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How Do You Live in a World That Will Murder Truth

Times Square Church - Sermons

Sun Sep 14 2025

Summary

Podcast Summary: Times Square Church - Sermons

Episode: How Do You Live in a World That Will Murder Truth

Date: September 14, 2025
Speaker: Pastor Tim Dilena
Host: TSC.NYC

Overview

This sermon, delivered by Pastor Tim Dilena at Times Square Church, confronts the challenges of living and speaking truth in a world increasingly hostile to it. Anchored in biblical narratives, current events, and Times Square Church’s international vision, Pastor Tim encourages the congregation not to be discouraged by darkness but to anticipate the miraculous and continue standing for truth, even amid opposition and tragedy. The message responds directly to the shocking assassination of Christian leader Charlie Kirk, drawing parallels with the murder of Stephen in Acts. Throughout, Pastor Tim unpacks how spiritual opposition often signals an impending move of God and calls the “broken, burdened, and burned” to step into their destiny as rebuilders and restorers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Worldwide Community & Welcome

Pastor Tim and his team warmly greet over 68 nations and 45 states tuning in (03:24), highlighting the church’s global reach.
A heartwarming anecdote: A child viewing the service asks, “Is this heaven?” reflecting the palpable presence of God in their worship (03:29).

2. Preaching Truth Amid Opposition

Pastor Tim addresses the increasing difficulty of preaching biblical truth, noting that for every person who walks out in protest, more are drawn in (05:11).
The church expects and prepares for opposition, explaining their practice of overcoming disruptions by worship rather than confrontation:

“At that moment, we will out sing your protest. If you’re loud, we’ll out sing you.” — Pastor Tim (07:03)
“We’re not gonna let you take the glory that belongs to Jesus Christ...” — Co-Pastor (07:28)

3. Personal Cost, Calling, and Crisis Leadership

Pastor Tim relates being called to lead TSC through seasons of sustained crisis—pandemic, civil unrest, volatile elections, wars, shootings—affirming that “we need God more than ever” (09:04).
Pastoral mentorship: Carter Conlon prophesied years earlier that Tim would be “deepen[ed]” by hardship to lead through crisis.

4. Breaking News: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk

The sermon’s central event is the killing of Charlie Kirk, a well-known evangelical Christian and conservative voice, shot at a university in Utah (12:59).

“Truth is not complex.” — Pastor Tim, quoting Kirk (13:02)
Pastor Tim emphasizes that Kirk’s murder represents not just an attack on a person, but on truth itself:

“What was murdered was more than a man, but a nation that did not want to hear truth.” — Pastor Tim (14:26)
He expresses a renewed sense of personal risk and resolve: “I knew…myself, my family…we become a bigger target…hell is trying to silence truth from the pulpit” (15:46).

5. Standing in Truth Confronts Spiritual Attack

An intercessor sends Pastor Tim a prayer for protection and boldness, bringing comfort and strengthening Tim against fear (16:26).

“It’s always easier and safer…to retreat from our convictions than to stand out for what truth is.” — Pastor Tim (16:46)
Recent violent incidents near the church reinforce the atmosphere of spiritual and physical danger (15:46).

6. The Biblical Pattern: Murdering Truth Precedes Revival

Drawing from Acts 7–10, Pastor Tim shows a biblical pattern: the killing of Stephen (a truth-teller) is immediately followed by explosive growth and miracles in the church.
- “Hell will kill a Stephen. Hell will ravage the church because it sees something coming.” — Pastor Tim (22:28)
The message: When hell attacks truth, it signals heaven is “around the corner” with revival, conversion, and transformation (17:38).

7. Historical and Current Parallels

9/11 is cited as Satan’s reaction to spiritual breakthroughs in the Middle East (24:23).
- Ironically, Iran now hosts the fastest-growing church in the world, with mosques closing as thousands of Muslims convert to Christianity (24:20).

