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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Mastering Materialism - Part 1
In "Mastering Materialism (Part 1)," Pastor Tom Pennington addresses the pervasive sin of worry, anxiety, and fear, rooted in materialism. He critiques common secular and "pop Christian" solutions�like distraction, therapy, drugs, or designated "worry times"�as ineffective, since they fail to tackle the core issue. Drawing from Matthew 6:25-34, Pennington explains Jesus' teaching on how to overcome worry about future needs such as food, drink, and clothing. This approach models sanctification by moving beyond external actions to address sinful thinking, and ultimately, flawed perceptions of God. Pennington clarifies that the Greek word for "worry" can signify legitimate care and concern, but sinful worry distinguishes itself by distracting from kingdom priorities, shouldering burdens alone rather than casting them on God, and stemming from fear and a lack of trust. Worry, likened to being choked or strangled, is fundamentally an expression of fear. Jesus' command to "not be worried" isn't a prohibition against wise planning, but against anxious thoughts and a lack of faith concerning the necessities of physical life. To avoid materialism's dangers, one must stop this sinful pattern of worrying about future needs.
The Desperate Cry For Forgiveness
Tom Pennington's sermon on Psalm 130, one of Martin Luther's "Pauline Psalms," explores the profound cry for forgiveness originating from "the depths" of personal guilt. The sermon highlights three essential truths about God's forgiveness, drawn from verses 3-4 of the psalm. First, **everyone needs forgiveness**. God, in His perfect justice, records every sin and demands punishment. If He were to "mark iniquities," no one could stand before Him, revealing humanity's complete inability to justify themselves. Second, **God provides forgiveness**. This divine attribute involves canceling objective guilt and treating repentant sinners as if they had not broken His law. Critically, this forgiveness is only possible through a sacrificial ransom�the shedding of blood. Jesus Christ's death on the cross satisfied God's justice, bearing humanity's iniquities, thus enabling a holy God to forgive. Repentance, a frank and full confession of sin, is the necessary condition for receiving this pardon. Third, **God uses forgiveness for His glory**. The ultimate purpose of forgiveness is "that You may be feared"�not with terror, but with a reverential awe that transforms individuals into true worshipers. This awe inspires love, service, and obedience, fostering reconciliation with God.
What God Says About Homosexuality
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "What God Says About Homosexuality," posits it as a defining issue, noting how a "brilliant marketing strategy" shifted cultural perceptions by portraying homosexuality as natural and discrediting biblical opposition. Pennington asserts that the Bible consistently condemns homosexuality. He begins with God's created order in Genesis 1-2, establishing marriage exclusively for one man and one woman, refuting the concept of a "born gay" orientation. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19, Jude 7) serves as divine judgment for homosexual acts. Old Testament Law (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13) explicitly calls all homosexual activity an "abomination." Jesus affirmed these Old Testament teachings. Paul in Romans 1 describes homosexuality as "unnatural," a "degrading passion" indicative of God's wrath of abandonment for idolatry, leading to self-destructive behavior. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 states that practicing homosexuals will not inherit God's kingdom, implying such a lifestyle is incompatible with genuine Christianity. However, the gospel offers forgiveness and power to change ("such were some of you") through repentance and faith. Christians are urged to uphold biblical truth, treating individuals with grace while speaking against sin, and sharing the transforming hope of Christ.
The Deadly Dangers of Materialism - Part 3
In "The Deadly Dangers of Materialism, Part 3," Pastor Tom Pennington explores the profound perils of materialism from Matthew 6:19-24. Building on the previous sermon about how materialism consumes one's heart, this message focuses on two additional dangers: spiritual blindness and becoming a worshiper of materialism. Pennington explains Jesus's metaphor of the eye as the "lamp of the body," illustrating that a "clear" spiritual eye leads to light and proper perception, while a "bad" or covetous eye results in spiritual darkness. Materialism blinds individuals in several ways: it obscures the value of spiritual things, distorts the true gospel (as seen in the rich young ruler and the parable of the sower), hides its own destructive power, and prevents contentment by making people forget God's abundant provision and ever-present help. The final danger discussed is the impossibility of serving two masters. Jesus's teaching emphasizes that humans are inherently slaves to either sin or God. Attempting to serve both wealth (mammon) and God means wealth becomes an idol, as God demands exclusive devotion.
The Deadly Dangers of Materialism - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington refutes the prosperity gospel, emphasizing that Jesus never promised financial wealth for His followers; instead, His life exemplified deprivation, and materialism is defined as prioritizing physical comfort and possessions over spiritual values. Drawing from Matthew 6:19-21, Pennington exhorts listeners not to store up earthly treasures, which are uncertain, fleeting (susceptible to moths, rust, thieves, and economic downturns), and cannot be taken to the afterlife. Instead, believers are commanded to store up treasures in heaven. This process primarily involves ensuring one's salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as the ultimate, surpassing treasure, even if it means renouncing earthly attachments. Subsequently, heavenly treasures are accrued by actively investing in the advancement of God's spiritual kingdom through missions, evangelism, and supporting the church, as well as by generously meeting the needs of other people. The core danger of materialism, highlighted by Jesus, is that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This means one's entire inner self�mind, emotions, and will�will be consumed by and directed toward whatever is most valued, dictating the course of one's life.
The Comedy at Calvary
In "The Comedy at Calvary," Tom Pennington preaches on Mark 15:27-32, analyzing the widespread mockery Jesus faced at the cross as a timeless rejection of His divine claims. He identifies five groups of mockers. The "power elite," exemplified by Pilate, used Jesus' crucifixion between two "robbers" as a cruel joke against Him and the Jews, unknowingly fulfilling prophecy that Jesus would be "numbered with transgressors" and bear the sin of many. "Outwardly religious" passersby hurled abuse, twisting Jesus' words about destroying and rebuilding the temple (referring to His body) and sarcastically demanding He save Himself. "False teachers" like the chief priests and scribes acknowledged Jesus' miracles ("He saved others") but disingenuously challenged Him to descend from the cross as the "Christ, the King of Israel, the Son of God" if they were to believe. Even "entirely pagan" Roman soldiers and initially, both "condemned sinners" crucified with Him joined the insults. This pervasive ridicule ironically served to confirm Jesus' claims as Messiah, King, and Son of God, highlighting His mission to save others through His sacrifice, with the resurrection as the ultimate proof. While humanity mocked, God's plan unfolded, turning their vitriol into truth.
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