In the second message of the With Authority series, we discover why fear, worry, and anxiety can stop us from living out our calling. Like Gideon hiding in the winepress, fear pushes us into hiding and makes us silent about Jesus. But Jesus calls us to speak out and gives us a reason to keep going — because the authority of God is not our confidence; it is the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Judges 6:11-12, Acts 18:9-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
The enemy can use fear, worry, and anxiety to stop you from living out your calling. We are all called to love God and love people, but too many believers miss out on half of their calling — only focusing on loving God and never reaching out to love and disciple those around them. Fear drives us into hiding, makes us silent about Jesus, and steals our next faithful step — but Jesus calls us to speak out, and He goes with us, because the authority of God is not our confidence; it is the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Gideon is threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. Wheat was always threshed on a hill where the wind could remove the chaff and the grain would fall and be gathered. Gideon is hiding, trying to remove the chaff in a place with no ventilation — a place where the work could never work. Gideon is hiding, but God speaks to his calling, not just his current fear. Fear makes us hide away ourselves, our calling, our voice. Gideon was not weak because he was afraid; he was ineffective because fear had moved him into hiding. Fear does not always make us deny Jesus. It can make us silent about Jesus. Ask yourself the honest question: what has fear pushed me into hiding?
Paul is in Corinth, and the Lord speaks to him in a vision: "Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't be silent!" Do not let fear stop your obedience. "Speak out!" is an ongoing command — Jesus is telling Paul not to say one brave thing once, but to continue speaking and refuse silence. Paul stayed for a year and a half in Corinth; through it, fear decreased and faith increased. Paul did not wait until he felt confident to speak — he spoke while he was afraid. Courage is obedience in the presence of fear. Jesus does not need you to feel powerful. He needs you to stay connected to Him and obey what He says.
Jesus gives Paul a reason to keep going: "For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me." Jesus is with you even when you are filled with fear, and Jesus will guard and protect you. Paul only sees the opposition; Jesus sees people who will become family. Paul's fear did not disqualify him — it kept him from trusting in himself. When you are afraid, use your fear as fuel to trust in God, not yourself. The authority of God is not your confidence; it is the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in your life.
This week, face a fear and share Jesus with one person. Pick the one person Jesus is already putting in front of you, and before fear talks you out of it, speak. Courage is not the absence of fear — courage is obedience in the presence of fear. Pray this prayer every day: "Show me where to speak and give me what to say."
Spend the week reflecting on this message with daily scripture readings, reflections, and prayers. Each day builds on the sermon and helps you apply biblical wisdom to your life.
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