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 Birth Announcement of God's Son - Part 1
Tom Pennington's sermon, "The Birth Announcement of God's Son," contrasts the elaborate, formal announcements of royal births with Jesus' humble, unnoticed arrival. While human royalty's births are meticulously observed, God orchestrated the "greatest birth announcement" for His Son. Significantly, God chose an "unlikely audience"�despised shepherds�to receive this momentous news, bypassing powerful Roman and Israelite leaders. This choice reflects God's consistent method of selecting the humble and weak, ensuring only He receives glory. An angel, accompanied by the blinding "glory of the Lord," appeared to these terrified shepherds, proclaiming: "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." This "good news" (gospel) signifies spiritual salvation, offering "great joy" universally to all people, both Israel and Gentiles. The name Jesus, meaning "Yahweh saves," encapsulates His divine purpose: to rescue individuals from their sins and the eternal judgment they deserve. God initiates this rescue, appealing to sinners to be reconciled to Him, as Jesus came specifically as the Savior, not merely a moral teacher or social reformer.
The Light of the World
Tom Pennington's Christmas sermon connects the ubiquitous holiday lights to Jesus' profound claim, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life" (John 8:12). Delivered amidst the Feast of Tabernacles' grand candelabra, this declaration carries several critical implications. Firstly, Jesus reveals that the entire world exists in spiritual darkness, marked by ignorance of truth and a state of sin and rebellion against God. Secondly, He positions Himself as the exclusive source of absolute truth and moral purity, thereby claiming equality with God and fulfilling messianic prophecies. To follow Jesus means acknowledging one's inherent spiritual darkness, being willing to abandon sin and self-reliance, and believing solely in His redemptive work on the cross. This belief entails not just intellectual assent but a submission of one's will to Him as Savior and Lord. In return, Jesus promises those who follow Him "the Light of life," offering spiritual guidance, moral purity, and eternal life. The festive lights of Christmas should serve as a powerful reminder of this transformative invitation.
Q & A
Pastor Tom Pennington hosted an open mic Q&A session at Countryside Bible Church, addressing various theological and personal questions. Regarding Lazarus's four days in the grave, Pennington noted Scripture is silent but speculated his soul, as a believer, was likely present with the Lord, potentially experiencing a glimpse of heaven before his temporary resurrection. When asked about Catholicism, he identified two primary distinctions from evangelical Protestantism: the source of authority (Catholicism emphasizes Church interpretation alongside Scripture, while Protestants uphold Scripture alone) and the basis of salvation (faith plus works in Catholicism versus justification by faith alone). He also explained Bible translation philosophies, recommending formal equivalence (word-for-word, e.g., NASB, ESV) over dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) for accuracy in personal study. To foster anticipation for eternity, Pennington encouraged "numbering our days" to live with purpose and understanding that heaven is a temporary state, a "halfway house," before believers inhabit the new heaven and new earth, where righteousness will dwell and work will be fulfilling. He expressed concern over the United Methodist Church's decline, attributing it to liberalism eroding confidence in biblical authority and the gospel itself.
Two Gates, One Decision - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington�s sermon, "Two Gates, One Decision," from Matthew 7:13-14, warns against the spiritual danger of choosing the wrong entrance to God's kingdom. Using the analogy of a GPS leading a driver astray, he highlights that spiritual paths, like physical roads, lead to vastly different destinations. Jesus outlines four key contrasts: two gates, two ways, two destinations, and two crowds. The wide gate is easy to enter, encompassing indifference, human philosophies, false religions, or even a false profession of Christ. It opens onto a broad way, a comfortable lifestyle allowing individuals to choose their own moral path, which appears to be freedom but is actually slavery to sin. This broad path is traveled by "many" and leads to "destruction"�eternal, conscious torment in "fiery hell." Conversely, the narrow gate is difficult to find and requires personal repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and shedding all self-merit. It leads to a narrow way, a confining lifestyle of obedience to Christ's commands. Though this path may seem restrictive from an earthly perspective, it represents true freedom and gracious submission to God.
Two Gates, One Decision - Part 1
This sermon contrasts the common belief that all spiritual paths ultimately lead to the same divine destination with Jesus' radical teaching in Matthew 7:13-14. Jesus states there are only two gates and two paths, leading to two entirely opposite eternities: life or destruction. The "wide gate" is expansive and attractive, representing the default path to destruction. Its numerous entry points include apathy, human philosophies that oppose God's knowledge, and all forms of false religion�many energized by demons. It also encompasses corrupted versions of true faith, such as distorted Judaism or "Christianity" that preaches a false Christ or gospel (like those emphasizing works for salvation). Even a false profession of the true gospel can lead through this gate. By default, everyone is born on this broad path; failing to choose the narrow gate means one is already heading for destruction. Conversely, the "narrow gate" is small and exclusive, marking the sole entry point to true salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Creatively Dodging Sanctification
The text, "Creatively Dodging Sanctification," critiques a prevalent "cross-centered" understanding of sanctification, notably advanced by Tullian Tchividjian. This view misinterprets gospel grace, suggesting that resting in justification or contributing only sin to sanctification negates personal effort in pursuing holiness. The author argues this perspective confuses justification with sanctification and risks antinomianism, where God's law holds no practical use for believers. The sermon asserts biblical sanctification is a progressive, lifelong work of God's grace by which the Spirit delivers believers from sin into increasing holiness. While entirely God's work, it *demands* maximum human effort, much like a farmer diligently cultivates a field while God provides growth. This process is a constant spiritual war, slow, painful, and only completed at death or Christ's return, transforming the heart rather than merely modifying behavior. Sanctification is guaranteed for true believers and requires the diligent use of means: prayer and active engagement with God's Word. Balancing the gospel's "indicatives" (what Christ accomplished) with its "imperatives" (what believers must do) is crucial for true, biblical sanctification, a pursuit without which no one will see the Lord.
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