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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God Will Vindicate His Son! - Part 1
In his sermon "God Will Vindicate His Son!" Pastor Tom Pennington explores the Parable of the Vineyard from Mark 12:1-12. The parable describes a landowner who meticulously prepares a vineyard and leases it to tenants. He sends slaves to collect produce, but the tenants repeatedly beat and kill them. Finally, the owner sends his beloved son, whom the tenants also kill, believing they can seize the inheritance. Jesus concludes that the owner will destroy the wicked tenants and give the vineyard to others. Pennington explains that Jesus addressed this parable to the Jewish leaders during Passion Week, indicting them for their historical rejection of God's prophets and their imminent rejection and murder of His Son. The core message is that God the Father will "vindicate" Jesus, meaning He will avenge His Son's mistreatment, clear Him of all criticism, and justify His claims by overwhelming evidence. Applying the parable today, Pennington asserts that Christ owns His church by redemption, planting it globally as His witness nation, just as Israel was in the Old Testament. Christ has entrusted the care of this "vineyard" to spiritual leaders, who are accountable for its health and mission.
The Setting For the Sermon on the Mount
Pastor Tom Pennington introduces the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) by examining its setting in Matthew 4:23-25. He emphasizes that all humanity belongs to one of two kingdoms: Satan's domain of darkness (into which everyone is born) or God's kingdom, ruled by His Son, Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount clarifies how one enters and lives within God's kingdom. Matthew's Gospel presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and rightful King. Preceding the sermon, chapters 1-4 detail Jesus' lineage, miraculous birth, divine acknowledgment, forerunner (John the Baptist), temptation, and burgeoning public ministry. This early ministry, summarized in Matthew 4:23-25, involved extensive teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the "gospel of the kingdom" (calling for repentance as God's rule draws near), and performing widespread healings. These actions served as powerful forms of teaching, confirming Jesus' authority and illustrating His power to transform both physical bodies and human souls. Pennington asserts three compelling reasons for the Sermon on the Mount. First, teaching was Jesus' central priority, through both biblical exposition and open-air proclamation. Second, Jesus' immense popularity led to confusion; while many followed Him for physical benefits, not all were true disciples.
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.
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