WEBVTT 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:07.679 Welcome to the MetaCurch Podcast. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:08.800 My name's Clayton. 00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:10.880 I'm the pastor here at MetaCurch. 00:00:11.119 --> 00:00:18.559 And my hope is that today's podcast finds you at the perfect time in your life that God uses it to inspire and enlighten you. 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:21.199 I hope that you enjoy today's message. 00:00:29.519 --> 00:00:32.079 And uh listen, we're in this odd season. 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:38.000 We're not able to meet together and move together, so we're streaming together and we are serving together. 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:41.039 And I've got a really special treat for all of you today. 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:43.359 I know this was our first week of school. 00:00:43.520 --> 00:00:48.479 I know that it might have started very hectic, very stressful for our teachers out there. 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:51.200 Just know that we love you and we're so thankful for you. 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:54.719 All of you students out there, man, just hang in there. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:00:58.399 Today we have Pastor Ryan Roberts. 00:00:58.560 --> 00:01:09.840 He's the newest addition to our metachurch staff, and we brought him in to do a variety of things, but his primary focus is getting a youth program up and running. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:25.040 And man, we've been sitting down in these meetings where he has shared his heart and the vision that God has given us for really how we can take this next generation, these teenagers, and grow them into their purpose and the power that God created them with. 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:30.400 And so I'm so excited for you to get to know Ryan a little bit today, to hear his heart. 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:35.680 And uh as he comes up, I just want to say a quick prayer over him and thank God for him. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:37.840 God, I do thank you for Pastor Ryan. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:39.439 I thank you for his family. 00:01:39.680 --> 00:01:41.760 God, we're so glad that you brought them to Meta. 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:48.480 And as he comes up, I pray your spirit would move through him, just into our ears and our minds and our hearts. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:56.239 And God, as we see his passion for these young people, God, that it would move us to action, taking care of this next generation. 00:01:56.400 --> 00:01:56.879 We love you. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:58.719 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:01:58.879 --> 00:01:59.359 Amen. 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:02.239 I hope you guys enjoy the rest of the service. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:04.719 Hey there, Medichurch. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:09.199 I'm Ryan Roberts, your next gym pastor, and I'm so excited to be with you today. 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:15.520 You know, it's been four months since I've first started with MetaCurch, and in that time we have yet to really be able to gather. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:18.479 And so I just want to say I miss being able to meet you guys. 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:20.639 I got to meet a few of you, but not very many. 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:28.479 And so I just want to say how much I look forward to the day that we get to gather again and get to fist bump, maybe see the bottom half of your face. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:34.000 And on behalf of my family, I just want to say how excited we are to be a part of this movement. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:37.520 In fact, I've got a picture of, and I want to introduce my family to you. 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:40.159 Uh, it's my amazing wife, Nadine. 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:45.759 Uh, we've been married for 19 years now, and she truly is my better half. 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:49.759 She is a science teacher at Champion High School in the special ed department. 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:55.759 We've got my oldest son Caleb, who is a junior in high school, and Seth, who's a freshman. 00:02:55.919 --> 00:03:02.000 We've got our daughter Faith, who is in fifth grade, and my youngest son, Gage, who is a third grader. 00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:05.759 And as you can see, he always likes to be the life of the party. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:15.680 So, this is my first time sharing with you guys, and so I tell you what, if you put a thumbs up, maybe even some flames in the chat, this will be a much more fun day for all of us. 00:03:15.919 --> 00:03:31.039 You know, Pastor Clayton asked me when he asked me to speak today to really talk to you all about what is it that you that our families, our students, our teachers, what is the one thing that you need to hear as you're going back into this school year? 00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:37.439 You know, I recognize that many of you started back this year, and so what is the the one thing, the most important thing that we need to hear? 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:40.000 And so I'm excited to share that with you today. 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:47.199 And I, you know, I'm gonna be speaking to our students, I'm gonna be speaking to our parents and our teachers, but to be honest with you, this is gonna apply to all of us. 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:51.360 And I realize that returning to school looks really different for some of us. 00:03:51.520 --> 00:04:00.800 Uh some of us are back full stream in person, many of us are are uh have had their the school start school delayed and it'll restart at a later date. 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:13.439 Some of us have uh start with e-learning 2.0, but no matter what it looks like, I want you to know that we believe in you and are praying for you, and this is going to be a good season yet. 