8. The Cost of Truth and the Price of Silence

Pastor Tim challenges listeners:

“What is your price to stop speaking the truth?...If your price is not your life, then you are for sale.” (20:13)
He declares, “If you want to be a truth-teller, your price has to be your life…This is worth laying down our lives for today.” (20:23/21:00)

9. Progression of Breakthrough After Persecution (Acts 7–10)

Stephen’s death precedes:
- Revival in Samaria (29:13)
- Expansion into Africa through the Ethiopian eunuch (29:23)
- Salvation of Saul/Paul, a persecutor turned apostle (29:28)
- Resurrection miracles (Dorcas/Tabitha, 33:48)
- The baptism of Gentiles, bringing Pentecost beyond the Jewish world (34:06–36:00)
The theme: “Don’t get discouraged. Get ready. When hell is fierce, it’s because heaven is close.” (21:00)

10. Application: Living in a World That Murders Truth

Isaiah 61 is proclaimed as both prophecy and promise: God gives “beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for heaviness” to the broken, burdened, and burned (39:53–41:49).

“He will take the broken, the burdened, and the burned and transform them for his glory…The broken, burdened, and burned will rebuild, restore and repair.” — Pastor Tim (41:53/44:49)
The church, filled with imperfect people, is called to be restorers and rebuilders (42:49–45:24).
A rousing affirmation: “Jesus is the judge…the lawgiver…the king. He will save us.” (46:34–47:12)

11. Invitation and Altar Call: Born Again by Grace

Pastor Tim presents the gospel simply and powerfully, quoting Charlie Kirk:

“Jesus took my place. Him for me. Substitutionary atonement. Grace…What is different about Christianity is that it is a gift to all humanity.” (51:17–52:15)
He calls people to be “born again”—not through religion, race, or performance, but through faith in Christ’s finished work (56:42–57:02).
The traditional “ABC” call: Admit you’re a sinner, Believe Jesus saves, Confess Him as Lord (57:02–57:27).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Preaching Amid Opposition:

“When we preach truth, we’re going to face opposition…for every 25 that walk out, 50 new people walk in.” — Pastor Tim (05:11)
On Responding to Attack:

“We will out sing your protest…we’re not going to let you take the glory that belongs to Jesus Christ.” — Pastor Tim (07:03/07:28)
Charlie Kirk’s Gospel Summary:

"Here's the gospel in four words: Jesus took my place. Three words: Him for me. Two words: substitutionary atonement. One word: grace." — Quoting Charlie Kirk (51:17)
The Cost of Truth:

"If your price is not your life, then you are for sale." — Pastor Tim (20:13)
Preparing for Revival:

"When hell is fierce, it's because heaven is close." — Pastor Tim (21:00)
"Don’t get discouraged. Get ready for what God is going to do." — Pastor Tim (33:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

(03:24–04:09) – Global greeting and “Is this heaven?” moment
(05:11–07:28) – Addressing church opposition and protest
(09:04–10:32) – Personal calling to crisis leadership
(12:59–15:48) – The news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and its implications for the church
(16:26–16:55) – A prayer of protection and boldness against fear
(17:38–22:26) – The pattern: Murder of Stephen, persecution, and the explosion of revival
(24:20–24:23) – After 9/11: Revival in Iran and the Middle East
(29:13–29:28) – Why hell fights: Before every awakening, there is opposition
(39:53–42:49) – Isaiah 61: The transformation of the broken, burdened, and burned into rebuilders
(46:34–47:12) – Jesus as the fulfillment of all authority (“judge, lawgiver, king”)
(51:17–53:01) – Charlie Kirk’s gospel summary and the call to grace
(57:02–59:54) – “ABC” altar call and prayer of salvation

Final Encouragement

Pastor Tim’s message rings with hope and resolve, insisting that believers must not be discouraged by today’s violence and hostility to truth. Instead, such opposition means heaven’s miracles and revival are closer than ever. He calls ordinary, broken people to receive grace and become God’s agents of restoration—rebuilding cities, families, and hearts.

