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And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
In a world shaken by evil, Dr. Ian Brown’s powerful sermon, “One Soldier Down: What Should We Do?” addresses the tragic assassination of Christian apologist Charlie Kirk. With unwavering conviction, Dr. Brown confronts the hatred and indoctrination behind this act, urging believers to anchor themselves in the cross, recalibrate their lives for God’s glory, and boldly proclaim the Gospel. Join us in reflecting on this stirring message of faith, resilience, and hope, as we pray for Erica Kirk and her family. Read the full sermon summary below and listen or watch the sermon broadcast.
Sermon Summary: “One Soldier Down. What Should We Do?”
Scriptural Basis:
Dr. Ian Brown opens his sermon by directing the congregation to Acts 6:10, which describes how Stephen’s opponents could not resist his wisdom, and Acts 8:59, where Stephen, while being stoned, prays for his persecutors and asks Jesus to receive his spirit. These passages frame the sermon’s exploration of martyrdom and persecution. Brown also references 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, which encourages believers to focus on eternal, unseen realities rather than temporal trials, providing a lens for interpreting contemporary tragedies.
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Context and Prayer:
Dr. Brown begins with a prayer, thanking God for the opportunity to gather with His Word and reflecting on Stephen’s martyrdom as a parallel to modern persecution. He prays for the family of Charlie Kirk—his widow Erica, their children, and extended family—asking for divine comfort in their loss. The prayer sets a tone of solemnity and reliance on God’s guidance to address the sermon’s central question: how should Christians respond when a faithful servant is struck down?
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk:
Dr. Brown describes the murder of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old Christian apologist, as a “tragedy of massive proportions.” Kirk was assassinated in Odom, Utah, during the first event of a tour aimed at engaging young people with the Gospel. Brown highlights Kirk’s eloquence, courage, and commitment to biblical truth, noting that he spoke about Jesus Christ and forgiveness to a largely Mormon audience just before his death. Evangelist Ray Comfort is cited, praising Kirk’s boldness in addressing controversial issues with clarity and grace. Brown asserts that Kirk was killed for his devotion to Christ and his unapologetic proclamation of the Gospel, a stark reminder of the hostility Christians face in public spheres.
The Foulness of the Wicked Action:
Drawing parallels with Stephen’s martyrdom, Dr. Brown labels Kirk’s assassination a “foul” and “wicked” act, driven by hatred for his message and the Saviour he represented. He laments the public reaction, particularly from the “lunatic left,” who celebrated Kirk’s death on social media and even in the U.S. Congress, where some Democrats disrupted a moment of silence. Brown cites examples of hateful responses, such as pro-abortion students at the University of Montana laughing about the murder and professionals (e.g., medical personnel, teachers, and professors) posting vile comments online. He attributes this hatred to the sinful nature of humanity, corrupted since the Fall in Genesis, and exacerbated by Satan’s influence, described as a “defeated enemy” who nonetheless promotes wickedness. Quoting Isaiah 5:20, Brown warns against those who call evil good and good evil, identifying this inversion as a hallmark of the world’s rejection of Christ (John 7:7, 15:18).
The Fertiliser for This Wicked Action:
Dr. Brown explores the conditions that enable such evil, pinpointing “indoctrination” as the key factor. He discusses the assassin, Tyler Robinson, a young man who became radicalised with leftist ideology during university. Robinson’s extreme views were influenced by online platforms like TikTok, where songs like “Bella Ciao” (revived as an anti-fascist anthem) and video game references (e.g., bullet engravings linked to a game) shaped his rhetoric. Brown cites Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who described Robinson as “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” and notes his connections to online forums promoting left-wing and transgender extremism. Beyond the individual, Brown critiques the broader societal “seedbed” of indoctrination, particularly in universities. He references George Aberney, president-elect of the Oxford Union, who celebrated Kirk’s death, and the lack of disciplinary action from Oxford University, illustrating the moral decay in academic institutions. Brown argues that modern universities, dominated by Marxist, socialist, and radical ideologies, foster hatred for biblical values, traditional family structures, and free speech. He cites examples of professors and teachers disciplined or sacked for celebrating Kirk’s death, such as an assistant dean at Middle Tennessee State University who wrote, “Hate begets hate, zero sympathy.”
The Future Through This Wicked Action:
Turning to 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, Dr. Brown offers a hopeful perspective on how Christians should respond. He outlines four key actions:
- Realise: Evil does not surprise God or diminish His sovereignty, wisdom, or goodness. Believers must trust God’s character, even when events are incomprehensible, and avoid questioning in darkness what God has revealed in light. Tragedies like Kirk’s murder call for repentance (Luke 13:1–5), both for society’s sins and for personal shortcomings, acknowledging that all are capable of evil apart from God’s grace.
- Reconnect: The cross of Christ serves as the ultimate paradigm for understanding suffering. Christ’s crucifixion, the greatest injustice, was orchestrated by God’s sovereign plan (Acts 2:23, 4:24–28). Similarly, God was not absent during Kirk’s assassination but was working out His purposes. Brown encourages believers to view all trials through the lens of the cross, where Christ bore humanity’s sins and secured salvation.
- Recalculate: Inspired by Martel Isles’ challenge, Brown urges Christians to reflect on what they are willing to die for, echoing the Apostle John’s commitment to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Kirk’s short but impactful life at 31 years old contrasts with the self-indulgence of many peers, prompting believers to focus on eternal priorities and live boldly for Christ.
- Reach Out: Kirk’s mission was to engage indoctrinated youth with truth. His widow, Erica, has vowed to continue his work with Turning Point USA, which saw a surge of 18,000 new chapter requests and 32,000 inquiries after her speech. Brown shares testimonies, such as Maya Poet’s exit from transgenderism and Miss Miller Time’s newfound faith, illustrating Kirk’s lasting impact. He encourages believers to support and equip those standing for truth, pray for their enemies (Matthew 5:44), and share the Gospel fearlessly.
Conclusion and Call to Action:
Dr. Brown concludes by affirming the hope of the Gospel. While Christians grieve Kirk’s loss, they do not grieve without hope, unlike those who reject Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Kirk, now in the presence of his Saviour, sees the eternal realities described in 2 Corinthians 4:18. Brown urges the congregation to pray for Kirk’s family, his enemies, and even his killer, hoping for their repentance. He calls unbelievers to trust in Christ for everlasting life and believers to live purposefully for God’s glory, ensuring their lives “tell for Him” in a world marked by evil.
Closing Prayer:
The sermon ends with a prayer asking God to use Kirk’s murder to stir believers to action, to live faithfully, and to lead others to Christ. Brown prays for those not yet in Christ to come to Him, emphasising the urgency of the Gospel in light of life’s brevity.
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