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:27.600 You know, a couple weeks ago, as schools were preparing to make plans for the beginning of the school year, uh the USA Today published an article that was entitled The School of Hard Knocks, The COVID-19 reality. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:31.759 And I think that's such an accurate depiction of this season that we're living in. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:37.600 You know, this COVID season that we're living in, it's kind of put us all in this school of hard knocks. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:42.879 In fact, I wanted to share with you some of the headlines from local news right here in San Antonio. 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:44.399 So check these out. 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:51.360 You see, as we return to school, there's so many things that we can find ourselves in fear of. 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:56.480 Fear of sickness, fear of COVID, maybe even fear of death. 00:04:56.800 --> 00:05:00.240 But let's be honest, not all fear is bad, right? 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:12.240 You know, my in-laws actually just last week, they were hiking in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and they told me about how one night they encountered a bear at their campsite, or maybe the bear encountered them, I don't know. 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:21.839 But whenever you encounter a bear, there's there's this little voice in the back of your mind that speaks up and says, don't pet the bear. 00:05:22.079 --> 00:05:25.040 Now, now that fear is the kind of fear that can save your life. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:26.959 That's that's not the fear we're talking about today. 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:28.480 That's that's good fear to have. 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:38.240 But when fear turns to anxiety and fear it turns to worry, that fear can become more dangerous even than the thing we fear itself. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:49.040 And you know, really during this COVID season, my family and I have really wrestled with this, this idea of fear and what it is that that uh we are in fear of. 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:54.160 You know, it seems like during this season we've had to make so many stressful decisions. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:06:00.800 Uh, my wife and I were actually talking about this the other day, and it seems like every decision we face and we have to make can be so stressful. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:05.680 You know, is it it seems like we've been just become these professional risk assessors? 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:08.160 You know, is it safe to go to the grocery store? 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:11.120 Is it safe for my kids to play with their friends? 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:18.480 And so uh every decision we make, and we not only do we have to worry about are we making the safe decision, but then what are people gonna think about that decision? 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:23.120 Am I gonna be judged for for taking this risk or not taking the risk? 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:30.639 And so as many of us return to school, some of you had to make a decision on whether to return in person or what that looked like for you. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:34.079 And all of us are just trying to do what's best for our family. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:35.759 But it's so hard. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:39.040 It seems like there's so much to be anxious for. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:41.759 It seems like there's so much to fear. 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:46.639 And to be honest with you, I'm looking at this from a few different perspectives. 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:56.160 I'm looking at this uh, you know, as a parent of my children who are students, and really kind of we were wrestling with what is the best way for them to learn and uh what's best for them. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:07:04.399 Is it a lower risk environment at home learning, or is it uh going back into school where they're able to live out their purpose? 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:09.279 As a parent, I really wrestled with what is the best way for my child to learn, what should we do for them? 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:23.040 And to be honest with you, like I said, it my wife is a teacher, and to be perfectly transparent with you, I was not always 100% comfortable with all the uh restrictions and the actions that schools were taking on behalf of teachers. 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:31.199 Because let's be honest, some of us got to choose whether to send our kids back to school or to stay home, but for most teachers, there was no choice. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:37.199 And so I'm thinking about this this topic through the lens of these different perspectives. 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:44.560 But really, for all of us, I think we wrestle with this on a daily basis, whether it be in our job or with our family or or whatever it looks like. 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:56.000 And I can speak for myself and my family that we've really wrestled with not being fearful, but also not being foolish, with with making decisions based out of faith and not fear. 00:07:56.240 --> 00:08:00.959 We've wrestled with this, and I imagine that you're wrestling with it too. 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:05.600 It seems during this COVID season we face a daily onslaught of fear. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:09.120 But not just any fear, the greatest fear. 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:12.560 What is more terrifying than any fear that we've known? 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:16.560 Today I suggest to you that it's the fear of the unknown. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:19.360 And let's stop and think about that for just a second. