How should the Church respond to coronavirus?

Not Afraid

Scripture References

Primary text

• John 14
• 2 Timothy 1:7
• Acts 2

Other references

• John 14:27
• Acts 2:44
• 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Overview

Craig Groeschel speaks into the global coronavirus moment and reminds the church that followers of Jesus choose a different lens. Because we are “not of this world,” we refuse to live in fear, hoard for ourselves, or hide our witness. Instead we live by faith, give sacrificially, and let Christ’s light shine through us—confident that God is in control and always good.

Context

Groeschel records this message days after finishing a mandated 14-day self-quarantine that followed exposure to COVID-19 during a Germany conference. He describes the isolation, the fight against depression, and his renewed awareness that “we’re just not created to be alone”—all of which frame the urgency of today’s call to courageous, connected faith.

Main Points

Live by faith, not by fear

• Jesus’ words in John 14 anchor believers: “Do not let your hearts be troubled… My peace I give you.”
• God is never surprised; He is present, faithful, and working for good even when headlines scream otherwise.

• “We are not like this world. We do not live in fear.”

• Paul affirms in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God “has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
• Practical stance: make wise day-to-day decisions without projecting panic into the future.

Illustration: Mid-flight notification that a dinner companion tested positive led flight personnel to isolate Groeschel and Bobby Gruenewald. Their section emptied and fellow travelers “looked at us like lepers,” a vivid reminder that fear spreads fast.

Be sacrificial, not selfish

• Fallen nature defaults to “mine,” but Christ’s indwelling Spirit flips that instinct.
• Philippians charge: “Don’t be selfish… Look out for others.”
• Acts 2 models believers who sell possessions to meet needs; crises create fresh opportunities for radical generosity.
• Concrete guidance for the current moment:
  • Share supplies instead of stockpiling.
  • Offer hope and companionship to the anxious.
  • Maintain a daily—not once-a-week—faith rhythm in homes, life groups, or online gatherings.
• Life.Church remains biased toward opening doors when safe, yet stands ready to pivot campus-by-campus and leverage Church Online for evangelism “in the most evangelistic way in history.”

Shine the light, don’t hide it

• Jesus calls His followers “the light of the world” (Matthew reference implied though not cited). The lamp goes on a stand, not under a bowl.
• Followers are “hope dealers” whose contagious faith should spread faster than any virus.
• Darkness amplifies light; therefore moments of global fear are strategic for gospel witness.

• “Whenever the world grows darker, the light of Jesus just shines brighter.”

• Groeschel strings together New-Testament “nots” to reinforce identity: we are not ashamed of the gospel, not anxious about anything, not overcome by evil, and not destroyed.

Illustration: Alone in quarantine, meals left outside his door, Groeschel realized he was “never alone” because Christ never abandons His own—a lived picture of God’s constant presence.

Key Truths

• God’s peace is a gift the world cannot give or take away.
• Faith chooses generosity over self-preservation.
• The church’s mission is unstoppable; if buildings close, the gospel simply moves online or into living rooms.
• Light shines brightest when circumstances are darkest.
• Followers of Jesus are hard-pressed but never crushed because God’s power resides in “jars of clay.”

Response

• Reject panic; speak truth to your own mind and emotions.
• Share resources and encouragement with neighbors, classmates, and co-workers.
• Gather daily—physically or virtually—to pray, read Scripture, and worship.
• Offer practical help and spiritual hope to anyone who is isolated or fearful.
• Keep proclaiming Jesus with boldness; refuse to hide your light.

Closing

Groeschel ends by declaring that, though we may be “hard-pressed on every side,” we are “not crushed… not abandoned… not destroyed.” He invites believers to lift their hands and ask God to make them bright lights in a fearful world, then calls seekers to trust Christ for forgiveness and lasting peace.

“We are not of this world. Therefore we are not afraid.”

Prayer

The pastor asks God to strengthen His church, heal the sick, protect the vulnerable, grant wisdom to leaders, and use this season to draw many into the kingdom. He prays that every day believers will see opportunities to serve and shine.

Resources

• Free Church Online Platform (Life.Church tool now serving 11,000+ weekly services; 700 new churches joined this week)