What are you truly afraid of?

We live in a culture obsessed with "canceling" things—but what if followers of Jesus canceled something that actually matters? What if we canceled fear?

In this message, Pastor [Name] explores Stephen's radical faith journey from Acts 6:8-7:60 and unpacks how we can experience the same fear-canceling power that made Stephen untouchable, even facing execution. Unlike Fear Factor—where contestants overcome fear through bravery and willpower—Stephen shows us something revolutionary: fear is canceled through faith, not fortitude.

Most of us wrestle with two kinds of fear. Some are irrational: clowns, dentists, running out of gas. But others are deeply real and rooted in genuine vulnerability—the kind that keeps us from living out God's calling on our lives:

• Sharing your faith: What if they reject you? What if it ruins the relationship?
• Starting something new for God: What if it fails? What if you're not equipped?
• Sacrificial giving and service: What if you don't have enough? What if it costs you too much?

These fears aren't silly. They're the ones that keep us from stepping into everything God has designed us to be.

Stephen wasn't reckless—he was faithful. His opposition didn't come despite his faithfulness; it came because of it. The Freedmen's Synagogue, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others opposed him because he challenged their attachment to the Temple and proclaimed that God's plan transcends physical structures and traditions.

Here's the principle: When you step out in faith for God's Kingdom, opposition often follows—and that opposition is frequently an affirmation that you're doing exactly what God called you to do.

Pastor [Name] shares three practical, actionable steps rooted in Scripture:

1. REJECT THE LIE (2 Timothy 1:7)Fear doesn't come from God. When fear whispers that you can't do what God is calling you to do, name it. Say it out loud. Reject it. "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."

2. REMEMBER GOD'S PRESENCE (Isaiah 41:10)Before you take that step of faith—before the conversation, the sacrifice, the risk—pause and pray. Remind yourself: "God said, 'I am with you.'" Stephen had a supernatural vision of Jesus standing (the only place in Scripture where Jesus is pictured standing, not sitting—a standing ovation for his faithfulness). That same presence through the Holy Spirit is available to you right now.

3. RESPOND WITH LOVE (1 John 4:18)God's perfect love for you is stronger than any fear. Jesus proved His love by dying for you while you were still a sinner. Make the call. Share your story. Give sacrificially. Serve boldly—not from fear of failure, but from the foundation of knowing you're loved by God.

Pastor [Name] doesn't pretend to have conquered fear perfectly. He shares honestly about planting a church in Lavon—the constant temptation to back out, the fear of failure, the doubt about whether he heard God correctly. His vulnerability invites us into our own journey: we're not alone in our fears, and we're not meant to face them alone.

As you leave today, listen for God's small, still voice encouraging you toward that invitation, that conversation, that gift, that risk. Whatever God is calling you to say "yes" to—cancel the fear and step out in faith.

Stephen couldn't be shaken because he'd already seen Jesus. That same vision of God's presence, power, and love is available to you. The question is: will you access it?

Listen in to discover how to cancel fear once and for all—not through willpower, but through unwavering faith in God.

The Real Fears We FaceWhen Opposition Affirms Your CallingThree Steps to Cancel FearA Pastor's VulnerabilityThe Challenge

In his sermon on Acts 5, Pastor David Watson addresses why the early church flourished under opposition while modern Christians often fold under similar circumstances. Through the story of the apostles being imprisoned, miraculously freed, and then continuing to preach despite being flogged, Watson illustrates that opposition doesn't indicate we're heading in the wrong direction—it often confirms we're on God's path.

Pastor Watson offers two key principles for maintaining forward progress when facing opposition: follow Peter's example of relentless obedience and take Gamaliel's advice that if something is from God, it cannot be stopped. He concludes that every believer will either be a threat or a tragedy to the enemy—either someone who perseveres through opposition to advance God's kingdom or someone who retreats to comfort when challenges arise. The difference isn't talent, education, or resources, but how we respond when opposition comes.

Stop Faking It - Why Authenticity Matters More Than Your Image - Pastor Bart Blair

We all struggle with the gap between who we really are and who we want people to think we are. This isn't just a modern problem—it's been around for at least 2,000 years.

In Acts 5:1-11, we encounter the shocking story of Ananias and Sapphira. As the early church was caring for one another, these two sold property and brought money to the apostles. But they kept back part of the proceeds while pretending they'd given everything. Peter confronted them: "Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?" Both dropped dead within three hours.

Here's what's puzzling: they were under no obligation to sell their land or give all the money. Peter even said, "Wasn't it yours while you possessed it?" But they wanted the applause that came with total sacrifice without actually making that sacrifice. They wanted to look more generous than they were.

Why did God judge them so severely? I don't believe it was simply for lying. They defiled God's dwelling place. Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern: Nadab and Abihu consumed by fire for bringing unauthorized fire into the temple. Uzzah struck dead for touching the Ark of the Covenant. King Uzziah struck with leprosy for burning incense reserved for priests. God always protects His sacred space.

The church is the new temple. God's presence moved from brick and mortar into the people who make up His ekklesia—the called-out ones. As 1 Peter 2:5 says, we are "living stones" being built into "a spiritual house." When we bring deception into the church, we corrupt God's holy dwelling place.

Ephesians 4:25 instructs us: "Put away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another." Authenticity is essential to maintaining the purity of God's dwelling place.

We started where Ananias and Sapphira finished—dead in our trespasses (Ephesians 2:3-5). But God made us alive in Christ. Now, as Ephesians 2:19-22 describes, we're "being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit" with Christ as our cornerstone.

Performance Christianity corrupts God's holy dwelling. People aren't looking for fake Christians—they want real people. The goal isn't perfection; it's progress together.

Ask yourself: Where am I putting on a show? Where am I hiding something I need help with? Confess it to God and commit to authenticity. We're all broken sinners in need of a Savior, and the more honest we are with ourselves and one another, the closer we can get to Him.

Learn more about Bear Creek Community Church in Lavon, TX - https://www.bc3.church/