Unstoppable Church 13 | How to Cancel Fear | Acts 6:8-7:60

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