The Truth Church

Pastor Hilton opens with 1 John 2:20-27, reading that believers have an unction from the Holy One. He explains that in the Old Testament, holy anointing oil was used to sanctify priests, kings, and tabernacle furnishings, as seen in Exodus and Leviticus. The oil, mixed by apothecaries, hallowed those anointed and set them apart for God's service. Aaron and his sons were anointed to minister, and kings like Saul and David were anointed to save and lead God's people. The Hebrew word for anointed one is Mashiach, pointing to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Anointed One who came to break every yoke. Pastor Hilton emphasizes that Jesus shared this anointing, and believers now have an unction from the Holy One. This anointing is not a mere feeling but a commissioning for purpose. He stresses that those anointed carry great responsibility, like the priests who could not leave the tabernacle lest they die. The anointing enables believers to know truth, remain in Christ, and receive eternal life. Pastor Hilton calls the congregation to seek a fresh anointing this night, not to reserve it selfishly but to share it with others. He urges them to approach the altar, ask God for a fresh unction, and let the anointing fall again, as it has already been present in the sanctuary, destroying burdens and setting captives free. The message underscores that the anointing is God's empowering for service and witness in a needy world.

Bishop Riggen continues his series on the Godhead, grounding the message in Jesus' question to Peter: "Whom say ye that I am?" He emphasizes that a true understanding of who Jesus is requires divine revelation, not human teaching, and that the church is built on this revelation. He reviews two foundational principles: there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), and God the Father is a Spirit, not a person (John 4:23-24). The third principle, from Luke 1:35, is that the Son is the flesh born of Mary, conceived by the Holy Ghost. Bishop Riggen argues this proves the Father and the Holy Spirit are not separate persons but the same Spirit, distinguished by relationship and role. He refutes the idea of an eternal Son, citing John 3:16 and Hebrews 1:5 to show the Son had a beginning in time, and that the Son will ultimately be subject to God the Father, who will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). The fourth principle, from 2 Corinthians 5:19, is that God was in Christ—Spirit dwelling in flesh. This explains Jesus' dual nature: as man, he grew weary and died; as God, he knew all things and walked on water. Bishop Riggen concludes that Jesus is both Father and Son, citing Isaiah 9:6, where the Son is called the Everlasting Father, and Isaiah 12:2, which declares that Jehovah has become our Yeshua (Jesus). The message calls for a revelation-led understanding of the one God who became flesh for our salvation.

Pastor Hilton preaches from 1 Kings 18:41, where Elijah declares to Ahab that he hears the sound of abundance of rain. He explains that throughout Scripture, water typifies the Spirit of God—from the Spirit moving on the waters in Genesis, to water from the rock in the wilderness, to Jesus promising rivers of living water, fulfilled at Pentecost in the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. The sermon emphasizes that the Spirit is a steady downpouring, not a one-time event—a continuous flow that heals damaged areas, provides nutrients for growth, and enables fruitfulness in the believer's life. Pastor Hilton warns against resisting this flow through pride, fear of man, or a cynical mind; those who remain locked in their pews and distanced from the Spirit risk drying up on the vine. He urges listeners to come into the rain—to step out, respond to God's drawing, and immerse themselves in the Spirit's presence. The water of the Spirit brings life, repair, and strength for the journey, and God has an abundant supply available right now. He appeals to those who are hurting, empty, or skeptical, reminding them that if God clothes the grass of the field, He will surely clothe them. The altars are open, and the opportunity for fresh filling and restoration is present in this very service.

Bishop Riggen preaches from Ephesians 4:30, 'Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God,' emphasizing that believers must not only maintain a right spirit but also be concerned with their interaction with God's Spirit. He explains that the Greek word for 'grieve' means to cause sorrow or sadness, showing that our actions can break God's heart. Drawing from Genesis 6:5-6, where God grieved over man's wickedness, and Amos 2:13, where God is 'pressed down' by Israel's sins, he argues that sin is not merely about breaking rules but about hurting a loving God who desires our holiness. The context of Ephesians 4:22-31 shows that putting off the old man, renewing the mind, and putting on righteousness are essential, but Paul's warning in verse 30 goes further: do not make God sorrowful. Bishop Riggen stresses that even if God does not immediately judge sin, the believer should be moved by the fact that it grieves Him. He connects this to Romans 8:28-29, where God's ultimate purpose for believers is conformity to Christ's image, and all trials work toward that end. Using the analogy of the potter and clay, he urges the congregation not to resist God's shaping process, no matter how difficult the circumstances. The sermon's spiritual purpose is to call believers to deeper love and reverence for God, seeking to please Him daily rather than waiting for heaven to hear 'well done,' and to allow God to continue His transforming work without grieving His Spirit.

Bishop Riggen opens by reading Matthew 16:13-19, where Jesus asks His disciples, 'Whom do men say that I am?' and then the more critical question, 'Whom say ye that I am?' Peter answers, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus declares that this truth was revealed by the Father, not by flesh and blood. The Bishop emphasizes that a revelation of Jesus—not just intellectual understanding—is essential because revelation fixes the heart and settles the mind, while mere understanding can be shaken. He then clarifies that the 'rock' on which Christ builds His church is the revelation of who He is, not Peter himself. Turning to 1 Timothy 3:16, he asserts that the foundation of the true church is that 'God was manifest in the flesh'—and this is not open to debate. He rejects the common claim that the Godhead is a mystery beyond comprehension, citing Romans 1:20 which says the Godhead is 'clearly seen' and 'understood.' The Bishop then introduces four Bible principles that make the Godhead simple. Principle one from Deuteronomy 6:4-5: there is only one God. Jesus affirmed this as the greatest commandment. Principle two from John 4:23-24: God the Father is a Spirit, not a person. He is omnipresent, invisible, immortal, and cannot be seen—as confirmed by Hebrews 1:3 (correctly rendered 'nature' not 'person'), 1 Timothy 6:16, and John 1:18. The Bishop urges believers to think 'Spirit' whenever they read 'Father.' This teaching continues in future messages.