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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A Child Is Born, A Son Is Given! - Part 1
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "A Child Is Born, A Son Is Given!" interprets Isaiah 9:1-7, focusing on Christ's birth as light breaking into darkness. Drawing on the artistic concept of chiaroscuro, he explains that God used light and darkness in creation to reflect spiritual realities: God is light, and human sin is profound darkness. The sermon outlines five forms of this spiritual darkness, prevalent in Isaiah's time and ours: idolatry, willful ignorance of God's Word, pervasive personal sin, divine judgment, and defiant rebellion against God. This deep human darkness necessitated a divine solution. Isaiah's prophecy foretells that a "great light" would shine in an unexpected place: Galilee of the Gentiles. This region, historically marginalized and pagan-influenced, was despised by the religious elite. Yet, Matthew 4 confirms Jesus' ministry began there, fulfilling this prophecy. Jesus is identified as this ultimate Light, meant not only for Israel but for all nations. John's Gospel further emphasizes Jesus as the "true Light" that enlightens humanity. Believing in Christ allows individuals to escape darkness and become "sons of Light," receiving the dawn of truth and righteousness. This spiritual illumination of the heart is a sovereign act of God's grace, bringing light where only darkness existed.
What Commandment Is the Greatest?
This text analyzes Mark 12:28-34, where a scribe questions Jesus about the greatest commandment. The author emphasizes that this query exposes humanity's inherent inability to perfectly obey God's extensive laws. Jesus responds by identifying two paramount commands: first, to love the Lord your God with your entire being�heart, soul, mind, and strength�and second, to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus elaborates that the first command is rooted in understanding God's unique identity, gracious choice, and oneness. This "love" demands exclusive allegiance, selfless service, and profound affection, signifying a total commitment. The second command, loving one's neighbor, naturally flows from the first and should extend to anyone encountered, mirroring our inherent self-care. Together, these commands encapsulate the essence of the entire Old Testament Law and Prophets. The scribe's surprising admission that these commands outweigh all burnt offerings and sacrifices earns him Jesus's commendation: "You are not far from the kingdom of God." This statement implies that a true grasp of God's impossibly high standards should lead to a recognition of one's sinfulness and a desperate need for a Savior.
Blessed Are the Persecuted!
Tom Pennington's sermon on Matthew 5:10-12, "Blessed Are the Persecuted," examines the final beatitude. He argues that persecution is a consistent experience for true believers, citing biblical figures like Abel, the prophets, apostles, and Jesus, along with instances throughout church history. Pennington clarifies that persecution encompasses more than physical suffering, extending to verbal insults, false accusations, hatred, and social ostracism, often being attitudinal or verbal in nature. He identifies two legitimate reasons for Christian persecution: "for the sake of righteousness," meaning living a life consistent with the other beatitudes, and "because of Me," referring to one's loyalty to Jesus, whom the world rejects. This opposition arises because righteous living acts as a mirror, exposing the sin of unbelievers. The proper response to such persecution is to "rejoice and be glad." This joy stems from recognizing three blessings: it proves the genuineness of one's faith, promises great heavenly rewards, and places believers in the company of prophets and saints. Pennington concludes by asserting that experiencing persecution for these specific reasons is a crucial test and a defining characteristic of true Christian life, whereas a life where "all men speak well of you" may signal a superficial faith.
Benefitting From the Beatitudes
Pastor Tom Pennington discusses the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the legitimate uses of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). He contrasts the misuse of human products with the misuse of God's Word, emphasizing that the Bible should be actively applied, not just intellectually accumulated. Pennington outlines four primary benefits of the Beatitudes. First, they serve as **a tutor to Christ**. Their impossibly high standard of spiritual perfection (e.g., meekness, purity of heart) reveals humanity's inability to earn salvation, driving individuals to Christ as spiritual beggars for mercy, repentance, and faith. Second, they function as **a test of saving faith**. By examining whether these qualities (like mourning sin, hungering for righteousness, being a peacemaker) genuinely describe one's life, individuals can discern if they belong to Christ's kingdom. Third, the Beatitudes act as **a textbook for kingdom living**. For those already in Christ, they provide a blueprint for daily conduct, encouraging continuous growth in spiritual poverty, mourning over sin, demonstrating mercy, pursuing purity, and making peace. Finally, they are **a testament to our future**.
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Tom Pennington's sermon "Blessed Are The Peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), part of his Sermon on the Mount series, identifies peacemaking as a defining characteristic of those belonging to Christ's spiritual kingdom. He emphasizes that the world is inherently saturated with conflict, from global wars to personal strife, stemming from humanity's natural state of hostility towards God (by loving the world) and one another (driven by selfish desires). Pennington clarifies that "peace" doesn't mean avoiding all conflict; righteous causes like self-defense or defending the faith can involve confrontation. Instead, true peace signifies an objective state of harmonious wholeness, beyond mere truces. This peace is only possible through the character of God, Jesus' mission to reconcile humanity through His atoning sacrifice, and the transformative power of the Gospel. As peacemakers, Christians are actively called to: 1) introduce others to peace with God through the Gospel of reconciliation, 2) pursue peace in their personal relationships "as far as it depends on you," and 3) strive to resolve conflicts between others when appropriate. This consistent, Spirit-produced quality reflects God's nature and is a mark of true discipleship.
Jesus Publicly Affirms the Resurrection!
Tom Pennington's sermon explores Jesus' public affirmation of the resurrection during a critical encounter on Tuesday of Passion Week. The Sadducees, wealthy anti-supernaturalists who denied the resurrection and only accepted the Pentateuch, challenged Jesus. They presented a hypothetical "trap" about a woman married sequentially to seven brothers, asking whose wife she would be in the resurrection. They aimed to expose the resurrection's "folly," undermine Jesus' teaching, and embarrass the Pharisees. Jesus rebuked them for not understanding the Scriptures or the power of God. He clarified that resurrected life transforms, without marriage as we know it, making people "like angels." He then cited Exodus 3:6, "I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," arguing God is "not the God of the dead, but of the living," proving the Patriarchs' continued existence and future bodily resurrection from their accepted Scriptures. This affirmation offers profound applications: confidence in resurrection, motivation to share the Gospel (as all face resurrection to life or judgment), comfort for the grieving, and conquering the fear of death. Our hope, Pennington concludes, rests not in an event, but in Jesus, who declared, "I am the resurrection and the life."
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