Stand Firm: Courageous Faith
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John’s sermon from September 21, 2025
Let’s Break it Down
In today's culture where agenda is valued over life and scripture is labeled hate speech, believers must choose whether to stand firm or compromise. True Christianity embraces potential martyrdom, rejoices in suffering for Christ, and never stops proclaiming Jesus as Lord. When we no longer love our lives above all else, fear loses its power, and we find authentic faith that counts for eternity.
Key Takeaways
True Christianity must acknowledge the possibility of martyrdom and persecution as part of following Christ faithfully.
We overcome Satan by the blood of Jesus, by our testimony, and by not loving our lives unto death (Revelation 12:11).
Fear is a powerful tool of the enemy, but surrendering our lives completely to Christ breaks its hold on us.
Christianity is not about catering to our desires but about carrying our cross daily as Jesus commanded.
In an increasingly hostile culture, Christians must be prepared to stand firm for biblical truth regardless of the consequences.
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5 Day Devotional
Day 1:Overcoming Through the Blood
Devotional: In a world that seems increasingly hostile to faith, we can find ourselves wondering how to stand firm. The spiritual battle raging around us isn't new—it's been ongoing since Satan's rebellion. What's different today is the intensity, as the enemy knows his time grows short. God hasn't left us defenseless in this battle. The first powerful weapon in our arsenal is the blood of Jesus Christ. This isn't some mystical concept but the practical reality that Christ's sacrifice has already secured our victory. When we place our faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross, we stand in a position of triumph. The blood of Jesus provides forgiveness for our sins, reconciliation with God, and protection from the enemy's accusations. When Satan points to our failures and shortcomings, we don't need to defend ourselves or prove our worthiness. Instead, we point to the blood of Jesus that has already made us righteous before God. This is why the gospel message is so powerful and why no substitute will do. Political movements, charismatic leaders, or cultural acceptance can never provide what the blood of Jesus offers. Only through Christ can we overcome the enemy's schemes and stand victorious.
Bible Verse
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." - Revelation 12:11
Reflection Question
In what specific areas of your life do you need to rely more fully on the power of Christ's blood rather than your own strength or other worldly solutions?
Quote The Gospel of Donald Trump saves no one. The Gospel of Charlie Kirk saves no one. The Gospel of Jesus Christ saves anyone that calls upon his name.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the power of your blood that has already secured my victory. Help me to stand firmly on this truth when the enemy attacks with accusations and fear. Remind me daily that my hope is not in worldly solutions but in your finished work on the cross. Give me courage to live from this place of victory. Amen.
Day 2:The Power of Your Testimony
Devotional: Our testimonies carry more power than we often realize. When we speak about what God has done in our lives, we're not just sharing stories—we're wielding a spiritual weapon that overcomes darkness. The second element in God's victory strategy is "the word of our testimony." Your personal experience with Jesus—how He saved you, changed you, and continues to work in your life—is evidence that cannot be easily dismissed. When you share your testimony, you're declaring the reality of God's power in a way that theoretical arguments never could. In today's culture where Christian voices are increasingly marginalized, your testimony becomes even more crucial. It's not just about defending doctrinal positions but sharing the living reality of Christ in your life. This isn't always comfortable—especially when speaking truth might be labeled as hate speech or when disagreement is equated with hatred. Yet we must remember that our testimonies aren't meant to win arguments but to shine light. When we speak with gentleness and respect about the transformation Christ has brought to our lives, we participate in God's redemptive work in the world. Your story matters because it's evidence of God's ongoing story of salvation.
Bible Verse
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." - Revelation 12:11
Reflection Question
What aspects of your personal testimony might God be calling you to share more boldly, even in the face of potential rejection or misunderstanding?
Quote Quoting scripture is now seen as hate speech. A lot of what Charlie was accused of hating was his quoting of scripture.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for writing your story in my life. Give me courage to share my testimony with others, not with arrogance but with humility and love. Help me to speak truth even when it's difficult, remembering that my story is ultimately about your goodness and grace. Use my words to bring hope to others. Amen.
