United Church, Atlanta, GA
The Gifts That Drive Out Fear
In this sermon, we'll explore how fear, as a natural human emotion, interacts with the spiritual gifts of power, love, and a sound mind as mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7. Join us as we learn to combat fear with faith and God's truth.
Locations & Times
United Church
1775 Water Pl SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Key Thought:
Because God has not given us a spirit of fear, believers can live free from anxiety by embracing the Spirit’s gifts of power, love, and a sound mind—choosing faith over fear, peace over panic, and truth over torment.
Because God has not given us a spirit of fear, believers can live free from anxiety by embracing the Spirit’s gifts of power, love, and a sound mind—choosing faith over fear, peace over panic, and truth over torment.
Hook:
The spirit of fear says, “You’re not enough,” but love says, “You are ______.”
The spirit of fear says, “You’re not enough,” but love says, “You are ______.”
UNDERSTANDING FEAR VS. THE SPIRIT OF FEAR
They are praying ______. (2 Timothy 1:7)
They are praying ______. (2 Timothy 1:7)
● The emotion of fear is temporary and protective—it helps us _____.
● The spirit of fear is controlling and paralyzing—it keeps us from _____.
● The spirit of fear creates false narratives about your life, making you forget who you are and who
____ is.
Supporting Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7
● The spirit of fear is controlling and paralyzing—it keeps us from _____.
● The spirit of fear creates false narratives about your life, making you forget who you are and who
____ is.
Supporting Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7
Personal Application:
● Where in my life has fear shifted from an emotion to a spirit?
● What truths of God do I need to remember today?
● Where in my life has fear shifted from an emotion to a spirit?
● What truths of God do I need to remember today?
POWER: THE STRENGTH TO STAND
God has given us ________ power—not willpower.
God has given us ________ power—not willpower.
● The Greek word for power, dynamis, means supernatural strength.
● The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in ____.
● Pride can cause us to trust in our ____ instead of God’s presence.
“Our responsibility is not the outcome—it is simply _____.”
Supporting Scripture: Ephesians 3:20
● The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in ____.
● Pride can cause us to trust in our ____ instead of God’s presence.
“Our responsibility is not the outcome—it is simply _____.”
Supporting Scripture: Ephesians 3:20
Personal Application:
● Where is God calling me to act in obedience, not outcome?
● How can I stir up the power He’s already placed in me?
● Where is God calling me to act in obedience, not outcome?
● How can I stir up the power He’s already placed in me?
LOVE: THE ANCHOR THAT GROUNDS YOU
Power without love becomes ____, and confidence without compassion becomes ____.
Power without love becomes ____, and confidence without compassion becomes ____.
● The spirit of fear says, “You’re on your own,” but love says, “You are ____.”
● 1 John 4:18 – “Perfect love casts out fear.”
● Love reminds us that God will meet us where we are—we are not walking into tomorrow ____.
Supporting Scripture: 1 John 4:18
● 1 John 4:18 – “Perfect love casts out fear.”
● Love reminds us that God will meet us where we are—we are not walking into tomorrow ____.
Supporting Scripture: 1 John 4:18
Personal Application:
● How can I let love—not fear—be my motivation?
● Who can I encourage this week with the same love God shows me?
● How can I let love—not fear—be my motivation?
● Who can I encourage this week with the same love God shows me?
SOUND MIND: THE CLARITY TO CHOOSE TRUTH
A sound mind gives you the ability to think ____ when emotions are loud.
A sound mind gives you the ability to think ____ when emotions are loud.
● The biggest war we fight is not around us but ____ us.
● You can’t control every thought that enters your mind, but you can control which ones ____.
● A sound mind stays anchored in truth even when life feels uncertain.
“We take every thought captive and make it obedient to ____.”
Supporting Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5
● You can’t control every thought that enters your mind, but you can control which ones ____.
● A sound mind stays anchored in truth even when life feels uncertain.
“We take every thought captive and make it obedient to ____.”
Supporting Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5
Personal Application:
● What lies has fear made me believe about myself?
● What truth do I need to rehearse until I believe it?
