Kirk Says Kobe Bryant Formed And Saved By His Catholic Faith
On Sunday, January 26, 2020, after the sad news went out that Kobe Bryant and his daughter were among those who died in the helicopter crash, many people posted on social media about their deaths. One of the posts I read was by Charlie Kirk. I think Charlie Kirk does a great job representing his political party and I appreciate his common sense approach to life. But I was greatly disappointed in his post concerning Kobe Bryant’s death. Kirk says Kobe Bryant formed and saved by his Catholic faith.
There’s nothing wrong with Charlie Kirk saying that Kobe Bryant was formed by his Catholic faith. Kobe used to talk about his Catholic upbringing, even when he was still an NBA player. No doubt Kobe was formed by the Catholic teachings when he was younger. But saved by his Catholic faith? Can you really be saved your Catholic faith?
The Bible says no such thing about being saved through the Catholic faith. In fact, the Bible is quite clear that salvation is found in Christ alone. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24). Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18-19).
He That Hath The Son Hath Life
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:11-13).
Not only is salvation found in Christ alone, it also is a free gift from God. Not found in the pope, the Catholic faith, nor in anything else. Salvation is of the Lord and is a gift from God. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble (Psalm 37:39). For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast Ephesians 2:8-9). For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Sadly, many people are deceived about true salvation. Even though the Bible is very clear about it, men and women believe what they want to believe. Some believe that your Catholic faith can save you. Others believe being a Baptist saves them. Still others are deceived by cults. A friend sent me an article about Kobe’s death and this is what an archbishop posted on Twitter: So very sad to hear the news of Kobe Bryant’s tragic death this morning. I am praying for him and his family. May he rest in peace and may our Blessed Mother Mary bring comfort to his loved ones.
Too Late To Pray For Kobe Bryant
Folks, this archbishop can pray for Kobe until he’s blue in the face and it won’t change a thing. It’s too late to pray for Kobe Bryant. Kobe is either in Heaven or Hell right now. If he repented of his sins and put his faith in Jesus, then he’s in Heaven. If Kobe put his faith in being a Catholic or in anything else besides Jesus Christ, then he’s in Hell. There is no purgatory. There are no do-overs. No second chances in Hell. You are either gloriously saved when you die or you die as an unrepentant sinner, spiritually dead in your trespasses and sins. It’s one or the other and no amount of praying (not even by an archbishop will do you any good).
The second thing that’s wrong with the archbishop’s tweet was that he asked the “Blessed Mother Mary” to bring comfort to Kobe’s loved ones. Jesus’ mother Mary can’t bring comfort to anyone. She needed salvation that was found in Jesus alone, just like everyone else needs. Mary is not a co-redeemer. Mother Mary didn’t suffer, bleed and die for your sins. Mary was not sinless. (She was a virgin when Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, but she was not sinless). Mary cannot save you and she can’t bring comfort to Kobe’s loved ones.
This May Be Your Last Day On Earth
Whenever a tragedy like this happens, it makes us think of our own mortality. Life is but a vapor. We are here today and gone tomorrow. None of us are guaranteed our next breath. Kobe Bryant was only 41 years old. His daughter was only 13 years old. Thirteen. Students, if you’ve heard me open-air preach very much at all, you know that I frequently say that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. We are not guaranteed our next breath. The reason I say this so much is because it is true. None of us are guaranteed our next breath.
This may be my last day on earth. It could be your last day on earth. Are you prepared to meet your Maker? If you died today, would you go to Heaven or Hell? Heaven you say? What are you counting on to get there? If you are counting on your Catholic faith, you won’t make it. If you are counting on growing up Methodist, you won’t make it. Counting on being a Baptist won’t save you either.
Salvation is found in Christ Jesus alone. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). No other name. None. Only Jesus saves. Have you repented of your sins and put your trust in King Jesus? Is He your Lord and Savior? If you died today, would you be in the presence of the Lord? Or would the flames of Hell welcome you to eternal torments, to eternal damnation?
This May Be Your Last Day On Earth
Over 150,000 people die each and every day. That’s a lot of people. 10 out of 10 people die. It’s the ultimate statistic. You can’t cheat death. One day will be your last. One day will be my last. I’m ready to meet God. Actually, I’m looking forward to spending eternity with Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I have repented from my sins and surrendered my life to Jesus. Can you say the same?
Professing Christian, are you truly saved? Are you counting on a one-time religious experience? Are you looking back to one-time walking an aisle and repeating a prayer or do you know that you know that Jesus is your Lord and Savior? Do you truly have a personal relationship with Jesus? Have you truly submitted your life to the King of kings and the Lord of lords? Are you saved? Examine yourself and see if you are in the faith. (The faith that matters, not just any ole faith. Do you have faith in Jesus alone?)
Today Is The Day Of Salvation
If you are walking by today and you know that you are lost, that you have not repented of your sins and put your faith in Jesus, what’s keeping you from doing so? The Bible says today is the day of salvation. Oh, recognize that you are a sinner. That you have offended Almighty God who is Holy, righteous and just. Understand that we all die because the soul that sins, it shall die. One day will be your last. Cry out for God to save you. Admit that you are a sinner. Repent from your sins and surrender your life fully and completely to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus is the only way of salvation. The Lord said so Himself. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). Being a Catholic doesn’t save you. Being a Baptist, Methodist or Presbyterian doesn’t save you. Jesus is the only Savior and you must come to Him, His way. That is through repentance and faith in Christ Jesus. The Bible says that we are to have repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).
Watered Down Gospel
I dare say most people miss repentance nowadays. The glorious Gospel has been watered down to people just being religious or being spiritual, like somehow that is enough. Some travelling evangelists go from church to church, preaching a message and then telling people to close their eyes, raise their hand if they want to receive Jesus. They continue on by asking everyone who raised their hand to repeat a prayer, asking Jesus into their heart. Then when they say Amen, they typically say “Welcome to the kingdom brothers and sisters.”
Students, this kind of manipulations and cajoling is not biblical. Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say “Ask me into your heart.” Absolutely nowhere. But Christ Jesus does tell us to repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). He also tells us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Him.
If You Love Me
Jesus also says “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” Jesus doesn’t tell us to keep the commandments out of trying to save ourselves. No, what He’s saying is that when you are truly saved, you will have a desire to please God the Father. Jesus pleased the Father when the Lord walked this earth and never sinned. You and I are nowhere near perfect. But when we truly repent from our sins and surrender our lives to Jesus, we are no longer the same.
True believers have been bought with a price. A very great price. Jesus gave His life to save His people from their sins. Oh, it a complete and utter surrender. You can’t hold on to your pet sin. You can’t hold on to Jesus with one hand and the devil with your other hand. Jesus said count the cost. Not everyone will be saved. Some people love fame. Others love riches. Still others trust in their own intellect (which is ironic because they received their intelligence from God).
Not Picking On Kobe Bryant Or His Family
Please note that I’m not picking on Kobe Bryant or his family. I’m pointing out that life is short and one day you and I will die. I’m sharing God’s truth that Jesus is the only Savior. Faith in Catholicism will not save you. Faith in a denomination will not save you. No, your faith needs to be in Christ alone.
And (Jesus) said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-48). Jesus told His disciples to preach repentance and remission or forgiveness of sins. Jesus is Lord of all and Christ is the only one that can forgive sins and He does forgive those who repent and put their faith in Him.
(This message was proclaimed in the open-air at Missouri State University on January 29, 2020)