Beware of Honor Masquerading as Idolatry

“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:13).

Lord, do not let us lose sight of the shed blood of Christ in the midst of the shed blood of your servant.

We know that we can only declare freedom by your blood, shed at the cross.

Father, I thank You for the work You did through Charlie Kirk, and I grieve that his life was taken. Yet Your house of worship is distinctly different—it is holy, set apart, to glorify You alone.

Although we mourn and honor the shed blood of your martyr, we must not lose sight of the shed blood of Christ. For it is His by His shed blood alone, that we are redeemed, restored, and saved.

The blood of martyrs may inspire us, but the blood of Christ alone atones for us.

“For I the Lord your God am a jealous God…” (Exodus 20:5).
“My glory I give to no other…” (Isaiah 42:8).
“I will not yield my glory to another…” (Isaiah 48:11).

You alone are worthy of worship.

“He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light… To Him be honor and might forever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15–16).

Not only do we want to avoid profaning your holy name, but we also do not want to dishonor or disrespect the legacy of the work Charlie Kirk did through the work of the Holy Spirit. Lest we have more that fall to the fate of Herod (Acts 12:21-23) by leading them astray – For we know that it was by you alone that “all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him…” (Col. 1:15-16).

Therefore, you alone are to be worshiped. You alone get the glory.  

“He is the blessed and only ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light… To Him be honor and might forever, amen.” (1 Tim. 6:15-16).

May we never profane your holy name – or your holy day.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8).

Forgive us, Lord, when pulpits across America forsake the gospel—the power of God unto salvation—and replaced it with stories of “American pride.”

Forgive us, Jesus; We turned Your house of worship into a den of thieves. We have robbed You of your glory by boasting in men, or the pulpit-dweller’s own pride-ridden stories of their heroic theology that led this slain man into the battle, stirring emotions with news headlines, or prostituting the pulpit for politics.

And when this emotional-experience fades and the rocky ground is exposed as the news-cycle spins, they will scatter – for the gospel of Christ was traded for “irreverent babble.”

Make no mistake: Your faithful are not deceived. We know “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (Js 1:20). We know that disciples are made by the blood of Christ—not by the blood of martyrs.

May we remember:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).

Let Your day remain what You ordained—a holy rest, set apart for worship of You alone.

And please, have mercy on us oh Lord! Do not allow another Sabbath to be interrupted or vacated altogether by the memorial celebration of this warrior– although a great celebration is indeed warranted – just not on the day most of America spends in honor of you.

We lift up our prayers for Mrs. Kirk and her babies, the future work you will do in their lives and the lives of those who they have touched through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray for the work you are doing through Turning Point. May it always be about Jesus.

Let us never lose sight of Whose blood was shed for our sins.

To God be the glory, forever, amen.

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For those of you who want to justify missing worship of the Lord in the name of… (fill in the blank) – don’t. That is idolatry.

 There will be some conversions that take place as I am quite certain the gospel will indeed be preached – But the optics of Christians walking away from a worship service to attend a memorial service, is not how we present the bride of Christ, “holy and blameless, without spot or blemish.”

We must stand firm in the faith.

It is a memorial service for one of our fallen brothers, not a worship service on God’s commanded Sabbath. Remember that. So, give up your seat to someone without a church, without Christ, and without hope – and then give up your pride of life and desperate need for significance – and go to church, take your family, pray for those in attendance at the memorial – and above all else, worship Christ.

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If you want to know more about the blood of Christ and what that means for you, we have a suggested reading plan – if you would like to speak to Pastor Ashley, do not hesitate to contact us at the link provided – otherwise, please attend a Bible-believing church that preaches the Bible verse by verse.

Suggested Reading Plan (7 Days)

• Day 1: Luke 22:14–20; 1 Cor 11:23–26 — New Covenant in his blood.
• Day 2: Rom 3:21–26; 5:6–11 — Propitiation and justification by his blood.
• Day 3: Eph 1:3–14; 2:11–22 — Redemption and nearness by his blood.
• Day 4: Heb 9:11–28 — Once-for-all sacrifice.
• Day 5: Heb 10:19–25; 13:10–16 — Access and sanctification.
• Day 6: 1 Pet 1:13–25; 1 Jn 1:5–10 — Holiness and cleansing.
• Day 7: Rev 5; 7:9–17; 12:10–12 — Cosmic victory through the Lamb’s blood.