Church Family

I sensed a fresh movement of faith as I watched Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Service after church on Sunday. As key members of our President’s administration stepped up to give testimony, I was encouraged by how many of them spoke firmly about their faith in Christ. I watched Charlie’s widow publicly forgive Charlie’s assassin (which she based on the forgiveness of Christ). I watched with hope and expectation. Political figures are expressing faith in Christ and sharing the points of the gospel. Is this really a Turning Point for our country? Could this be the beginning of the fresh winds of spiritual revival? I found myself asking (maybe with bit of skepticism), “Is this real, Lord?” God is certainly able to bring a message out of a mess. In fact, God specializes in bringing good out of bad. Remember the words of Joseph to his brothers (who sold him into slavery). Joseph said in Genesis 50:20, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good.”

Yes, God is able to produce faith movements out of heart-breaking tragedies. We worship a Sovereign, Providential God. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Thousands of people are coming to faith in Christ from this tragedy. People are going to church for the first time. People are picking up Bibles and reading them for the first time. In his remarks yesterday, Dr. Ben Carson noted that Charlie Kirk died at 12:24 pm. Then he read John 12:24, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” We are beginning to see some of this fruit. Even in our own community. A young lady who has been attending worship with us at FBC Ruidoso, was prompted to come because of the ministry of Turning Point USA and Charlie Kirk. God is good!

So, what is the Christian’s response to all of this? I’d like to suggest the following steps:

1.        Brush up on the gospel message. Internalize the truth that, “Christ died for your sins, according to the scriptures, that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Your knowledge of the truth is what sets you free. Your knowledge of the gospel of Christ changes everything. Soak up the truth of the gospel. If you have questions about the gospel message. We are here to help. As a church, we want to disciple believers and help believers grow/continue in their faith (abide in Christ).
2.        Don’t be “ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:16) Let your boldness for Christ be known. Some people are opening their mouths for the first time for Jesus. People are saying, “Charlie, we’ve got this.” There are attempts to carry on the legacy of compassion and courage, for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6:19, “pray also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
3.        Build Intentional Relationships. Find people in your circles of influence with whom you can start spiritual conversations. We have tools at church to help you with all these points. God is working. Let’s join Him where He is already working.
4.        Practice the Love of God to everyone. As the people of God, living in a world of hate, we will experience persecution. As I’ve said before, “hate doesn’t bring people to Christ, love brings people to Christ.” We have to approach conversations with compassion and balance them with boldness. We are in spiritual warfare (as we are talking about on Sunday mornings) and we need to be prayed up, and armored up with the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Blessed to be your Pastor!

Pastor Todd