The Truth Church

Pastor Hilton preaches from Acts 9:31, highlighting that the early church multiplied through persecution by maintaining two key components: walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. He clarifies that these are not competing, but complementary, producing rest, edification, and multiplication. The pastor teaches that the fear of the Lord is to hate evil, depart from it, and is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of God. He emphasizes that this fear is not a paralyzing terror but a reverential awe directed only toward God, who can destroy both soul and body. Using Matthew 10:28, he contrasts this with the fear of man, which focuses on temporal things like jobs, bosses, or social approval, and urges the congregation to stop fearing what others can do and instead fear the One who holds eternity. Pastor Hilton explains that the fear of God leads to instruction in wisdom, stability, and a satisfied life. He identifies five marks of those who truly fear God: reverence for God, reverence for His house, reverence for His people, reverence for the man of God, and reverence for His tithes and offerings. The sermon culminates with the example of Abraham on Mount Moriah, where God said, 'Now I know that thou fearest God,' because Abraham was willing to give back even his only son. The pastor calls the church to a deeper, daily fear of God that will produce genuine reverence and obedience.

Pastor Hilton preaches from Hebrews 12:1, focusing on the "cloud of witnesses" mentioned in the text. He explains that the Greek word for "witness" refers to those who can testify from experience, much like pace setters in a marathon. Drawing a parallel to long-distance running, he describes how elite marathon runners use pace setters — experienced runners who have completed the course before — to help maintain a steady speed, provide guidance on when to slow down or speed up, and offer encouragement. The preacher emphasizes that the Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint, and believers need the support of fellow pace setters who are not competitors but partners in the race. He contrasts this with the "sin that skillfully surrounds us" in Hebrews 12:1, which he interprets as competitors who actively try to thwart the runner's progress. The sermon calls believers to lay aside such opposition and instead surround themselves with godly witnesses — those who are mindful and heedful of others' struggles. Pastor Hilton applies this by encouraging the congregation to look to their pastor and other proven saints as pace setters who have run the race faithfully for decades. He urges believers not to compare themselves competitively but to measure their stride against those who are ahead, keeping their eyes fixed on the finish line. The spiritual purpose is to inspire perseverance, mutual encouragement, and a focus on completing the race set before them.

Reverend Hilton based his message on Revelation 12:5-6, 10-11, drawing an analogy between the woman in the wilderness who had a place prepared by God and the church today. He argued that God always prepares places and promises for His people, as shown by the Promised Land given to Israel—a land flowing with milk and honey, with houses they did not build and harvests they did not plant. He emphasized that God does not cut corners; He prepares abundantly, even providing strongholds like Jericho for His people to take. Reverend Hilton then connected this to the New Testament promise of the Holy Ghost, which Jesus told the disciples to wait for in Jerusalem, and to the heavenly mansions Jesus prepares for believers. He stressed that the victory described in Revelation 12:11 comes through two elements: the blood of the Lamb and the word of the saints' testimony. The preacher argued that a personal testimony—whether of deliverance from sin or of God's keeping power—is a powerful weapon against the enemy. He encouraged believers that they do not need to have experienced extreme sin to have a valid testimony; God's grace in keeping them is equally powerful. Reverend Hilton urged the congregation to actively share their testimonies, asserting that people cannot argue with an experience of God's power. He concluded that God continues to give experiences so that believers never run out of testimonies, and that victory in the church is maintained through the Holy Ghost and the use of their testimonies to draw others to God.

Reverend Stephens preaches from Hebrews 11:23-24, focusing on Moses' refusal to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, and Numbers 26:10-11, where the children of Korah did not die with their father. He argues that environment profoundly shapes spiritual development, using the analogy of plants and children raised in different circumstances. He emphasizes that while parents should create a righteous environment, there are no guarantees—citing Samuel's sons as an example—and that Proverbs 22:6 is a proverb, not a doctrine. Turning to the church, he warns against an overemphasis on praise without prayer and worship, referencing a prophecy about praising a God one no longer prays to. He contrasts genuine worship—which brings repentance and transformation—with mere emotional excitement that can mask hidden sin. He illustrates this with a stark account of a church where outward shouting and manifestations coexisted with adultery, fornication, and sexual abuse, showing that environment matters. He urges the church to be a nursery that patiently nurtures new believers, not an abortion clinic that cuts them off. He calls for knowing the Father, not just loving the church (the mother), and for contentment where God has planted one, being a fire starter rather than a fire chaser. The message's spiritual purpose is to challenge believers to prioritize genuine repentance, prayer, and worship to create an environment where spiritual growth can occur.

Bishop Riggen opens with Psalm 100:3, establishing that believers are the sheep of God's pasture, and Acts 20:28, where Paul charges spiritual leaders to feed the flock—a term that encompasses protecting, guiding, and governing, not merely instructing. He explains that the word 'pastor' derives from the Latin for shepherd, and that God grants a called pastor grace—not unmerited favor, but the strength and wisdom to perform God's will, as seen in Noah and Paul. Drawing from Ephesians 3:2, he teaches that grace is a stewardship; God gives it to the pastor to dispense to the congregation, which is why believers should be cautious about seeking counsel from other ministers, who have not been given grace for them. He warns of churches splintered when saints get too close to another preacher. Using Numbers 27:18-20, he shows Moses putting some of his honor (grace) on Joshua, a limited authority that required the people's willing obedience (Joshua 1:16-18). Bishop Riggen then applies this: he has been extending grace to Brother Jared Hilton, whom he officially installed as assistant pastor during his sabbatical. Based on the elders' unanimous recommendation and the evident growth in Hilton's ministry, he is now elevating him to associate pastor. Citing Pharaoh's delegation to Joseph in Genesis 41:37-40, he explains that Hilton will have authority to oversee the church's affairs under his direct guidance, with Bishop Riggen retaining ultimate veto power. This is not resignation but a practical step to ensure the flock is cared for—like yoking a young ox with an old one to plow together. He affirms confidence in Hilton to carry the load, allowing the church to move forward without missing a beat.