City of Light Church
Sermon Notes: 6.8.2025 Overcoming Fear
Speaker: Brian Mckee
Locations & Times
City of Light Church
6725 W Burleigh St, Milwaukee, WI 53210, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Introduction
Sobering Statistics:
1. Drug Overdose Deaths:
• In 2023, approximately 107,543 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses.
• 81,083 of those deaths involved opioids.
• 74,000+ deaths were specifically due to fentanyl.
(Sources: CDC, The Guardian)
• In 2023, approximately 107,543 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses.
• 81,083 of those deaths involved opioids.
• 74,000+ deaths were specifically due to fentanyl.
(Sources: CDC, The Guardian)
2. Suicide Rates:
• Over 49,300 individuals died by suicide in the U.S. in 2023.
• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the country.
(Sources: NIMH, AP News)
• Over 49,300 individuals died by suicide in the U.S. in 2023.
• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the country.
(Sources: NIMH, AP News)
3. Homicide Statistics:
• There were 24,849 homicides in 2022 in the U.S.
• 19,651 of those were caused by firearms.
(Source: CDC)
• There were 24,849 homicides in 2022 in the U.S.
• 19,651 of those were caused by firearms.
(Source: CDC)
These numbers represent people with stories, families, and eternal destinies.
Where are they spending eternity?
Where are they spending eternity?
I. HELL IS REAL — AND JESUS WANTS US TO CARE
Main Point: Jesus told this story not to scare us but to wake us up.
Sticky Statement: "Indifference today leads to the danger of being lost tomorrow."
II. WHY DON'T WE SHARE JESUS?
1. We’re Too Distracted by Busyness
The people in Jesus' example were distracted by life.
2. We Fear People’s Opinions
Do we care more about how we look to people than where people spend eternity?
III. THE POWER TO OVERCOME FEAR IS LOVE
Historical/Cultural Context
Fear paralyzes us, but love empowers us
Fear says 'What if?'—Love says "Even if"
IV. JESUS SET THE STANDARD
If Jesus took the cross—can we take a conversation?
V. WHO WILL GO? — OUR CALL TO ACTION
Challenge: If you don’t speak, who will? If not now, when?
The message doesn’t move unless your mouth opens
Next Step