The Truth Church

Bishop Riggen continued his series on effectual prayer from 1 Timothy 2:1, emphasizing that prayer must be more than empty words or vain repetitions. He explained that many believers have a 'microwave mentality,' expecting instant results, but God still requires time and process in developing a powerful prayer life. He stressed that we must learn to pray effectively so our prayers get answered, which then motivates us to pray more. Using Daniel 9:19 as a model, the Bishop outlined four key elements: 'O Lord, hear'—getting God's attention; 'O Lord, forgive'—seeking forgiveness; 'O Lord, hearken'—listening for God's response; and 'do, defer not'—asking God to act. He focused on the first element, teaching that we must give God our full attention to receive His. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 and 1 Peter 1:13, he instructed believers to 'gird up the loins of your mind' and 'cast down imaginations,' actively bringing every thought into captivity to Christ. He warned against stopping prayer when we feel God's presence, as that is when we should truly begin. Likewise, we must not stop when we do not feel Him. The Bishop concluded by urging the congregation to find their spiritual prayer closet, shut out all distractions, and cultivate times of uninterrupted communion with God, for it is in those moments that His presence brings joy, confidence, and the power to face life's challenges.

Pastor Hilton preaches from 2 Corinthians 4:1, 15-17 on the theme of not fainting or growing weary in well-doing. He emphasizes that while weariness is a natural human experience, believers must avoid reaching the point of spiritual fainting. Drawing from Paul's letters, he notes that Scripture consistently warns against becoming weary in doing good, using the Greek word meaning to faint. Pastor Hilton illustrates physical weariness through his own experience in concrete construction, where he had to rest in the shade to avoid collapse, and shares an anecdote about a horse being freed from its saddle in a "stomping ground" to shake off the day's burden. He teaches that God provides rest and refreshing for the weary, and that believers should not cut back on prayer, worship, or consecration when tired, for those are the sources of renewal. From Luke 18, he contrasts the unjust judge who grows weary of the persistent widow with God, who will avenge His elect speedily. He encourages the congregation that while answers may seem delayed, God sends them immediately upon arrival, as with Daniel. Pastor Hilton also references Luke 11, highlighting the importunity—shameless persistence—of the friend who knocks at midnight, and assures that God gives the Holy Spirit as rest and refreshing, citing Isaiah 28:11-12 and Psalm 68:9. He calls the weary to receive God's plentiful rain, confirming His inheritance when it is weary.

The minister concludes a series on spiritual gifts by examining the third and final category: the gifts of inspiration. These gifts—prophecy, diverse kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues—provide the divine ability to speak on God's behalf. Prophecy is defined as a spontaneous, direct message from God, similar to an interpretation of tongues without the preceding tongue. It is distinguished from preaching or teaching and is meant for edification, exhortation, comfort, or correction. The minister warns that being used in the gift of prophecy does not constitute the office of a prophet, which is a distinct five-fold ministry calling. Using Psalm 22 as an example of David unknowingly prophesying about Christ, he illustrates that the gift can operate even when the speaker is unaware. Diverse kinds of tongues and interpretation are treated together, as Paul requires an interpreter for any public tongue. The minister clarifies that the gift of tongues differs from the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost, stressing that not everyone has this gift and its operation is limited to two or three per service. Interpretation is not a word-for-word translation but a conveyance of the concept God gives, as shown in Daniel 5 and Matthew 27. The minister urges the congregation to covet these gifts, particularly prophecy, and to make themselves available for God to use, emphasizing that the church's growth comes not by human might or power, but by the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Hilton preaches from Hebrews 10:19-25, emphasizing the new and living way consecrated through Jesus' flesh, which is the veil. He contrasts the Old Testament tabernacle pattern—where the outer court, holy place, and most holy place restricted access to God's presence—with the new covenant in Christ. The Old Testament veil separated the holy of holies, where only the high priest could enter once a year to make atonement for the furniture, rendering everything else useless without that act. This pattern was a shadow of heavenly things, pointing to Christ. At Jesus' death, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51), symbolizing that His flesh was torn to open access to God's glory for all believers. God was not content to be confined behind a curtain; He reconciled the world to Himself through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19). Now, every believer is a royal priest who can enter the holy place directly. However, Pastor Hilton warns that while Jesus tore His veil, we may still have a spiritual veil hanging in our hearts—made of doubt, fear, pride, or immorality—that restrains God's glory from entering within. He urges hearers to follow Jesus' example, take up their cross daily, crucify the old man, and tear down that inner veil. When we yield our will and die to self, we can experience God's glory not just in church but internally, bringing forgiveness, reconciliation, and abundant life.

Brother Nelson opens his message by contrasting the variety of choices at a buffet with the exclusive nature of salvation. He reads Ephesians 4:4-5, emphasizing there is 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism,' and explains the Greek word *heis* means numerically one. He warns against treating salvation like a buffet where people pick beliefs that suit them, instead grounding his teaching in scripture. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6:4, he proclaims 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord,' and notes Jesus reaffirmed this in Mark 12:29-30 as the first commandment. He distinguishes the Book of Acts as the record of the early church's practice, where baptism was always in Jesus' name and no one was baptized with the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. He uses John 10:7-9 to show Jesus is the only door to salvation and Matthew 7:13-14 to warn that the way to life is narrow. Brother Nelson contrasts the Trinity doctrine with biblical oneness, citing John 14:6-9 where Jesus says, 'He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.' He stresses that salvation is not a guessing game and that the Holy Scriptures make one wise unto salvation. He exhorts believers to diligently teach these truths to their children and to let holiness be a witness. With an urgent burden, he laments that many in denominational churches are without truth, and he calls the congregation to prayer, fasting, and intercession for the lost, noting the signs of the times—wars, rumors of war, and the building of the temple—indicate Christ's return is near.