The Tabernacle Church St. Bernard

What’s the point of church? Today, we welcome guest speaker Pastor Rick Paladin of Bridge City Church in Pittsburg, PA, as he delivers his message, "Full of Love," at The Tabernacle Church.Pastor Rick dives straight into the big question: Are you letting church become just a routine, or is it an intentional thing God uses in your life? He uses the hilarious and relatable analogy of an old car with a glowing "check engine light"—if you simply turn the light off without fixing the issue, your car is a ticking time bomb. In the same way, we can't just come to church to get the light off; we must be restored to the image of God.The big idea for the church is to continue to be a place that is healthy, growing, and full of love. Discover what it truly means to live out this love—a love that is wide (relational), long (missional), deep (in God's word), and height (in worship).If you are a seeker, a disciple, or feeling hopeless, this message is for you. The world is waiting for the church, so it’s time to move your feet and let God heal and activate your faith so you can get to work.

This final message in our series, “What Does God Say About?”, tackles one of the most paralyzing forces we face: fear.Raf, our Executive Financial Director, opens with a sobering reminder to guard our hearts against spiritual darkness—especially the kind that masquerades as harmless fun. He exposes the real demonic activity tied to things like Halloween, which Satanists regard as their “Easter.”From there, we turn to the story of Joshua stepping into leadership after Moses—a powerful biblical moment that reveals three fears the enemy loves to exploit: inadequacy, abandonment, and opposition.Raf challenges us to see ourselves as God’s masterpiece, fully equipped for the battles ahead. If you’ve ever felt resistance, take heart—it likely means you’ve taken a stand for something that matters.We close by lifting our eyes to Jesus, the name that “charms our fears” and brings life, health, and peace.

Have you ever noticed how entertainers—from Nelly and Avril Lavigne to current pop stars—can totally influence what you wear and how you act? In this week’s message in our series, What does God say about Entertainment?, we explore how the activities that divert us and hold our attention end up impacting our lives—often without us even realizing it.We look at the importance of the "entryway of entertainment"—guarding your eye and ear gates—because whatever you put in is eventually going to come out. If our lifestyle is becoming less like Jesus, it's a sign that our gates have been open too long and too much of the world is coming in. We address the danger that occurs when sin starts looking normal and holiness looks extreme.Crucially, we draw a distinction: you can't always control the exposure to culture, but you can always control what you entertain.We also dive deep into what happens when we use entertainment as an escape of entertainment. When we're stressed, we often disperse ourselves (the original meaning of the word used for entertainment by early Christian writers) instead of bringing our whole person—heart, soul, mind, and strength—to Jesus for rest. This dispersion means we're only putting a "pause" on our stress, not solving the problem. Over time, the effect of entertainment is that we start entertaining the old person we claimed died at the cross. Be careful not to allow a habit to form where immorality becomes your stress reliever. Instead, let's fix our thoughts on things that are true, honorable, right, and pure (Philippians 4:8).

If you've ever felt criticized, or wondered why so many people say, "I love Jesus, but I hate the church," this message is for you! Sister Melanie Tucker tackles this tough topic in our series, "What does God say about____?". The message is titled "What does God say about Judging?". Melanie breaks down the critical difference between destructive self-righteous judgment (which critiques God's law and is accusing) and the righteous judgment Jesus commanded. Find out the four non-negotiable steps required to judge correctly: You must examine yourself first (remove the plank!), ensure your motive is restoration, use Holy Spirit discernment regarding timing and person, and keep it 100% biblical (not just your opinion)! Righteous judgment, done correctly, is essential because it protects us, ensures good stewardship of the church, and helps everyone grow.

We are beginning a new series titled "What does God say about ____?". Pastor Chris tackles the urgent topic of hypocrisy, comparing those who look strong but are secretly weak to a hollow oak tree. He explains that this "hollow oak" is caused by fungal decay on the inside and appears thick and strong outside, but is weak inside, causing it to fall when the storm comes. Pastor Chris stresses that hypocrisy is not a mistake, but an intentional performance—literally meaning an actor or someone wearing a mask—used to mislead others. If you are taking a public stance about your faith but lack the private life to back it up, your words are empty. Pastor Chris warns against the popular culture philosophy of secular humanism that urges you to "be true to yourself", arguing clearly that denying the flesh is Christianity, not hypocrisy. Discover the good news: God welcomes your messy, authentic self because He desires a broken and contrite heart rather than just ritual or sacrifice. True repentance causes God to intentionally forget your past sins (He remembers them no more). Finally, learn how God honors obedience and how the public act of water baptism can help defeat the shame that fuels hypocrisy.

