listening to others or to the media, pay close attention to whom and to what you listen to. Finally, enlist an accountability partner and begin spending more time in the Word. If your trigger is the internet, download accountability software. Don’t let discouragement and failure stand in your way. Follow the Apostle Paul’s advice, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13). Forget your past mistakes, but remember the lessons learned because of them. BY SHANE IDLEMAN; www.WCFAV.org http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/practical-steps-to-overcoming-pornography-part-2/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/EOM3ezeZVQM/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/11192011-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:00:57 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1641 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/32517876?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 11/19/2011 "A Prophet Has No Honor" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/11192011-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=EOM3ezeZVQM:4TA4AI1EUC4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=EOM3ezeZVQM:4TA4AI1EUC4:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=EOM3ezeZVQM:4TA4AI1EUC4:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=EOM3ezeZVQM:4TA4AI1EUC4:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=EOM3ezeZVQM:4TA4AI1EUC4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=EOM3ezeZVQM:4TA4AI1EUC4:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=EOM3ezeZVQM:4TA4AI1EUC4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=EOM3ezeZVQM:4TA4AI1EUC4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=EOM3ezeZVQM:4TA4AI1EUC4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/EOM3ezeZVQM" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/11192011-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 11/19/2011 &quot;A Prophet Has No Honor&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 11/19/2011 &quot;A Prophet Has No Honor&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/11192011-a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/O7bHhP_nObU/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-11192011/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:00:11 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1663 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/11-19-2011_a_prophet_has_no_honor.mp3" "A Prophet Has No Honor" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 11/19/2011 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-11192011/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=O7bHhP_nObU:4YUCXTELTV8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=O7bHhP_nObU:4YUCXTELTV8:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=O7bHhP_nObU:4YUCXTELTV8:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=O7bHhP_nObU:4YUCXTELTV8:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=O7bHhP_nObU:4YUCXTELTV8:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=O7bHhP_nObU:4YUCXTELTV8:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=O7bHhP_nObU:4YUCXTELTV8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=O7bHhP_nObU:4YUCXTELTV8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=O7bHhP_nObU:4YUCXTELTV8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/O7bHhP_nObU" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-11192011/feed/ 0 noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/a-prophet-has-no-honor-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-11192011/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/-pq-IvKWO00/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-19-2011-practical-steps-to-overcoming-pornography/#comments Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:59:25 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1632 (by shane idleman) The words, “By 2020, most women will be marrying men severely addicted to pornography,” jumped out as I glanced through recent statements on pornography. What was defined as pornography a few decades ago now fills our television screens on a nightly basis. We are being swept away by a culture that glamorizes porn...we are a nation adrift. <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-19-2011-practical-steps-to-overcoming-pornography/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=-pq-IvKWO00:Qaz_6-jmE38:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=-pq-IvKWO00:Qaz_6-jmE38:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=-pq-IvKWO00:Qaz_6-jmE38:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=-pq-IvKWO00:Qaz_6-jmE38:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=-pq-IvKWO00:Qaz_6-jmE38:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=-pq-IvKWO00:Qaz_6-jmE38:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=-pq-IvKWO00:Qaz_6-jmE38:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=-pq-IvKWO00:Qaz_6-jmE38:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=-pq-IvKWO00:Qaz_6-jmE38:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/-pq-IvKWO00" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-19-2011-practical-steps-to-overcoming-pornography/feed/ 1 (by shane idleman) The words, “By 2020, most women will be marrying men severely addicted to pornography,” jumped out as I glanced through recent statements on pornography. What was defined as pornography a few decades ago now fills our television screens on a nightly basis. We are being swept away by a culture that glamorizes porn...we are a nation adrift. Continue reading &rarr;(by shane idleman) The words, “By 2020, most women will be marrying men severely addicted to pornography,” jumped out as I glanced through recent statements on pornography. What was defined as pornography a few decades ago now fills our television screens on a nightly basis. We are being swept away by a culture that glamorizes porn...we are a nation adrift. Pornography shouldn’t be glamorized, it must be taken seriously. It destroys marriages, godly character, and a relationship with the Lord. It is used by the enemy to kill, steal, and destroy. 