It was all about Jesus!

Soren Kierkegaard wrote: "A tyrant dies and his rule is over.  A martyr dies and his rule begins." 

I can't add much to what has already been said about Charlie Kirk.  His Turning Point Faith organization has been active right here in Polk County.  Charlie was responsible for helping promote "Letter to the American Church" and "Biblical Citizenship" movies here in Luck and other local communities. My point in writing today is to end with some lessons we can learn from the life of Charlie Kirk.

Sadly, on Wednesday of this week, the announcement came: "Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, one of the most prominent and influential conservative voices in America, has died at the age of 31, President Donald Trump announced.  As most of you know, Kirk was shot while speaking at an event Wednesday at Utah Valley University. Police are still looking for the suspect, the Associated Press reported. Kirk leaves behind a wife and two young children."

President Trump wrote, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” (written on Truth Social)

Charlie was not ashamed. He was not afraid. He listened to his detractors and patiently explained the truth, even when they only wanted to rail at him. At this moment, having just heard the news of Charlie’s death, I feel both anger and despair rising in my heart. Maybe you do too.

Charlie testified to the Lord Jesus Christ just seconds before he died. He knew that his life might be taken from him for what he believed. Yours and mine might be as well. This life is but a vapor. Only what is done for Christ will last.

The Lord Jesus Christ is our only comfort in this life and our only hope for the life to come. This is our testimony. The world desperately needs to hear it.. Personally.. From you and me.

I have been praying 2 Timothy 3 over you:

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Charlie Kirk was a devoted husband, exceptional father, and one of the world's brightest young leaders. He would talk to anyone. He loved America and her people. And he never stopped believing that our best days were ahead of us. We will pray for his family and that God will bless and increase the impact of his life and help others to fill the gap that he left! 

Speaking for Christ involves risks, just like Daniel who we just finished studying! Jesus and his followers faced persecution and they did not let fear silence them but rather stood with courage and hope, especially by not retaliating with vengeance but praying for enemies and grieving with the assurance of God's justice and a future resurrection.

The event also prompts a reflection on the importance of upholding freedom of speech and civil discourse, and serves as a call to continue spreading the Gospel and serving God with renewed determination. 

I think often of the comparison between Charlie Kirk and Jim Elliot.  Jim and four other friends died nearly 70 years ago in Venezuela at the hands of tribal warriors. From that martyrdom thousands of people pledged their lives to take up their mantle and serve God in His worldwide mission no matter what the cost. When Charlie died on Wednesday, thousands are now challenged to take up the task that he left unfinished. The blood of the martyrs is truly the seed of the church.  May his tribe increase for the glory of God.

Our country must be redeemed. We are on the brink of losing our soul as a nation. Here is a rallying cry for us who remain: "Charlie Kirk's martyrdom must become a Turning Point for our whole country!"

Eight Lessons from Charlie Kirk:

1. Let Christ be real in you and through you! -- Don’t hide who God has made you! 

2. Find a cause! -- Then give your life to it! (Charlie was a Good and Faithful Servant who Fought the Good Fight!)

3. Engage! -- Make America talk to each other again! (Charlie himself once reminded us: “Freedom of speech means freedom of disagreement. The health of a society is measured not by the absence of dissent, but by the presence of civil discourse. If we lose the ability to have conversations, to exchange ideas without fear, then we lose the very heart of what it means to be a free people.”)

4. Become a Daniel! -- Don't fear going into the lion's den. God is with you! (Charlie said: “If you believe in something, you need to have the courage to fight for those ideas—not run away from them or try and silence them.”)

5. Speak the truth! -- Even when others disagree!  Debate, not hate! (Charlie said, “You have to stand for truth no matter how difficult it is.”)

6. Have convictions! -- And live up to them! (Charlie said, "I want to be remembered for courage and for my faith! The most important thing in my life is my faith!")

7. Recognize that we're in a spiritual battle!-- Pray, prepare, and put on God's armor!  

8. Finally: Remember! -- Love unites us all. Charlie loved everyone and so must we!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Charlie Kirk, one of the greatest leaders in the history of the world. I pray that Charlie's martyrdom will be a Turning Point for our whole country! Thank you that he did not live or die in vain and that you will be glorified through both his life and his death!  Help us all to live for Your "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." We pray all this for Your glory and out good! in Jesus name! Amen!

May God bless the memory of Charlie Kirk!

Your servant for Christ's sake,

Pastor Ken

Weekly Schedule @ Faith Fellowship:

Wed. @ 7 PM Prayer Meeting

Fri. @ 7 PM Prayer for our Nation as we enter our 250th year!

Sat. @ 7 AM Men’s Bible & Breakfast

Sun. 9 AM: Sunday School / 10 AM Worship

Faith Fellowship -Our Forever Family, 2597 State Hwy 35, Luck, WI

Ken Mettler, Pastor (715) 475-7666

"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." Geo. Orwell