Are You Really Free? | John 10

Hey, I'm Chuck. Hey, I'm Chuck. >> I'm Kirsten. >> I'm Kirsten. >> I'm Kirsten. >> I'm Mishe. And I'm Miko. >> I'm Mishe. And I'm Miko. >> I'm Mishe. And I'm Miko. >> And we are talking about John 10 and >> And we are talking about John 10 and >> And we are talking about John 10 and Jesus [music] saying he is the door. And Jesus [music] saying he is the door. And Jesus [music] saying he is the door. And we were just talking about like what are we were just talking about like what are we were just talking about like what are things that we trust way too much in our things that we trust way too much in our things that we trust way too much in our lives, maybe more than we should. Um, lives, maybe more than we should. Um, lives, maybe more than we should. Um, yeah. What, you know, Jesus says there yeah. What, you know, Jesus says there yeah. What, you know, Jesus says there are things that are thiefs and liars. are things that are thiefs and liars. are things that are thiefs and liars. What's something that you've trusted What's something that you've trusted What's something that you've trusted that turned out to be a thief and a liar that turned out to be a thief and a liar that turned out to be a thief and a liar in your life? Wanting a career for the sake of making Wanting a career for the sake of making money [clears throat] money [clears throat] money [clears throat] >> for sure is a thief and a liar. >> for sure is a thief and a liar. >> for sure is a thief and a liar. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I think intended to steal like it >> And I think intended to steal like it >> And I think intended to steal like it later on it says later on it says later on it says >> the thief comes to steal, kill and >> the thief comes to steal, kill and >> the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. That's stole destroy. That's stole destroy. That's stole >> it killed and destroyed any chance I had >> it killed and destroyed any chance I had >> it killed and destroyed any chance I had to to to >> have joy, >> have joy, >> have joy, >> peace, >> peace, >> peace, >> patience, perseverance, >> patience, perseverance, >> patience, perseverance, >> like a care towards other people. >> like a care towards other people. >> like a care towards other people. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Genuinely. >> Genuinely. >> Genuinely. >> Yeah. Same for me, man. I that's where >> Yeah. Same for me, man. I that's where >> Yeah. Same for me, man. I that's where immediately where my mind goes is just, immediately where my mind goes is just, immediately where my mind goes is just, you know, I my it wasn't really a joke. you know, I my it wasn't really a joke. you know, I my it wasn't really a joke. I wanted to be on the cover of Black I wanted to be on the cover of Black I wanted to be on the cover of Black Enterprise magazine, which if you don't Enterprise magazine, which if you don't Enterprise magazine, which if you don't know what that is, like it was like the know what that is, like it was like the know what that is, like it was like the premium, right? It was the premium like premium, right? It was the premium like premium, right? It was the premium like [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] this guy is a leader in business and this guy is a leader in business and this guy is a leader in business and he's black. Like I wanted to be on the he's black. Like I wanted to be on the he's black. Like I wanted to be on the cover. I just want to make money and all cover. I just want to make money and all cover. I just want to make money and all that. And man, I that. And man, I that. And man, I >> when I was 30, I was making more money >> when I was 30, I was making more money >> when I was 30, I was making more money than I thought I ever would at that than I thought I ever would at that than I thought I ever would at that point.

