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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2 Corinthians
An Aerial View of the New Testament
An Aerial View of the Old Testament
Anchored Section 1
Anchored Section 2
Anchored Section 3
Baptism Services
Bible Study for Every Christian
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Christmas Concert Messages
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Committing to Christian Relationships
Daniel
Deadly Dangers
Embracing Our Church's Distinctives
Ephesians
Five Hallmarks of a Biblical Church
Hold Fast
Hook, Line and Sinker
John
Just by Faith Alone
Lies Christians Believe
Look in the Mirror!
Lord, Teach Us To Pray
Mark - The Memoirs of Peter
Marriage & Family by God's Design
Matthew
Missions Sunday
No Whining Allowed
Ordination Services
Passion Week Sermons
Power Over Temptation
Preserving the Unity of the Church
Psalm 23
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Recovering a Lost Legacy
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Riches to Rags
Romans
Ruth
Sanctification
Six Steps to Spiritual Stability
Sunday Evening Online
Systematic Theology
Thanksgiving Sermons
The Deadly Sin of Anger
The Distinctives of Countryside Bible Church
The First Testament of Jesus Christ
The Memoirs of Peter
The Reason We Live
The Sermon on the Mount
Trending vs. Truth
United in Christ!
Watch Your Mouth!
We Were Made to Worship
When Life's Not Fair
Your Faith, Dead or Alive?
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Titus
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2011-07-03

Lies Christians Believe (Part 2): Redefining Morality

Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Redefining Morality, Part 2," challenges the widespread belief, even among Christians, that there are no moral absolutes, but rather, morality is relative. This moral relativism, historically linked to philosophers like Pythagoras and modern evolutionary thought, asserts that right and wrong are subjective, changing with circumstances or individual opinion, and denies any action is intrinsically evil. Pennington argues this lie has severe consequences within the church, leading to the redefinition of sin as medical issues, the reinterpretation of biblical teachings to accommodate sinful behaviors like homosexuality, and the widespread toleration of sin, weakening church discipline and personal accountability. The sermon's biblical teaching affirms that God has revealed an objective, universal, and eternal moral law. This law is founded on God's holy character�His inherent moral purity and complete separateness from evil. God reveals this moral standard through humanity's conscience, the written Word (like the Ten Commandments), and perfectly through the person and life of Jesus Christ. This divine law is objective, applying to all people, cultures, and times, and remains eternal.

Tom Pennington
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Lies Christians Believe
2011
2011-06-26

Lies Christians Believe (Part 1): No Place for Truth

Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "No Place for Truth, Part 1," addresses the cultural lie that "truth is relative," a dangerous idea increasingly permeating both society and the professing church. He notes how figures like George Will and Richard Stengel advocate "embracing uncertainty" and disparage those who claim absolute truth. Pennington traces this back to Post-Modern epistemology, which denies objective truth and universal meaning, in contrast to pre-modern and modern views where truth was considered knowable. This mindset, he argues, leads to lethal consequences within Christianity, such as viewing the Bible as a flexible "trajectory" or mere "narrative" rather than propositional truth. This allows for reinterpreting core doctrines (like women pastors or homosexuality) and promotes the idea that no theological issue is ever truly settled, undermining foundational beliefs. It also shifts emphasis from the mind to feelings, the Bible to experience, and preaching to discussion, fostering inclusivism over biblical exclusivity. In stark contrast, the Bible assumes and teaches that truth is objective, universal, eternal, and propositional, rooted in God's unchanging character and self-expression. Jesus Christ Himself declared, "I am the truth," validating the entirety of God's Word.

