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 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.
The Deadly Danger of Self-Deception - Part 1
Tom Pennington's sermon, "The Deadly Danger of Self-Deception, Part 1," on Matthew 7:21-23 addresses the prevalent issue of individuals falsely believing they are Christians. Citing surveys and society's moral state, Pennington highlights that many people, even those with intellectual understanding of Christ and the gospel, are tragically self-deceived. Jesus' final warnings in the Sermon on the Mount culminate in the danger of a "false profession." The sermon debunks common, mistaken evidences of genuine faith: a past profession (like a "sinner's prayer"), correct doctrine, or intense spiritual fervency. Instead, the distinguishing mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ is a consistent, ongoing pattern of obedience to God's will and Christ's words. This obedience is not a means to earn salvation but is the inevitable fruit and evidence of genuine love for Jesus. While salvation is by grace through faith, true, living faith will always result in a life of discipleship. The sermon concludes with a call for serious self-examination, asking if one's actions align with their verbal confession of Jesus as Lord, for on judgment day, many will claim "Lord, Lord," but will be told, "I never knew you."
Wolves in the Pulpit - Part 3
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "Wolves in the Pulpit" highlights Jesus' warning in Matthew 7:15-20 to "beware of false prophets" who masquerade as spiritual guides but are inwardly "ravenous wolves." Drawing an analogy to disguised dog food, Pennington explains that these deceivers market their wares on "shiny platters," using religious clich�s to obscure their true nature. The sermon outlines three crucial "fruits" for identifying false teachers: their character, content, and converts. False teachers' character often exhibits greed, sensuality, and arrogance, driven by self-interest rather than biblical righteousness. Their teaching content deviates from a biblical understanding of Jesus and the gospel, frequently omitting truths about sin, repentance, and holiness, or promoting worldly desires over selfless love for God and others. Consequently, their converts often display similar ungodly traits, indicating a lack of true transformation. Pennington provides examples of contemporary false teachers, including proponents of the Roman Catholic system, cults, postmodern theologians, and prosperity gospel preachers like Joel Osteen and Benny Hinn. He cautions against evaluating teachers solely on perceived sincerity or popularity, urging listeners to be "Bereans" who diligently test all teaching against Scripture.
Wolves in the Pulpit - Part 2
This sermon, "Wolves in the Pulpit (Part 2)," from Matthew 7:15-20, addresses the crucial issue of identifying false teachers. Pastor Tom Pennington uses the analogy of wolf-warning sheep collars to highlight the spiritual danger false teachers pose to Christ's flock, noting there's no technological equivalent to protect believers. Jesus warns about these "false prophets," who appear in "sheep's clothing" but are "inwardly ravenous wolves." The true danger lies in their deceptive disguise; they operate within the church, using orthodox language and feigning piety to mislead. While they cannot lead true believers to damning error, they can cause significant spiritual harm by thwarting growth and distracting from kingdom priorities. False teachers are characterized by advocating false sources of authority, promoting a false Christ or gospel, encouraging license or legalism, and telling people what they want to hear. They often prey on the young, immature, seeking unbelievers, vulnerable, poor, and unstable. Jesus teaches that "you will know them by their fruits." This means their true nature is revealed by their character, conduct, the content of their teaching, and the lives of their converts.
Wolves in the Pulpit - Part 1
Tom Pennington's sermon "Wolves In The Pulpit (Part 1)" delves into Jesus' warning in Matthew 7:15-20 about false prophets, describing them as "ravenous wolves" in "sheep's clothing." This pivotal message from the Sermon on the Mount underscores an ever-present danger throughout biblical history and into the modern era. A false prophet, or "pseudoprophet," claims divine authority but delivers messages rooted in their own deception, often influenced by Satan. These individuals subtly infiltrate the church, introducing destructive heresies. Pennington identifies key characteristics: they promote false sources of authority, teach a distorted Christ or gospel (evident in groups like Mormonism or Jehovah's Witnesses), encourage moral license, or conversely, enforce legalism and asceticism. Most notably, false prophets consistently tell people what they want to hear, sidestepping uncomfortable truths about sin, judgment, and the rigorous demands of discipleship, thereby fostering a false sense of security. Though true believers cannot be led into damning error, Jesus' warning emphasizes that false teaching can severely hinder spiritual growth, leading to confusion and instability. Therefore, constant vigilance is crucial for spiritual protection.
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