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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Do I Ever Please God?
This sermon explores whether anyone can truly please God, distinguishing between unregenerate individuals and believers. Before conversion, an unbeliever cannot perform any work that pleases God. Even their seemingly good or righteous deeds are considered "filthy garments" (Isaiah 64:6) and sinful, stemming from a heart in rebellion against God and lacking true faith or the motive of His glory, as Romans 8 unequivocally states. After conversion, however, believers *can* perform works that God considers good, righteous, and pleasing. These "good works" are defined as sincere obedience to God's clear commands in Scripture, not man-made rules or legalistic additions. God accepts these works not because they are flawless, but in His grace, due to the believer's union with Christ, Christ's continuous intercession, and the Holy Spirit's enabling work within them. While justification is secure, a believer's choices affect God's disposition as a loving Father: sin displeases Him and may incur fatherly discipline, whereas sincere, albeit imperfect, obedience delights Him. God, as a compassionate Father, is pleased with His children's genuine efforts to obey Him out of love and gratitude.
The Parable of the Two Builders - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington concludes his two-and-a-half-year study of the Sermon on the Mount with the Parable of the Two Builders (Matthew 7:24-27). He shares his powerful personal testimony of living in self-deception for years, making multiple professions of faith and exhibiting outward Christian behavior, until his genuine conversion at age 18. This passage is deeply significant to him, serving as a crucial warning against false profession, a danger he believes many face. The parable illustrates Jesus' warning about self-deception. Two men build houses that appear outwardly similar, symbolizing lives that look Christian. The wise builder digs deep, laying his foundation on solid rock, while the foolish builder builds on sand. An inevitable storm, representing God�s final judgment, reveals the true nature of each foundation. The house built on rock stands firm, while the one on sand collapses. The "rock" represents hearing Jesus' words and consistently acting on them, demonstrating genuine, heart-level submission to His Lordship. It's not merely intellectual knowledge, verbal profession, or even outwardly zealous service. Conversely, the "sand" signifies hearing Jesus' teaching but failing to consistently obey, a superficial profession without a heart truly committed to Him.
The Parable of the Two Builders - Part 1
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "The Parable of Two Builders" from Matthew 7:24-27, underscores Jesus' warning against false profession, stressing the absolute importance of a genuine spiritual foundation. An analogy of a hurricane-proof home built on solid ground illustrates that true Christian life requires similar steadfastness. Jesus' parable contrasts two builders: a wise one who hears His words and acts on them, building on bedrock; and a foolish one who hears but disobeys, building on sand. While both houses initially appear alike, the "storm of God's judgment" reveals their true strength. Only the wise builder's house withstands the tempest, symbolizing a genuine faith demonstrated through obedience. The foolish builder's house collapses entirely, representing a deceptive profession that fails the ultimate test. The sermon clarifies that true saving faith has three components: knowledge of gospel facts (notitia), mental assent to their truth (assensus), and crucially, active trust in Jesus, leading to personal abandonment and obedient submission to His Lordship (fiducia). This radical submission and obedience are the sole validations of salvation, distinguishing authentic believers from those with mere historical or superficial faith. The sermon challenges listeners to examine whether their lives are truly characterized by this active, obedient trust in Christ.
Cultivating a Teachable Heart
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "Cultivating a Teachable Heart" (James 1:19-21) argues that our response to God's Word serves as a vital spiritual diagnostic for genuine faith and maturity. He clarifies that the passage's call to be "quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger" specifically concerns our interaction with Scripture, not just general communication skills. Being "quick to hear" means genuinely listening and understanding God's Word, a capacity unique to believers, unlike unbelievers who are spiritually deaf due to rebellion and divine judgment. Next, we must be "slow to speak," refraining from arguing or talking back when the Word challenges our personal ideas or cherished behaviors. Third, we should be "slow to anger," avoiding resentment towards the Scripture or its messenger when it confronts our sins or beliefs, as human anger does not produce God's righteousness. Finally, we must "in humility receive the word implanted," willingly shedding all filthiness and wickedness, and eagerly welcoming God's truth as a transformative, soul-saving power. This teachable heart, marked by these four responses, is the foundation of obedience and spiritual growth, crucial for discerning our true spiritual condition.
The Deadly Danger of Self-Deception - Part 3
In "The Deadly Danger of Self-Deception," Pastor Tom Pennington examines Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus warns that not all who call Him "Lord" will enter heaven. Referencing the parable of the wheat and tares, Pennington explains that false disciples exist alongside true believers, and many are self-deceived, maintaining a stubborn confidence in their salvation even until the final judgment. These individuals often base their assurance on external factors like correct doctrine, fervent spiritual expressions, or even performing impressive ministry deeds such as prophesying, casting out demons, or miracles. However, the sermon clarifies that such acts, even if genuinely performed, do not guarantee true faith, as unbelievers can also exhibit them. Jesus' final verdict to the self-deceived will be, "I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." This signifies eternal banishment from His presence. The core characteristic of self-deception is a persistent pattern of disobedience to God and a lack of genuine, heart-led obedience, rather than a discernible decline in sin and growth in righteousness. True faith is evidenced by a life striving to do the Father's will, not merely claiming His name. This sobering message urges profound self-examination and sincere commitment to Christ.
The Deadly Danger of Self-Deception - Part 2
This sermon, "The Deadly Danger of Self-Deception," draws from Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus warns that not all who call Him "Lord" will enter heaven, but only those who do the Father's will. Many will be self-deceived, believing they are saved based on outward profession, correct doctrine, or spiritual fervor, rather than genuine obedience. This widespread self-deception in American Christianity stems from three primary factors: 1. A **man-centered gospel** that focuses on personal benefits (health, wealth, happiness) instead of God's glory and a call to repentance. This attracts those seeking worldly gains, not spiritual transformation. 2. A **weak gospel call** that uses vague phrases like "accept Jesus" or "pray this prayer," failing to demand biblical repentance and a life of discipleship, which involves denying self and consistently following Christ. 3. A **flawed path to assurance** that relies on past events, subjective feelings, or external pronouncements, rather than tangible, ongoing transformation. True biblical assurance stems from two parallel tracks: resting completely in the **promises of the gospel**�what Christ has done�and actively examining one's life for **evidence of genuine change**. This evidence includes a life increasingly characterized by obedience to God's Word and the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.
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