The Truth Church

Reverend Hardman, drawing from 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, examines the vital question of where one's faith is placed, emphasizing that faith must be anchored in God rather than in tangible, temporal things. He uses Paul's words to stress that the Corinthians' faith should not rest on human wisdom but on God's power. Through a series of probing illustrations—a job that guarantees a paycheck, a car that starts reliably, a chair that holds without question, and daily medication—Reverend Hardman reveals how easily misplaced faith can be. He shows that while people instinctively trust these physical objects, they often struggle to extend that same confidence to the invisible God. Citing Psalm 20:7 and Psalm 121, he contrasts those who trust in chariots and horses with David's declaration to remember the Lord. Reverend Hardman teaches that genuine, steadfast faith grows through a close relationship with God, built through regular communion and obedience. He cautions that hesitation to obey God's immediate voice—whether to witness, pray, or seek healing—reveals misplaced trust. The sermon urges listeners to test God's faithfulness, to fix their minds on Him, and to believe He can heal any infirmity, including those labeled as disorders. The spiritual purpose is to redirect faith from the seen to the unseen, challenging believers to trust God's power for deliverance, healing, and transformation.

Reverend Hardman preaches from Isaiah 30:8-11, exposing the dangerous appetite for smooth things that has overtaken God's people. In ancient times, the prophet's word was received as if God himself had spoken, and people traveled far to hear and apply it, regardless of how harshly it came. Now, people get offended at strong preaching and demand messages that tickle their ears rather than challenge their sin. The text shows rebellious children who tell the seers, 'See not,' and the prophets, 'Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.' They wanted the Holy One of Israel removed from their presence. Reverend Hardman warns that this same spirit is active today—a silent rebellion where people outwardly appear supportive but inwardly refuse to change, wanting their pastor to leave them alone and not expose their sin. He emphasizes that God chose preaching to save, and in the last days, people will not endure sound doctrine but heap to themselves teachers with itching ears. The preacher refuses to apologize for this kind of preaching because it is done out of love for souls. He calls for a response, urging those with a spirit of silent rebellion to repent and receive the word that God is sending to correct them, rather than holding onto an appetite for smooth things that leads to self-destruction.

Reverend Hardman preaches from Matthew 26:36-39, where Jesus prays in Gethsemane, and from Matthew 5:6, on the principle of going a little further in God. He emphasizes that hunger and thirst for righteousness are the greatest motivators to push past comfort zones, naysayers, and spiritual hindrances. Using Jesus’ progression in the garden—first telling some disciples to sit at the gate, then taking Peter and Zebedee’s sons further, then going alone to fall on His face in prayer—Hardman illustrates there are levels of spiritual pursuit. Most believers stop at the gate or the middle ground, content with a trickle of God’s presence. But Jesus invites all to go deeper, to pray more earnestly, to surrender their will completely as He did: 'Not as I will, but as thou wilt.' The message challenges every listener—young, old, new convert, or seasoned saint—to break out of their comfort zone, to push past a casual prayer life, and to pursue God until they are wholly transformed. Hardman argues that when believers couple hunger with thirst and refuse to settle, they will receive the Holy Ghost, overcome trials, and experience a deeper relationship with God. The spiritual purpose is to call the church to earnest prayer and total surrender, promising that going a little further brings the breakthrough and blessing God desires to give.

Pastor Hilton preaches from 2 Corinthians 5:17, declaring that in Christ we become new creatures, with old things passed away and all things made new. He addresses the identity crisis many believers face, drawing from the story of Jacob, who was named a supplanter and deceiver. Jacob lived up to that name, manipulating and lying to get his way. Yet God loved Jacob and chose him, because Jacob was willing to let God change his identity. In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestled with an angel all night. When the angel asked his name, Jacob admitted, 'Jacob'—confessing who he was. The angel then renamed him Israel, meaning 'God prevails.' Pastor Hilton explains that Jacob's old way of prevailing through deceit was ended; now God Himself would be the source of victory. This illustrates that God has a new identity for every believer, regardless of past labels or failures. God is no respecter of persons; He wants to redefine us as He did Jacob. The pastor shares how many people look in the mirror and feel disassociation from who they have become, but God offers a new identity through the new birth. He urges listeners to lay down their own definitions and let God shape them on the potter's wheel, allowing Him to prevail in their lives. The altar is opened for those who are tired of wrestling in their own strength and ready to receive the new name and purpose God has for them.

Bishop Riggen continues a series on foundational doctrines, focusing on baptism from Hebrews 6:1-2. He emphasizes that repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost are essential for salvation, not optional. In Acts 2:38, Peter commands repent, be baptized in Jesus' name for remission of sins, and receive the Holy Ghost—fulfilling Jesus' words in John 3:5 about being born of water and Spirit. The Bishop argues from Mark 16:16 that belief and baptism are both required, and from 1 Peter 3:20-21 that baptism saves us, not as outward cleansing but as the answer of a good conscience toward God through Christ's resurrection. He traces a biblical pattern of death, water, and spirit from Genesis (Spirit moving on waters to bring life to a dead earth), Exodus (the Red Sea delivering Israel from bondage), and the Tabernacle (where priests passed from the altar—death—to the laver—water—before entering the presence of God). The gospel itself (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) consists of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection; baptism corresponds to burial, repentance to death, and receiving the Holy Ghost to resurrection. Using types, he shows Adam's bride came from his side (sleep, open side, material for bride) and Christ's bride is formed from blood and water flowing from His pierced side. The spiritual purpose is to call hearers to obey this foundation: repent, be baptized in Jesus' name for remission of sins, and receive the Holy Ghost to be part of God's redeemed bride.