1 Corinthians 6:9 warns us not to be deceived—the sexually immoral will not inherit the kingdom of God. Jesus adds, “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Sadly, teens and adults are becoming addicted to pornography at alarming rates. Pornography is considered free speech and has become one of the most lucrative businesses in America. Not surprising, it’s often a major influence in the lives of those who commit sex crimes. It stands as a root of many divorces…it plaques our churches. It’s difficult to understand why one would attempt to defend it. Sex is good and God-given. It makes sense that God would create one act that distinguishes marriage from all other relationships, one that binds and holds the relationship together. A relationship that is firmly anchored creates a stable environment in which to raise children and sustain commitment. Sexual intimacy was not created to be a recreational sport, it was intended as a spiritual bond to assure that “the two shall become one,” and remain as one (Genesis 2:24). Pornography robs married couples of intimacy. The intimacy once shared, is given to another. As time goes by, it’s not uncommon for spouses to say, “I don’t love you anymore,” failing to realize that love doesn’t leave people, people leave love. True love is not an ecstatic, lustful feeling; it’s a commitment...the foundation of marriage. Pornography destroys the very foundation on which marriage is built. With that in mind, here are a few practical suggestions. Granted, some may view these points as legalistic, but legalism reflects a self-righteous attitude. I’m not promoting that…I’m promoting wisdom. Wisdom reflects a heart committed to God’s Word and moral purity. Become men and women of prayer. Men would live better if they prayed better. Porn cannot gain a stronghold in a broken, praying heart. If we’re too busy to cultivate a prayer life that places God first—we’re too busy. We’re often too busy because we’re doing too much. “When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live” (E.M. Bounds). We should never allow our relationship with Him to suffer because we’re too busy. Praying actually helps overcome addiction. It instills into our lives discipline, commitment, patience, peace, joy, and contentment. We must spend much time on our knees before God if we are to overcome pornography and other addictions. Sorrow doesn’t work; repentance does. Many are sorry, even anguished about pornography, but not repentant. We must see porn as God sees it—a sin that destroys—and repent from it. Repentance is not about self-improvement; it’s about renouncing sin and turning from it. Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change in action. Brokenness, genuine sorrow over sin, and humility are marks of sincere repentance. Most advice will fail if the heart is not changed. Repentance is the key. Avoid compromise. The enemy rarely pushes us off the cliff, so to speak. We’re often led down one step at a time, one compromise at a time, one wrong choice at a time. For example, the enemy doesn’t show a man the pain and anguish and the years of regret that pornography brings; he deceives him with the temporary enjoyment. If the full story was known beforehand (divorce, broken relationships with his children, and so on) no doubt different choices might have been made. We’re often not shown the pain that sin brings; we’re enticed by the temporary pleasure. Remember: sin brings death. Avoid compromise, especially in the area of entertainment. Avoid looking intentionally at things that stimulate lust. There are times when we cannot avoid what we see: a person walking by, a commercial on TV or an unannounced Internet page that suddenly emerges. Temptation is not sin, but what we do with it can be. What we choose to look at determines where our thoughts will go. Determine beforehand to avoid looking at things that can stimulate lust. Deliverance is a heart issue, and it often involves action on our part. Sanctification is God’s job, but obedience is ours. This is where the phrase “I’m a work in progress” comes from. Salvation is instantaneous, but sanctification is a process. David said, &quot;I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes&quot; (Psalm 101:2-3). Although he failed at times, David was saying that integrity and moral uprightness should be pursued, especially in the home. http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-19-2011-practical-steps-to-overcoming-pornography/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/eptsUeVdGkw/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/11122011-from-madness-to-sanity-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-russell-pence/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:00:37 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1639 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/32185132?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 11/12/2011 "From Madness to Sanity" – Guest Speaker: Russell Pence <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/11122011-from-madness-to-sanity-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-russell-pence/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=eptsUeVdGkw:6E1-8xZmYK4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=eptsUeVdGkw:6E1-8xZmYK4:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=eptsUeVdGkw:6E1-8xZmYK4:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=eptsUeVdGkw:6E1-8xZmYK4:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=eptsUeVdGkw:6E1-8xZmYK4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=eptsUeVdGkw:6E1-8xZmYK4:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=eptsUeVdGkw:6E1-8xZmYK4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=eptsUeVdGkw:6E1-8xZmYK4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=eptsUeVdGkw:6E1-8xZmYK4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/eptsUeVdGkw" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/11122011-from-madness-to-sanity-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-russell-pence/feed/ 0 11/12/2011 &quot;From Madness to Sanity&quot; – Guest Speaker: Russell Pence Continue reading &rarr; 11/12/2011 &quot;From Madness to Sanity&quot; – Guest Speaker: Russell Pence http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/11122011-from-madness-to-sanity-%e2%80%93-guest-speaker-russell-pence/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/PF6pAgk3DWs/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/10152011-you-will-thirst-again-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-2/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:00:35 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1628 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/30762327?