● What lies has fear made me believe about myself?
● What truth do I need to rehearse until I believe it?
STEPS TO FREEDOM
1. Recognize it. Call fear what it is—this is not from _____.
2. Replace it. Swap anxiety’s “what if” with faith’s “even if.”
3. Rehearse truth. When fear speaks, let faith answer.
4. Rely on the Spirit. You have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
1. Recognize it. Call fear what it is—this is not from _____.
2. Replace it. Swap anxiety’s “what if” with faith’s “even if.”
3. Rehearse truth. When fear speaks, let faith answer.
4. Rely on the Spirit. You have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS
● How can I live each day from a place of God’s power, love, and sound mind?
● What triggers fear in my life, and how can I respond differently through faith?
● How can my story of freedom help someone else find theirs?
● How can I live each day from a place of God’s power, love, and sound mind?
● What triggers fear in my life, and how can I respond differently through faith?
● How can my story of freedom help someone else find theirs?
PRAYER POINTS
● For courage to reject the spirit of fear and receive the Spirit of power.
● For confidence rooted in God’s love.
● For peace and mental clarity through the Spirit’s sound mind.
● For healing in areas where anxiety has stolen freedom.
● For courage to reject the spirit of fear and receive the Spirit of power.
● For confidence rooted in God’s love.
● For peace and mental clarity through the Spirit’s sound mind.
● For healing in areas where anxiety has stolen freedom.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
This week, I will:
● Speak 2 Timothy 1:7 aloud every morning.
● Replace one fear-based thought with a truth from God’s Word.
● Share my story of faith with someone who needs encouragement.
This week, I will:
● Speak 2 Timothy 1:7 aloud every morning.
● Replace one fear-based thought with a truth from God’s Word.
● Share my story of faith with someone who needs encouragement.
Walk + Pray With Us
As we prepare for two services, let’s cover our city in prayer. On Friday, October 17, take time to prayer walk your neighborhood—lifting up your neighbors, schools, and community. Then, on Saturday, October 18, join us at Water Place as we take a prayer walk together and pray for the people God is calling us to reach. Throughout the week, follow our daily prayer focus on the Events Calendar or Church Center app so we can see an overflow of God’s presence and power in every corner of our city.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65bcecb0a8337a1262f8111c/t/68c2fa46d297287af991454d/1757608518181/overflow-prayer-guide.pdf
Overflow Sunday
October 19 marks a new chapter! We’re moving to two services at 9AM and 11AM and launching our brand-new series, Overflow, to prepare us for year three of the Harvest Discipleship Journey. Click below to learn more about the series, view our Overflow Prayer Guide, and access all the tools for the "Invite 10 Challenge".
https://united.online/overflow
Harvest Year Three is Starting Soon!
We'll be launching year three of the Harvest Initiative soon on October 19! In the meantime, see all that God has done at our church by exploring our Harvest Initiative.
https://united.online/harvest
Save the Date - Candypalooza is Back!
On October 26, United Kids is hosting a spectacular day of fun for kindergarten through 5th grade: Candypalooza! Kids are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costume and enjoy face painting, nflatables (Pre-K 2 & Elementary), loads of candy and games.
We need your help! Bring in candy donations to make Candypalooza extra sweet. Drop off your donations in the designated box in the lobby over the next few weeks.
We need your help! Bring in candy donations to make Candypalooza extra sweet. Drop off your donations in the designated box in the lobby over the next few weeks.
Lunch With the Crumps - November 2
Come have lunch with Pastor Leonce and Breanna after service and get to know more about the heart of United Church, discover your purpose, make a difference by joining the Dream Team, and become a member of United.
https://unitedchurchonline.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1333754
Read the Bible With Us
Starting late on the Bible Reading Plan? No problem! Just jump in on the day that aligns with the plan’s schedule, and keep going from there. Click below for more resources including how to join our community group in the Church Center app.
https://united.online/bibleplan
New Look, Same Heart
As we step into this new season with a new name, we're still the same church on mission to unite people to Jesus and each other. To learn more about the heart behind our rebrand and what’s ahead, visit our website.
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