Ready to stop messing around and get real? In the final message of the That's My People series, Pastor Chris Lodriguss draws on Luke Chapter 14 to ask a crucial question: Are we like the passengers on the Titanic, distracted by trying to save our nice clothes and valuables while completely missing the reality that the ship is sinking?.This message calls out the three common excuses we use to ignore God’s invitation to action:The Cares of the World: Prioritizing investments like land.Bad Priorities: Foolishly focusing on work obligations like trying out new oxen.Good Things Taking the Place of God: Allowing family or vacation to take precedence over what God is calling us to do.Pastor Chris argues that a massive move of the Holy Spirit—the "second invitation"—is happening now, noting the recent widespread gospel presentations on national television.When the initial invitees made excuses, the Master became angry because they ignored the price paid for the feast. We are commanded to leave our "echo chambers" and go out to the streets, the lanes, the highways, and the hedges. This means actively seeking people who don't look, talk, vote, or think like us.Why? Because there is room for everyone—the drug addict, the broken family, the leftist, the racist, the homosexual. The Master paid a price for a full house, and it’s our job to fill it. It's time to give out every invitation we have!.

Message 2: "How to Deal with People" You don’t want to miss this one. Pastor Chris is bringing a message that’s honest, timely, and might just hit closer to home than you expect. It’s part two of our “That’s My People” series, and whether you’re thriving in your relationships or just trying to survive them, this one’s worth your time. Tune in, lean in, and see what God might be saying to you through it.

Ever feel like you're going it alone? 🤔Lead Pastor Chris Lodriguss kicks off our 'That's My People' series with a message we *all* need: 'We Need People'. In a world full of noise and challenges, it's easy to get caught up in fear and isolation. But what if real connection is the key to navigating it all? Tune in to discover why having genuine, 'kingdom people' in your corner can change everything, helping you shine bright and live life to the fullest. Get ready to connect and grow!

Ready for some serious spirit conditioning? 🙌 Join Worship Leader Chasidy Miller in this powerful message from the "Praise & Worship" series: "Choose to Praise"! ✨ Chasidy shares how to make praise your default response when life gets wild (like a car breaking down on the interstate! 😱).Discover the incredible power of praise to shift your focus from the problem to the Problem Solver, disarm the enemy (they literally can't handle it! 🤯), and invite God's presence to show up big time (think earthquakes, but maybe also a sudden peace or extra money in the bank account! 🕊️).You'll hear inspiring stories, including Chasidy's personal journey of praising her way through really hard things, and why your praise is so contagious it can even get Pastor Chris "losing his ever loving mind" and dancing! 🕺💃It's time to choose Praise over Pout and let your praise be louder than the lies. Don't wait for the "suddenly"—praise first and watch God move, because it doesn't change who He is. Let's get that pep in our step and dance on the enemy's plan! 🥳🔥

Get ready for a message that's as comforting and delicious as "soup season" gumbo! 🍲 In this engaging message, Worship Director Cody Lodriguss dives into the core question: "Who Do You Worship?".Cody reminds us that we were all created to worship something. Whether it's God, hobbies, success, or even the opinions of others, something will always take the throne of your heart. But what if choosing God makes life "so much more fulfilling" and "so much more fun"?Join Cody as he explores:Why our worship is like a pleasing fragrance to God that makes Him smile.The incredible power of worshipping together as a community.How our genuine faith and reverence can be a powerful witness to the world, impacting others just like Paul and Silas in prison or Brother Braramlet on his deathbed.This isn't about stiff rules, but about making a conscious choice to honor God with our lives and actions. Prepare to be encouraged and inspired to put God on the throne of your heart – because, as Cody says, "life is so much more fun" when you do!