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 10/15/2011 "You Will Thirst Again" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/10152011-you-will-thirst-again-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-2/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=PF6pAgk3DWs:X4MJVhVxGAE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=PF6pAgk3DWs:X4MJVhVxGAE:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=PF6pAgk3DWs:X4MJVhVxGAE:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=PF6pAgk3DWs:X4MJVhVxGAE:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=PF6pAgk3DWs:X4MJVhVxGAE:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=PF6pAgk3DWs:X4MJVhVxGAE:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=PF6pAgk3DWs:X4MJVhVxGAE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=PF6pAgk3DWs:X4MJVhVxGAE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=PF6pAgk3DWs:X4MJVhVxGAE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/PF6pAgk3DWs" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/10152011-you-will-thirst-again-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-2/feed/ 0 10/15/2011 &quot;You Will Thirst Again&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 10/15/2011 &quot;You Will Thirst Again&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/10152011-you-will-thirst-again-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-2/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/wCtBftU6UoI/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/you-will-thirst-again-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-10152011-2/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:00:34 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1630 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/10-15-2011_you_will_thirst_again.mp3" "You Will Thirst Again" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 10/15/2011 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/you-will-thirst-again-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-10152011-2/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wCtBftU6UoI:ppYu_3V0fUc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wCtBftU6UoI:ppYu_3V0fUc:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=wCtBftU6UoI:ppYu_3V0fUc:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wCtBftU6UoI:ppYu_3V0fUc:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wCtBftU6UoI:ppYu_3V0fUc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=wCtBftU6UoI:ppYu_3V0fUc:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wCtBftU6UoI:ppYu_3V0fUc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wCtBftU6UoI:ppYu_3V0fUc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=wCtBftU6UoI:ppYu_3V0fUc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/wCtBftU6UoI" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/you-will-thirst-again-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-10152011-2/feed/ 0 noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/you-will-thirst-again-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-10152011-2/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/ZK9T5U75MFo/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-12-2011-salvation-god%e2%80%99s-sovereignty-or-man%e2%80%99s-responsibility/#comments Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:30:15 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1625 Although salvation is a supernatural act of God that cannot be fully explained, Scripture offers many insights. One thing is certain: God is not wanting “any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). There are primarily two differing beliefs concerning salvation—free will (man is free to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation), or election (God elects only certain people for salvation). <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-12-2011-salvation-god%e2%80%99s-sovereignty-or-man%e2%80%99s-responsibility/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=ZK9T5U75MFo:auuaJYgMA5U:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=ZK9T5U75MFo:auuaJYgMA5U:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=ZK9T5U75MFo:auuaJYgMA5U:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=ZK9T5U75MFo:auuaJYgMA5U:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=ZK9T5U75MFo:auuaJYgMA5U:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=ZK9T5U75MFo:auuaJYgMA5U:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=ZK9T5U75MFo:auuaJYgMA5U:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=ZK9T5U75MFo:auuaJYgMA5U:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=ZK9T5U75MFo:auuaJYgMA5U:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/ZK9T5U75MFo" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-12-2011-salvation-god%e2%80%99s-sovereignty-or-man%e2%80%99s-responsibility/feed/ 0 Although salvation is a supernatural act of God that cannot be fully explained, Scripture offers many insights. One thing is certain: God is not wanting “any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). There are primarily two differing beliefs concerning salvation—free will (man is free to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation), or election (God elects only certain people for salvation). Continue reading &rarr;Although salvation is a supernatural act of God that cannot be fully explained, Scripture offers many insights. One thing is certain: God is not wanting “any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). There are primarily two differing beliefs concerning salvation—free will (man is free to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation), or election (God elects only certain people for salvation). A very popular practice among some free will advocates encourages unbelievers to say a quick prayer to avoid going to hell. Repentance is never sought, and belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord is minimized. Is it the moving of our lips when we confess Jesus as Lord that