For Those Who Haven’t Listened

This sermon is a rousing, compassionate exhortation to stand firm in truth, embrace God’s transformative grace, and participate in His work—precisely because the world resists His truth. It answers the question of how to live in such a world: expect opposition, receive grace, and rise up as rebuilders, knowing that spiritual attack is often the prelude to spiritual breakthrough.

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Transcript

Pastor Tim (0:01)

Hallelujah.

Co-Pastor or Assistant Pastor (0:04)

Would you just thank him for a moment? Come on, just stand to your feet and just begin to thank him with your mouth. With your mouth.

Pastor Tim (0:09)

Thank him like you would thank other people. Just thank him right now. Open up your mouths and thank him.

Co-Pastor or Assistant Pastor (0:14)

We thank you, Jesus.

Pastor Tim (0:16)

Thank him for salvation. Thank you for his word. Thank him for his presence. Thank him for the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Oh, we bless you, Lord.

Co-Pastor or Assistant Pastor (0:30)

We bless you, Lord. We thank you, God. We thank you, Jesus. Bless the Lord. We welcome all of you that are here today. What a blessing to have every one of you, those that are watching on our annex and our Jersey campus. We say hello to you, but it's always our joy not only to welcome you here, right here at the crossroads of the world, but to thank God for all those that are watching around the world. And I'm so excited to welcome. I have to be honest with you, I didn't even know that was a nation that we on that we. That we're supporting with that Timor Leste. I had no idea what a blessing that how many knew that was a nation. Okay, none of you did. And you guys are staring at me with condemning eyes like some of you are going like you didn't even know. And so what a. What a blessing that we get a chance to do that work. So grateful for our missions department, but we want to welcome all those that are watching live from around the country and around the world. We want to say hello to all those that are watching live in the United Kingdom and Poland. We welcome Germany and Belgium. We say hello to Ireland, Romania, Sweden, Austria. We say hello to Malta, Italy, Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, Finland, North, Macedonia. We also welcome Russia, which we are praying in. Jesus, name a stop to that war. Right now, live with us is Spain and Latvia, Iceland, France, Slovakia, Norway and Greece. We say hello to Puerto Rico. And we also welcome the Dominican Republic.

Pastor Tim (2:02)

They switched it up on me.

Co-Pastor or Assistant Pastor (2:04)

We usually wait for the end for you people.

Pastor Tim (2:06)

So I just.

Co-Pastor or Assistant Pastor (2:08)

Because of who you are and you're so loud.

Co-Pastor or Assistant Pastor (10:32)

In these next few moments, I think of Acts, Chapter four, when Peter and John stood before the people as uneducated and untrained men. But when they heard them speak, they recognized they have been with Jesus. That's what I'm just asking for. You God, I know I spend time in prayer. I know I've sought your presence. I know I've sought you, God, on this. And Father, I pray more than ever that nothing, that whatever is articulated, whatever is said, I pray that there would be this sense that God, these words have come from the throne, that he has been with Jesus. I'm asking Father for a bold prayer like Samuel. It says that none of his words fell to the ground. And I'm just asking God in these next few moments that you would not let one word fall to the ground, Father, planted on soil. Those that may not understand, maybe those that have to just wait a little bit to hear that, God, what you're wanting to do through what we have faced this week as a nation, come do something extraordinary today, soften our hearts, God, our direction will come from your word today, not from social media, not from pundits, not from politics, but from the word of God today. So I'm asking you to come and speak to us in Jesus name. And everybody said, amen. You may be seated. Thank you. Thank you, guys. Thank you. Wednesday was a busy day for me. There was a lot of meetings planned and unplanned that I had on Wednesday. I walked out of my office around 5pm and I finished my final meeting. And I was in a rush to get home because me and my youngest daughter were getting ready to go out together that night. We had a special night planned. We had everything all set to go. And when I walk out, I didn't realize I would walk out into a fog myself. And one of the elders walked out and we both hit a moment. Amy, who was my assistant, had a facial expression I don't think I've seen at all in these years that we've worked together. And she said that Charlie Kirk was shot in the head and killed while speaking at a university in Utah just that morning. I remember just watching a quick clip of him responding to questions from students with a profound, truthful simplicity for all to understand.

