byssiw

[byssiw]

“This time around I’ve chosen the brave and bold way of going about things. Because with this album I’ve completely changed the sound of everything I’ve done until now. So it’s interesting to not be afraid of that. It comes down to challenging yourself as an artist.” 

[byssiw]

Nobody Knows The Trouble I See

These are not unprecedented times. We must look at our history to see that a lot of what we are seeing has happened before. If you think you are living in unprecedented times, I urge you to look a little deeper into the history of your country, your state, your people, etc.

Jesus’ experiences and culture during his life would have been closer to the experiences and culture of POC in America than to the culture and experience of white peoples in America.

The God of the Bible is the God who walks the road with us, holds the hand of the diseased, has dirty feet, is homeless, who spends time with outcasts and sinners—people who nobody wants to spend time with.

If we are indifferent to the struggles of the black community, the struggles of the indigenous community, the struggles of oppressed communities then we are missing the people that Jesus cared about.

It is not right, it is not fair to watch as these communities are disenfranchised and their struggles erased. It is okay to be mad.

We must know our history and we must teach our history. We must remember to fact check and not just believe everything that we see or hear. Remind people how we got here and the work that was put in to get us this far. Remind yourself how we got this far. It may be uncomfortable; that’s okay, it should be.

[byssiw]

I was raised in the church and never once thought that Christians supported the death penalty and yet here we are

[byssiw]

When did I lose my faith in the power of small acts to change the world?

The way you live can change the world. Scripture says that. You are transformed by Christ and then you transform the world around you.

We need transformation. Transformation begins when we each make a decision inside ourselves to live a life more aligned with God’s perfect way of living.

Learn to be humble. Learn to love. Seek to live in harmony with those around you.

Romans 12

Our love has to be genuine. We need to love from our very being.

We are not to repay evil with evil, even though it may be tempting.

Find patience because God doesn’t work on our timetable. Remain hopeful and patient. Trust that God is with us.

Self care is not a selfish act. If we cannot take care of ourselves how can we take care of others? Do not let the idea that someone is judging you for resting stop you from taking that rest. Remember that God commanded Sabbath, rest, pause. It is essential. God modeled it for us when forming creation.

Faith and fear are two things we cannot see but we feel. Look inward to your faith to overcome your fear. It’s so easy to fall into fear, we must reach for faith.

Take one small step every day towards the change you want to see in yourself, your community, and your world. Show up every day with mercy, compassion, and solidarity with the hurting.

[byssiw]

Matthew 9:9-13

Hosea 6:4-6

Even we proclaim to show love, how often do we choose to show mercy?

Mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm

It is about living a good loving life not about following laws or rules.

Does it upset you to be called to show mercy? To show love? To show kindness? Are you making the same mistake as the religious leaders of the Bible?

Jesus went to the sinners to start his ministry, not the “church folk”. He didn’t stay within some “clique”, he was open and welcoming to ALL who chose to join him. Are you seeking out those outside of your own group? You cannot fulfill the gossip by staying indoors, staying within your circle. Go to the people who need it, not just your friends or the “right” people.

Mercy is hard.

Will you buy your neighbor some eggs? When your neighbor has acted against your interests and spewed hatred towards you and your loved ones will you reach out and help them?

There is a balance between loving your neighbor, helping them out when they need it, and standing up against bigotry and hatred. It is up to us to rely on God in seeking that balance. We must respond to hate, violence, and anger with love.

It is hard to forgive people. It is hard to show mercy. Especially when we have been deeply hurt by those we are showing mercy to.

The message of the gospel is that we are not perfect, we make mistakes, God loves and forgives us anyway…we must now do the same in return.

We will not win the fight against evil by thinking that love and mercy are weak. We win by believing that love and gentleness are powerful.

Amidst all of the hatred we are surrounded with we must be love, joy, compassion, and kindness. We must focus on love, the love of Christ, and how we show love and mercy even when we don’t want to. Set that boundary of what is wrong but understand we still are called to love and help those who harm us.

[byssiw]

I really needed to hear this.

Conviction over condemnation.

[byssiw]

Sermon Notes

Luke 1:57-68

The Messiah will save us from our enemies.

What if my enemy is myself? Will God save me from myself?

Learn to listen to God and take Them at Their Word.

We should adopt the faith of Elizabeth and Zechariah who trusted in God. Despite Elizabeth’s old age they were given a child. There is power in obeying God. John means God is gracious.

God’s hand is powerful and able to deliver one out of their current situation.

Zechariah’s prophecy is the first time the people have heard from God in hundreds of years.

1 Kings 1:48

Luke 1:69-71

Psalm 2

Jesus came to save us from the darkness within us through the forgiveness of our sins…

…can forgiveness of my sins save me?

Jesus died to forgive me of my sins. That has to be enough because Jesus is more than enough. How do I accept that? How do I live with that? How do I allow that to transform me? How do I allow the Messiah to save me?

Luke 1:72-75

God takes Their promises seriously. They keep Their Word.

What are God’s promises?

We can live without fear now. Jesus came so that we could be filled with the Holy Spirit and we can allow Them to fill us and show us how to live without fear.

Luke 1:76-80

Salvation has come through the forgiveness of sins. We must turn to God alone with repentant hearts to ask for forgiveness of our sins.

God loves you. God absolutely loves you. You are loved. There is light at the end of the darkness.

In this Christmas season, may you remember that Jesus brings light, love, and peace.

A thrill of hope—the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morning.

Jesus guides us and provides peace; guiding our feet into the way of peace.

Revelation 19:11-16

Death will be defeated.

My God will save me.

Peace is coming someday. We have hope.

[byssiw]

Trust in God's plan.

[byssiw]

Faith is communal

We are meant to see each other through the tough times and rejoice with one another in the good times just as God is with us in the difficulties and in the victories.

Luke 24:13-35

You are not alone. Even when you don’t recognize that Jesus is with you, even when you don’t recognize that there are those that love you standing by; you are not alone.

[byssiw]

REMINDER: Our God is so much bigger than any battle we're facing!

[byssiw]

[byssiw]

[byssiw]

“…Lewis seeks in Mere Christianity to help us see the religion with fresh eyes, as a radical faith whose adherents might be likened to an underground group gathering in a war zone, a place wheee evil seems to have the upper hand, to hear messages of hope from the other side.”

This brought memories of watching old animated Christian movies when I was a kid. When Faith seemed like a haven and a hideout. During wars, dark times, whenever evil runs rampant we can all hunker down together and share stories of hope and love. I feel as though many of us have forgotten or rejected this aspect of Christianity. I hope that as I read Mere Christianity I can rediscover this aspect of my beliefs that I seem to have lost.

[byssiw]

Identify your fears so that you can fight them

[byssiw]

What is the work of the Lord? Is it enough to pray for a life that exhibits the fruits of the spirit? Is a life changing transformation from Christ simply learning how to live a life full of love, joy, kindness, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control?

[byssiw]