Hey everyone! Welcome to Planting the Grove, the second part of our "The Grove" message series with Pastor Chris Lodriguss!In this message, Pastor Chris lays out the vision God has given him and his wife for the ministry, continuing from last week's message. If you missed part one, definitely go back and check it out to get the full picture!To briefly recap, based on Isaiah 61, God is anointing us to preach good news and bring restoration, so we can become "oaks of righteousness" for His glory. These "oak trees"—us, who surrender to God—are then meant to rebuild ruined cities by impacting the lives of people around us, our families, communities, and cities!This week, Pastor Chris gets "granular" and reveals five core values that will guide our church moving forward. He shares a personal story about a "camp rule" from his dad ("It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it") that became a life rule for him, illustrating how values become ingrained habits. These values are meant to become habitual for us as a ministry, just like Paul ministered instinctually.Here are the five core values for The Grove:Engage: This means being intentional and authentic in how we call near and invite God and others into our lives. Nothing great or meaningful happens by accident, so let's connect on purpose and be genuine.Encourage: This value is all about care and growth. We are called to meet people where they are (like helping someone with a flat tire), showing them care, but not leaving them there. Instead, we help them grow and improve, just as a loving parent helps a child learn to walk.Empower: This is about helping people step into their purpose and calling. It involves first guiding people through freedom (so their gifts don't cause damage if their heart isn't right) and then giving them opportunity to use their gifts for God's kingdom.Expect: This value combines supernatural faith and accountability. We expect God to keep His word, and we expect people to keep theirs. We believe God's power is still moving and impacts lives today!Enjoy: We are encouraged to celebrate and honor the journey. Finding joy in what we do, even in mundane tasks, strengthens our connection and commitment, just as a parent finds joy in caring for their children.Pastor Chris encourages everyone to identify one or two of these values that resonate most with them and look for ways to live them out, recognizing that the Holy Spirit will work through us.To help put these values into action, the church is moving to two services on Sunday, September 21st (9 AM and 10:45 AM) to make room for more people! If you're looking to get involved and "sow" into the ministry, especially in Kids Church or security, your help is greatly needed! Come to the Tab Team meeting on Sunday, September 7th, immediately after church, to learn more and get connected.By living out these values, we will become a "grove of oak trees that rebuilds desolate cities" because the solution to our community's problems is in this room, as Jesus is here!

Ever feel like life's throwing too much at you, and you're seeing "three of them" instead of the one thing to focus on? 🤯 In this powerful message, "Vision for the Grove," Pastor Chris dives deep into what it means to "hit the one in the middle" and truly live out your purpose!Drawing from Isaiah 61, you'll discover that you are called to be an "oak of righteousness" – strong, stable, and deeply rooted in Jesus, no matter what storms come your way. This isn't just for pastors or leaders; it's for anyone willing to let the Holy Spirit grow them intentionally!Pastor Chris breaks down our assignment from God, revealing five things we're called to say (like sharing the good news, proclaiming healing, freedom, hope, and truth) and five things we're called to do (such as binding up the broken, comforting those who mourn, helping people see true transformation, witnessing true exchange, and embracing a garment of praise).The incredible goal? To become so rooted in Jesus that it leads to spiritual formation, discipleship, and mentoring others, making you a pillar of strength for those around you. And the amazing result? Just like Diana Showan's simple invitation that impacted generations, your growth helps rebuild what's been devastated and repair ruined lives!Remember, "Once it happens to us, it must happen through us." So, if you're a believer, you're called to actively help develop other Christians.Ready to go deeper and become the oak God called you to be? 🙏 Get rooted, find your community (like a "tab group"!), and watch God do amazing things through you!#VisionForTheGrove #OaksOfRighteousness #Isaiah61 #ChurchLife #SpiritualGrowth #Discipleship #PastorChris #GetRooted

🔥 This is it—the final round. Today’s message, “Why We Fight,” wraps up our series Fight for your Life with heart, grit, and purpose. If you’ve been journeying with us through this series, thank you for showing up, leaning in, and fighting alongside us.We’re closing it out by digging into the reason behind the battle—what drives us, what sustains us, and why it’s worth every ounce of effort.💬 Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway from the series or how this message spoke to you. 📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs a reminder of why the fight matters.Let’s finish strong.

