The Truth Church

Bishop Riggen draws from Titus 2:8 and Psalm 141:3 to emphasize the importance of guarding one's speech, continuing a lesson on the power of the tongue. He reviews that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) and that every idle word will be accounted for (Matthew 12:36). He teaches that controlling the tongue is a mark of spiritual maturity, not merely operating in spiritual gifts, referencing James 3 and the carnal Corinthian church. He then addresses four specific areas of speech to guard against. First, lying: citing Revelation 21:8, he notes that liars are grouped with the abominable, murderers, and sorcerers, and that Proverbs 6:16-19 lists a lying tongue as second among seven things God hates. He warns against flattery as a form of deception and manipulation. Second, profanity: he stresses not taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7) and cautions against slang terms like "OMG," "pure D," heck, and gosh, which are substitutes for profanity. Third, gossip: he defines gossip as spreading information without the intent to harm, but notes it stems from spiritual emptiness. Fourth, slander: he distinguishes slander as intentional harm to a reputation and warns that bringing accusation is the devil's work (Revelation 12:10). He advises asking if a report is kind, true, and necessary before sharing it, and only with those who can address the issue. He concludes by urging daily prayer from Psalm 141:3 and Psalm 19:14, that one's words be acceptable to God.

Pastor Hilton opens with Matthew 20:13-16 and Psalm 65:4, establishing that many are called but few are chosen. He explains that the Greek word for called (kleetos) means invited, while chosen (eklektos) means called out—a select group who have not only responded to the invitation but have a special characteristic. The invitation extends to all through Acts 2:39, but responding requires RSVPing through obedience, baptism in Jesus' name, and receiving the Holy Ghost. The chosen are those who cry out day and night (Luke 18:7), draw near to God (Numbers 16:5), and add virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity to their faith (2 Peter 1:5-10). Pastor Hilton contrasts King Saul, who was chosen but rejected after disobeying God's command to destroy the Amalekites and making excuses when confronted, with King David, who also sinned grievously but responded to Nathan's rebuke with genuine repentance—'I have sinned against the Lord'—and lay all night crying out to God. Esther illustrates the chosen one among many called: she remained faithful to Mordecai's instruction, did not change in her new position, and obtained favor. The spiritual purpose is to move beyond the general calling to become part of the elect, those who are holy, near to God, and faithful in the end times. Pastor Hilton urges the congregation to be like David and Esther—willing to cry out, repent, and remain steadfast so that God will use them for such a time as this.

Bishop Riggen draws from John 14:6-11, where Jesus tells Philip, 'He that hath seen me hath seen the Father,' to address the cry of today's youth: 'Show us the Father.' He emphasizes that Jesus is not a separate person from the Father; the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ bodily. America faces a fatherhood crisis, with statistics showing fatherless homes lead to higher rates of suicide, incarceration, and behavioral disorders. Using Genesis 2:15, where God placed Adam in the garden to 'dress it and keep it,' Bishop Riggen explains that fathers are called to cultivate and protect their children. Cultivation involves nurturing children spiritually, as in Deuteronomy 6:4-7, teaching God's word by example and creating an appetite for spiritual things. Protection includes providing for and guarding their families physically, financially, and spiritually. He cautions against provoking children to wrath (Ephesians 6:4) and stresses that discipline should be loving correction, not angry punishment, reflecting how God chastens those He loves. The ultimate goal is to create in children a lasting hunger for God's presence and power, as seen in the early church's miracles. Bishop Riggen closes by urging fathers to be examples of the heavenly Father—compassionate, consistent, and dedicated to raising children who will not depart from the path of righteousness.

In a time when wickedness waxes worse and Christians face snares on every side, Reverend Daniels drew from Ecclesiastes 9:11, where Solomon observes that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but time and chance happen to all. From Luke 22, he highlighted Jesus’ prayer for Peter—not that trials be removed, but that his faith would not fail. The message centered on 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 and Hebrews 12:1, framing the Christian life as a race requiring discipline, endurance, and the laying aside of every weight and besetting sin. Drawing a contrast between mere belief and saving faith, he insisted that without faith it is impossible to please God, and that the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues is not a fairy tale but the present-day promise for whosoever will. The preacher warned against a spirit of rebellion, stubbornness, and spiritual coldness that leads to backsliding—noting that backsliders do not fall overnight but allow small seeds of doubt to grow. He used the fable of the rabbit and the turtle to stress that the race is about persistence, not speed, and that the church dare not fall asleep now. A striking illustration from a 1950s Harvard study of rats showed that rats swam for 60 hours when they believed rescue was coming, compared to 15 minutes without hope. Reverend Daniels applied this to believers: we may be exhausted by affliction, but because we know Jesus is coming to rescue us, we must keep swimming, keep believing, and run to win.