09/11/2025
24 years ago today, I can remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, and what was going on. September 11th, 2001 was a day that changed America. It was the worst terror attack ever committed on U.S. soil. It was a sobering time for our nation, but it was a time that truly took the verse “What Satan means for evil, God means for good.” Out of the terror attacks came a unity of our nation.
It was no longer Democrats versus Republicans. We were Americans. It wasn't Christians against atheists. It was, “We are going to stand up for what is right.” It was a time that in schools I watched, and it wasn't jocks and nerds. There were no groups. Everybody joined together.
And it was one of the coolest things that our nation ever experienced. And it came out of a tragedy that should never have happened. One of the phrases that came out of it was “Always remember, never forget.” One of the phrases that I have used a lot over the years is every battle is a spiritual battle. In the realm of our nation, in the realm of politics, in the realm of whatever it is, every battle is a spiritual battle. Always remember, never forget.
How many of you are familiar with Charlie Kirk? Yeah, I kind of figured. One of the most influential spokesmen of our generation. If you are familiar with him, you have probably heard many of his talks. I would imagine a lot of you are very familiar with his stance. He was a courageous Christian, yet he was kind and compassionate in his presentation. He was always consistent, whether at home or sitting on a college campus. What you seen was who Charlie Kirk was. He was courteous. He was community minded. He was committed to a cause. He was controlled in his presentation, yet he was confident in what he believed, and he was truly convicted of his Christian beliefs.
Charlie Kirk vehemently defended the life of the unborn, unapologetically presented the gospel to tens of thousands of students across the nation, and he passionately fought for conservative values based on biblical truths. He was a hero to so many people, me included. At a time when our nation seemed so dark, he was a light. But what Satan means for evil, God can use for good.
The seed that Charlie Kirk planted needs to be taken by this generation, and you need to become the light. This time as a school, as a nation, is a time to unify, just like we did 24 years ago. It is a time to join together. It is a time as Christians to speak out for what we believe, and it is a time for you to take a stand for what is right. His passing is tragic, but the potential for God to use it to raise up more people like Charlie Kirk is tremendous.
Every single hand, or almost every single hand here was raised. You know who he was, you know what he did, and you know the power of his influence. The question is, are you, are you going to let that go, or are you going to let that seed do something in you to create community, to create camaraderie, to create something better in this world than what we have right now. You have that responsibility because you are the next generation.
He was closer to your age than he was to mine for most of you. He's your generation. He was 18, 18 years old when he started Turning Point. Some of you are almost there. He was so strong in his Christian values that he was answering the questions that he has been answering for the past 13 years. He was answering them at 15, 16 years old. He knew what he believed, why he believed it. Politically, yes, but more importantly, his Christianity, his faith. He took the verse, be ready to give an answer to any man, and he made it his life. Are you ready for that? You have that potential.
Every single one of you has the potential to take a stand the way he did, compassionately. When argued with people, he was always compassionate in how he did it. He was always gracious. He was thankful for their questions, no matter how hard they stood against him. He thanked them for raising their questions and for generating dialogue. What's sad is as Christians, we can't even get along with each other.
Always remember, never forget. When you say your pledge to the flag this morning as you start your day, think about September 11th. Think about the unity and pride that we should have as Americans and let it mean something to you, not just another day, another quote of the pledge. Let it mean something to you that we should have pride in our nation.
When you say the pledge to the Christian flag this morning, think of Charlie Kirk and what he stood for. Yeah, he was a political activist, but 90% of what he said was Bible-based. He was a Christian first, and he said it multiple times, God first, family second, America third. Make your Christianity important to you as you say the pledge this morning.
Let life mean something, don't just muddle through. Let life mean something as you walk away and you think about the tragic targeted attack. Do something with it. Don't just let it pass.
-Pastor Lear to our 7th-12th grade students this morning