secures redemption, or is it the condition of the heart? It’s the heart. A quick gesture in the form of a prayer does not save if the heart has not repented and truly believed: “if you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). “Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance and belief are essential! A very popular practice among some election advocates is to avoid preaching the gospel as not to manipulate God’s drawing of the elect. C.H. Spurgeon referred to this group as Hyper-Calvinists. He was criticized for statements such as, “The great error of Hyper-Calvinism is to neglect one side of the Word of God because it does not know how to explain both that God is effective and sovereign in all things and that man is free and responsible for all his actions.” Spurgeon added, “The system of truth is not one straight line, but two.” We won’t know where these two lines cross until eternity. We are called to be faithful to the command to preach, witness, and proclaim the good news while understanding that God does the drawing, saving, and sealing. As I understand it, predestination/election is a process by which God, who lives outside of time, established certain parameters before the foundation of the world. He clearly called Noah to preach righteousness, Abraham to bring forth the Nation of Israel, and the prophets to call nations to repentance (e.g., Jeremiah was called before he was even born). God called John the Baptist, filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb, to prepare the way of the Lord. God also predestined Jesus to die on the cross: Revelation 13:8 refers to Jesus as, &quot;the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.&quot; Clearly, these men and these events were predestined. Ephesians 1:4-5 confirms both election and predestination...“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” We cannot discard election and predestination anymore that we can discard our responsibility as seen in Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Peter adds, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…” (Acts 3:19). We have a responsibility to confess, believe, and repent with the understanding that no one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws them (cf. John 6:44). Romans 1:18-20 tells us that the wrath of God is being revealed against all who suppress the truth. Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen so that people are without excuse. Guilt implies responsibility...“we are without excuse” because God’s attributes are clearly seen; they bear witness to a Creator. Charles Hodge, in his classic work on Systematic Theology, spells it out plainly, &quot;He [man] is a moral agent because he has the consciousness of moral obligation, and whenever he sins he acts freely against the convictions of conscience.&quot; In the act of salvation, God receives all the glory and all the credit. Salvation is His work, not ours. We are never outside of His sovereignty and control. But it begs the question, “Could God have created man to receive His offer of salvation or reject it?” Jesus said, in Mark 10:15, “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.&quot; Without question, even the ability to receive is a gift from God, as is faith (cf. Eph. 2:8). But does this mean that man does not have the ability to receive or reject the gift that is being offered? This ability does not make man good, quite the contrary, it makes him utterly dependant, desperate, and without hope unless he receives what God has offered (cf. Mk. 10:15). 1 Corinthians 2:14 states, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The word receive (Dechomai) means to take hold of, or to welcome. The natural man does not welcome the things of God, but can he accept or reject them? I do not receive or welcome visitors at 1am, but it does not follow that I cannot receive or welcome them. Dr. Wayne Grudem is helpful at this point: “Exactly how God combines His providential control with our choices, Scripture does not explain to us. But rather than deny one aspect or the other (simply because we cannot explain how both can be true), we should accept both in an attempt to be faithful to the teaching of all of Scripture.” Contextually, Mr. Grudem is referring to choices that believers make, but the overlapping principle applies: How God combines providence with commands to repent and believe, is not crystal clear. Yet, we are to accept both truths—man must repent and believe, but God’s sovereign plans will prevail. 2012 (c), by Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-12-2011-salvation-god%e2%80%99s-sovereignty-or-man%e2%80%99s-responsibility/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/MclVarMRm3c/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1152011-the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:00:47 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1620 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31823141?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 11/5/2011 "The Power Of Testimony (John 4)" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1152011-the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=MclVarMRm3c:_RT40ubp4ow:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=MclVarMRm3c:_RT40ubp4ow:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=MclVarMRm3c:_RT40ubp4ow:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=MclVarMRm3c:_RT40ubp4ow:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=MclVarMRm3c:_RT40ubp4ow:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=MclVarMRm3c:_RT40ubp4ow:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=MclVarMRm3c:_RT40ubp4ow:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=MclVarMRm3c:_RT40ubp4ow:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=MclVarMRm3c:_RT40ubp4ow:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/MclVarMRm3c" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1152011-the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 11/5/2011 &quot;The Power Of Testimony (John 4)&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 11/5/2011 &quot;The Power Of Testimony (John 4)&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/1152011-the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/CKxxyCZ4npg/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-1152011/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:00:29 