Ever feel like you're doing all the spiritual "right" things but still stuck in a fight? Pastor Chris Lodriguss, in his "Fight for Your Life" series, uncovers how we really fight in spiritual warfare, going beyond what you might expect.Drawing from the incredible story of Jericho, he highlights three powerful, often overlooked, strategies for breakthrough:Obedience: Get your finances, health, and personal life in order, because the enemy always takes the path of least resistance.Silence: Watch your words! Complaining can actually keep you from victory and empower the adversary.Focus: Stay laser-focused on God's specific instructions, even the small details, because they're often the key to your victory.As Pastor Chris reminds us, "We are not fighting for victory. We're fighting from victory." Get ready to shift your perspective and embrace the triumph Jesus has already secured!

Ever wonder who the real enemy is in life? In this powerful message from our "Fight for Your Life" series, Pastor Melanie Tucker breaks down how we're not battling people, but spiritual forces. She dives deep into how Satan is the source of these attacks, using the world as his method through things like the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life". Your own flesh is the battlefield where these struggles play out.But here's the good news: Jesus already defeated all of this on the cross! We have authority over these attacks. Learn why it's so crucial to submit to God and resist the devil – because when you do, he will flee! Discover why this fight is totally worth it for true freedom and joy in Christ. Tune in and find out who we really fight and how to win!

Ready to get real about the battles we face? 🔥 In this powerful message, 'You're in a Fight,' Raphael Valentine kicks off our new series, 'Fight for Your Life,' reminding us that we're engaged in a constant spiritual battle – whether we realize it or not! 🥊Raphael breaks down 1 Peter 5:8, revealing how our enemy, the devil, acts **'like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.'**🦁 But here's the good news: through Jesus, our ultimate champion, victory is guaranteed as long as we stay aligned with Him! 🙌You'll learn 3 key ways to counter the enemy's attacks:• Be Sober: Discover how to cultivate a calm, collected spirit by trusting in your preparation through prayer and time in God's Word. 🧘‍♀️• Be Alert: Understand the importance of proactively recognizing threats and closing 'legal arguments' that give the enemy a foothold (think unforgiveness, idolatry, even scary movies!). 👀• Remember the Truth: Equip yourself to stand firm against deception and heresies by consistently immersing yourself in God's truth. ✅This message will challenge you to ditch the victim mentality for a victor mentality and inspire you to be 'as hard to kill as possible' in your faith journey! Don't miss out – it's time to fight for your life! 🛡️#SpiritualWarfare #FightForYourLife #RaphaelValentine #ChristianMotivation #VictoryInChrist #BibleStudy #EmpoweredLiving

Pastor Chris is preaching a message titled "Are You Really Living By Faith?".

Ever wondered what "Love Like No Other" truly means? 🤔 Dive into this powerful message from our Youth Pastor, Cliff Lodriguss, as he unpacks why love isn't just a feeling, but a choice. Get ready to challenge your perspective on love and discover why seeing people through God's eyes is key to living a life of impactful, self-sacrificial love.Drawing inspiration from the Parable of the Good Samaritan and real-life moments—like surprisingly generous Waffle House tips 💸—Pastor Cliff shows us how to love in a way that makes people genuinely wonder, "Why do they care that much?". This isn't just a sermon; it's a call to action to be a "laborer, not an observer," in sharing God's boundless love with a divided world. Get ready to check your own "love gauge" against the timeless wisdom of 1 Corinthians 13!

Summer of Love SeriesMessage #3

What if God loves you even more than you can imagine? In this special Father's Day message, Pastor Chris Lodriguss unpacks the mind-blowing truth of God's love through a father's eyes. Forget the "I love you more" arguments with your parents – God's love for us is perfect, flawless, and truly boundless.Discover how God wants real closeness with you, not just a Sunday visit. He's not waiting for you to get your life together; He wants to help you right where you are, even in the "master bedroom" you're trying to hide! Plus, learn how He wants to partner with you to do amazing things, not because He needs you, but because He loves doing it with you. Get ready to see how this incredible relationship helps you bear fruit and impact others.Inspired by the powerful story of the prodigal son, this message reminds us that God is always running to meet us, ready to hug us, not condemn us, no matter how far we've strayed. Dive into "Love Through A Father's Eyes" and experience a fresh perspective on His amazing care.