point. point. >> Um had lots of prospects for the future. >> Um had lots of prospects for the future. >> Um had lots of prospects for the future. I was getting promoted, more promotions I was getting promoted, more promotions I was getting promoted, more promotions than and and that's when I had my first than and and that's when I had my first than and and that's when I had my first panic attack. M panic attack. M panic attack. M >> and so obviously that was a thief and a >> and so obviously that was a thief and a >> and so obviously that was a thief and a liar and did not deliver what I thought liar and did not deliver what I thought liar and did not deliver what I thought it it it >> thought it would. >> thought it would. >> thought it would. >> I'm in the same boat [laughter] and I >> I'm in the same boat [laughter] and I >> I'm in the same boat [laughter] and I would even just encapsulate it all with would even just encapsulate it all with would even just encapsulate it all with just desires just desires just desires >> but that would be like at the top. I um >> but that would be like at the top. I um >> but that would be like at the top. I um and it's funny like I even I had a and it's funny like I even I had a and it's funny like I even I had a conver I was having a conversation with conver I was having a conversation with conver I was having a conversation with God last year because this still kind of God last year because this still kind of God last year because this still kind of like rears its ugly head from time to like rears its ugly head from time to like rears its ugly head from time to time and I remember I was in my room I time and I remember I was in my room I time and I remember I was in my room I was folding clothes and really kind of was folding clothes and really kind of was folding clothes and really kind of like like like >> getting on board with the idea of like >> getting on board with the idea of like >> getting on board with the idea of like maybe these things and these ideas that maybe these things and these ideas that maybe these things and these ideas that I have may not come to pass and just I have may not come to pass and just I have may not come to pass and just really kind of like grieving some of really kind of like grieving some of really kind of like grieving some of that. And I had an honest conversation that. And I had an honest conversation that. And I had an honest conversation with God. I said, "God, you know what? with God. I said, "God, you know what? with God. I said, "God, you know what? My identity is in Christ." And I know My identity is in Christ." And I know My identity is in Christ." And I know that, but for me, that, but for me, that, but for me, I don't know why it just seems like I don't know why it just seems like I don't know why it just seems like that's not enough. that's not enough. that's not enough. >> Like, I still want Yeah. I'm like, I >> Like, I still want Yeah. I'm like, I >> Like, I still want Yeah. I'm like, I this I'm I'm going to give it to you. this I'm I'm going to give it to you. this I'm I'm going to give it to you. This is how I feel. I'm like, I still This is how I feel. I'm like, I still This is how I feel. I'm like, I still want accolades and success and these want accolades and success and these want accolades and success and these things attached to my name. And I'm things attached to my name. And I'm things attached to my name. And I'm like, like, like, >> I'm I mean, it wasn't a conclusive >> I'm I mean, it wasn't a conclusive >> I'm I mean, it wasn't a conclusive thought, but it was just an honest thought, but it was just an honest thought, but it was just an honest thought. Like, this is this is this is thought. Like, this is this is this is thought. Like, this is this is this is what I'm dealing with. This is how I what I'm dealing with. This is how I what I'm dealing with. This is how I feel, guys. So, yeah. Yeah.

feel, guys. So, yeah. Yeah. feel, guys. So, yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I don't know. I don't know why this is a I don't know. I don't know why this is a I don't know. I don't know why this is a hard one. I didn't grow up with a lot of hard one. I didn't grow up with a lot of hard one. I didn't grow up with a lot of money. My mom was a single mom money. My mom was a single mom money. My mom was a single mom bartender. We did not have a lot of bartender. We did not have a lot of bartender. We did not have a lot of money. So, I never I was like anywhere I money. So, I never I was like anywhere I money. So, I never I was like anywhere I end up is better than where my mom was. end up is better than where my mom was. end up is better than where my mom was. So, I never really had the the job So, I never really had the the job So, I never really had the the job thing. I think it might have been just thing. I think it might have been just thing. I think it might have been just like I followed a lot of friendships in like I followed a lot of friendships in like I followed a lot of friendships in high school and college that I trusted high school and college that I trusted high school and college that I trusted they would be there for me, right? They they would be there for me, right? They they would be there for me, right? They talk big talk about like I got your back talk big talk about like I got your back talk big talk about like I got your back wherever you go like if you need help wherever you go like if you need help wherever you go like if you need help after a breakup like and then you know after a breakup like and then you know after a breakup like and then you know it happens and you're like where are you it happens and you're like where are you it happens and you're like where are you [laughter] like you're not here and that [laughter] like you're not here and that [laughter] like you're not here and that like realization that you're way more like realization that you're way more like realization that you're way more alone than you thought is like so alone than you thought is like so alone than you thought is like so shocking shocking