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.
Engage with the most recent teaching from God’s Word.
The preaching of God's Word is central to worship and of the utmost importance for the sanctification of every believer in Christ.
Explore messages organized to help you grow in Christ.
Search and filter sermons for quick access.
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.
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.
No Results Found.
We couldn’t find anything matching your search.
Explore The Word Unleashed
Our ministry brings together expository preaching, theological precision, and practical application for the good of Christ's church and the daily living of Christ's people.
.webp)
Sermons
Listen to expository sermons that clearly teach God’s Word and guide you in daily living.
Radio
Tune in to gospel-centered programs that share biblical truth and strengthen your daily walk with Christ.
Training
Join courses and workshops designed to deepen your faith and equip you to serve others with biblical wisdom.
.webp)
From the Pastor's Desk
Read pastoral messages that encourage, instruct, and help you apply God’s Word to every part of your life.
.webp)
Hymns
Discover timeless hymns that lift your heart in worship and remind you of God’s abounding grace and faithfulness.
Podcasts
Stay rooted in Scripture through our podcast series.