Charlie Kirk’s Death: Will The Church Rise Up?

Church leaders, Charlie Kirk's death has affected your congregation and community. Will you rise up to capture this moment for the furtherance of the gospel? – Clint Decker

Experts say on average, approximately 150,000 people die daily across the world. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was just one of those thousands that were lost. However, the evidence is overwhelming that the impact of his death rises to monumental levels like that of 9/11 or the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King, Jr. Before I began my message on Sunday I asked the church, “How many of you have heard of Charlie Kirk?” Nearly every hand went up. However, prior to September 10th, just a few in the church knew who he was. Pastors, this current event has affected your congregation and community. Are you capturing this moment for the furtherance of the gospel? Are you providing a pastoral and biblical response to the tragedy? (image from Charlie Kirk's funeral where the gospel was preached)

When Jesus began His public ministry, every day He worked at getting His message out through preaching, teaching and doing signs and wonders that people might believe and follow Him. However, as He went about each day, there always seemed to be interruptions.

On one occasion we see where Jesus was given the news about a terrible event, “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’” (Luke. 13:1-5) Jesus did not ignore the event, but directly addressed it, along with a second one. Look at how He did it. He rose above the politics, which they may have been trying to draw Him into, and spoke to the spiritual side, using it as an opportunity to preach the gospel. We see this repeatedly in Jesus’ ministry.

Church leaders, prayerfully observe the impact of Charlie Kirk’s death. Take some time. When you do, you will see the hot embers of revival and awakening are there. Do not miss this moment to preach the gospel and strengthen the church through it.

Yes, Charlie was deeply involved in politics. Yes, he took strong positions on a number of moral, cultural and political issues. For that alone, some church leaders may steer clear of him, but please do not be among those. He was also a committed Christian that publicly and privately lived for Christ and openly talked about Him before college students and powerful politicians.

Read these comments from just a few people, which are all over social media by the thousands, “I am 40 years old, and have five kids ages 20 to two and haven’t been to church in six years. This past Sunday we all went and will be going every Sunday from now on.” “I'm a 14-year-old girl and Charlie changed my life.” “I came off my faith, but the day he died I turned to Jesus.” “I think Jesus is knocking at my heart after Charlie's death.” “God has not been spoken so much in my house before Charlie died. His sacrifice has re-ignited in our household a love for God.”

Sarah Holliday, from The Washington Stand, succinctly wrote about Charlie’s death, “Across social media and news outlets, a groundswell is emerging. People are confessing ‘I’ve never been to church, but I’m feeling a pull to attend a Sunday service.’ Friends and family have shared with me that their churches were overflowing…a phenomenon echoed nationwide. Alongside this, lifelong atheists and skeptics are turning to prayer and seeking out Bibles…” Additionally, over 200,000 people attended Charlie’s funeral with over 100 million watching around the world, where the gospel message was given repeatedly with a call to Christ.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for church leaders that you would open their eyes to see how the fields of people’s souls are ripe for harvest. May you give them wisdom and courage to embrace this moment for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I Doubt You REALLY Believe in God

If 83% of people believe in God, then why do we have so much crime and immorality? Shouldn’t their belief impact their behavior and communities? – Clint Decker

83% of U.S. adults believe in God, according to a Pew Research article published this year. Despite numbers declining over the decades, it is still very high. During 30+ years of ministry in rural areas throughout the Great Plains, I have met many people who are a part of the 83%. Regulars at the local bar, businessmen, county jail inmates, greeters at the church, friendly neighbors across the street and politicians - they all believe in God. (Image by Freepik)

I have an honest question. If that many people believe in God, then why do we have so much crime and immorality? I think I have a point. Should not this belief make a difference in people’s lives, impacting their behavior and thereby their communities?

If I am right, then we are left to conclude one thing. There must be a misunderstanding about what it really means to believe in God.

The Bible is the original source for understanding the whole idea of belief in God. It did not originate from a pollster or rise from philosophical thought. A casual reading of the Bible reveals where it came from. The famous John 3:16 states this idea, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Additionally, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (Jn. 6:35) Then in another place, a man is told to, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)

When we look at what the Bible says on the subject of belief, five truths surface. 1) Believing in God is synonymous with a belief in Jesus. Since He is God’s Son, to refuse to belief in Jesus becomes a pointless belief, for Jesus said, “And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (Jn. 12:45) 2) Believing in God is the recognition of Jesus, and accepting by faith His deity, virgin birth, death and resurrection, though you may not understand it all. 3) Believing in God is to trust in Jesus, meaning you are willing to entrust your whole life into His care and come under His authority. 4) Believing in God is to follow Jesus, meaning you are willing to do what Jesus and His Word says, no matter the cost—even unto death. 5) Believing in God is union with Jesus, meaning Christ is in you and you are in Him.

