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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The preaching of God's Word is central to worship and of the utmost importance for the sanctification of every believer in Christ.
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The Man on the Second Cross
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "The Man on the Second Cross" (Luke 23:39-43) highlights the salvation of a repentant criminal as a profound illustration of God's instantaneous saving grace. This man was not just a common thief but a violent revolutionary and murderer, deserving crucifixion and eternal judgment for his heinous acts and rebellion against God. Despite his vile past, the Holy Spirit brought about a radical transformation. The criminal's change manifested as genuine repentance: acknowledging his deep sinfulness, the justice of his punishment, and Jesus's perfect innocence. This was coupled with saving faith, as he recognized Jesus as his rightful King, placed his hope in Him, and pleaded for mercy, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" Jesus's immediate and certain response � "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise" � powerfully demonstrates salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, without good works. The two criminals illustrate humanity's only two responses to Christ: either rejecting Him and facing judgment, or repenting and believing to receive comprehensive forgiveness and eternal life in heaven.
Why Romans Matters - Part 3
The text discusses a significant cultural shift from respecting traditional authorities to a modern environment where everyone claims expertise, which has eroded the perception of spiritual authority. In contrast, the first-century church recognized clear divine authority, stemming from Christ, His apostles, and elders teaching scripture. Paul begins his letter to the Romans by asserting his unique, God-given authority, identifying himself as a "doulos," or "slave of Christ Jesus." This term "doulos" signifies complete ownership and submission, rather than merely being a hired servant. For all genuine believers, being a "slave of Christ" means their lives, bodies, time, and decisions are not their own but belong entirely to Jesus, who redeemed them from the cruel mastery of sin. For Paul, "doulos of Christ" also functions as a specific title, akin to Old Testament prophets, indicating he is God's special spokesman. Therefore, his words in Romans carry divine authority; to reject them is to reject God Himself, necessitating that readers approach the letter's challenging truths with appropriate submission and reverence.
Why Romans Matters - Part 2
This sermon initiates a deep study of Romans 1:1-7, highlighting its foundational significance. Pastor Tom Pennington explains that Paul, writing from Corinth at the end of his third missionary journey, addressed churches he hadn't founded to secure their support for his planned mission to Western Europe (Spain). His main objectives were to glorify God, establish Roman Christians in the gospel, and enlist them as partners. The letter's theological depth ensured Romans understood the gospel he preached. The opening verses are critical for Paul to establish his apostolic credentials. The sermon emphasizes why "Paul wrote it" makes Romans so vital, detailing his biography. Born Saul in Tarsus as a wealthy, Roman citizen and a "Hebrew of Hebrews," he was educated under Gamaliel in Jerusalem, becoming a zealous Pharisee. He fiercely persecuted Christians, consenting to Stephen's death and torturing believers. However, his dramatic conversion outside Damascus transformed him from Christianity's greatest enemy into its greatest proponent, a "slave of the Messiah, Jesus." This profound change underscores God's sovereignty in salvation, His limitless power to save any sinner, the historical truth of Christ's resurrection (which Paul witnessed), and the gospel's inherent transforming power, a message Paul boldly proclaimed.
Why Romans Matters - Part 1
This text introduces a multi-year study of the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Romans, emphasizing its unparalleled significance in the New Testament and its profound impact throughout church history, influencing figures like Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Wesley. Paul authored the letter, dictating it to Tertius around 56-57 AD from Corinth, at the close of his third missionary journey. The central theme of Romans is "the gospel of God," or "justification by faith alone," serving as Paul's comprehensive articulation of Christian doctrine. The letter systematically unfolds this gospel, beginning with humanity's universal depravity and need for divine righteousness (chapters 1-4). It then explores the transformative effects of justification and the believer's secure standing in Christ (chapters 5-8), defends God's faithfulness to Israel and His sovereign election (chapters 9-11), and applies gospel truths to practical Christian living (chapters 12-15). Paul wrote Romans for three primary reasons: to establish the Roman church as a supportive base for his intended missionary expansion into Spain, to spiritually minister to and stabilize the Roman believers in their faith, and most importantly, to bring ultimate glory to God through the proclamation of the gospel, leading all nations to the obedience of faith.
The End of the Story
Pastor Tom Pennington addresses the controversial "long ending" of Mark's Gospel (16:9-20), explaining that it is widely considered not part of the original text by scholars, as evidenced by its absence in the oldest and most significant ancient manuscripts. He reassures listeners of the Bible's overall reliability, citing the vast number and early dating of biblical manuscripts compared to other ancient literature, and noting that 99% of the text is confirmed accurate, with any variations transparently footnoted. While the long ending is deemed inauthentic�with the abrupt ending at Mark 16:8 being the most probable original intent, urging readers to confront the resurrection�Pennington emphasizes that its content largely aligns with other inspired New Testament passages, although it shouldn't be used to establish doctrine. He then highlights two major lessons from Mark's Gospel: first, the undeniable nature of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, confirmed by Mark, God, demons, Jesus himself, and even His enemies. Second, the fundamental reason Jesus came: to die. Mark's Gospel dedicates significant space to the Passion Week, culminating in Jesus's declaration in Mark 10:45 that He came "to give His life a ransom for many," underscoring His necessary, voluntary, sacrificial, redemptive, and substitutionary atonement.
A Virtual Tour of the Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) serves as Jesus' comprehensive guide to righteous living within His spiritual kingdom, delivered to His disciples and surrounding crowds. It outlines the **character** of kingdom citizens through the Beatitudes: poor in spirit, mourning sin, meek, hungering for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and those persecuted for Christ's sake. This character fosters their **influence** as salt and light, preserving and illuminating the world through their lives, good works, and gospel proclamation. The core of the sermon details **kingdom righteousness**, emphasizing a right relationship with Scripture, God, and others. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament, which holds permanent divine authority, demanding obedience from the heart, not mere externalism like the Pharisees. This includes dealing with anger and lust, practicing radical truthfulness, shunning revenge, and loving enemies. A right relationship with God means pursuing His glory over personal ambition and His kingdom over materialism, trusting Him for all needs. With others, it involves grace and humility towards fellow believers, discernment with antagonistic unbelievers, and applying the "Golden Rule"�treating others as one wishes to be treated.
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