Remembering Messengers of Truth

We find ourselves living in a fractured age of algorithms and outrage as we gather our hearts around a profound loss when tragedy, turmoil, and evil met at a crossroads on September 10, 2025, in Utah. Charlie Kirk, a husband, father, and unyielding voice for the Gospel, was murdered by the hand of an assassin. To some, he was a messenger of God thundering Biblical truths on marriage, life, and salvation; to others, his boldness offended them.

Many people have responded to his death yet as modern day Christians navigating a world that twists every narrative, let us first pause to remember him—not as a flawless hero, but as a messenger whose life pointed others to the unchanging Christ. The Scriptures call us to this very act of remembrance, drawing out God's intended meaning for our spiritual growth and transformation.

We see the standard presented to God’s people in Hebrews 13:7 where it states, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." Here, the author of Hebrews—writing to Jewish believers that were enduring great persecution— urges a deliberate act of reflection.

• The Greek word for "remember" does not imply mere nostalgia but calls us to the act of remembrance which is meant to shape our present conduct for the better. These early followers of the Lord "spoke the Word of God," which exposed souls to divine revelation amid hostility.
• The text also calls us to "consider" the lives of these individuals. This Greek term for “consider” means to focus intently on the fruit of the life that brings God glory, not for morbid curiosity, but to "imitate" their faith, like a child echoing a parent.

God intends this verse to bridge then and now: in our era of moral confusion, remembering such messengers guards us from the fool's narrative that denies God (Psalm 14:1). It roots us in the Creator's redemptive plan for mankind. This is why it is important to learn from modern day messengers like Charlie Kirk and consider the fruit of his life: a man who, despite controversy, proclaimed Christ unashamedly, championed the unborn as image-bearers and declared marriage between man and woman to be God's sacred design. By learning to imitate the courage and faithfulness of such individuals you pay honor to these individuals and fulfill God's design for Christ-centered living.

As Charles Spurgeon reminds us, drawing from Proverbs 10:7, "The memory of the just is blessed"—not because they were sinless, but because their lives echo the Savior's, calling us to do the same. Let us, then, remember the faithful Christians that have given all for the glory of God not to idolize, but to imitate, that their legacy might bear fruit in our witness.

"The memory of the just is blessed."

The news of Charlie Kirk's assassination still stirs a storm within the hearts and minds of many people— righteous indignation at evil, mingled with the raw ache of grief. Social media has erupted in fury, and our hearts echo the cry: How can this be? Yet, in this moment of collective anger, confusion, and sorrow, God calls us to discernment, unpacking His Word to transform our emotions into a holy and God-honoring response. Anger itself if it goes unchecked will overflow in life and hinder the witness of God’s people.

Consider Ephesians 4:26-27: "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil." Paul is writing to the church of Ephesus during a time of Roman persecution and so he draws out a lesson from Psalm 4:4 to affirm anger as a God-given signal of injustice. We even see that Jesus Himself overturned tables in the temple (John 2:15).

But the command that accompanies this verse is what many people overlook as Paul declares, "do not sin.” This one command demands boundaries where anger must submit to righteousness and not grow into bitterness. The phrase "do not let the sun go down" reminds us that as Christians, God wants us to deal with our anger with a call to swift resolution, lest it could allow resentment to harden our hearts. Why? Because prolonged anger "gives opportunity" —literally, "room" or "foothold"—to the devil, who exploits our fractured hearts and minds to divide the body of Christ.

God intends this text to remind us of the importance of processing our anger through confession, prayer, and community, turning it from a poison that contaminates our life to a propellant to live for the glory of God. John Piper reminds us of this truth in this manner as he declares:

"To refuse to let the sun go down on your anger is to make a conscious decision to deal with it before the day is over, entrusting it to the justice of God."

Today, as a Christian, give your anger to the Lord—grieve the brokenness, but release it to the Lord swiftly, that the Spirit may guard your heart.

Events that we encounter in this world reveal the sobering reality that evil's shadow lengthens in our land—assassinations, polarizing bitterness and division, random acts of violence and much more lead us to realize that Charlie Kirk's death is a tragedy that unmasks our nation's spiritual sickness where commands such as "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) is scorned. How, then, do we respond? Not with despair or vengeance, but with Biblical truth. The Apostle Paul unveils God's strategy for believers in a hostile empire as we see him write this command:

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." – Romans 12:21

With these words, Paul reminds us of the command of non-retaliation as found in Romans 12:17 which states, "Repay no one evil for evil." As you come to verse 21, the command "do not be overcome" warns us of evil's conquering force if we mirror it—rage produces rage, silence breeds complicity. This is why Paul chooses to flip the script for Christians by declaring “overcome evil with good” otherwise choose to actively "conquer" evil through actions rooted in God's character.

For first-century Roman Christians facing Nero's great persecution, this was not easy, but it was God-honoring. As you apply this principle to our time then it is critical to respond to those who do evil by choosing to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

Respond, then, with prayer for enemies, advocacy for justice, and lives that embody the Gospel of peace. Let us speak truth, act mercifully, and conquer evil by reflecting the Victorious Lamb of God.

As we look to the legacy of Charlie Kirk, we see that he was a man of courage: unashamed of the Gospel. He entered hostile campuses, defended the sanctity of life, and the exclusivity of Christ. Many times, Christians admire such individuals yet hesitate to follow in their footsteps.

Today, we need more Christians that will heed the call of the Lord like we find in Isaiah 6:8 which states: "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" Paul echoes this in our sending as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), bearing light to nations (Isaiah 49:6). 

I appreciate that Charlie Kirk embodied this calling: not as a policymaker, but as an everyday ambassador for Christ. How can we do the same today? In the arena of algorithms, we too are sent—to families, friends, and feeds—to proclaim Jesus' reign. The powerful preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said, "Those who stand boldly and uncompromisingly for the truth will often be lonely. In this the disciple follows in his Master's footsteps."

May each of us as Christians be courageous enough to answer today: "Here I am, Lord…Send me." May we be willing to stand unashamed for the Gospel remembering now and forever that Jesus reigns over politics and pulpits alike.

As the days move forward and the weeks turn into months and years then you have a choice to make. With all the distractions of the culture, choose to turn off your phone, read Scripture, and spend time with family or friends. Practice the wise words of James 1:22 which declares, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Choose to ground yourself in Word and worship; live a holy life in this crooked generation (Philippians 2:15). Preach clearly, love fiercely, and may God be given the glory.

-Dr. Timothy Lueking

Lead Minister