The Truth Church

Pastor Hilton preaches from Exodus 33:18-23, where Moses prays, 'Show me thy glory.' He emphasizes that while God's goodness, grace, and mercy are essential, there is something more—the glory of God itself. He connects this to the prayer that God would fill someone with the Holy Ghost. The glory of God is His possession, which He does not give to another (Isaiah 42:8). In the Old Testament, God placed His glory on Mount Sinai, then in the tabernacle, and later in Solomon's temple, each time exceeding the previous manifestation. The glory was so intense that Moses could not enter the tabernacle, and later the priests could not enter the temple. Pastor Hilton argues that these examples show a pattern of God's glory surpassing itself. He then applies this to the New Testament, citing 2 Corinthians 3:6-10, where Paul states that the ministration of the Spirit is even more glorious than the Old Testament glory, which was fading. The preacher insists that believers are temples of the Holy Ghost and can experience this surpassing glory internally, not just through external worship. He encourages the congregation to desire a personal, undeniable experience of God's glory, rejecting mere emotional manipulation. The sermon climaxes with an altar call, urging all to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit and to not leave unchanged, echoing Moses' plea for God to reveal His glory.

Reverend Ferrell preached from 2 Timothy 4:2-3, warning of a time when people will not endure sound doctrine but will heap to themselves teachers with itching ears. He connected this to the Israelites in Exodus 16, who, after being delivered from Egypt, grew dissatisfied with the manna God provided daily—calling it 'just manna.' He argued that believers today similarly develop spiritual malabsorption, no longer craving the simple, sustaining Word of God. Using the analogy of a dog persistently seeking ear scratches, he illustrated how people seek preachers who tickle their desires rather than feed their souls. He contrasted the Israelites' initial gratitude with their later complaints, which led them to disobey God's instructions and make provision for the flesh, resulting in spoiled manna and divine displeasure. Reverend Ferrell emphasized that the manna was angels' food, containing all they needed, just as Christ is the true bread from heaven. He cited the Canaanite woman who, despite being called a dog, sought crumbs from the Master's table, demonstrating great faith. The message's spiritual purpose was to call the congregation to a renewed hunger and thirst for righteousness, to see the Word as more than routine, and to come to Jesus for living water—the Holy Spirit. He urged listeners to die to their fleshly desires and personal interpretations, to support their pastor, and to pray for an end-time revival where the fire of God falls and miracles are seen.

Bishop Riggen continues his series on gifts and callings, rooted in Romans 11:29, emphasizing that gifts and callings are distinct and without repentance. He stresses that every believer is called to be a saint, and this primary calling must take precedence over any talent or spiritual gift. The first aspect of this call is salvation—God chose us and drew us out of darkness. Second, we are called to separation from the world, because God is holy (separated), and His people must reflect His character as walking Bibles. Third is stewardship: everything we have—time, talent, treasure—belongs to God; we are required to be faithful stewards, including honest tithing and offerings. Fourth is service: we are called to bear one another's burdens, serve in the church, and be witnesses to the lost, using the power of the Holy Ghost. The bishop illustrates with the example of a talented Bible college music teacher who became known only as a singer, not a preacher—showing the danger when a gift overshadows the call. He calls believers to reorder their lives so that being a saint is their top priority, not their profession or abilities. The message challenges hearers to examine whether they are known more for other things than for their holy calling, and urges them to serve God and others sacrificially.

Pastor Hilton preaches from Deuteronomy 8:1-3, focusing on God's provision of manna in the wilderness as a type of miracle bread. He explains that God's commandments and principles are given so that His people may live, multiply, and possess the land, not merely as arbitrary rules. The manna was a daily miracle, but the Israelites grew accustomed to it, even complaining and longing for the leeks, onions, and garlic of Egypt, forgetting the bondage associated with them. Pastor Hilton warns against letting the miraculous become ordinary, reminding believers that what may seem routine to them is still a wonder to others. He emphasizes that man cannot live by bread alone but by every word from God. The core teaching is that for God to perform a miracle, He needs something to work with: He requires 'bread,' which represents our lives, our bodies, and what we offer Him. We cannot make ourselves good enough or sufficient through our own efforts. Our department is simply to bring our 'bread'—our imperfect, insufficient selves—and lay it on the altar. Like the little boy with five barley loaves and two fishes, we must present what we have, no matter how small or inadequate it seems, asking, 'What are these among so many?' God's department is to take that offering, bless it, break it if necessary, and multiply it to meet the needs of others. The spiritual purpose is to call believers to step out of their comfort zones, present their lives to God, and trust Him to produce miracles for a hungry world in these last days.

Pastor Hilton opens his message from Proverbs 24:16, 'for a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again.' He emphasizes the distinction between the just and the wicked is not that both fall, but that the just gets back up. He then explores the biblical concept of 'arising,' noting that when Jesus arose in the Gospels, He was about to exercise His power. Citing Matthew 8:23-26, the storm on the sea, he explains that when Jesus arises and rebukes the wind and waves, a great calm follows. In Matthew 9:18-25, Jesus arises to follow a ruler to his dead daughter; His disciples also arise, and the dead girl arises. The point is that when we respond to Jesus' arising, nothing—not even death—can stay down. In Luke 6:8, Jesus commands the man with the withered hand to 'rise up' in front of skeptics, showing that we must obey despite the opinions of others. Mark 10:49-50 illustrates that when Jesus calls us, we must cast away our old identity—the beggar's garment—to truly arise. John 5:5-7 reveals the impotent man who had been invalid for 38 years; Jesus asks him, 'Wilt thou be made whole?' The man offers excuses, but Jesus does not ask why he is lame—He asks if he wants to get up. Pastor Hilton exhorts the congregation not to let reason or the devil's lies keep them down. When Jesus says 'arise,' they must respond immediately, for in His presence, every dead situation can be revived and every need met.