shocking >> and I realized like I don't know I think >> and I realized like I don't know I think >> and I realized like I don't know I think you can have really really great you can have really really great you can have really really great relationships and people you look up to relationships and people you look up to relationships and people you look up to that don't necessarily follow the Lord that don't necessarily follow the Lord that don't necessarily follow the Lord but I found the stability ility but I found the stability ility but I found the stability ility >> of a friendship and someone who like >> of a friendship and someone who like >> of a friendship and someone who like does follow Jesus like I do. It's like does follow Jesus like I do. It's like does follow Jesus like I do. It's like >> night and day. You're just like you're >> night and day. You're just like you're >> night and day. You're just like you're actually protected in that and you know actually protected in that and you know actually protected in that and you know you're going to be met with a selfless you're going to be met with a selfless you're going to be met with a selfless relationship versus relationship versus relationship versus >> just like I was in that season. Like if >> just like I was in that season. Like if >> just like I was in that season. Like if it were roles reversed in high school in it were roles reversed in high school in it were roles reversed in high school in my first years of college, I would have my first years of college, I would have my first years of college, I would have done the same thing to them. Like done the same thing to them. Like done the same thing to them. Like >> I got a party to go to like I can't come >> I got a party to go to like I can't come >> I got a party to go to like I can't come pick you up from the hospital or pick you up from the hospital or pick you up from the hospital or whatever. Like horrible things. But I whatever. Like horrible things. But I whatever. Like horrible things. But I think like that trust in relationships think like that trust in relationships think like that trust in relationships that you put so much in as a young that you put so much in as a young that you put so much in as a young person is like

person is like person is like >> um >> um >> um >> yeah shallow. >> yeah shallow. >> yeah shallow. >> You mentioned the word protection and >> You mentioned the word protection and >> You mentioned the word protection and Jesus says in this verse that we've read Jesus says in this verse that we've read Jesus says in this verse that we've read today I am the door today I am the door today I am the door >> and you know not all the time but often >> and you know not all the time but often >> and you know not all the time but often in Israel the way that sheep were kept in Israel the way that sheep were kept in Israel the way that sheep were kept is they were kept in a cave. is they were kept in a cave. is they were kept in a cave. >> And so literally the shepherd would lay >> And so literally the shepherd would lay >> And so literally the shepherd would lay across the opening of the cave. So when across the opening of the cave. So when across the opening of the cave. So when Jesus says, "I am the door," he's Jesus says, "I am the door," he's Jesus says, "I am the door," he's literally saying something that like literally saying something that like literally saying something that like shepherds would have understood like, shepherds would have understood like, shepherds would have understood like, "Oh, he's the physical door. He's the "Oh, he's the physical door. He's the "Oh, he's the physical door. He's the protection." protection." protection." >> Um, it is it's a great it's a great >> Um, it is it's a great it's a great >> Um, it is it's a great it's a great metaphor. Well, it's not a metaphor. metaphor. Well, it's not a metaphor. metaphor. Well, it's not a metaphor. It's a great reality that he's It's a great reality that he's It's a great reality that he's connecting to. connecting to. connecting to. >> So, what it what's a way that you've >> So, what it what's a way that you've >> So, what it what's a way that you've experienced Jesus's protection? experienced Jesus's protection? experienced Jesus's protection? >> What's a way you've experienced him as >> What's a way you've experienced him as >> What's a way you've experienced him as the door in your life? the door in your life? the door in your life? >> Either because of something he kept out >> Either because of something he kept out >> Either because of something he kept out >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> or something that he kept in. Mhm. >> or something that he kept in. Mhm. >> or something that he kept in. Mhm. There are these miraculous moments that There are these miraculous moments that There are these miraculous moments that have happened here and there in my life have happened here and there in my life have happened here and there in my life all through my life like from before I all through my life like from before I all through my life like from before I gave my life to Christ to after. But the gave my life to Christ to after. But the gave my life to Christ to after. But the because I was just talking about because I was just talking about because I was just talking about college. Um I had this college. Um I had this college. Um I had this >> moment where I ended up in a house with >> moment where I ended up in a house with >> moment where I ended up in a house with a guy who was like trying to take a guy who was like trying to take a guy who was like trying to take advantage of me and I was like this is a advantage of me and I was like this is a advantage of me and I was like this is a terrible situation. And even back then, terrible situation. And even back then, terrible situation. And even back then, like for me to recognize like this is a like for me to recognize like this is a like for me to recognize like this is a bad situation was like honestly bad situation was like honestly bad situation was like honestly miraculous.

