Tabernacle of Praise FGBC

05/08/2026

04/07/2026

So, what happened after the resurrection? I am so glad you asked. Well, things continued to get very real! In His resurrected body Jesus could walk, talk and eat. He appeared many people showing He was physically alive. He was able to appear and disappear from sight, even behind closed doors. Over a 40 day period Jesus made 10 to 12 appearances to people.

Jesus remained on the earth 40 days after He resurrected from the dead. During these 40 days Jesus was publicly announcing to the world he had risen from the dead. He also had other plans.
The night of the resurrection he appeared to the disciples behind locked doors. Everyone was there except Thomas and Judas. Judas had killed himself before the resurrection.

On the same day of resurrection Jesus appeared to two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. He opened their understanding and explained Old Testament scriptures to them about Himself. The disciples rushed back to Jerusalem to let others know that it is true, Jesus is alive. They found the disciples later that evening and told them how they had a conversation with Jesus. They didn't believe the report from the two disciples.

On the same evening, Resurrection Day, just after the report of the two disciples from Emmaus, Jesus appeared within the room and said, "Peace be unto you." They were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus told them to touch and handle Him because if He was a ghost, then He would not have flesh and bone. Jesus showed them His hands and His side. He also ate some food to prove that He was not a ghost.

Still on the same evening he spoke of the Old Testament scriptures and Tod them that it would be in Jerusalem that they would receive the Promise of the Father and be endued with power from on high. Okay, that is a spoiler alter that something BIG is going to happen.

During these appearance on Resurrection Day, Thomas was not present with the disciples. When Thomas returned to the group of disciples and the eleven apostles, they told hime about the appearance of Jesus and Thomas didn't believe them. Thomas said that he would have to put his fingers into His hands and then his hands into Jesus' side before he could believe that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Scripture Readings:
Mark 16
Luke 24
John 20

04/03/2026

Why is it called Good Friday?

Good Friday is the day Jesus was tortured, mocked, crucified, and died. It was a day of incredible suffering and hatred—what’s good about that?

We call it Good Friday because the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus saved us from our sins. Even though it was an incredibly tragic day, it is one of the greatest days in history.

In Isaiah, “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.”

There is no path to happiness in this life unless you can make sense of suffering. Christianity is the only religion or philosophy that understands the transformative value of suffering. While the whole world is doing everything it can to avoid and drown out their pain and suffering, we are reminded each Sunday that our pain and suffering have tremendous value when united to the pain and suffering of Jesus on the Cross.

Separated from Jesus, our pain and suffering become meaningless, and that is why life is so depressing for so many in a world that has rejected God and the idea that suffering has value. Willing sacrifice out of love is a path most people have never tried. It is a path that is essential if we are going to find our way back to thriving in this world.

Today’s reading:
Luke 23:26-47

04/02/2026

What did Jesus do on his final night, Thursday night? Jesus gathered his closest friends for the Last Supper. He washed the feet of his disciples. Judas, the one who betrayed him yesterday was present and Jesus washed his feet too. What humility and humbleness to kneel down and wash the feet of someone who has wronged you.

“And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.’ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’” (Luke 22:14–16; 19-20)

Jesus impresses upon his disciples this is a sacred meal of his Body and Blood and they should continue this practice after he is gone. In some churches this is called, Communion.

Today’s reading:
Luke 22

04/01/2026

Some call Wednesday of Holy Week Spy Wednesday? Why?

Because this is the day Judas Iscariot spied on Jesus, secretly plotting to have him arrested.

Today, Judas went to the chief priests and asked them how much money they’d be willing to give him if he turned on Jesus. Thirty pieces of silver is enough for him to turn on Jesus, all of the disciples, and the future he had with a life of faith.

On this Wednesday of Holy Week reflect on these questions:

Where in my life have I experienced betrayal or a violation of trust? Am I holding onto that pain or have I invited Jesus into it?

Where have I betrayed myself or lost the trust of others? How can I seek forgiveness and make amends?

Today observe Spy Wednesday by eating simple meals, praying and offering your sacrifice to Jesus.

Today’s scripture reading is:
Matthew 26:14-16.

03/31/2026

Tuesday of Holy Week

So much happened. Jesus called out the Pharisees, he taught by the fig tree, and preached on the Mount of Olives.

A powerful moment occurred that night. After a long day, Jesus and the disciples went to Bethany to spend the night. There, a woman named Mary anointed Jesus feet with oil. The disciples got frustrated because an expensive oil was used when the money it was worth could have been given to the poor. But Jesus responds with incredible gratitude and expressed his appreciation for Mary’s love and care.

Today reflect on gratitude. Who are you grateful for? How often do you show appreciation for those people? What would it look like if you lived every day showing gratitude?

Some observe today by deep cleaning their home. This tradition arises from the Jewish custom of preparing the home for Passover.

Today read
Matthew 21:23-27
Matthew 22: 34-40
Matthew 26:6-13 and
listen to the worship song Alabaster Box.

Day 3 of Holy Week

03/30/2026

Monday Before Easter
Read John 2:13-22

On this day, Jesus entered the temple, made a whip out of chords, flipped the tables of money changers, and drove them out of the temple. This moment reveals that his emotions. He showed us his humanity.

Anger is a natural part of our human makeup. There are times when anger should be expressed and expressed powerfully. As like the other passions, for anger to be useful it has to be harnessed, controlled, and directed at will.

What anger and resentment are you harboring ? How do you process your anger? What would your life look like if you could channel your anger into productive and positive actions?

Ask God to deliver you and let go of any anger or resentment that is lingering in your heart.

This is Holy Week.

01/24/2026

We will not meet in the sanctuary tomorrow. We will have virtual service on zoom. Sunday School begins at 9:15 and morning worship begins at 10:00.

Click the zoom link to join in the service.

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

11/22/2025

It’s Time To Get Out Of The Bed

Join us Sunday at 10:00 for the full sermon.