Tabernacle Baptist Church

John 11:45-57 / July 9th, 2017 / Dr. Todd Gray

**Todd opened today’s sermon with an emphasis on textual work and prayer time. Both are very important to our relationship with Christ. However, there is tremendous practical application to scripture time, prayer time…and small group time. That application comes from the foundation of preparation that come baked in with such efforts. We are only as effective in our jobs as our knowledge, training and experience allow us to be…the same goes for walk with Christ.

Consider this week how prepared you are for unplanned conversations such as the one discussed in the hypothetical scenario. However, also consider how you can plan such conversations with people who are on your prayer list. Then move forward on your plan! We all have daily opportunities to witness and be God’s light in the world.

John 11:1-44 / July 9th, 2017 / Dr. Todd Gray

In the world of tragedy, there is only so much we all can do to prepare for such situations. Too many times when we hear of tragedies, we simply say to ourselves, “I couldn’t imagine going through that.” Or “I couldn’t imagine what that must be like”. While somewhat true, the reality is that we can imagine what such scenarios would be like and consider what our responses may be. This may seem morbid, but truth is those horrible things could happen to anyone of us at any time…and taking the time to consider such scenarios, seek understanding and perspective now of other’s situations, could be the greatest exercise in preparation possible. However, doing so also gives us a chance to seek God’s council, commit to honoring him and using such efforts to pour into others during their time of need. Take time to find out your families fears this week and use it as an opportunity to talk about how they could look to, and rely on, God during those times.

We were so blessed this morning to hear from recent PESCA Seminary graduates Felix Torres and Pablo Martínez. They will serve as the seminary's President and Academic Dean as well as serve on the teaching staff. Their graduation was a result of the Champion Church partnership between Tabernacle, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and PESCA Seminary. We also thank Dr. Goff and Dr. Alfaro who have helped get the program started and joined us today as translators. Your Glocal giving supports this great vision.

John 10:22-42 / June 25th, 2017 / Todd Gray **Jesus made some big claims when he walked the Earth. The great author C.S. Lewis concluded that Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or the true LORD. Two thousand years before Lewis, the people of the first-century world felt the same way.

Tags: Shepherd, Liar, Lunatic, Lord, Protection

John 10:11-18 / June 18th, 2017 / Dr. Todd Gray **Fathers must be shepherding their families. If you are a father, know that you are the daily spiritual leader of your family. Not just in how you live your life, but how you live and teach your Christian life to those around you. Jesus came not only to die for us but to serve as our example to follow.

John 10:1-10 / June 11th, 2017 / Dr. Todd Gray **Sheep rely on the shepherd for protection, provision, and leadership. Without a shepherd, sheep struggle. It is with these things in mind that Jesus calls himself the shepherd and us His sheep.

John 9:1-41 / June 4th, 2017 / Rick Barber **We are all meant to be Spectacles of Glory for God by putting Jesus on display in our lives. In both our struggles and our victories, God can and will use us to make a difference in the lives of others. How is God positioning you to be a Spectacle of Glory for all to see?

2 Timothy 4:6-8 / May 28th, 2017 / Kody Alvarez ** 1. Daily living as a sacrifice. 2. Daily affirmation of the sovereignty of God. 3. Daily dependence on the Gospel. 4. Daily fellowship with God.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 / May 21st, 2017 / Todd Gray

If you are a believer, you are called to use your relationships, your job, and your platform to preach the Word. For those who are called specifically to preach and teach, 2 Timothy 4:1-5 lays out some pretty specific challenges. As we recognize High School graduates, this message is incredibly timely. Also, this week Rick Barber is licensed and in another weekend service, Jeff Stapleton was ordained into the ministry.

Tags: Calling, ministry, ordination, license, Jesus, Timothy

2 Timothy 3:14-17 / May 14th, 2017 / Todd Gray * There are a lot of things we can look at as adults and clearly know we received from our parents. How much of our faith is learned from our mothers and fathers? Paul reminds young Timothy that his faith while being his own, was shaped by his mother and grandmother. On this Mother's Day ask yourself, "what kind of faith legacy am I leaving my child?"