Too often when someone says, “I believe in God”, they are talking about an intellectual belief, or more accurately, it could be called an “acknowledgement.” They acknowledge God’s existence, and some details about who He is. And the same could be said about Jesus. This type of strange belief is far away from the Bible’s correct understanding of it.

People like the 83% were directly addressed in the Bible, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder.” (James 2:19) The Devil himself and the demons of hell acknowledge the existence of God, but they go no further. They refuse to accept the supreme authority of Christ and come under His Lordship. They refuse to turn from their sin and place their full trust in Jesus. They refuse to reorder their life according to the ways of God.

The belief most have is a mere acknowledgement which does not lead to a changed life and a moral transformation, where the old has gone, the new has come because of the Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Today, move past a mere acknowledgement of Jesus and embrace a full-on, radical belief in Christ. Go beyond the superficial words of religion, and by faith, yield yourself totally to Him.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will bring people to move past the acknowledgements of Christ, and to a true biblical belief in you. May they humble themselves and come under your Lordship and follow you as their supreme authority in all areas of their life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Admit it. None Of Us Are Good Enough

Millions are convinced the good things they have done for the church, others, or their efforts at trying to do right, should mean something to God. – Clint Decker

Jesus once told a story about two men who went to pray. One was a high standing religious man, while the other was a despised tax collector that had extorted money from many. The religious man prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” (Luke 18:11-12, Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay)

However, the other man prayed much differently. “The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Lk. 18:13)

Jesus was widely known for telling stories. They were not told just to entertain, illustrate nor to communicate some generic spiritual truth. Instead, they often had a hidden or very direct meaning. His stories (parables) would point out evil in the hearts of some in His audience which revealed God’s judgement upon them.

His story began with this statement of explanation “[Jesus]…told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.” (Lk. 18:9) Then the story concluded with Jesus saying, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk.18:14)

The differences between the two men are clear. The religious man saw himself as a good person because of the good things he did. He was not like everyone else. He was better. Meanwhile, the tax collector saw himself as nothing. There was anguish in his soul, while shamefully admitting all the wrongs he had done. He believed he was so undeserving of God’s forgiveness that he felt he could do nothing but plead for His mercy.

Today, there are millions just like this religious man. Multitudes feel good about themselves because of their efforts at doing good things. They counter the wrongs they have done with imaginary moral insurance to soothe their conscience. They are convinced the good things they have done for the church or others, or upright moral behaviors they have tried to live by, should be pleasing and acceptable before God.

And like the religious man, they view themselves as better than the other guy, or even better than they once were. They are not like the drug dealers, like the ones convicted for indecent liberties with a child or like the slimy and corrupt politicians. They see “those people” as the ones who need help, not themselves.

These attitudes are dangerous! They produce an annoying and obnoxious sense of pride that rouses the anger of God. He hates it! This is why the spirit of the tax collector pleased God. Because he had a humble heart. He recognized the true condition of his soul, “None is righteous, no, not one…no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:11,12) The tax collector could have pointed to some good things he did in his life, but he chose not to. His sin. His failure before God was so overwhelming, he could not. One million good things could never wash away the dirtiness of his eternal soul. He believed that his only option was to plead for the mercy of God and hope He would hear and respond.

Praise God! This story from Jesus, points to His glorious cross. For the prideful, God will give them what they deserve, but for the humble of heart, He will graciously grant them what they do not deserve. His unmerited kindness will grant complete and total forgiveness for all their wrongs.

Walk in the humble spirit of the tax collector, call out for God’s mercy upon your soul. Then because of Jesus death and resurrection, freedom will be yours.

A prayer for you – Lord God, examine our hearts. If we have an ounce of pride, point it out that we might turn from it. And let us have the spirit of the tax collector. Bring us to humble ourselves before you and plead for your mercy upon our souls. In Jesus’ name. Amen.