Last Sunday morning, nothing was said about the passing of Charlie Kirk because I was not yet familiar with the significance of his life and ministry. For over 19 years, my practice has been not to comment on political figures or current events from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. I am very careful not to go down the road of mentioning people on Sunday for the express reason that if you mention one person and their cause, insert a name _________, it practically obligates you to mention everything and everyone. If you mention Bob but not Joe, you are siding with ________. To avoid creating division, I don’t speak to political activism from the platform. I have sought instead to keep our worship time centered on Christ and His Word. But as I have learned more about Charlie and the impact of his life and witness, I now realize his situation is different, and I want to address it briefly.
What I knew of Charlie Kirk was almost nothing. I knew nothing of Turning Point USA. I thought he was a political activist for conservative policies. No church member had ever sent a link to a video, podcast, or anything about Charlie to me. Perhaps the assumption was that I knew of His significance as an evangelist and ambassador for Christ. I didn’t realize the degree to which he had publicly confessed Christ, encouraged believers, and sought to bring biblical truth into the public square. His death, therefore, has struck many believers deeply. Some of you have wondered why I said nothing, and I understand that concern.
Our hope is never in men, however gifted or faithful they may be. Our hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died, rose again, and reigns forever. God, in His Sovereign providence, permitted the assignation of Charlie Kirk. But to what end? Only time will tell. But at this point, it seems this is a Genesis 50:20 moment, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
We tend to think of these men as once-in-a-lifetime men, but they are not. God always raises up others. Cain murders Abel, and Eve gives birth to Seth. Seth has a son, Enoch, and at that time, people began to call upon the name of [worship] Yahweh (Gen 4:26). The Bible reminds us that while God raises up servants like Moses, Joshua, Paul, or even modern men like Charlie, He alone is irreplaceable. When one faithful servant is taken, God in His providence raises up others.
Moments like these naturally leave us with questions. Why would God take someone in the prime of life? Why allow such an evil act? Scripture acknowledges our questions but also calls us to trust: “The secret things belong to Yahweh our God” (Deu 29:29). Billy Graham lived to be 99 years old, and Charlie Kirk was less than 1/3 that old when he went to be with the Lord. But why? No answer will be sufficient or satisfying. Instead of seeking a satisfactory answer, we must trust in a Sovereign God. What the alleged shooter meant for evil, Yahweh is using and will use for humanity’s good and His glory.
We should also guard our hearts against a common temptation. It is natural to admire strong leaders, but our hearts can quickly turn admiration into hero worship. That is dangerous because only Christ deserves ultimate devotion. Think how the disciples must have felt when Christ died. Devastated is an utterly insufficient word to describe their state of mind when He was crucified. Like Charlie, he had done nothing worthy of death. And followers of Charlie Kirk all around the world feel the same way. Charlie’s death should remind us not of the greatness of man but of the greatness of Christ, who calls every generation to faithfulness.
How could an Israelite honor the legacy of Moses? Follow Joshua in the conquest of the Promised Land. How can you honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk? Live as he lived. Hebrews 13:7 tells us to “consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” First and foremost, never stop abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ all the days of your life. Second, become an active member of a Bible-believing, Christ-exalting congregation (family) like Berean. Third, marry a sister (or brother) in Christ who is also committed to abiding in Christ. Fourth, start a family and have no less than three children, and name your first son Kirk. Fifth, raise your children to follow Christ. Sixth, remain committed to biblical values as a consistent biblical worldview voter. Seventh, whatever your occupation, work it for the Lord.
Finally, the premature death of Charlie Kirk by means of an assassin’s bullet is described by Christ as tribulation or persecution on account of the Word of God (Mat 13:21). And very unfortunately, according to Jesus, some, because of the lack of root, will fall away. Do not fall away. Instead, root deeper into Christ and His church. See you tonight for my intro to Deuteronomy.