Tom Pennington
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Lies Christians Believe
2011
2011-06-26

Bible Study for Every Christian (Part 1): Preparation

Pastor Tom Pennington introduces a series, "Bible Study for Every Christian," beginning with "Preparation." He tackles reasons Christians neglect Scripture, debunking myths that it's too difficult (emphasizing its perspicuity) or boring, and adding that many simply "don't know how." The series aims to teach inductive Bible study, promoting self-discovered knowledge over relying solely on experts. Pennington outlines nine biblical arguments for diligent study: it's a daily duty for all believers, a requirement for leaders, a consistent practice of God's people, a Christian's inherent desire, and a means for spiritual growth and sanctification, exemplified by Jesus's rebukes and the commended Bereans. The goals of Bible study extend beyond accumulating facts to truly understanding the text's original intent, knowing God relationally, and achieving spiritual benefits like protection from sin, personal holiness, and preparation for service. Prerequisites include being a Christian, confessing sin, praying for divine illumination, using a literal Bible translation (like NASB or ESV), and committing to hard work, as spiritual growth demands diligence. This comprehensive preparation ensures believers are equipped for transformative engagement with God's Word.

Tom Pennington
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Bible Study for Every Christian
2011
2011-06-19

Your Mind: Conformed, or Transformed?

In his sermon "Lies Christians Believe Your Mind: Conformed, or Transformed?", Pastor Tom Pennington introduces a series on Christians' susceptibility to "spiritually lethal" lies, despite their knowledge of truth. He grounds his message in Romans 12:1-2, explaining these verses as a pivotal link between God's saving work (Romans 1-11) and the believer's grateful response (Romans 12-16). Verse 1 urges believers to present their bodies as a "living and holy sacrifice"�a logical, worshipful act in response to God's mercies. Verse 2, the sermon's core, commands, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The negative aspect warns against allowing our thinking to be molded by the "spirit of this age" (aion)�the prevailing, often Satan-inspired, groupthink, opinions, and philosophies bombarding us through culture, media, and social interactions. Pennington stresses that there are no truly independent thinkers; minds are shaped by either God's truth or Satan's worldly influences. The positive command calls for a "metamorphosis," a radical internal change in character, initiated by the Holy Spirit. This renewal occurs by saturating our minds with God's Word, replacing worldly thoughts with divine ones.

Tom Pennington
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Lies Christians Believe
2011
2011-06-19

The Fig Tree & the Temple: Two Unforgettable Object Lessons - Part 2

Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon on Mark 11:11-18 explores two object lessons demonstrating Jesus's nature as both Lamb and Lion. The first, the cursing of a leafy but fruitless fig tree, symbolizes Israel's outward religiosity lacking genuine spiritual fruit. The second lesson focuses on Jesus's cleansing of the Temple. After detailing the Temple's history as God's designated house of prayer for all nations, the sermon describes Jesus's actions on Monday of Passion Week. He found the Court of the Gentiles, the only area where non-Jews could worship, overrun by an exploitative market. Money changers and animal sellers, profiting exorbitantly under the corrupt high priests, hindered true worship. Jesus forcefully drove them out, overturning tables and declaring, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations, but you have made it a robbers� den." This act conveyed four key lessons: the Temple was God's house, its primary purpose was worship and prayer for *all nations*, and the religious leaders were robbing the people. Despite fearing Jesus's popularity, the leaders immediately sought His destruction.

Tom Pennington
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Mark - The Memoirs of Peter
2011
2011-05-22

Your Soul's Greatest Enemy

Tom Pennington's sermon "Your Soul�s Greatest Enemy" from 1 Peter 5:5-7 challenges the modern culture's embrace of pride and self-esteem, asserting that pride is, in fact, the greatest danger to a Christian's soul. He references the proverb, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble," explaining that pride, originating with Satan, manifests deceitfully in boasting about accomplishments, position, or even spiritual activities. God actively resists the proud, withholding grace even from believers when pride takes root. In contrast, God bestows grace�unmerited favor to the undeserving�only on the humble. Humility, described as "lowly-mindedness" or a deep sense of one's moral insignificance, is a foundational characteristic for believers and essential for spiritual development. Pennington outlines a three-step practical path to humility: First, submit to human authorities God has placed in your life, such as church elders, government, or workplace leaders. Second, "clothe yourselves with humility toward one another" by regarding others as more important and willingly serving them, mirroring Christ's example of a slave. Third, humble yourselves "under the mighty hand of God" by embracing His providence in all circumstances, even trials, and actively casting all anxieties upon Him, demonstrating reliance on His care.

1 Peter
5:5-7
Tom Pennington
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1 Peter
2011

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