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:24.480 Uh, students, as you returned to school last year, was there anything that you were afraid of? 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:29.120 Parents, teachers, as you as we started last school year, were you in fear? 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:34.720 More than likely not, because we'd been there, we'd done that, we knew what to expect. 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:39.840 The only thing different this year, we don't know what to expect. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:48.639 Now I know there's some very known fears with this virus, but the only thing greater than fears that we've known is the fear of the unknown. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:52.879 And I'll be honest with you, the fear of the unknown is is downright scary and daunting at times. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:56.720 And to be honest with you, there's times when I don't know if I can beat it. 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:59.120 But what if there was a way? 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:05.679 You see, if we knew the unknown, we would not have to fear the unknown. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:08.159 And you're right, you're like, Ryan, duh, right? 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:11.840 Because if if we knew the unknown, it wouldn't be unknown anymore, right? 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:14.240 If we knew the unknown, we wouldn't have to fear the unknown. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:15.759 So what do we do about this? 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:18.480 You know, I struggle with this, perhaps you struggle with this. 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:26.080 And I think if we look at scripture together, we might just see how relevant the Bible is to these very issues that we're dealing with today. 00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:30.559 Today I want us to give us a glimpse into the life of a man named Peter. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:41.120 And I want to take you through this story, and I don't want to just assume that you've heard this before, so I'm gonna kind of set the setting for you, and then we'll dive into it in Luke chapter 22. 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:49.759 So as I set the setting, I want you to really grasp this picture because this story takes place on the very night that Jesus was arrested. 00:09:49.919 --> 00:10:04.320 Jesus and his disciples, they had their last supper, and then they they went to the garden to pray, and then, of course, that was the night that Judas came and betrayed Jesus, and and Jesus was led off in his direction and his path to the cross. 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:14.240 It was on this night that we see this conversation between Jesus and Peter on these darkest of nights, and Jesus says, Simon, Simon, look out. 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:22.320 Now it's interesting here that Jesus uses Peter's old name because before this, Jesus had given Peter the name Peter. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.639 But here he uses his own name, Simon. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:27.279 And I love how he says it not once, but twice. 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:31.759 It's almost like a parent who's trying to get their kids' attention. 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:34.639 I can almost hear the voices of my parents echoing in my mind. 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:37.919 Ryan Matthew Roberts, get your butt over here. 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:41.840 Simon, Simon, look out. 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:47.919 Satan has asked to sift you like wheat, but I've prayed for you that your faith may not fail. 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:51.440 And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:56.320 Lord, Peter told him, I'm ready to go with you both to prison and to death. 00:10:56.559 --> 00:11:03.279 I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:08.720 Now let's stop there for a minute, and I want to clue you in on a little bit of Peter's backstory. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:11.519 You see, Peter was a bold man. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:13.360 He was a man above men. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:18.159 He was a arguably one of the main men in this Jesus movement. 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:26.559 In fact, you may have heard about how he walked on water, but then he gave way to fear and his feet faltered in the face of fear. 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:34.480 You may have heard about how on that very night Jesus was arrested, how he took a sword and sliced off a dude's ear. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:42.159 You may have heard about how that very night he struggled with fear, and we're gonna explore that a little bit more today. 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:52.639 You see, we see that Peter was claiming to Jesus that he would lay down his very life for him. 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:58.320 But not once, twice, but three times, we see that Jesus says he will deny him. 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:03.600 Let's pick up the story again in verse 54 of Luke 22 and see where it goes. 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:09.039 It says they seized him and led him away and brought him into the high priest's house. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:11.919 Meanwhile, Peter was following at a distance. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:17.519 They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:23.200 When a servant saw him sitting in the light and looked closely at him, she said, This man was with him too. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:24.159 But he denied it. 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:25.840 He said, Woman, I don't know him. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:28.000 And guys, let me just clue you in for a second. 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:32.399 If you ever start a sentence with woman, it's not gonna go well for you. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:34.720 But he says, Woman, I don't know him. 