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1622 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/11-5-2011_the_power_of_testimony" 11/5/2011 "The Power Of Testimony (John 4)" – Pastor Shane Idleman If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-1152011/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CKxxyCZ4npg:Ik7XLgECoyI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CKxxyCZ4npg:Ik7XLgECoyI:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=CKxxyCZ4npg:Ik7XLgECoyI:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CKxxyCZ4npg:Ik7XLgECoyI:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CKxxyCZ4npg:Ik7XLgECoyI:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=CKxxyCZ4npg:Ik7XLgECoyI:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CKxxyCZ4npg:Ik7XLgECoyI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=CKxxyCZ4npg:Ik7XLgECoyI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=CKxxyCZ4npg:Ik7XLgECoyI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/CKxxyCZ4npg" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-1152011/feed/ 0 noWestside,Christian,Fellowship,Pastor,Shane,Idleman,Lancaster,California,Glorifying,Christ,Multiplying,Disciples,God,Christian,Truth,Love,Power,Holy,Spirit,Prayer,Christ,Church,Sermon,Discipleship,Video,Bible,Message,Genesis,Creation,Relative,Moralityhttp://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/the-power-of-testimony-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-1152011/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/wN7nIbYlK8g/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-5-2011-can-i-lose-my-salvation-no-heres-why/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:00:04 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1610 A common question for many is, “Can I lose my salvation?” I’ve heard both sides of the argument, and only God truly knows a person’s heart, but I can share a few thoughts. One thing is for certain, salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned. <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-5-2011-can-i-lose-my-salvation-no-heres-why/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wN7nIbYlK8g:9XNtwb1LXsA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wN7nIbYlK8g:9XNtwb1LXsA:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=wN7nIbYlK8g:9XNtwb1LXsA:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wN7nIbYlK8g:9XNtwb1LXsA:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wN7nIbYlK8g:9XNtwb1LXsA:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=wN7nIbYlK8g:9XNtwb1LXsA:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wN7nIbYlK8g:9XNtwb1LXsA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=wN7nIbYlK8g:9XNtwb1LXsA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=wN7nIbYlK8g:9XNtwb1LXsA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/wN7nIbYlK8g" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-5-2011-can-i-lose-my-salvation-no-heres-why/feed/ 0 A common question for many is, “Can I lose my salvation?” I’ve heard both sides of the argument, and only God truly knows a person’s heart, but I can share a few thoughts. One thing is for certain, salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned. Continue reading &rarr; A common question for many is, “Can I lose my salvation?” I’ve heard both sides of the argument, and only God truly knows a person’s heart, but I can share a few thoughts. One thing is for certain, salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned. One school of thought from the Arminian perspective suggests that salvation cannot be lost, as in losing your car keys, but that it can be left, as in walking away from it. This may be why Jesus spoke of the man who said in his “heart”: my master delays His coming; therefore, I will turn from living a godly life. When the master returned unexpectedly, the servant was banished because he chose to turn from what he knew to be right. In another passage, Jesus said, “You have left your first love,” when speaking to the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:4). James 5:19-20 adds, if anyone wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, a soul is saved from death. If anything, these Scriptures, and many more, reinforce the fact that we have certain responsibilities. We should never turn from what we know to be right. Jesus encouraged His followers to be watchful, prepared, and ready for His return. Are we watchful? Are we prepared? Are we ready? As I often say, &quot;You don’t want to live your life with a question mark here.&quot; (Read Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 21:34.) The other school of thought from the calivinist perspective suggests that some of those passages are dealing with people who never really believed. As a result, they fell away. They heard the gospel, but never fully embraced it and turned from their sins; they only had “intellectual” knowledge of salvation. According to this view, the real question isn’t, “Can a person lose their salvation?” but, “Was the person really saved to begin with?” Titus 1:16 and James 2:14 both conclude that many people “say” that they know God, but deny Him by their lifestyle. I John 2:19 suggests that those who acknowledge Christ initially, but deny Him later, are not saved to begin with: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.” (See Hebrews 6:5-6.) We all sin and fall short, but the important question to ask is what is the condition of your heart—have you truly repented and believed in Christ as your Lord and Savior, or are you trusting in religion and tradition? This may be why Paul said in II Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” Again, our actions do reveal a great deal about our relationship with Christ. A.W. Tozer said: “When people find that after being in the church for years they are not making much progress, they ought to examine themselves and wonder whether they have been truly converted.” He added: “True conversion means radical repentance, a changed life, conscious forgiveness of sin, and a spiritual rebirth.” Hebrews 3:13 warns us not to “be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Has your heart become so hard as to reject Jesus Christ? If so, you can change that today. