The Truth Church

Reverend Hilton preaches on power beyond human understanding, using Acts 17:23 where Paul declares the unknown God to the Athenians on Mars Hill. He emphasizes that people today, like those in ancient Athens, search for a God who is relevant and real but often settle for empty religion or false doctrines. The sermon contrasts the world's approach—seeking easy, comfortable answers—with the true God who brings transformation. Reverend Hilton argues that the power of God is not about mere rituals or repeating prayers; it is about encountering the God who spoke creation into existence, performed miracles like the virgin birth and Sarah's conception, and changes identities. He strongly critiques the idea that believers remain sinners after salvation, citing 1 Corinthians 6:11 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 to affirm that through Jesus' name and the Holy Ghost, one becomes a new creature. The preacher uses the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel to illustrate how God changes a person's identity from deceiver to prince. He also challenges the defeatist label of being forever an alcoholic or addict, insisting that God's power breaks sin's dominion completely. The spiritual purpose is to call hearers to repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and receiving the Holy Ghost for a genuine identity change, not just a temporary fix. Reverend Hilton urges the church to know God intimately through Scripture and the Spirit, so they can introduce the unknown God to a searching world.

Bishop Riggen opens with Romans 13, emphasizing that God's authority is foundational to the Christian life. He explains that the Greek word 'exousia' means authority, not mere power, and that all genuine authority originates from God. He uses the example of Paul's conversion, where Paul immediately asked 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' demonstrating submission to God's authority, even when it meant obeying Ananias, a lesser figure. The bishop distinguishes between God's authority, which operates through willing submission, and Satan's usurped authority, which thrives on disobedience. He stresses that to resist God-ordained authority is to resist God Himself and aligns with Satan's principle of lawlessness. He warns that it is possible to do seemingly good works—even in Jesus' name—while operating under the wrong authority if one is not submitted to God's will, citing Matthew 7:22-23. The sermon underscores that salvation itself comes through obedience, and that true submission is tested when God's will contradicts our own desires, as seen in Christ's Gethsemane prayer. Bishop Riggen concludes by noting that Satan offered Jesus stolen authority, but Jesus refused, obtaining true authority through submission to the Father. For believers, every act of disobedience to God is an act of obedience to the devil; therefore, submission to God's authority is essential for advancing His kingdom and for believers to exercise delegated authority over the enemy.

Bishop Riggen preaches from Daniel 3, focusing on four fundamentals from the fiery furnace. First, trials will not last forever; God promises an exit, as seen when the three Hebrews came out of the fire. Second, believers can emerge from trials unscathed, without even the smell of smoke, because God limits the trial to what they can bear, as with Job. Third, trials leave us better off, destroying only what binds us; the Hebrews went in bound but came out loose, and God uses pruning to produce more fruit in our lives. Fourth, God never sends us into trials alone—He walks with us, as the fourth man appeared in the fire. Bishop Riggen emphasizes that God is the author and finisher of our faith, writing deliverance into our story. He illustrates with the examples of Abraham, who received Isaac when all hope was lost, and Lazarus, whose death allowed a greater miracle. The ultimate purpose is God's glory: Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan king, witnessed the deliverance and decreed that no one should speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Bishop Riggen urges believers not to complain about trials but to trust God, knowing He will bring them through and receive glory. The spiritual goal is to develop absolute confidence in God, serving Him regardless of the outcome.

In his sermon, Pastor Hilton explores the profound significance of what we are called—by God, by others, and especially by ourselves—drawing from Judges 6:12 and Isaiah 43:1. He notes that in Bible times, names carried deep meaning and purpose, with God often directing mothers to name children for specific roles (Ishmael, Isaac, John, Jesus) and renaming individuals to reflect their divine calling: Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter, Saul became Paul. The central illustration is Gideon, whom the angel of the Lord called "mighty man of valor" while he was hiding in fear. Despite Gideon's protests—his family was poor, he was the least—God repeated the call, showing that His word does not change. Pastor Hilton emphasizes that what others call us (like Joseph's brothers calling him "dreamer" or Daniel's captors renaming him insultingly) does not define us; what matters is what God says. He warns against self-labeling, as Naomi did when she asked to be called Mara (bitter) instead of Naomi (pleasant). The sermon's climax is the reminder that believers are chosen, friends, and sons and daughters of God (1 Peter 2:9-10, John 15:14-16, 2 Corinthians 6:18). Pastor Hilton urges the congregation to align with God's calling, reject negative self-perceptions, and embrace their identity as those God has redeemed and called by name.

Bishop Riggen preaches from Daniel chapter 3, focusing on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. He emphasizes that while this story is familiar, it contains vital lessons for believers facing trials today. The bishop establishes that these young Hebrew men were taken captive to Babylon and given pagan names, yet from the start they purposed in their hearts not to defile themselves—refusing the king's meat and trusting God, who honored their obedience. When Nebuchadnezzar erected a golden idol and commanded all to worship, every other Jew bowed, but these three refused. Their stand stemmed not from mere preference but from deep conviction—a conviction that would not waver even in the face of death. The king, enraged, ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter. The three declared that God was able to deliver them, but even if He chose not to, they would not bow. Bishop Riggen draws a sharp distinction between religious preference and conviction, noting that true conviction holds firm regardless of cost. Using 1 Peter 4:12-14 and James 1:2, he teaches that fiery trials are to be expected—not feared or resented. Believers should count them joy, knowing God has a purpose. The story of the three Hebrews is written for our example and admonition (1 Corinthians 10:11). Because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), the same God who met them in the furnace will meet us in our trials. No situation negates God's promises; He is setting us up for a miracle. The bishop's spiritual purpose is to fortify the congregation's faith, urging them to stand firm on God-given convictions amidst life's fire.