miraculous. miraculous. >> Um, and it ended up being like, well, >> Um, and it ended up being like, well, >> Um, and it ended up being like, well, you can leave. So, I end up on the porch you can leave. So, I end up on the porch you can leave. So, I end up on the porch in the middle of Clifton, which is in the middle of Clifton, which is in the middle of Clifton, which is ironic because that's where I work now ironic because that's where I work now ironic because that's where I work now in ministry. in ministry. in ministry. >> But I end up on this porch 3:00 a.m. >> But I end up on this porch 3:00 a.m. >> But I end up on this porch 3:00 a.m. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> It like looking around being like, I >> It like looking around being like, I >> It like looking around being like, I don't have a car. I don't have I don't don't have a car. I don't have I don't don't have a car. I don't have I don't live here. I don't know how I'm going to live here. I don't know how I'm going to live here. I don't know how I'm going to get home. And I just am like on the get home. And I just am like on the get home. And I just am like on the porch like crying and I look over and porch like crying and I look over and porch like crying and I look over and one of my classmates walks out of the one of my classmates walks out of the one of my classmates walks out of the next door. I was like, "Kirstston, hey." next door. I was like, "Kirstston, hey." next door. I was like, "Kirstston, hey." I'm like, "Hi." She's like, "Hey, do you I'm like, "Hi." She's like, "Hey, do you I'm like, "Hi." She's like, "Hey, do you need a ride home?" need a ride home?" need a ride home?" >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Drives me home to the west side like >> Drives me home to the west side like >> Drives me home to the west side like >> 3:00 a.m. And I look back and I'm like, >> 3:00 a.m. And I look back and I'm like, >> 3:00 a.m. And I look back and I'm like, "I am so sorry, but there's no way in "I am so sorry, but there's no way in "I am so sorry, but there's no way in that minute like I wasn't on the porch that minute like I wasn't on the porch that minute like I wasn't on the porch for 20 minutes. Like for 20 minutes. Like for 20 minutes. Like >> I was there for maybe 60 seconds." like >> I was there for maybe 60 seconds." like >> I was there for maybe 60 seconds." like and she walked out and so I at 3 in the and she walked out and so I at 3 in the and she walked out and so I at 3 in the morning like I just like thank you God morning like I just like thank you God morning like I just like thank you God for protecting me in those moments cuz for protecting me in those moments cuz for protecting me in those moments cuz I've said it before I'll say it again I've said it before I'll say it again I've said it before I'll say it again like there's no way I should have like there's no way I should have like there's no way I should have survived the insane decisions I was survived the insane decisions I was survived the insane decisions I was making back then like making back then like making back then like >> so was not valuing my life but he was >> so was not valuing my life but he was >> so was not valuing my life but he was >> he was the door >> he was the door >> he was the door >> man thank you for sharing that yeah >> man thank you for sharing that yeah >> man thank you for sharing that yeah >> it's crazy >> it's crazy >> it's crazy >> and thank you Kirstston's friend whoever >> and thank you Kirstston's friend whoever >> and thank you Kirstston's friend whoever you were thank you you were thank you you were thank you >> I don't even [laughter] remember it was >> I don't even [laughter] remember it was >> I don't even [laughter] remember it was horrible but yeah horrible but yeah horrible but yeah >> wow Yeah, I'll just say Yeah, I'll just say I have to remember this. You talked I have to remember this. You talked I have to remember this. You talked about desires. I have to remember this.