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 is a great encouragement to me, &quot;And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.&quot; The word “seal” means “to authenticate, confirm, or guarantee.”  The Holy Spirit is our “guarantee” and our “deposit&quot;; He seals us until the day of redemption. We cannot forget the fact that we don’t choose God as if He’s sitting in heaven waiting to be chosen. He chooses us. He invites us. He calls us. In John 6:44 Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” Charles Spurgeon said, “Men do not seek God first; God seeks them first; and if any of you are seeking him today it is because he has first sought you.” The relationship between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility is interwoven throughout the Scriptures. Our responsibility is to repent and to believe, and to live a life that reflects that decision. “God’s law will not save me, but it can instruct, warn, and guide me” (J.I. Packer). Scripture compells me to believe both truths: God is soverign, yet we have responsibilities. We are commanded to repent and believe, yet we are totally dependent on God. We must do our part, but we can&#039;t do His. It is God who makes us stand firm in Christ (II Corinthians 1:21). Seek Him. Granted, life will seem unclear and confusing at times, but God promises that He will guide you. Had I become angry and unwilling to change my rebellious attitude toward God, only the Lord knows where I’d be today. Don’t let discouragement and failure stand in your way. I could write an entire book on my failures, but instead, I strive to follow the apostle Paul’s advice and I encourage you to do the same: Forget about those things that are behind you. Instead reach forward to those things that are ahead of you (Philippians 3:13). Forget your past mistakes, but remember the lessons learned because of them. As you move forward and draw from God’s wisdom for guidance, you will understand why C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/articles/11-5-2011-can-i-lose-my-salvation-no-heres-why/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/NKS-eqgVXuw/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/finding-finishing-gods-will-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-10292011/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:00:20 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1608 <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/WP/wp-content/uploads/Audio/10-29-11-2011_finding_and_finishing_god's_will.mp3" "Finding &#038; Finishing God's Will (John 4)" – Pastor Shane Idleman - 10/29/2011 If you want to always have the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/westside-christian-fellowship/id386117063"><strong>subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.</strong></a> <a class="twitter-share-button" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/finding-finishing-gods-will-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-10292011/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=NKS-eqgVXuw:m7IHegXSZVY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=NKS-eqgVXuw:m7IHegXSZVY:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=NKS-eqgVXuw:m7IHegXSZVY:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=NKS-eqgVXuw:m7IHegXSZVY:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=NKS-eqgVXuw:m7IHegXSZVY:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=NKS-eqgVXuw:m7IHegXSZVY:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=NKS-eqgVXuw:m7IHegXSZVY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=NKS-eqgVXuw:m7IHegXSZVY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=NKS-eqgVXuw:m7IHegXSZVY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/NKS-eqgVXuw" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/finding-finishing-gods-will-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-10292011/feed/ 0 http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/audio/finding-finishing-gods-will-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman-10292011/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~3/IvyjLh7un7A/ http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/10292011-finding-finishing-gods-will-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:00:11 +0000 admin@wcfav.org (Westside Christian Fellowship) http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/?p=1605 <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31430356?byline=0&#38;portrait=0&#38;color=000000" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0"></iframe> 10/29/2011 "Finding &#038; Finishing God's Will (John 4)" – Pastor Shane Idleman <a href="http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/10292011-finding-finishing-gods-will-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=IvyjLh7un7A:ra4G4Y7GQ_A:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=IvyjLh7un7A:ra4G4Y7GQ_A:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=IvyjLh7un7A:ra4G4Y7GQ_A:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=IvyjLh7un7A:ra4G4Y7GQ_A:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=IvyjLh7un7A:ra4G4Y7GQ_A:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=IvyjLh7un7A:ra4G4Y7GQ_A:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=IvyjLh7un7A:ra4G4Y7GQ_A:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?a=IvyjLh7un7A:ra4G4Y7GQ_A:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/WestsideChristianFellowship?i=IvyjLh7un7A:ra4G4Y7GQ_A:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WestsideChristianFellowship/~4/IvyjLh7un7A" height="1" width="1"/> http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/10292011-finding-finishing-gods-will-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/feed/ 0 10/29/2011 &quot;Finding &amp; Finishing God&#039;s Will (John 4)&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman Continue reading &rarr; 10/29/2011 &quot;Finding &amp; Finishing God&#039;s Will (John 4)&quot; – Pastor Shane Idleman http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/videos/10292011-finding-finishing-gods-will-john-4-%e2%80%93-pastor-shane-idleman/ Westside Christian FellowshipnonadultGlorifying Christ, Multiplying Disciples