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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Hope From Ashes: Responding to Tragedy
Delivered on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Tom Pennington's sermon explores finding hope amid tragedy, drawing lessons from the biblical book of Lamentations. Acknowledging the profound impact of national and personal calamities, like 9/11 or the destruction of ancient Jerusalem, the message emphasizes that while circumstances may not change, hope can be restored by deliberately recalling five unchanging truths about God. First, God's character remains constant; His steadfast love, compassion, and faithfulness never cease. Second, His benevolent plan for our spiritual good hasn't changed, even in suffering, which is temporary. Third, God's justice is unwavering; He does not approve of evil acts and will hold perpetrators accountable. Fourth, His sovereignty remains absolute; He is in control of all events, good or ill. Finally, God's grace endures; we never receive what we truly deserve, and repentance brings forgiveness and eventual deliverance. By remembering these truths, we can find hope amid the ashes of tragedy.
By Whose Authority?
Tom Pennington's sermon "By Whose Authority?" from Mark 11:27-33 examines Jesus' divine authority in a world often averse to absolute truth. Jesus, consistently teaching and acting with clear authority, is confronted in the Jerusalem temple by the Sanhedrin (chief priests, scribes, and elders). They challenge Him, demanding to know the source and nature of His authority for His actions, such as cleansing the temple and His public teaching. Jesus responds by posing His own question: "Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?" This question strategically exposes the leaders' spiritual dilemma. They couldn't affirm John's divine origin without implicitly admitting they should have believed him (and, by extension, Jesus). Conversely, they dared not claim John's authority was merely human, fearing the people who widely revered John as a true prophet. Their ultimate, dishonest reply, "We do not know," revealed their hardened hearts and rejection of clear divine truth. By this exchange, Jesus indirectly confirms that His authority, like John's, originates "from heaven," from God Himself. He then refuses to offer further explanation to those unwilling to acknowledge this self-evident truth. The sermon concludes by pressing listeners to confront this same decision: Is Jesus from God or from men?
Faith to Move Mountains
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "Faith to Move Mountains" (Mark 11:19-26) explores Jesus' teaching on believing prayer, prompted by the disciples' amazement at the withered fig tree. Jesus exhorts them to "Have faith in God," clarifying that faith is confidence in God's biblical promises and His capacity to do what is best, even beyond direct promises. Importantly, faith itself has no power; rather, it is God who is powerful. Jesus applies this by stating that whatever is asked in prayer, believing without doubting, will be granted. A significant limitation is a spirit of forgiveness: we must forgive others to receive God's forgiveness and have our prayers heard. Other limitations for effective prayer include asking with right motives, in Jesus' name, abiding in Him, delighting in God, and aligning with His revealed and sovereign will. The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their prayer lives, suggesting that a failure to pray often indicates a lack of true belief in God's ability and willingness to intervene on their behalf.
The Biblical Priority of Baptism
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "The Biblical Priority of Baptism," emphasizes its profound spiritual significance, paralleling it with water's essential nature and unique properties. He notes that contemporary Christians often misunderstand or undervalue baptism, despite Jesus' foundational command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28) to "make disciples, baptize them, and teach them." Pennington examines Peter's sermon in Acts 2:37-39, where the convicted crowd is told to "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." This highlights two crucial responses to the gospel: repentance and public confession. Repentance is described as a gift from God, involving an intellectual, emotional, and volitional turning from sin, inextricably linked with saving faith. Baptism, meaning "to dip or plunge," is presented not as a cause of salvation (refuting "baptismal regeneration"), but as a vital public confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Pennington argues that various New Testament passages and the broader context of Acts demonstrate that belief and receiving the Holy Spirit precede water baptism. Both Jesus and Paul underscore the necessity of publicly confessing Christ as Lord for genuine salvation, making baptism an imperative act of allegiance for all believers.
Lies Christians Believe (Part 7): Blind Faith (Part 2)
Pastor Tom Pennington concludes his "Lies Christians Believe" series, tackling the misconception that "Christianity is Blind Faith." He briefly notes other prevalent lies, such as "new is always progress," "man is basically good," and "live for today because death is the end," contrasting them with biblical truth. His central argument refutes the idea of Christianity as an irrational leap without evidence. Pennington posits three main points. First, the New Testament is a historically reliable record, evidenced by non-Christian sources confirming Jesus' existence and an unparalleled abundance of early manuscripts, far surpassing other ancient texts. Internally, the Gospels draw from eyewitness accounts or careful research, while Jesus pre-authenticated the apostles' writings, promising them supernatural recall and revelation. Second, God validated the Christian faith by providing "convincing proofs" to chosen witnesses, primarily the apostles, who saw the resurrected Christ and were commanded to testify. Third, the resurrection is the ultimate evidence for Christian truth. Jesus hinged His entire credibility on it; without the resurrection, faith is meaningless (1 Corinthians 15). Early creeds, like that in 1 Corinthians 15, detail Christ's death for sins, burial (implying an empty tomb), and numerous post-resurrection appearances to over 500 eyewitnesses, including skeptics like James and Paul.
Bible Study for Every Christian (Part 6): Evaluation and Application
This session, "Bible Study for Every Christian Part 6," concludes a series on inductive Bible study, focusing on evaluation and application. The speaker first reiterates interpretation principles: seeking authorial intent, letting Scripture interpret Scripture, and literal reading. Evaluation (Step 5) means comparing one's interpretation against others, crucial because novel, accurate interpretations are rare. This involves consulting good study Bibles (MacArthur, ESV, NIV) and conservative commentaries, chosen carefully. Warnings include not using resources in place of personal study, before personal study, or as the final authority, and avoiding mere devotional thoughts or unsupported guesses. Application (Step 6) is planning a response to the text, as God intends His Word to change lives (James 1:22). Drawing from 2 Timothy 3:16, application considers teaching, reproof, correction, and training. It must flow from the author's original intent, bridging the ancient text to modern life. Key principles include distinguishing universal commands from specific ones, what the Bible records from what it approves, and cultural from timeless commands. Practical application involves asking: What did the author intend for original readers? What am I supposed to do? Why? And how can I practically implement it?
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