Sermons That Exalt Christ

The preaching of God’s Word is central to the life of the church. Tom's pulpit ministry is dedicated to providing clear, biblical teaching to equip believers, strengthen faith, and exalt Christ.

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Your Faith, Dead or Alive?
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2014-10-05

The Keynote of Romans - Part 1

The text, focusing on Romans 1:16-17, explores why the Apostle Paul was "not ashamed of the gospel" despite it being widely scorned and ridiculed throughout history. The speaker highlights that the gospel's message�accusing all humanity of deep sin, identifying a crucified carpenter as God's Son and Savior, and offering radical transformation through faith in Him�is inherently offensive to human pride and wisdom. In the honor-shame culture of the first century, the cross was a symbol of ultimate public humiliation, making Paul's stance particularly defiant. Paul's lack of shame stems from two core truths revealed in these verses. Firstly, the gospel is "the power of God." Unlike worldly power that destroys, the gospel is God's rescuing power, working through the Holy Spirit to bring spiritually dead hearts to life and call sinners to Himself. Secondly, it "produces salvation." This salvation is a comprehensive spiritual rescue, delivering believers from objective guilt to righteousness, moral corruption to holiness, God's wrath to His love, alienation to fellowship, slavery to sin to freedom, and eternal death to eternal life. It encompasses justification (past), sanctification (present), and glorification (future).

Tom Pennington
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Romans
2014
2014-09-28

Committing to Christian Relationships - Part 4

Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Committing to Christian Relationships (Part 4)," drawn from Romans 1:8-15, underscores the vital importance of unwavering commitment among believers, a quality often lacking in modern society, illustrated by B.B. Warfield's lifelong devotion to his paralyzed wife. Pennington identifies eight commitments Paul modeled for the Roman Christians, encouraging the congregation to adopt them. Building on five previously discussed commitments (thanking God, consistent prayer, enjoying fellowship, promoting spiritual growth, and pursuing mutual benefits), the sermon delves into the final three. First, believers are called to **use their giftedness to serve others**, recognizing that the Holy Spirit equips every Christian for service within the body, not just the leadership. Neglecting this calling constitutes spiritual disobedience. Second, Christians must **receive all fellow believers, even those unlike them**. Paul's dedication to all Gentiles, irrespective of their cultural, educational, or social standing, mirrors God's impartiality. Believers are urged to look beyond superficial external factors like appearance, race, or wealth, acknowledging that all are equally valued in Christ. Lastly, we must **keep the gospel the main thing**.

Tom Pennington
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Romans
2014
2014-09-28

Green Pastures and Quiet Water

Psalm 23, penned by King David, presents God as our Shepherd King, a metaphor emphasizing His unwavering care for believers, His sheep. The central affirmation, "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want," signifies that God, who is Yahweh (the self-sufficient, gracious One) and ultimately Jesus Christ, will never lack the means or desire to meet our every need. This contrasts sharply with negligent "hireling" shepherds, highlighting God's personal, deliberate provision. His care is vividly illustrated by leading sheep to "green pastures" for abundant nourishment and "quiet waters" for serene refreshment. This isn't a promise of wealth or freedom from all deprivation; rather, it assures that God will supply what is *best* for us, even allowing lean times for spiritual growth, as He did for Israel in the wilderness or Paul in his ministry. God's provision is comprehensive (physical and spiritual), consistent, abundant, appropriate, and eternal, extending beyond this life into eternity, where He promises no more hunger, thirst, or tears. Believers can trust their Shepherd King to provide everything they truly need, making what He gives satisfy.

Tom Pennington
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Psalm 23
2014
2014-09-21

Committing to Christian Relationships - Part 3

This sermon, "Committing to Christian Relationships" (Romans 1:8-15), addresses the growing isolation prevalent in modern society and, concerningly, within the church itself, which often fosters segmentation rather than unity. Pastor Tom Pennington emphasizes that such isolation is "completely foreign" to the New Testament's command for believers to engage with the entire, diverse family of God. Drawing from Paul's example in Romans, the message outlines key commitments for Christian relationships. Beyond previously discussed points like thanking God for others, consistent prayer, and enjoying face-to-face fellowship, two crucial commitments are highlighted. Firstly, believers must actively promote the spiritual growth of others. Paul longed to "impart some spiritual gift" (spiritual benefit or truth) to "establish" the Romans, signifying that relationships should prioritize spiritual strengthening, not merely comfort, pleasure, or personal gain. This involves intentionally steering conversations towards spiritual matters through thoughtful questions. Secondly, Christians must pursue the mutual benefits of fellowship. Paul, despite his spiritual maturity, anticipated being encouraged by the Romans' faith, illustrating that all believers, regardless of age or maturity, are strengthened through shared spiritual lives. This essential fellowship occurs both "side-by-side" (in worship and study) and "face-to-face" (in personal interactions and small groups).

Tom Pennington
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Romans
2014
2014-09-14

Committing to Christian Relationships - Part 2

The sermon challenges the cultural emphasis on personal privacy, asserting that Christians, as interconnected members of the body of Christ, have no right to insulate their lives from fellow believers. Drawing from the early church in Acts 2, it presents a model of shared life, devotion to teaching, fellowship (koinonia), communion, and consistent prayer. This communal existence is rooted in the theological truth that all believers are baptized by one Spirit into Christ's body, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12, necessitating mutual care and a renunciation of isolation. Pastor Tom Pennington highlights Paul's example in Romans 1:8-15, demonstrating three key commitments: thanking God for other believers, praying for them consistently, and earnestly desiring face-to-face fellowship, submitting this desire to God's will. The sermon cautions against modern social media as a substitute for genuine in-person relationships, which, despite their complexities, are crucial for authentic spiritual growth and community, urging believers to actively pursue and enjoy each other�s physical presence.

Tom Pennington
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Romans
2014
2014-09-07

Committing to Christian Relationships - Part 1

Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "Committing to Christian Relationships (Part 1)" contrasts the curated "virtual world" with the "messy" reality of the church. While technology allows us to tailor our experiences and block out discomfort, the church, by divine design, intentionally brings together diverse people from different backgrounds, races, ages, and interests. Paul's bond with the diverse Roman Christians, despite their significant cultural and religious differences, exemplifies this principle. The sermon highlights eight commitments Paul models for healthy Christian relationships from Romans 1:8-15, focusing deeply on the first: to thank God for all brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul consistently thanked "my God through Jesus Christ" for believers' faith, acknowledging it as God's gift, and this wasn't mere politeness; he even gave thanks for problematic churches like Corinth. He practiced "ambivalence"�the coexistence of positive and negative feelings�by choosing to focus on God's work and their strengths rather than their faults. A kaleidoscope analogy illustrates this: focusing on "rocks" (weaknesses) leads to resentment, while seeing "patterns" (strengths) builds relationships. Ultimately, genuine Christians naturally love God's people, and regularly thanking God for fellow believers fosters healthy, Christ-centered relationships.

Tom Pennington
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Romans
2014

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