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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An Eye for an Eye - Part 4
In "The Sermon on the Mount: An Eye for an Eye, Part 4," Pastor Tom Pennington explains Jesus' revolutionary teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 on responding to personal offenses, contrasting it with the scribes and Pharisees' twisted interpretation of Old Testament law. The original "eye for an eye" was a judicial principle for judges to ensure punishment fit the crime, not a permit for individual revenge. Jesus calls His disciples to a radical ethic: do not resist an evil person, harbor grudges, or seek personal revenge. He provides four examples: 1. **Attacks on personal dignity (slap on the right cheek):** Turn the other cheek, refusing to return the insult or strike back. 2. **Attacks on personal property (sued for a shirt):** Give your coat also, demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice rather than seeking revenge. 3. **Governmental attacks on personal liberty (forced to go one mile):** Go two miles. This doesn't condone oppression or forbid legal means to change unjust laws, but demands a heart free from resentment and a willingness to wholeheartedly submit to authorities (Romans 13), except when laws contradict Scripture. 4.
Travesty of Justice: The Jewish Trial of Jesus - Part 1
Pastor Tom Pennington describes the Jewish trial of Jesus as the greatest "travesty of justice" in human history, emphasizing its profound illegality and the stark contrast with Jesus' profound innocence. He begins by noting common miscarriages of justice, including modern DNA exonerations, to set the stage for Jesus' unparalleled case. The trial unfolded in three phases: an initial, illegal arraignment before Annas, a crucial hearing before a quorum of the Sanhedrin at Caiaphas's house (the focus of Mark's gospel), and a formal meeting at daybreak. Throughout these proceedings, the Jewish leaders relentlessly sought testimony against Jesus to condemn him to death, already having predetermined his guilt. Despite their efforts and numerous false witnesses, their accusations were inconsistent and failed to meet legal standards, even on serious charges like threatening the temple. Jesus' declaration of being "the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One" led the high priest to accuse him of blasphemy, resulting in a unanimous condemnation to death. However, lacking the authority to execute, the Sanhedrin then presented Jesus to the Roman authorities, strategically changing the charge from a religious one (blasphemy) to a political one (sedition).
An Eye for an Eye - Part 3
Pastor Tom Pennington�s sermon on Matthew 5:38-42, "An Eye for an Eye, Part 3," contrasts the common human desire for revenge with Jesus' revolutionary teaching for His disciples. He explains that the Old Testament's "eye for an eye" principle was for judges to ensure punishment fit the crime, not for individual retaliation, a meaning distorted by the Pharisees. Jesus commands His followers, "do not resist an evil person," especially concerning personal offenses. The sermon focuses on intentional attacks on personal property (Matthew 5:40: "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also"). Pennington clarifies this does not prohibit all legal action. God established judicial systems for justice, and Christians can report crimes or seek justice against unbelievers. However, 1 Corinthians 6 forbids Christians from suing *each other* in secular courts over disputes. Jesus� teaching means that when an evil person sinfully sues you, you must not harbor grudges or seek personal revenge. Instead, you should possess a spirit of love, even willing to sacrifice more (like your coat) for the attacker�s good. This response imitates God, who loves and does good to His enemies.
A Christian's Response to Death
Pastor Tom Pennington delivers a sermon following a church member's death, guiding Christians on how to biblically respond to mortality. He highlights that while secular culture fears and avoids death, believers possess a unique perspective. The Bible affirms death as an enemy, a consequence of sin that separates us, yet Jesus Christ personally conquered it, rendering it a defeated foe for His followers. God maintains absolute power over death, determining its timing and circumstances, and will ultimately abolish it forever. Christians are encouraged to respond to death with genuine grief, similar to Jesus's sorrow, but crucially, not without hope, unlike unbelievers. It's vital to offer love and sympathy rather than awkward avoidance or trite spiritual platitudes. Alongside grief, joy should be present, as a believer's death is precious to God, signifying their entry into His glorious presence. Worship is another key response, trusting God's sovereign wisdom. Regarding one's own death, preparation through faith in Christ is essential. Believers can trust God's unfailing love and presence through death, desiring its eternal gains while not necessarily fearing the natural process of dying. Ultimately, life should be lived purposefully, exalting Christ, because only what is done for Him will last.
The Illegal Arrest of Jesus of Nazareth - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "The Illegal Arrest of Jesus of Nazareth (Part 2)," highlights Jesus Christ as the primary focus of Scripture. He details the unjust and illegal arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane, noting how it disregarded principles of due process evident in Old Testament law and the Fourth Amendment. A massive, diverse arrest party, comprising Jewish leaders, temple police, and Roman soldiers, apprehended Jesus following Judas's pre-arranged kiss�a monstrous betrayal despite Jesus's divine power causing the soldiers to fall back. Peter's impulsive act of cutting off Malchus's ear was immediately rectified by Jesus, who healed the servant and rebuked Peter, asserting His voluntary submission to God's plan. Jesus clarified He could summon legions of angels but chose to fulfill scripture. He challenged His captors for arresting Him like a robber under cover of night, exposing the legal baselessness of their actions, which ironically served the divine plan. All the disciples fled, demonstrating Jesus's steadfast faithfulness. The sermon explores the mysterious young man who escaped naked, suggesting he was Mark, the gospel writer, potentially witnessing a transformative moment. Ultimately, Jesus remained in complete control, willingly embracing the path to the cross for humanity's salvation.
Portraits of Grace
The sermon "Portraits of Grace" asserts that humanity's greatest need is forgiveness from God, not from fellow humans. As our Creator and rightful King, God demands perfect obedience, but all have rebelled through sin, accumulating real, legal guilt before an omniscient and omnipresent God who records every infraction. Since God's throne is founded on perfect justice, He cannot simply overlook sin; the penalty must be paid. God's loving and costly solution is His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to live the perfect life we could not and die the punitive death we deserved. Colossians 2:13-14 illustrates this profound forgiveness through three portraits. It is a "king's pardon," where God graciously pardons our acts of rebellion because Christ justly bore the penalty as our substitute. It is a "canceled debt," where our massive, unpayable sin-debt is completely wiped away and obliterated because Christ's perfect obedience fulfilled all demands. Finally, it is a "criminal's substitute," where God nailed the comprehensive record of our sins to the cross, pouring out His just wrath on the innocent Christ instead of on us. For those who repent and believe in Jesus, this amazing grace means all sins are completely forgiven, leaving no condemnation.
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