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:38.240 After a little while, someone else saw him and said, You're one of them too. 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:39.840 And he said, Man, I'm not. 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:46.799 About an hour later, another kept insisting, this man was certainly with him, since he also is a Galilean. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.840 And so are you ready for it? 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:48.320 Here it is. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.360 Here comes the third time. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:53.039 Peter said, Man, I don't know what you're talking about. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:57.120 And immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:59.519 Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:05.759 So Peter remembered the word of the Lord and how he had said to him, Before the rooster crows today, three times, you will deny me. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:09.679 And he went outside and he wept bitterly. 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:14.159 You see, Peter's world and everything around him is just beginning to collapse. 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:24.399 You know, like most of Jesus' followers in that day, Peter probably thought that Jesus was going to politically and militarily overthrow Rome and restore the nation of Israel. 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:31.360 And yet, here in this very night, we see all of Peter's hope in this man was being dragged away in chains. 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:47.360 And I imagine that Peter couldn't really tear himself away from this spectacle that was going on, but he was probably trying to hide in the background because he was probably afraid that if anyone saw him, they might know that he was one of these Jesus followers and he might be arrested too. 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:53.039 And if I'm perfectly honest with you, I bet Peter was afraid for his very life that night. 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:57.279 So Peter denies Jesus three times. 00:13:57.440 --> 00:14:01.919 And then in this epic moment, I mean, this is the stuff that movies are made of. 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:15.200 You see, this he Peter denies Jesus, Q rooster, and then the tension swells, the music surges, and then across the courtyard, through the crowd, Jesus makes eye contact with Peter. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:19.759 And oh my goodness, Peter's heart just breaks. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.440 It says he can't stand it any longer. 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:26.240 He just runs away and he goes out and he weeps bitterly. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:30.240 Now, that's what you and I would call an ugly cry. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:34.720 You know what an ugly cry is, where you just lose all control, you're just sobbing and weeping. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:40.480 That's what Peter does because Peter can't believe he just denied Jesus. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:48.639 When just literally hours earlier he had told Jesus, I will die for you, I will I will stand with you when all others haven't. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:52.240 You know, Peter was really convinced he would stand for Jesus. 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:58.879 But when he faced fear, particularly fear of the unknown, he faltered. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.639 So what can we learn from this? 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:02.799 What can we learn from this story of Peter? 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:08.879 And let me ask you this if Peter had known the unknown, would he have had to fear? 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:11.360 But you see, Peter didn't know. 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:14.159 And so Peter feared the unknown. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:16.559 Peter didn't know God's big plan. 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:21.759 Peter didn't know that just three days later Jesus would once again raise from the dead, victorious. 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:26.639 He didn't know that this wasn't the end of this movement of Jesus, but rather just the beginning. 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:28.399 Peter didn't know. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:36.480 And if only Peter knew this one truth, this one truth that I want to share with you today, maybe things would have been different. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:44.000 You see, I don't have to fear the unknown when I know the one who knows. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:50.879 And you don't have to fear the unknown when you know the one who knows. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:57.360 You know, we can learn from Peter's failure in this story that his best intentions were just not good enough. 00:15:57.440 --> 00:16:06.799 And we can learn that it's not what you know, but who you know, and we can learn that if you that you will, in fact, fear unless you know the one who knows. 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:12.399 And it's interesting because in this story, the one who knew was Jesus. 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:25.840 But I'm here to tell you today, amidst all this global pandemic, amidst uh back-to-back tropical storms and hurricanes, and now they're telling us that there's an asteroid coming for Earth right in time for the election. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:28.240 I mean, could this year get any crazier? 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:36.720 But amidst all the confusion, amidst all the chaos, Jesus is still the one who knows. 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:44.559 You may recall I said earlier that if we knew the unknown, we wouldn't have to fear the unknown. 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:52.960 But you actually don't have to know the unknown to be safe when you know the one who knows. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:55.360 So, how do I actually do that? 