To Know Jesus

You'll likely hear us say, "To Know Jesus and Make Him Known" ... probably a lot in the coming months. After much prayer and discussion with the elders and pastoral staff team, it was decided to update our purpose statement. We understand that many people may not even notice, let alone care what the purpose of Sierra Bible Church is, but with 2023 being our 50th year, having a mostly new staff team and leaning in to the intentionality of where God has us, we wanted to make it clear that our every intention is to make Jesus known. After all, Jesus changes everything.

As elder, Ralph Milnik, so wonderfully detailed during last Sunday's New Years Day service (which, thank you for rolling with our one service that day), the hope we rest and celebrate in this year is simply Jesus. He changed the course of Ralph's life when he attended the Billy Graham Crusade in Orange County as a teenager. I, myself, know the mighty power of Jesus changing lives, circumstances and plans.

I know the forgiveness.
I know the miracle of change.
I know the grace upon grace upon grace.
I know the consequences.
And I also know the tendency to forget.

I'm currently reading, "Holy Hygge" by Jamie Erickson. The word, hygge, is a Danish word encompassing the idea of rest. "It appeals to our desire for slow living and shared moments ... it's a way of making home". Have you ever wrestled with the idea of living in the now and not yet, wondering what of our lives is sacred or eternal? Erickson makes this statement and it all swirled in my soul, compounding truth upon Ralph's message:

Jesus' life was not a dichotomy of sacred and secular. Every part had eternal weight. He was the Christ who just happened to be a carpenter. He spoke of the someday marriage supper of the Lamb but also celebrated the here and now wedding feast of a friends. He taught about living water and the bread of life but multiplied actual bread and fish for a hungry crowd. To suggest that some of His life was sacred and the rest was secular would be to deem only a portion of Christ's time here on earth to be "Christian". Jesus didn't split His life and time into spiritual and secular, and His outer life was exactly consistent with HIs inner life ... for the believer there is nothing secular. It's all sacred when put under His authority for His kingdom purposes. 

Only Jesus has the power and ability to make your life sacred because He is sacred and when He enters your life, it changes everything. He gives purpose to your workplace, mission to your family and intent to your relationships. There is weight in where He has you. Happy 2023, church family. We're so glad you're here!