Day 3:Not Loving Life to Death
Devotional: Perhaps the most challenging aspect of spiritual victory is embracing the call to "not love our lives to the death." This doesn't mean we should hate life or seek suffering, but rather that we hold our earthly existence with open hands, recognizing something far greater awaits us. In our comfort-oriented culture, this concept feels foreign. We're conditioned to protect ourselves, maximize pleasure, and avoid discomfort at all costs. Yet Jesus modeled a different way—one where self-preservation takes a backseat to God's purposes. When we cling too tightly to our lives—our comfort, reputation, security, or plans—we become vulnerable to the enemy's manipulation through fear. But when we surrender these things to Christ, recognizing they were never truly ours to begin with, we find a freedom that no circumstance can take away. This doesn't mean being reckless or courting persecution. Rather, it means living with the settled conviction that our lives belong to God, and whatever happens to us is within His sovereign care. This perspective breaks fear's power over us and enables us to stand firm when facing opposition for our faith.
Bible Verse
"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin." - First Peter 4:1
Reflection Question
What aspects of your life are you holding onto most tightly, and how might surrendering these areas to God free you to live more boldly for Christ?
Quote You so surrender your life to Jesus Christ, that you don't even love your life anymore. You're grateful for it, thankful for it, and you're enjoying it with the best of them. But your life is not that precious to you anymore. This is temporary, that's eternal.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the ways I've clung to comfort and security above your calling. Help me to hold my life with open hands, recognizing that true life is found in surrender to you. Give me courage to follow you faithfully, even when the path leads through difficulty. Thank you that nothing can separate me from your love. Amen.
Day 4:Cross-Bearing Christianity
Devotional: Authentic Christianity has always been about the cross—not just the one Jesus bore, but the one He calls each of us to carry daily. This isn't a popular message in a world that markets faith as a path to prosperity and comfort, but it's the undeniable teaching of Scripture. Jesus was clear: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). The cross represents sacrifice, suffering, and death to self. It's the place where our priorities, ambitions, and desires are surrendered to God's greater purposes. This doesn't mean God wants us miserable. On the contrary, the paradox of the gospel is that true joy and freedom come through surrender. When we release our grip on the things of this world—possessions, reputation, comfort, even life itself—we discover the abundant life Jesus promised. The early church understood this. They rejoiced when persecuted, considering it an honor to suffer for Christ's name. Their example challenges us to examine our own faith. Are we seeking a Christianity that caters to our preferences, or are we embracing the cross-shaped life Jesus modeled?
Bible Verse
"And when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." - Acts 5:40
Reflection Question
In what ways have you been seeking a cross-less Christianity, and what might it look like to embrace Jesus' call to daily self-denial in your current circumstances?
Quote Christianity is not a catering service to meet your needs. Christianity is a cross that calls you to lay your life down because greater love is no one than he who would lay his life down for his friends, any cross less Christianity is not biblical.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I've sought comfort over obedience. Thank you for the example of Jesus who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. Help me to embrace my own cross daily, dying to selfish desires and living for your purposes. Give me the courage to follow you faithfully, regardless of the cost. Amen.
Day 5:Making Your Life Count
Devotional: We each have one life—a brief moment in the expanse of eternity. The question isn't whether this life will end, but whether it will matter. Hebrews reminds us that we're appointed to die once, then face judgment. This sobering reality should shape how we live today. In a culture obsessed with self-preservation and comfort, we easily forget that our lives aren't primarily about us. We were created for God's purposes, to know Him and make Him known. Every breath is an opportunity to invest in what lasts forever. Jesus offers the only path to eternal life. Not one of many ways, but the way, the truth, and the life. This exclusive claim feels increasingly countercultural, yet we can't compromise this core truth without abandoning authentic Christianity. Loving others means sharing this truth, even when it's uncomfortable. Rather than fearing the challenges of our time, we can embrace them as opportunities to demonstrate the difference Christ makes. Each difficulty becomes a platform for displaying God's power working through surrendered lives. This perspective transforms our approach to hardship—we see it not as something to avoid but as a context for God's glory to shine more brightly.
Bible Verse
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" - John 14:6
Reflection Question
If you knew you had only one year left to live, what changes would you make to ensure your life counts for eternity, and why aren't you making those changes now?
Quote You get one life church. Make good on it. Make good on the life that you have. Make good on the breath in your lungs.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of today. Help me to use my one life wisely, investing in what has eternal significance rather than temporary comfort. Give me courage to share the truth of your exclusive claims with love and conviction. May my life count for your kingdom, whether through ease or hardship. I surrender this day and all my days to you. Amen.