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:59.919 What does that actually mean to know the one who knows, to know Jesus, to put my trust in him? 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:01.600 What does that actually look like? 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:11.440 The scripture tells us in 1 John chapter 2 and verse 3, this is how we know that we know him, if we keep his commands. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:16.240 Jesus actually said it this way in John chapter 14 and in verse 15. 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:20.319 He said, If you love me, you will keep my commands. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:25.680 Now, just to be perfectly honest and clear, this isn't about knowing whether or not you're going to heaven. 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:30.720 Our salvation is based on our faith and God's grace and not in works. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:35.039 But there's a couple ways that you can read that passage of scripture. 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:38.319 One is a proving statement that if you love me, then you'll do. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:47.279 The other is a declarative statement that if you'll just begin to find love Jesus, you'll find yourself doing these things. 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:48.559 It's not the other way around. 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:55.680 It's not prove your love by doing, it's just fall in love with Jesus and you'll begin to find yourself doing these things. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:59.519 You see, I think that we've been fed a lie in the name of religion. 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:04.319 God is not looking down on us saying, do better, try harder. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:08.480 God is simply inviting us to come closer. 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:14.079 If you love me, keep my commands. 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:18.960 And it's interesting because do you know what the most common command in Scripture is? 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.160 Do you know? 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:24.160 Do not fear. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:30.319 If you love me, you don't need to fear. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:33.680 So, how do we fall in love with Jesus more? 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:35.200 What's that look like? 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:38.480 Well, I would ask you, what's that look like to fall in love with any person? 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:40.400 I mean, you you spend time with them, right? 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:42.880 You talk to them, maybe you read their love letters. 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:46.400 It's the very same way with falling in love with Jesus. 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:53.119 You spend time with him, you talk to him, you read his love letter to you, the Bible. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:57.680 Now you may be thinking, Ryan, what's all this falling in love with Jesus stuff have to do with fear? 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:59.359 You said you're talking about fear. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:05.839 Well, the author of 1 John actually said this and made this connection for us, and I want to share it with you today. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:13.119 In 1 John 4, verse 18 says, There is no room in love for fear. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:24.880 Well-formed love banishes fear, since fear is crippling a fearful life, fear of death, fear of judgment, is one not yet fully formed in love. 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:37.279 The scripture is saying that if we are living a life dominated by fear, then we really don't understand, we maybe really haven't grasped the love of Jesus like we thought we have. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:39.039 And I'll be honest with you, that's okay. 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:40.240 Let's look at Peter, right? 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:46.079 He walked with Jesus literally three years, and he still struggled with this. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.440 It's a process. 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:50.079 So don't get in condemnation, it's a process. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:55.519 Peter found that he really didn't grasp the love of Jesus as much as he thought he did. 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:59.519 Peter was afraid of the unknown. 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:09.359 And on that last night before Jesus' crucifixion, it's interesting because we see the same set of events from two different perspectives. 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:16.000 We see it through the eyes of the disciples, and they didn't know, and so they feared. 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:23.200 And then we see the same circumstances through the eyes of Jesus, who did know, and he did not fear. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:29.359 You see, Peter denied to protect Peter's future. 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:33.599 Jesus died to secure Peter's future. 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:37.519 And Jesus died to secure your future too. 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:43.039 Peter denied because basically Peter loved Peter more. 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:48.799 But Jesus died because Jesus truly loved Peter more. 00:20:55.839 --> 00:21:01.119 Now, maybe you have not believed in this Jesus, and so let me introduce you to him. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:11.039 He is the Son of God who came to this earth, and like you and I, he put flesh on and lived a life, but unlike you and I, he lived a perfect life. 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:15.920 And yet he chose to go to the cross to lay down his life for us. 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:19.440 And one day soon he's gonna come again. 