The Truth Church

Reverend Stephenson preaches from 1 Peter 2:4-6, focusing on the third temple. While many anticipate a literal physical temple in Jerusalem, he declares that Jesus Christ is already building the true third temple—the church. He contrasts Solomon's first temple and Zerubbabel's second temple, emphasizing that the glory of God, not human effort or materials, distinguishes a temple. Solomon's temple was magnificent but only became God's house when His glory filled it. The second temple lacked former splendor yet was validated by God's Spirit dwelling among His people. The preacher stresses that the church is not a building but believers themselves, as Paul wrote, "Ye are the temple of the living God." Each believer is a "lively stone"—spirit-filled and part of a spiritual house with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. This building project requires the Holy Spirit, not human might or wisdom. The preacher urges personal consecration, warning against defiling the temple through unholy living. He encourages allowing God, the master builder, to shape every area of life according to His will. Believers must remain living stones by daily awakening their spirits through prayer and submission to the Spirit's work. The message calls for a holy, Spirit-filled life as part of God's eternal temple.

Reverend Stephenson preaches from Luke 13:11, where a woman is bound by an infirmity for eighteen years. He emphasizes that God desires victory, not defeat, for His people. The enemy, the devil, seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, and hates when people move toward God. He wants to bind worship, prayer, and response to God's Word. The woman in the scripture was in the house of God yet bound, illustrating that even believers can be in bondage to sin, affliction, or spiritual dullness. The devil deceives people into accepting their condition as permanent. Jesus spoke to the woman, declaring her loose, and she was immediately healed—a demonstration of God's power to deliver instantly. The sermon calls for a genuine response: prayer, repentance, and faith to receive God's touch. Reverend Stephenson urges the congregation to stop making excuses and to step out, believing that God can heal marriages, deliver from addiction, and fill with the Holy Ghost. He concludes that the altars are open for anyone who needs a breakthrough, emphasizing that God is present and ready to move.

Bishop Riggen, nearing the end of his 42-year pastoral ministry, uses 1 Timothy 5:17 to teach that elders who rule well, especially those laboring in word and doctrine, are worthy of double honor. He explains that God has given pastors as gifts to the church for perfecting the saints, bringing unity, and fostering spiritual maturity. With the upcoming transition to a new pastor, he offers five practical ways to support God's gift. First, pray—for the pastor and his family and for fellow believers, which lightens the pastor's load. Second, stay—commit faithfully to the local church, recognizing that God's placement is not to be taken lightly and that the pastor needs to know his flock will remain. Third, pay—provide financial support and honor the pastor on special occasions, as the spiritual investment far outweighs material needs. Fourth, say—verbalize appreciation and encouragement, as words of gratitude can dispel a pastor's discouragement, but avoid wasting his time with idle talk. Fifth, obey—submit to the pastor's leadership, not just outwardly but with a willing heart, for he watches over souls. Bishop Riggen emphasizes that these actions will lighten the new pastor's burden and enable the church to flourish and grow under God's blessing.

Bishop Riggen begins with Revelation 4, emphasizing that in heaven there is one throne with one seated on it, and the four living creatures and twenty-four elders worship without ceasing, not for each other or for John, but for an audience of one—God on the throne. He underscores that everything exists for God’s pleasure, not ours, and that true worship must be directed solely to Him. The bishop warns against making worship about ourselves or about entertaining people; instead, every song, sermon, and act of service should aim to please God. He contrasts four types of worship drawn from Scripture: vain worship (Matthew 15:8-9), which is lip service without heart; ignorant worship (Acts 17:22-23), where people worship without knowing God; will worship (Colossians 2:23), self-imposed worship based on personal preference rather than God’s direction; and true worship (John 4:23-24), which must be in spirit and in truth. The fall of Lucifer (Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28) is cited as the ultimate example of pride shifting worship from God to self, leading to rebellion. Bishop Riggen calls believers to set aside personal grievances, emotions, and performances, and instead focus fully on God as the sole audience. He concludes by affirming that genuine worship is a God-conscious engagement, not mere activity, and that God seeks those who worship Him for who He is, not for what He gives.

Pastor Hilton preaches on the sonship of Christ, grounding his message in Matthew 16:16-19 where Peter declares, 'Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.' He emphasizes that this revelation came not from flesh and blood but from the Father in heaven. The pastor argues that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, uniquely born of the Holy Ghost and Mary, a distinction that sets Him apart from all others who are called sons of God. He insists that Jesus openly claimed to be the Son of God, citing passages like Luke 22 and John 19 where the Sanhedrin and Pilate recognized His claim as blasphemy. Pastor Hilton stresses that the title 'Son of God' was assigned at birth (Luke 1:35), recognized at death (Mark 15:39), and testified by John the Baptist and the apostles (Acts 8:37, Romans 1:4). He notes that even the devil and his minions acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 8:29, Mark 3:11), and the enemy tempted Him by challenging that identity (Matthew 4:3,6). The pastor urges believers to personally receive the same revelation of Christ's sonship, because that truth is the foundation of the church and the means of salvation (John 3:16-18, John 20:30-31). He calls congregants to emulate the Son of God in their daily walk so that the world, through them, may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name.