Pastor Tim (24:23)

You see killing you have to look further. When you see senseless death, when you see tragedy, Satan's response to what is coming is to bring death to put fear. Why does hell murder truth? To stop what God is getting ready to do fastest Growing church in the last 25 years after 9, 11, folks, listen to this. The fastest growing church now in the world is Iran. It's Iran, folks. There's a rapid increase in the number of Muslims converting to Christianity. It's happening with dreams and visions, signs and wonders. They're talking about Afghanistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Iran that is seeing this significant rise in Christianity that they're seeing taking place over the Middle east in 20 years. Hell would send terrorists because Hell knew what was next. They said there's between 50 to 75,000 mosques that have shut down because Christians are getting saved, Muslims are getting saved. CBN calls it a Jesus revolution in the Middle East. This is why we're doing an Arabic channel. And we can't even announce on Sundays the certain nations that are joining us because of security reasons, because we're seeing what God is doing. Let me just say this. Hell is not creative. Its MO is tragic death to stop the church, discourage the church, and put fear in the church for those that are watching from a different country. MO is Latin for modus operandi, which means the way that something has always happened, something they always do. I get it. TSC will be a target. But I see what's coming. Both from hell, but I also see what's coming from Heaven. And after they murdered truth in Acts 7, it got harder. The persecuted church, the scattered church, the ravaged church. Why this intensity? Why this intensity? Now remember. I have to just remember. You need to remember this. As I'm about to speak, there is a glow on my face. There is a gleam in my eye. Look at my lips. There is a smile on my lips. Here it comes. Why does Hell murder Truth? To stop what God is getting ready to do. After the persecuting and the ravaging and the scattering In Acts chapter 8, here's the question. Here it comes. Where did the church scatter to? This is what it says. It scattered to Judea and Samaria. Do you understand? That was God's plan. Listen to it. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Why was Hell fighting so hard in Acts 7? Because there would be an Acts 8. Heaven was around the corner. What took place in Judea and Samaria? Here it is. Philip went down to the city of Samaria, began proclaiming Christ, and crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was being said. They heard, saw signs being performed. For in the case of many who had unclean spirits. They were coming out, shouting with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was much rejoicing in that city. It was a Samaritan revival, a revival amongst people. Disciples wanted to burn up in the Gospels a huge region that they said is up to 60,000 people. And God was moving. People were getting saved. Later they would come there, and people were being filled with the Holy Spirit. Then this happened right in the middle of a Samaritan revival. Listen to it. But an angel of the Lord spoke, spoke to Philip, who was leading the Samaritan revival, said, get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. It's a desert road. So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship. And when he was returning, sitting in the chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit of the Lord said, go up and join this chariot. Philip runs up, shares the Gospel with this Ethiopian eunuch. He gets saved, he gets baptized. And now Africa is about to be opened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that today There are over 700 million people today in Africa claiming to be Christian on that continent. And it starts right back here.

Pastor Tim (29:28)

