A Gospel Worth Dying For

A GOSPEL WORTH DYING FOR

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” - Acts 20:24

On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was assassinated in front of thousands of young people at a college in Utah. It was a shocking event that rattled our nation. Charlie Kirk was a well-known conservative political activist, known to encourage one-on-one dialog with those who disagreed with him. More importantly, Charlie Kirk was a follower of Jesus. He openly shared his faith and defended the Christian message.

In many ways, Charlie Kirk's death has sparked a spiritual movement in our nation. I was watching an interview that was conducted with Charlie a short time before his death. The very last question that was posed to him was, “How do you want to be remembered?” In hind sight, his answer was very powerful. Charlie Kirk responded, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith.”

Based on his answer to that question, I think Charlie Kirk realized that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was worth dying for. While many think he was murdered because of his political views, I believe that there was a spiritual component behind his death. Charlie Kirk died for what he believed in.

Is your faith worth dying for? Jesus must have thought so. His death upon the cross and resurrection from the dead is the essence of our faith. If Jesus died to give us eternal life, shouldn't we be willing to die for Him?

The Apostle Paul believed that the Gospel was worth dying for. In Acts 20:24, Paul said, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul was willing to die for the Gospel. Here are three things that he did as he spread the Gospel.

REMAIN FEARLESS

First of all, Paul remained fearless. He said, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself.” It is difficult for some to understand this, but there are things that are worth dying for. A man should be willing to die for his wife. A mother should be willing to die for her children. Many soldiers risk their lives for the sake of our freedom.

But what about the Gospel? Is it worth dying for? Jim Elliot thought so. He gave his life trying to evangelize the Huaorani people of Ecuador. Elliot is often quoted as saying, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Like Jim Elliot, the Apostle Paul was fearless. He felt that the Gospel was worth dying for.

REMAIN FOCUSED

Paul stayed focused on his purpose. Paul said, “...so that I might finish my course with joy.” Paul wanted to accomplish his mission. Just like a runner, he wanted to finish his race with joy. He was focused on the finish. It was not important WHEN he would his race, but HOW he would finish his race. It's a lesson we need to learn as well. It doesn't matter how long you live, but how you live, that really matters. Like Paul, let's focus on finishing strong.

REMAIN FAITHFUL

Finally, Paul said that he wanted to finish well, “... and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Paul wanted to be faithful to the end, proclaiming the Gospel. Paul knew that it wasn't his job to make the Gospel appealing. It was his job to make the Gospel available. If faithfulness required him to die for the Gospel, so be it. Historically, we know that Paul gave his life for the Gospel.

What could be more important than the life-changing message of the Gospel? The fate of eternal souls are hanging in the balance. Without Christ, they have no hope of heaven to come.

If you have been changed by the Gospel, you should have a passion to share that message with those who need it most.

We often fail to share the Gospel because we are more concerned about our reputation than our faithfulness. We are more motivated by fear of rejection rather than pleasing God.

We are commanded to spread the Gospel everywhere. Obeying this command may lead to rejection or persecution. It may bring misunderstandings or hostility. Spreading the Gospel may actually lead to martyrdom. Will you obey the Lord and spread the Gospel?

It's a Gospel worth dying for.