Sovereign Grace Bible Church

The sermon presents a theological framework for responding to the assassination of Charlie Kirk with faith, rooted in Scripture and the sovereignty of God. It argues that a believing response requires rejecting human autonomy and embracing divine revelation, recognizing that evil is not beyond God's control but is ultimately used to fulfill His purposes. Drawing from passages like Proverbs 16:4, Amos 3:6, and Isaiah 45:7, it affirms that all evil—including persecution and murder—serves God's ultimate plan, as demonstrated in the stories of Joseph, Pharaoh, and the early church. The sermon calls believers to emulate the early disciples by boldly proclaiming the gospel, even in the face of hostility, and to live as faithful witnesses who obey God rather than men, trusting in Christ's presence and authority until the end of the age. This response is both a defense of truth and a call to mission, grounded in the conviction that God's counsel stands and His pleasure is done.

The sermon centers on the transformative power of the cross and the radical new creation in Christ, emphasizing that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters in the New Covenant, as true identity is found solely in Christ. Paul's boast is not in religious achievements or external rituals, but in the cross, which has crucified the world to him and him to the world, marking a decisive break from worldly values and a new orientation toward spiritual realities. The core of Christian identity is not ethnic or legalistic but internal—being a new creation, a concept rooted in regeneration, resurrection, and the promise of a future new heavens and new earth. The passage also addresses the controversy over 'the Israel of God,' affirming that it refers to all who are in Christ—Jew and Gentile alike—rejecting ethnic exclusivity and affirming the unity of the redeemed. Finally, Paul concludes with a powerful benediction, calling believers to live in the grace of Christ alone, rejecting human approval and embracing the suffering and marks of discipleship, while affirming that the ultimate hope is not in human effort but in the eternal, personal, and saving Lordship of Jesus Christ.

A believing response to cultural hostility and violence, such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk, involves recognizing that such events stem from a deep rejection of divine revelation and Christ's authority, rooted in the human mind's hostility to God's law. The sermon explains that when people reject Christ and divine truth, they reframe evil as good, leading to celebration of violence against those who confess Christ. This moral inversion arises from a denial of transcendent knowledge—Scripture, Christ, and natural law—and a rise in philosophical skepticism that culminates in nihilism. Yet, Christians are assured that persecution for Christ's name is a sign of salvation, not defeat, because God remains sovereign over all evil, using even the worst events for His redemptive purposes. The ultimate hope lies in Christ's kingship and the eternal gospel, which calls believers to endure with faith, knowing that God's good pleasure includes the salvation of a countless multitude. Ultimately, the believer's hope rests not in cultural approval but in the unshakable truth of Christ's kingship and the promise of eternal redemption.

The sermon, drawn from Galatians 6, centers on the ethical and spiritual implications of sowing and reaping, emphasizing that believers must live in alignment with the Spirit rather than the flesh, as the consequences of one's choices are inevitable and eternal. It underscores the necessity of mutual support within the church, particularly in financially sustaining those who teach the Word, while warning that those who live according to the flesh will reap corruption, whereas those who walk in the Spirit will inherit everlasting life. The passage also calls for perseverance in doing good, not out of legalistic obligation but as a response to the promise of future reward and the assurance that God, who sees all, will bring about the harvest in due season. The sermon concludes with a sharp rebuke of the false teachers who sought personal glory and avoided persecution by imposing circumcision, contrasting their pride with Paul's radical boast only in the cross of Christ, which has crucified the world to him and him to the world, marking a definitive transformation in identity and allegiance.

The sermon presents a sobering yet hopeful theological reflection on the murder of Charlie Kirk, framing it as a moment that reveals the deep hostility between the 'seed of the woman' and the 'seed of the serpent'—a conflict rooted in Genesis 3:15 and sustained by the inherent enmity of the fleshly mind against God, as described in Romans 8:7–8. It argues that human beings are born with minds naturally hostile to God's authority, a condition that explains the capacity for extreme evil throughout history, from Canaanite child sacrifice to Auschwitz and modern abortion practices, emphasizing that no limit exists to human depravity when unbridled by divine restraint. While acknowledging the reality of common grace—civil government, conscience, and moral law—this grace is not guaranteed, and God may ultimately 'give over' individuals or nations to a depraved mind, as warned in Romans 1. The message calls for a 'believing response' that rejects bewilderment, embraces righteous anger as a God-given emotion, and trusts in the redemptive power of Christ, who turned enemies into friends, even as it affirms the reality of Satan's active, supernatural opposition to God's purposes. executive_summary

The sermon centers on the dynamic interplay between divine empowerment and human responsibility in the Christian life, drawing from Galatians 5:25–6:5 to emphasize that believers, having been made alive by the Spirit, must actively 'keep in step with the Spirit' in a continual, disciplined walk of faith. It highlights the necessity of community, calling believers to restore one another in gentleness and humility when fallen, while warning against pride, envy, and self-deception that disrupt fellowship. The passage's call to 'bear one another's burdens' is framed as a fulfillment of Christ's new commandment to love, demonstrating the church's identity through mutual care and accountability. The sermon further explores the historical context of early Christian teaching, underscoring how the oral transmission of apostolic and prophetic revelation—before the New Testament was compiled—formed the foundation of the church's life and practice, reinforcing that the Word of God was preserved and shared through living, Spirit-empowered communities. The sermon emphasizes that Christian growth is both a divine gift and a human responsibility, calling believers to walk in step with the Spirit by living in community, restoring one another with humility, and bearing burdens in love—fulfilling Christ's law of love—while reflecting on how the early church preserved and transmitted Scripture through oral tradition before the New Testament was written.