Here it comes. Church. But not just for a region and a continent, not just for Samaria and Africa. But an evangelist was about to come alive. Why was hell unleashed in Acts 7? Because Acts 8 and Acts 9 was coming. An evangelist would be saved. One of the people that was present and responsible for Stephen's death was a young man named Saul. Here it comes. And he shows up in Acts Chapter nine. During those days, Saul, full of angry threats and rage, wanted to murder the disciples of the Lord Jesus. So he went on the task of the high priest, requested a letter of authorization he could take to the Jewish leaders in Damascus, requesting their cooperation and finding and arresting any who were followers of the Way. Saul wanted to capture all the believers. He found men and women, dragged them as prisoners back to Jerusalem. So he obtained the authorization, left Damascus, but just outside the city. Don't get in the way of what God wants to do. A brilliant light flashing from heaven suddenly exploded around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a booming voice Say, Saul. Saul, why are you persecuting me? The men accompanying Saul were stunned and speechless, for they heard a heavenly voice but could not see anyone. And Saul said, who are you, Lord? I am Jesus the victorious, the one whom you persecuted. Now get up, go into the city where you will be told what you are supposed to do. Saul, who saw Stephen murdered. Saul, who saw Stephen look like an angel. Saul heard Stephen ask God to forgive the people that were stoning him. The angel and the forgiveness was etched in his soul. Saul now encountered the resurrected Jesus. Hell was furious because heaven was close. Take out Stephen and shut down this church. Why? Samaria is about to be changed. Africa is about to be changed. A murderer is about to come to faith. Truth was murdered in Acts 7 because heaven would unleash. In the next chapters, a region is changed in Acts 8, Judea and Samaria continent is about to be transformed, formed in Acts 8, Africa. An evangelist is being reborn in Acts 9, the apostle Paul, who would have a testimony of ravaging the church in Acts 8 but encouraging the church. Just a few chapters later, the murderer becomes an evangelist. They would even try to kill Truth in Acts chapter nine. Listen to it. But their suspicion didn't slow Saul down for even a minute. His momentum was up and he plowed straight into the the opposition, disarming the Damascus Jews, trying to show them that Jesus was the Messiah. And after this had gone quite a long time, some Jews conspired to kill him. My goodness, Heaven was close. Pastor Carter told me. He said to me Saturday, he said, I could have been healed. God could have healed my heart. He said, God could have touched me.

Pastor Tim (34:36)

She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up and he gave her his hand, raised her up, calling the saints and the widows, and presented her alive. Then what took place? It became known all over Joppa. And many believed in the Lord God would raise the dead, those spiritually dead and physically dead. Why does hell murder truth? To stop what God is getting ready to do. God's still not done. Why will hell murder truth in Acts 7? Because he was afraid that the gospel was going to go into some places that the religious were not. That we're not used to. This is why we need. This is why we have the Holy Spirit. An Italian gentile in Acts 10 would have a vision to find an apostle 30 miles away. And an apostle would have a vision that he would speak to a Gentile. It would be Cornelius and Peter. God would bring Caesarea and Joppa together. A Gentile and a Jew together. And a Jew would preach in a Gentile's home. A Jew would preach in an Italian's home. Acts 10 would be the Gentile Pentecost, like Acts 2 was for the Jews. Peter starts to preach and the Holy Spirit interrupts the message. Listen to it. While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon those who were listening. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, for they were hearing them speak with tongues exalting God. Then Peter answered, surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as he did. Just, just as we did. Can he. And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days. Hell murders truth to stop what God is getting ready to do. Listen, friends, let me remind you every A region experiences revival. A continent would be transformed. An ex murderer would encounter Christ and write most of the New Testament. A resurrection of a. Of a lady of the dead that would change a city. A new baptism on Gentiles to empower all of us that are non Jews in this room. Side note, I stopped at Acts 10, but if I can just give you this for a moment, there's still Acts 11, 12 and 13. Folks, listen. Acts 11. The movement gets the name. They're called Christians. And they see the church expanding outside of Jerusalem into Antioch. Acts 12. The church learns the power of prayer meetings and how a prayer meeting can open up prison doors and send an angel to rescue those that are in trouble. Acts 13. The missionary movement starts during a worship service and Paul and Barnabas are sent out. Why does Stephen get murdered in Acts 7? Because hell sees what heaven is about to do. Hell see, sees what's coming our way. When you see truth being murdered, don't get discouraged. Get ready. Something is coming. God is coming. Miracles are not far when there is darkness and death and awakening is closest. Death of Stephen, the salvation of Paul. Something from heaven is coming close.