about desires. I have to remember this. about desires. I have to remember this. >> The prayer that I pray not as much as I >> The prayer that I pray not as much as I >> The prayer that I pray not as much as I should, but I can pray with the most should, but I can pray with the most should, but I can pray with the most gratitude is God, thank you for how many gratitude is God, thank you for how many gratitude is God, thank you for how many times you did not give me what I wanted. times you did not give me what I wanted. times you did not give me what I wanted. Like, Like, Like, >> man, I think about how many >> man, I think about how many >> man, I think about how many >> girls I wanted to date because I thought >> girls I wanted to date because I thought >> girls I wanted to date because I thought it would be whatever, you know, or the it would be whatever, you know, or the it would be whatever, you know, or the jobs that I wanted to have or the things jobs that I wanted to have or the things jobs that I wanted to have or the things that I wanted to do, like the the that I wanted to do, like the the that I wanted to do, like the the choices that I would made with my life choices that I would made with my life choices that I would made with my life and my time and all of those things. the and my time and all of those things. the and my time and all of those things. the the times when I wanted to set a person the times when I wanted to set a person the times when I wanted to set a person straight, you know, because of something straight, you know, because of something straight, you know, because of something they did to me, all the offenses that I they did to me, all the offenses that I they did to me, all the offenses that I wanted to correct on my own, the way I wanted to correct on my own, the way I wanted to correct on my own, the way I wanted to take and I'm like, God, thank wanted to take and I'm like, God, thank wanted to take and I'm like, God, thank you for all of those times when you did you for all of those times when you did you for all of those times when you did not give me what I wanted because I not give me what I wanted because I not give me what I wanted because I would say those for me have been times would say those for me have been times would say those for me have been times when Jesus has been the door. You know, when Jesus has been the door. You know, when Jesus has been the door. You know, he's been the sheep. You you don't know he's been the sheep. You you don't know he's been the sheep. You you don't know what you need, what you need, what you need, >> right? >> right? >> right? >> You think you want this thing or need >> You think you want this thing or need >> You think you want this thing or need this thing, but you don't. It will kill this thing, but you don't. It will kill this thing, but you don't. It will kill you. And I'm just so thankful for the you. And I'm just so thankful for the you. And I'm just so thankful for the ways that he's said a no to things in my ways that he's said a no to things in my ways that he's said a no to things in my life. Like that has been a protection life. Like that has been a protection life. Like that has been a protection for Jesus to say no to me in so many for Jesus to say no to me in so many for Jesus to say no to me in so many times. And you only know it in times. And you only know it in times. And you only know it in retrospect, right? Because in the moment retrospect, right? Because in the moment retrospect, right? Because in the moment I'm like, "No, THIS IS PERFECT. I I I'm like, "No, THIS IS PERFECT. I I I'm like, "No, THIS IS PERFECT. I I WANT, YOU KNOW, THIS I should do." And WANT, YOU KNOW, THIS I should do." And WANT, YOU KNOW, THIS I should do." And it's like, "Oh, thank you, God, for how it's like, "Oh, thank you, God, for how it's like, "Oh, thank you, God, for how many times you said no to me and did not many times you said no to me and did not many times you said no to me and did not give me what I wanted."

give me what I wanted." give me what I wanted." >> Yeah, that's good. I I feel like I echo >> Yeah, that's good. I I feel like I echo >> Yeah, that's good. I I feel like I echo that as well because when I read the that as well because when I read the that as well because when I read the scripture, scripture, scripture, I feel like I'm also hearing Jesus say I feel like I'm also hearing Jesus say I feel like I'm also hearing Jesus say anytime you're trying to escape from the anytime you're trying to escape from the anytime you're trying to escape from the pen or like come out from any way pen or like come out from any way pen or like come out from any way outside of the gates, like he's calling outside of the gates, like he's calling outside of the gates, like he's calling you a thief, but also I think he's you a thief, but also I think he's you a thief, but also I think he's saying you're not living the identity saying you're not living the identity saying you're not living the identity I've called you to be, which is a sheep. I've called you to be, which is a sheep. I've called you to be, which is a sheep. