The Truth Church

Pastor Hilton preaches from Numbers 21:6-9, where God sent fiery serpents among Israel as judgment for their rebellion, and when the people repented, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent on a pole so that anyone bitten who looked upon it would live. He draws a parallel between the venom of snakes and the effects of sin, describing three types of toxins: neurotoxins that overstimulate or block the nervous system, preventing God's message from reaching the heart; hemotoxins that cause blood to thin or clot, blocking the flow of Jesus' blood and its cleansing power in a believer's life; and cytotoxins that destroy cells and tissues, requiring amputation of infected members—a metaphor for cutting sin out of one's life. The preacher emphasizes that time is critical after a snakebite; similarly, spiritual help must be sought quickly. He notes that all have sinned and are susceptible, but Jesus became the ultimate antidote—He absorbed the toxins of sin on the cross, taking the pain, bruising, and death we deserved. Quoting 2 Corinthians 5:21 and 1 Peter 2:24, Pastor Hilton explains that Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us, bearing our sins in His own body so that we might live unto righteousness. The spiritual purpose is to urge those aware of sin's bite to look to Jesus, the serpent lifted up, and receive His healing, redeeming anti-venom.

Pastor Hilton opens with Matthew 10:7-8, where Jesus commands the disciples to preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, to heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils, adding 'freely ye have received, freely give.' He argues that the church must move beyond meeting minimal expectations and embrace a spirit of overachieving generosity. Drawing from the Old Testament priesthood, he explains that priests were ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices so that the people could walk with God—a pattern that prefigures the New Covenant. In 1 Peter 2, believers are called a 'royal priesthood' who offer spiritual sacrifices. Pastor Hilton traces the principle of free giving through Exodus 36, where the Israelites brought so many free offerings for the tabernacle that Moses had to restrain them, and through the dedication of Solomon’s temple, where sacrifices could not be counted. He warns against a consumer-minded approach to church and urges a selfless, voluntary giving of time, service, prayer, and resources. The message emphasizes that God cannot be out-given; those who give freely will receive pressed-down, shaken-together, and running-over returns. Pastor Hilton concludes by calling the congregation to commit themselves wholeheartedly to God’s work in 2025, making themselves available for any task, and to give freely as they have freely received.

Reverend Ferrell draws from 1 Kings 17:8–16, recounting the prophet Elijah's encounter with a widow from Zarephath. The woman has only a handful of meal and a little oil—enough for one last meal for herself and her son before they expect to die. Elijah instructs her to first make him a cake, promising that the barrel of meal will not waste nor the oil fail until rain comes. She obeys, and God provides a miraculous, lasting supply. The preacher emphasizes that this widow is a "no-name" in Scripture, yet her need is recorded—to show that God works through ordinary people with simple faith. He cites Romans 12:3, noting each believer has a measure of faith, and argues that even a small, mustard-seed-sized faith is sufficient for God to act. The key issue is not the size of faith but the choice to activate it, rejecting doubt and unbelief. He warns that unbelief can limit God's work, as seen when Jesus could not do many mighty works in a town because of their lack of faith. Illustrations include a elderly woman in a wheelchair who rose to run around the church praising God, and a man delivered from drugs at an altar, both demonstrating faith in action. The preacher urges the congregation to set aside fear, despair, and past troubles, and instead 'go to the pantry of your soul' and pull out the measure of faith God has given. He calls listeners to mix God's word with faith, step out in obedience, and trust God for miracles in salvation, healing, deliverance, and restoration—because a measure of faith is enough for God to do the impossible.

Pastor Hilton preaches from 1 Peter 3:21, emphasizing that baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He establishes that goodness originates solely from God, not from humanity, citing Genesis 1 where God repeatedly declared His creation good. The sermon traces humanity's fall when Eve, despite living in paradise, was deceived into believing God's provision was not good enough, introducing evil through disobedience. This original sin led to a spiral where every imagination of man's heart became only evil continually. Pastor Hilton contrasts God's good plans (Jeremiah 29:11) with humanity's need for repentance—not God repenting or adjusting His plans, but humans turning from sin. He explains that godly sorrow produces genuine repentance that changes behavior, resulting in carefulness and a restored conscience. The conscience, he teaches, serves as an internal witness of God's law written on hearts (Romans 2:15). Using Paul's testimony of maintaining a good conscience despite his murderous past (Acts 23:1, 24:16), Pastor Hilton demonstrates that anyone can achieve a clear conscience through repentance. He parallels Noah's ark, which lifted the faithful above judgment waters, with baptism, where old sinful life is submerged and new life begins. The sermon concludes that a good conscience demands an answer—the required response of water baptism in Jesus' name, which provides the expected end God promises.

Bishop Riggen opens with Ephesians 1:5-11 and Romans 8:26-30, showing that God has predestined believers to be conformed to the image of His Son. He clarifies that predestination does not mean God chooses who is saved or lost; rather, God has determined that His revealed will will come to pass. The central message is that once God declares His will, nothing can stop it. The bishop uses Joseph as an example: despite his brothers’ hatred, being sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, God’s promise that Joseph would rule was fulfilled. David’s confidence against Goliath is rooted in the anointing he had received and God’s declared purpose for him. Peter could sleep in prison because Jesus had told him he would live to be old. Bishop Riggen shares a personal story: during a dry season in his pastorate, he prayed for a dream connecting him to the church. God gave a dream of a comfortably full sanctuary and a backslider filled with the Holy Ghost, which came to pass years later. He concludes that God’s promises are “yea and amen,” and True Church will experience revival regardless of obstacles.