The Fear That Sets You Free

St. Charles | Bob Ingle
June 21, 2026

Jonah 1:13-16

“Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.” Jonah 1:13-16 (ESV)

* There Is a Fear…

1. THAT MAKES YOU STRIVE.

“Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them.” Jonah 1:13 (ESV)

“Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you.” Jonah 1:12 (ESV)

You cannot overcome a GOD-SIZED problem with HUMAN-SIZED strength.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy." Titus 3:5 (ESV)

* There Is a Fear…

2. THAT MAKES YOU HONEST.

“Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.” Jonah 1:14-15 (ESV)

"Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." Psalm 115:3 (ESV)

You'll never trust God's SOLUTION until you've given up on your own.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)

* There Is a Fear…

3. THAT MAKES YOU WORSHIP.

“Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.” Jonah 1:16 (ESV)

"Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1 (ESV)

What controls your FEARS will control your LIFE.

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)