The Truth Church

Bishop Riggen continues his series on Apostolic Authority, teaching from Romans 11:29 that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. He focuses on the distinction between gifts and callings, emphasizing that the calling is the highest priority, and moves into the manifold positions of ministry from Ephesians 4:11. Having covered apostles and prophets, he now addresses the office of the evangelist, noting the Greek term means 'one who brings good tidings.' He challenges modern church practice by asserting that a biblical evangelist's primary focus is preaching the gospel to the lost, not itinerant ministry to established churches. He illustrates this from Acts 8, showing Philip preaching Christ in Samaria and to the Ethiopian eunuch. Bishop Riggen explains that Paul told Timothy the pastor to 'do the work of an evangelist,' meaning pastors must sometimes prioritize reaching sinners over addressing saints' problems. He warns against selfishness in the church, urging believers not to resent hearing the gospel repeatedly, as sinners need Jesus more than saints need temporal solutions. He critiques evangelists motivated by pulpit access or money, stressing the calling makes room for itself. He concludes by preparing the congregation for upcoming teaching on the pastoral office, promising vulnerability and transparency so they can measure his ministry against Scripture, while affirming his commitment to press toward the biblical mark even as a fallible human.

Bishop Riggen teaches from Daniel 9:19, emphasizing four elements from Daniel's prayer: 'O Lord, hear,' 'O Lord, forgive,' 'O Lord, hearken,' and 'do, defer not.' He focuses on the final phrase, 'do, defer not,' which represents 'now faith'—believing God for immediate answers. However, he addresses the reality that sometimes despite this faith, God delays. Using Acts 10, he explains the concept of 'memorial prayer'—every prayer is a brick in a monument before God; when the last brick is placed, the answer comes. He illustrates this with a layaway analogy at Kmart: you make small payments over time, and only after the final payment do you receive the item. He warns against quitting just before the last payment. He cites Paul leaving Trophimus sick (2 Timothy 4:20) and Epaphroditus's near-death illness (Philippians 2:25-30) as biblical examples of delayed healing despite prayer. From James 5:13-14, he contrasts quick healing with ongoing affliction that requires persistent prayer. He argues that sickness is not always due to sin, referencing John 9:1-3 where Jesus said the man was born blind to display God's glory. He concludes with Hebrews 10:36-38 on patience, and shares his personal testimony of praying months for the Holy Ghost before receiving it. The core message: do not quit praying; keep asking, seeking, knocking until God answers.

Bishop Riggen continues his series on apostolic authority, focusing on the New Testament office of prophet, distinguished from the spiritual gift of prophecy. Drawing from Ephesians 4:11 and Acts 11:27, 15:32, and 21:10, he explains that a prophet foretells events and strengthens the saints under divine inspiration on a regular basis, not merely on occasion. He emphasizes that the Old Testament prophets also confronted sin, and this remains part of the New Testament prophet's role. He illustrates with the prophet Agabus, who accurately predicted a famine, and with Judas and Silas, who exhorted and confirmed the brethren. A prophet's purpose is to project, perfect, and protect the church, just as all ministry positions exist to help believers accomplish God's call on their lives. Bishop Riggen warns against false prophets who only pronounce blessings on people living in sin, insisting that true prophets expose sin for correction and repentance. He shares a personal testimony of Elder D.C. Moody, who, operating as a prophet, accurately revealed private conversations and pronounced three specific judgments that came to pass within a week, including a car wreck and a lingering illness. He concludes by urging the congregation to thank God for both His goodness and His severity—both are merciful calls to turn from sin—and to commit to receiving correction from God's prophets, valuing salvation above all else.

Pastor Hilton preaches on the imperative to become as little children, drawing from Matthew 18:2-4 where Jesus declares that unless one is converted and becomes like a child, they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. He emphasizes that this childlike posture is crucial for entering God's kingdom, citing parallel passages in Mark and Luke. Using the analogy of musical dissonance—a suspended chord or off-key singing that grates on the ear—he illustrates the spiritual discomfort of being out of tune with God's purpose. He argues that pride, intellectualism, and religious routine (checking boxes for prayer, song, preaching) cause believers to lose the simple intuition and passion they once had. Three key attributes of little children are highlighted: humility (they have no pride or concern for appearances), purity (innocence from defiling thoughts), and passion (the unabashed worship of children crying 'Hosanna' in the temple, even amid scorn). Pastor Hilton contrasts the carefree dependence of a baby—needing sleep, food, and cleanliness—with the burdens adults carry: worry, condemnation, and a 'professional' approach to Pentecost. He calls believers to return to that childlike state, laying down pride, doubt, and fear, and to reclaim their passion for God, warning that without this conversion, they cannot truly enter or experience the kingdom.

Bishop Riggen emphasizes the critical importance of effective prayer, grounded in 1 Timothy 2:1, where Paul urges that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made first. He stresses that prayer must be more than mere recitation; it requires focused attention, heartfelt engagement, and specific petitions. Using Daniel as a model, the sermon dissects Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:19, highlighting four elements: 'O Lord, hear' (gaining God’s attention through praise), 'O Lord, forgive' (seeking God’s favor by confessing sin and taking responsibility), 'O Lord, hearken' (presenting specific, bold petitions), and 'defer not' (urging immediate action). Bishop Riggen warns against generic prayers, advocating instead for precise requests that demonstrate faith, as seen in Joshua and Hezekiah. He contrasts God’s blessing with God’s favor, noting that faith, not merely righteousness, moves God. The sermon then focuses on 'now faith,' referencing Hebrews 11:1 and Jesus’ model prayer—'Give us this day our daily bread.' He challenges the 'Mary and Martha syndrome' of believing in past miracles or future promises but doubting present deliverance, citing Martha’s limited faith at Lazarus’ tomb. Jesus declared, 'I am the resurrection and the life,' affirming His power in the present. Bishop Riggen shares a recent, personal answer to prayer about a cell tower decision, illustrating that when he asked God for an answer that day, he received one. He urges believers to pray with expectant faith for immediate breakthrough, healing, and provision, trusting God’s desire to answer His children now.