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:30.319 And so if you're sitting here today watching this screen, listening to this message, and you realize that you don't know this Jesus, I want to invite you. 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.759 Man, today is your day. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:34.559 Today is the day that you can get to know him. 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:39.440 And there's no magic words, no, no special prayers to recite. 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:48.240 You literally could say something as simple as this Jesus, I believe that you died for me. 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:51.519 You rose from the dead and are coming back again. 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:53.680 I put my faith in you. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:59.599 It's really that simple because the more you know Jesus, the more you recognize. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.440 His love for you. 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:04.960 And the more you recognize his love for you, the more you will love him. 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:09.200 But it's only because he first loved us. 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:23.599 Now, students, I want to specifically talk to you because you know we've been working hard behind the scenes to develop our youth strategy and to work on our meta-youth ministry. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:33.200 And I'll be honest with you, the day is coming where we are going to get to gather, and that day is coming soon, where we'll be getting together students from all over the city of San Antonio, and we'll get to come and be together. 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:36.160 And I'm looking forward to that day, and it is coming soon. 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:43.039 But I want you to hear me today because I have a sense of urgency that you need to get a hold of this as you're going back to school. 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:48.799 In whatever form that looks like, whether it's e-learning or in-class, I need you to remember this. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:56.160 You don't have to fear the unknown when you know the one who knows. 00:22:56.400 --> 00:23:01.839 You don't have to fear the unknown when you know the one who knows. 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:04.079 In fact, I want you to say that with me. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:11.680 I don't have to fear the unknown when I know the one who knows. 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:16.240 So, how do we overcome fear? 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:20.720 And let's be honest, you may be faced with this within just the very next hour. 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:28.960 You may be faced with this fear of the unknown the next time you turn on the local news cycle, or the next time you step into a classroom. 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:36.559 But the next time that you face this fear of the known, the fear of the unknown, I want you to think of this. 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:41.200 Jesus loves me. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:49.279 This I know for the Bible tells me so. 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:54.799 Now I realize that none of you want to hear me sing, and trust me, it's not a pretty thing. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:24:06.720 And I realize that's a childish song, but the lyrics of that song, those words are so relevant and so important to remember in this season of our life because Jesus loves you, Jesus will take care of you. 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:09.519 You have nothing to fear. 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:12.960 So, students, let's talk about this year. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:14.480 You know, what lies ahead? 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:20.079 It may be unknown, and that's okay, but you don't have to fear the unknown. 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:26.240 I want to encourage you to take your eyes off fear and instead set your focus on Jesus. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:29.119 Now, does that mean that you won't get COVID? 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:32.160 Does that mean that nothing bad will come your way? 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:32.960 No. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:35.759 That's that that's I can't promise you that. 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:39.440 But there is a greater question, and I want you to think about this. 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:42.160 Why is it that you're doing what you're doing? 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:44.640 Why is it that you're in school to begin with? 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:50.720 And I would suggest to you today that this is your purpose, man, in this season of life, this is your purpose. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:56.880 To be a student who's learning, who's growing, who's shining bright like a light in their school. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:25:04.000 So whether you're zooming to class or you're zooming for class, today your purpose is to be a light. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.920 And you know what? 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:11.359 Without purpose, there's nothing in life that's worth really living for. 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:14.480 If we're not walking out of purpose, fear is no longer our worst enemy. 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.119 We are. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:18.240 You know, following Christ has always been risky. 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:22.480 And I think in our Western culture and here in America, I think oftentimes we forget. 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:25.920 But Christianity following Christ, it has always been risky. 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:30.720 That very night when Jesus was arrested, we see how his disciples were scattered. 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:31.759 It was risky. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:36.960 In the ages since then, we've seen people martyred and lay down their life for Jesus. 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:39.440 We've seen churches that have to meet in secret. 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:43.839 Following Christ has always been risky, and I think sometimes we forget that. 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:51.839 But taking the safe way, playing it safe, is not the way to deal with the fear of the unknown. 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:59.440 You see, immunity is what we want from COVID, and to be honest with you, in this life, immunity is what we really want at times. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:02.079 But Jesus doesn't promise us immunity. 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:05.680 Jesus promises to be in you and me. 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:13.119 So, students, whether you're doing e-learning or going back to school, you don't have to fear. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:15.920 Parents, you don't have to fear for your child's safety. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:19.839 Teachers, as you're going back into your classroom, you don't have to fear. 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:27.519 You don't have to fear the unknown when you know the one who knows. 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:38.240 Now I want to remind you that the scriptures we've talked about today and the the scriptures in general, they weren't given to us just to make our individual lives better. 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:44.880 They were given to us so that as a movement of people, we could shine like a beacon of hope in this dark world. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:53.359 They were given us so that we could shine like a bright light in our in our neighborhoods, in our communities, in our in our in our workplaces, and yes, even in our schools. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:58.480 And so I want you to imagine what would this look like if we actually lived this out. 00:26:58.640 --> 00:27:07.519 If we actually lived this out that we're talking about today, where people, where you didn't have to live in bondage to fear. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:18.400 If we really lived this out, then I believe that amidst all the fear, amidst all the chaos, amidst all the ranting on Facebook, I believe that people would start to take notice. 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:22.880 I believe that people would notice there's something different in you, and they will be drawn to it. 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:24.079 You ready, Mad Church? 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:27.200 Because I'm telling you, people are gonna be drawn to you. 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:33.279 As you begin to go out and you get this shine like a bright light, people are gonna notice that, hey, they're not afraid. 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:36.559 Hey, he's not struggling with fear, and they will be drawn to you. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:43.279 You don't have to worry about sharing your faith, you don't have to worry about uh being nervous about am I being too pushy by faith. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:50.240 They're gonna be drawn to you because they see something different in you, and that something different is Jesus in you. 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:57.279 And I really believe that during this COVID season, that that's how God is going to move. 00:27:57.440 --> 00:28:06.400 There's gonna be such a distinct difference between those living in the world and struggling with fear, and those following Jesus who realize they have nothing to fear. 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:13.039 There's gonna be such a distinct difference that people are gonna take notice and God is gonna shine through you. 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:19.599 So, teachers, your coworkers, students, your classmates, people are gonna be coming. 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:27.440 They're gonna be coming to you, they're gonna be seeing something different in you because you're gonna apply what you we talked about today. 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:29.920 And I want to just get personal for just a second. 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:37.519 I want you to think about those coworkers, those neighbors, maybe those loved ones who don't know Jesus yet. 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:39.200 Think about them today. 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:44.640 Because if we will apply this to our life, man, it's gonna reach them. 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:50.079 This this is what it means to be a movement, to be a movement of Jesus. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:53.519 And this isn't just a movement that will reach your school. 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:58.160 This isn't just a movement that will filter through your neighborhood or that will filter through your community. 00:28:58.319 --> 00:29:05.200 This is a movement that will reach all of San Antonio and impact the lives of thousands and thousands of people. 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:10.480 And it all begins with applying this one simple truth. 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:19.279 You don't have to fear the unknown when you know the one who knows. 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:21.440 Will you pray with me? 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:35.680 Father God, I thank you for the opportunity to share with the families, with the parents, with the teachers, but most importantly with the students who are watching today. 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:42.799 And Lord, I know that your scripture says that you have not given us a spirit of fear, but you've given us power and love and a sound mind. 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:54.000 And so I just pray that as we go back into this season of school, I just pray that your power, your love, and a sound mind would just saturate everybody who's listening. 00:29:54.079 --> 00:30:01.200 That those who who are under my voice, that they would hear this, they would receive it, and they would apply it to their life, Lord God. 