What Does “Divine” Mean?
Pastor Tom began by explaining the meaning of “divine”—the power and glory of the Holy Spirit living within us. Just as Peter knew who Jesus was before He even asked, this divine revelation came to Peter because of the Holy Spirit already working within him. This same Holy Spirit, which empowered Peter, lives in us today.

The Foundation of the Church
Jesus referred to Peter as the “Rock” on which He would build His church, not because Peter was special, but because he was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. The word “church” in English often refers to a building or gathering of people, but when Jesus says, “I will build my church,” He’s talking about building His message—the Holy Spirit—inside of each of us. The church isn’t a physical structure; it’s the divine message living in every believer.

The Gates of Hell Will Not Prevail
Pastor Tom touched on one of Jesus’ most iconic promises: “The gates of hell will not prevail.” He asked, how can a gate attack someone? Jesus wasn’t referring to a literal attack but was speaking of death itself. Death, or the gate of hell, may feel like it’s closing in, but Jesus has already broken through those gates. Because He lives within us, we have victory over death and the hope of eternal life.

Defend the Message
The divine message of God that lives inside of us is not meant to be kept to ourselves. It’s a message to be shared with others. We must defend this message, even in the face of doubt, temptation, and hardship. Pastor Tom emphasized that the message of hope, love, and salvation isn’t just for us—it’s for everyone around us. We are called to share this message and to defend its integrity.

Michael Molthen’s Story
In closing, Pastor Tom shared the remarkable story of Michael Molthen, a man who found redemption while serving time in prison. Michael had been a luxury home contractor who fell into a dark spiral of addiction, leading to 27 arrests in just four years. Sentenced to hard time, his life seemed hopeless. But God had other plans.

While in prison, Michael began reading the Bible to a cellmate who couldn’t read. Over time, as Michael shared the scriptures, he felt a transformation in his heart. The shame, anger, and regret he once carried melted away, replaced by love and hope. His actions even impacted others in the prison, as many came to faith through his witness.

On a technicality, Michael was released from prison early. Instead of running, he walked nearly 300 miles to turn himself in, convinced he still had to serve more time. However, the judge had heard about his transformation. Men from his prison block were being saved and not re-offending. The judge asked if Michael had truly changed. When he answered yes, the judge pardoned him on the spot.

This powerful testimony highlighted the central theme of the sermon: no matter what gates of hell or darkness seem to be closing in on us, God’s divine message is alive inside of us. We are called to defend that message, share it, and let it shine through our lives.

Take heart—no matter what you face, God’s message lives in you. Defend it with all your heart and never forget the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within.