The Truth Church

Bishop Riggen preaches from John 14:15-21, emphasizing that true love for Jesus is demonstrated by keeping His commandments, not merely by belief. He contrasts having the Spirit 'with you' versus having the Spirit 'in you,' arguing that many believers, like the disciples before Pentecost, experience God's power working alongside them without the Spirit indwelling them. He uses examples from Scripture—the disciples healing and casting out devils, Samson's exploits, and people in Matthew 7 who performed miracles but were denied entry to heaven—to show that external works do not guarantee internal transformation. The key difference, he explains, is the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:33, where God writes His law on hearts, not stone tablets. This internal change comes through being born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5). Bishop Riggen asserts that the initial evidence of the Spirit's indwelling is speaking in other tongues, as seen in Acts 2, 10, and 19, where believers spoke in languages unknown to them when filled. He clarifies that this is distinct from the gift of tongues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, which is an additional spiritual gift for the church. The sermon's spiritual purpose is to call listeners to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the sign of tongues, because only with the Spirit living within can believers overcome their unruly tongues and live in obedience to God's commands, ensuring resurrection and eternal life.

Bishop Riggen teaches from Romans 13:1-7 on the fourth installment of 'Understanding Authority,' bypassing review to address what to do when authority is not right. He emphasizes distinguishing between the office and the individual holding it. The office—whether of parents, civil authorities, or pastors—always deserves respect because God established it, even if the individual is corrupt. He illustrates this with Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10), where God consumed the sinful men but left their priestly coats intact, preserving the office. Likewise, Acts 1 shows Judas's office being filled after his fall. Bishop Riggen cites Paul's apology in Acts 23 for rebuking the high priest, showing respect for the office even when the individual was unjust. The key is to obey God when authority commands sin, but otherwise submit. He warns from 2 Peter 2 and Jude against despising authority, noting even Michael the archangel did not rail against Satan. The sermon concludes by contrasting children of disobedience, who refuse submission, with believers who submit to one another in the fear of God. The spiritual purpose is to call hearers to honor all God-ordained authorities, trusting God to judge individuals, while maintaining a submitted heart as evidence of walking in the light.

Pastor Hilton examines 2 Kings 4:8-10, focusing on the Shunammite woman who prepared a room for the prophet Elisha. He emphasizes that this was not merely hospitality, but a deliberate act of making room for God’s work. The Shunammite woman perceived Elisha was a holy man of God and went beyond feeding him, constructing a furnished chamber. This act of sacrificial service and attention to detail made the man of God comfortable in her home. Pastor Hilton argues that this principle applies today: believers must make room in their lives for the man of God—not just physically, but spiritually, by trusting his counsel, not withholding struggles, and creating an environment where God can speak. The woman’s willingness to serve without expectation opened the door for miracles. Elisha later promised her a son, which was born exactly as prophesied. When that son later died, she immediately brought him to the room she had prepared for Elisha and sought the prophet’s help. Pastor Hilton stresses that this demonstrates profound confidence in the man of God’s connection to God. Gehazi’s attempt to resurrect the child with Elisha’s staff failed, but when Elisha himself entered that room and prayed, the child was restored to life. The central teaching is that making room—through generosity, trust, and submission to God’s appointed leadership—positions believers to receive unexpected miracles and restoration in their most desperate moments.

Bishop Riggen continued his series 'Not Forsaking the Assembly' based on Hebrews 10:25-26, providing additional biblical reasons for faithful church attendance. He emphasized that while legitimate exceptions exist like sickness or mandatory work, believers should not treat church attendance casually. He addressed tithing from Malachi 3:10, explaining it requires bringing the tithe to the storehouse as an act of submission to authority, not merely sending it electronically. Bishop Riggen stressed that offerings are distinct from tithes and should be given on the first day of the week per 1 Corinthians 16:2. He cited Galatians 6:6 to show believers must be taught in the Word and support their teachers financially. Church attendance redeems time wisely (Ephesians 5:15-16), provides access to all ministry facets for perfection and edification (Ephesians 4:11-12), and offers an example to follow for peace (Philippians 4:9). Gathering together fulfills the pattern of Pentecost in Acts 2:1, where unity and one accord brought the Holy Ghost. Bishop Riggen warned that neglecting church defiles God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16) and that believers must glorify God in both body and spirit (1 Corinthians 6:20). Ultimately, forsaking the assembly is a willful sin (Hebrews 10:26) that leaves no further sacrifice. He concluded by urging believers to recapture the psalmist's joy: 'I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.'

The minister continues a series on understanding authority, grounding the message in Romans 13:1-8 and emphasizing that every soul must be subject to higher powers because all authority derives from God. He distinguishes between God's delegated authority and usurped authority, explaining that rebellion is like witchcraft and stubbornness is like idolatry because they set self up as ultimate authority. Using 1 Samuel 13 and 15, he contrasts Israel's first two kings: Saul, who offered unauthorized sacrifices and spared King Agag and spoils, justifying partial disobedience with spiritual excuses; and David, who refused to harm Saul despite multiple opportunities, even reproving an Amalekite who killed the wounded king. The minister underscores that partial obedience is still disobedience, and that David's heart smote him for merely cutting Saul's robe because he revered God's anointed. When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David did not justify his sin but immediately repented, saying 'I have sinned against the Lord.' The minister warns against becoming like Nabal, a man 'no one could talk to,' and exhorts believers to remain teachable under authority, recognizing that authority is not burdensome but a protective covering. Walking in God's delegated authority brings blessing and protection, while stepping into the kingdom of disobedience removes that covering. The spiritual purpose is to cultivate a heart that submits to God-ordained authority, which is essential for living victoriously in God's kingdom.