The sermon explores the nature of sanctification, emphasizing that while salvation isn's earned through obedience, it inevitably produces a transformed life. Drawing from Galatians and Romans, the message clarifies the distinction between definitive and progressive sanctification, highlighting the believer's union with Christ's death and resurrection as the catalyst for change. It cautions against antinomianism, which denies the necessity of a changed life, and perfectionism, which claims sinless living in this life, while affirming the ongoing struggle against sin and the importance of confessing and resisting temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The sermon explores the certainty of the Lord's return, emphasizing that while God's patience offers opportunity for repentance, it does not negate the inevitability of judgment. Drawing from 2 Peter 3, the message clarifies that the 'day of the Lord' refers to a climactic period of destruction and exposure, not a single day, and underscores the importance of living in holy conduct and godliness, anticipating a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells. The speaker urges listeners to be mindful of this future reality, recognizing that it should profoundly impact their present decisions, relationships, and use of time and resources, resisting the temptation to disregard the coming judgment and instead embracing a life aligned with God's will.

Drawing from Galatians, the message emphasized that while believers are called to liberty, this freedom should not be exploited for the flesh but rather used to serve one another in love, recognizing that true obedience stems from the power of the Holy Spirit. The speaker underscored the importance of progressive sanctification, acknowledging the ongoing struggle against sin while affirming the transformative power of Christ and the assurance of God's forgiveness, ultimately encouraging a reliance on scripture and a rejection of legalistic additions to God's law.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's patience and long-suffering, particularly in light of false teachings denying Christ's return. It highlights that God's timekeeping differs vastly from human understanding, urging listeners not to mistake this delay as an absence of judgment, but rather as an extended opportunity for repentance. Drawing from Scripture, the message underscores that God's grace and mercy are the catalysts for genuine repentance, illustrated through parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son, ultimately calling for a heartfelt return to God before it is too late.

The sermon explores the internal conflict between the desires of the flesh and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that true freedom from the law's condemnation and power comes through the Spirit's transformative work. Drawing from Galatians 5, the message highlights the importance of pursuing the "fruit of the Spirit"—love, joy, peace, and other virtues—as a means of resisting sinful impulses and experiencing a life aligned with God's will. The preacher underscores that the law, while important, cannot justify or sanctify, and that a genuine conversion involves a moral transformation empowered by the Spirit, leading to a life of obedience not driven by legalistic obligation but by love for God and a desire to please Him.

The sermon addresses the recurring theme of scoffers dismissing the promise of Christ's return, emphasizing that the Lord operates on a timeline distinct from human understanding and demonstrates long-suffering toward humanity. Drawing from passages like 2 Peter 3, the message explores the tension between God's sovereign will and His desire for all to repent, suggesting that while God's purposes are immutable, He extends grace and opportunity for repentance, ultimately urging believers to remain steadfast in faith amidst skepticism and to grapple with complex theological questions with humility and a commitment to both scripture and reason.

The sermon explores the practical implications of Christian liberty, emphasizing that freedom from the law does not license indulgence but calls for service and love towards others. Drawing from Galatians 5, the message highlights the ongoing tension between the desires of the flesh and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, urging believers to actively put to death sinful impulses and cultivate a mindset focused on spiritual truths. Ultimately, the sermon underscores that true sanctification involves a dynamic relationship with the Spirit, leading to a life characterized by love, obedience, and a commitment to making Christ known.

The sermon explores the Old Testament ritual of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus chapter 16 as a foundational understanding of Jesus Christ's work. It emphasizes the stark contrast between God's absolute holiness and humanity's sinfulness, highlighting God's initiative to draw near despite our uncleanness. Through the intricate sacrificial system and the role of the high priest, the sermon illustrates the necessity of atonement and culminates in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who provides a new and living way to enter God's presence, offering assurance of faith and a promise of forgiveness for those who hold fast to hope in Him.

The sermon explores the allegorical nature of Galatians 4, contrasting the covenants represented by Sarah and Hagar to illustrate the difference between salvation through faith and reliance on the law. It emphasizes that attempting to be justified by adherence to Jewish customs or the Mosaic Law results in spiritual bondage and exclusion from Christ, while true freedom and inheritance come through faith in Jesus. The message underscores the importance of recognizing that both Jews and Gentiles are accountable to God's law, whether written or inscribed on their consciences, and that salvation is ultimately achieved through grace and a heartfelt response to God's revelation in Christ.

The sermon explores the dangers of false teaching and apostasy, drawing from Peter's second letter and highlighting the deceptive nature of persuasive rhetoric that entices individuals away from genuine faith. It emphasizes that while the grace of God offers freedom, those who turn away from the truth face a worse fate than if they had never known it, comparing such a return to the actions of a dog returning to its vomit or a sow returning to the mire. Ultimately, the message calls for discernment, vigilance against deceptive influences, and a steadfast commitment to following Christ, while maintaining compassion and hope for those who have strayed.

The sermon centers on the importance of the prophetic word, particularly in light of false teachings and the hope of Christ's return. Drawing from 2 Peter, the message emphasizes that the transfiguration of Jesus served as a confirmation of prophetic scriptures, offering a glimpse of his future glory and power. Believers are urged to heed this confirmed word as a guiding light in a dark world, cultivating a living hope until the day dawns and the morning star rises in their hearts, understanding that this hope is rooted in the faithfulness of God and the promise of a future revelation of Christ.