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:06.799 And I just I just trust you that when we do that, you're gonna take care of the rest, Lord God. 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:17.119 That you're gonna cast out fear and you're gonna make us to where we shine bright to those around us, that where people take notice, and this city will be impacted for you, Lord God. 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:34.319 And so I just pray for every student today, and I just pray as they, whether they're e-learning or whether they go or in person attending school, and whenever that time comes that they are attending in a classroom, I pray that they would think back and remember the words that we talked about today. 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:40.319 They don't have to fear the unknown when they know the one who knows. 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:45.440 And we love you, Jesus, and we are honored to know and serve you. 00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:48.960 And I pray all these things in Jesus' mighty name. 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.920 Amen. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.839 Amen, man. 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.440 Thank you so much, Ryan. 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:56.480 You guys in the chat, let Ryan know that you heard him today. 00:30:56.559 --> 00:31:00.160 Uh, man, you can just uh put right in that chat right now, no fear. 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:03.279 That's how we're living, that's how we're moving, no fear. 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.319 What a great word. 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:06.720 I hope you guys are taking this to heart. 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:11.680 I was challenged by this word because there is so much that is unknown right now. 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:18.960 Uh, many of you who are teachers, our parents, our students here in NISD, we did not know that Zoom was gonna have a national outage. 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:22.559 We didn't know what was coming, and yet it came and we survived. 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:24.000 We're on the other side of it. 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:25.440 And you know who wasn't surprised? 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.400 It was Jesus. 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:29.920 Jesus wasn't surprised, he already knows. 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:36.640 I was thinking while you were preaching about Peter, because a lot of times I relate to Peter because Peter, quite frankly, is an idiot a lot of the time. 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:39.200 And I was thinking about Peter's second chance. 00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:44.400 Peter didn't want to die that night, but there was another opportunity where Peter faced death for his belief. 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:49.759 It's not in the Bible, it's actually written by ancient non-Christian historians. 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:53.599 They gave him another chance to deny his faith or die. 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:57.119 And this time, Peter went to the cross. 00:31:57.359 --> 00:32:01.519 And he did it because he saw Jesus die, come back to life. 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.240 He called it. 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.359 Jesus already knew. 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.880 He knew the unknown. 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:07.039 This is a word I'm gonna work to apply to my life. 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.559 I hope you will as well. 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:12.000 Man, I'm so glad that you guys joined us on this stream today. 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:17.039 Ryan, we're so thankful for you and for your family and that you're a part of our movement here at Meta. 00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:21.759 For the rest of you who consider this uh a part of yourself, a part of this movement. 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:25.920 I want to remind you and encourage you to help us fund this thing. 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:34.720 Um, August is one of those interesting months where we get five Sundays, and on five Sunday months, we have a great opportunity to get ahead financially. 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:37.599 So I just want to challenge you to be extra generous this week. 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.799 Man, we love you guys. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:42.160 We want to stay up to date with you, and we want you to stay up to date with us. 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:45.440 So make sure you're following us on Facebook and on Instagram. 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:48.559 We're gonna start a brand new series in a couple of weeks. 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:50.319 We've got some great messages coming up. 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.440 We love you guys. 00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:55.119 You guys stay safe and continue to be the movement. 00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:01.200 Thanks so much for listening to the message today. 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:06.559 If this was helpful to you and you want to help us get the word out, you can subscribe to this podcast. 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:09.680 You can rate and review or share it with your friends. 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:16.640 If you want to get connected further with what MetaCurch is doing, you can go online to metachurch.tv. 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:26.960 There you can learn how to take next steps, you can learn where our different venues are at if you ever wanted to visit, and you can also give financially to help push this movement forward. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:30.720 Man, I love you guys, and I hope you have a great rest of your day.