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Which is a sheep. A sheep has no way of >> Which is a sheep. A sheep has no way of >> Which is a sheep. A sheep has no way of scaling [laughter] scaling [laughter] scaling [laughter] cave. Honestly, that's a good image to cave. Honestly, that's a good image to cave. Honestly, that's a good image to think about now because I always just think about now because I always just think about now because I always just imagine like the farm pen that we kind imagine like the farm pen that we kind imagine like the farm pen that we kind of have of have of have >> in these days, right? >> in these days, right? >> in these days, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> Um, >> Um, >> and so like the not getting what I want, >> and so like the not getting what I want, >> and so like the not getting what I want, the gratitude towards that the gratitude towards that the gratitude towards that >> and truly entering and exiting the way >> and truly entering and exiting the way >> and truly entering and exiting the way that Jesus in a way that like you can that Jesus in a way that like you can that Jesus in a way that like you can recognize the voice of the I mean, recognize the voice of the I mean, recognize the voice of the I mean, >> yeah, [snorts] that's that's everything. >> yeah, [snorts] that's that's everything. >> yeah, [snorts] that's that's everything. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And the promise is you will go out >> Yeah. And the promise is you will go out >> Yeah. And the promise is you will go out and come in and find pasture like you and come in and find pasture like you and come in and find pasture like you you'll get what you need. You know, it's you'll get what you need. You know, it's you'll get what you need. You know, it's not like you you won't stay in the cave not like you you won't stay in the cave not like you you won't stay in the cave forever. [laughter] We feel like that forever. [laughter] We feel like that forever. [laughter] We feel like that sometimes, right? No, no, no. You're sometimes, right? No, no, no. You're sometimes, right? No, no, no. You're going to get out of the cave, going to get out of the cave, going to get out of the cave, >> but not until the shepherd, the door, >> but not until the shepherd, the door, >> but not until the shepherd, the door, says this is right for you. So, man, any says this is right for you. So, man, any says this is right for you. So, man, any final encouragement to people as they final encouragement to people as they final encouragement to people as they might be in a place right now of might be in a place right now of might be in a place right now of thinking like, man, thinking like, man, thinking like, man, >> I'm feeling like I'm struggling to be >> I'm feeling like I'm struggling to be >> I'm feeling like I'm struggling to be that sheep in that cave. What would you that sheep in that cave. What would you that sheep in that cave. What would you say to them? Last word. I think thinking say to them? Last word. I think thinking say to them? Last word. I think thinking about just kind of what you talked on about just kind of what you talked on about just kind of what you talked on what you [clears throat] just mentioned what you [clears throat] just mentioned what you [clears throat] just mentioned like the um the part of the verse when like the um the part of the verse when like the um the part of the verse when he says that you will find that pastor he says that you will find that pastor he says that you will find that pastor >> coming in and out and then recognizing >> coming in and out and then recognizing >> coming in and out and then recognizing that in contrast to that anything else

that in contrast to that anything else that in contrast to that anything else outside of that it's intent is to steal outside of that it's intent is to steal outside of that it's intent is to steal kill and destroy. Yeah. kill and destroy. Yeah. kill and destroy. Yeah. >> So regardless of what it promises it's >> So regardless of what it promises it's >> So regardless of what it promises it's going to be self- serving going to be self- serving going to be self- serving self-sabotaging and it's not for your self-sabotaging and it's not for your self-sabotaging and it's not for your best interest. And in Christ, you know, best interest. And in Christ, you know, best interest. And in Christ, you know, as sheep, he gives us the freedom um as as sheep, he gives us the freedom um as as sheep, he gives us the freedom um as our identity is in him as we're just our identity is in him as we're just our identity is in him as we're just leaning into him to have that pasture to leaning into him to have that pasture to leaning into him to have that pasture to be able to go out into that pasture and be able to go out into that pasture and be able to go out into that pasture and whatever that may look like. So, whatever that may look like. So, whatever that may look like. So, >> yeah, it can be a good thing, but still >> yeah, it can be a good thing, but still >> yeah, it can be a good thing, but still if it's not coming to you from Yeah. if it's not coming to you from Yeah. if it's not coming to you from Yeah. >> from Jesus, from the Lord, >> from Jesus, from the Lord, >> from Jesus, from the Lord, >> Yeah. Yeah. still kill and destroy your >> Yeah. Yeah. still kill and destroy your >> Yeah. Yeah. still kill and destroy your freedom. freedom. freedom. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> Amen. Well, that's a great last word. I >> Amen. Well, that's a great last word. I >> Amen. Well, that's a great last word. I hope you're encouraged by that today.