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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Forgiven!
Pastor Tom Pennington prepares hearts for the Lord's Table, explaining that Jesus' blood inaugurates the new covenant for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28). He elucidates the need for forgiveness through two biblical images of sin: "trespasses" (deliberate violations of God's law, like crimes against a King) and "debts" (our accumulated failure to render perfect obedience to God). God addresses both through Christ, as shown in Colossians 2:13-14: He makes us alive despite our transgressions and cancels our "certificate of debt" by nailing it to the cross. Forgiveness means God, as the righteous Judge, pardons our legal guilt, declares us innocent (justification), and completely cancels our impossible debt, proclaiming "It is finished." This forgiveness is obtained through confession and genuine repentance, a willingness to turn from sin. Persistent feelings of guilt, even after repentance, are often false accusations from the devil or a misguided sense of humility, as God's forgiveness is complete. Therefore, Christians are called to confess, repent, and by faith accept God's promise of thorough and ongoing forgiveness, celebrating this profound truth at the Lord's Table.
The Fig Tree & the Temple: Two Unforgettable Object Lessons - Part 1
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "The Fig Tree & the Temple" (Part 1) from Mark 11:11-18 unpacks Jesus' controversial cursing of a fig tree as a profound object lesson. On Monday of Passion Week, Jesus, hungry, approached a fig tree covered in leaves, expecting to find edible green figs, as was typical even before the season for ripe fruit. Finding only leaves and no fruit, He cursed it, declaring no one would ever eat from it again. Pennington explains that this act, the only destructive miracle Jesus performed, is an analogy for Israel. In the Old Testament, Israel is often likened to a fig tree. Like the barren tree, Israel and its Temple worship presented an outward display of piety and "leaves," but lacked genuine spiritual fruit, representing a deep hypocrisy and a false religion. The sermon draws three critical lessons: First, God possesses both grace and unbending justice, demonstrating His capacity for wrath against unrepentant sin. Second, God unequivocally hates empty, hypocritical worship that prioritizes outward show over sincere faith and repentance. Finally, while God still extends an invitation for forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus, this opportunity is finite, and those who persistently reject Him will face severe judgment.
Five Hallmarks of a Biblical Church - Part 5
Tom Pennington's sermon emphasizes "The Central Place of Christ and the Gospel" as the fifth hallmark of a biblical church. He clarifies this doesn't mean every sermon is a simple gospel presentation, nor just sentimental talk or accepting any professed "love for Jesus" without biblical understanding. Instead, it signifies that all church teaching and ministry must be profoundly rooted in the truth of who Jesus is and what He accomplished�His person and work. This centrality is crucial because Christ and the gospel are fundamental to God's eternal plan, the entirety of Scripture, personal salvation and sanctification, true worship of God, and the believer's future. A church demonstrates this by delivering Christ-centered sermons (not man or preacher-centered), connecting every truth taught back to Christ, featuring Christ- and cross-centered music, and having members focused on obeying Jesus. The gospel is presented as both the motive and power for spiritual growth, articulated clearly and completely, emphasizing repentance and faith. Furthermore, a biblical church exhibits a strong desire for evangelism and uses the gospel to determine its fellowship boundaries. Individuals, like the church, must ensure Jesus Christ remains the undeniable center of their spiritual lives.
Five Hallmarks of a Biblical Church - Part 4
This sermon, "Five Hallmarks of a Biblical Church, Part 4," focuses on the fourth hallmark: "A Biblical View of the Church." The pastor illustrates that appearances can be deceiving, stressing the imperative to understand a truly biblical church. A biblical view of the church means leadership intentionally structures its life to reflect what the Bible teaches. This necessitates three things: 1. **Being a Church, Not Just a Christian Gathering**: Defined by a mutual commitment to be a local church, regular corporate worship on the Lord's Day, and consistent practice of baptism and the Lord's Supper. 2. **Being a True Church, Not a False One**: A true church does not deny the person of Jesus Christ (His deity, humanity, or work) or the true gospel (salvation by faith alone). Groups like cults (Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses), Roman Catholicism (due to denying salvation by faith alone), and liberal Protestant denominations are identified as false churches for denying these core truths. 3. **Following the Scriptural Pattern for Church Life, Not Man-Made Designs**: * **Purpose**: The church is God's household and the pillar and support of the truth, fostering a community where adopted children grow.
A King's Entrance: Jesus Returns to Jerusalem
The text details Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, contrasting its spiritual significance with a secular royal wedding. Pastor Tom Pennington emphasizes that Jesus meticulously orchestrated this event, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) by riding an unridden colt. This public act unequivocally declared Him Israel's long-promised Messiah and King. As Jesus entered, crowds spread cloaks and branches, shouting "Hosanna!" and "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," recognizing His kingship and anticipating the Davidic kingdom. The entry's purpose was not to immediately establish an earthly kingdom, but to confirm His identity as Messiah and the ultimate Passover Lamb, destined for sacrifice (Psalm 118). Jesus responded to His subjects by weeping over Jerusalem's impending judgment due to their rejection, surveying the Temple for future cleansing, and demonstrating compassionate healing. The Triumphal Entry thus reveals Jesus' clear claim to kingship and foretells His return, while also highlighting humanity's desperate need for salvation through the cross and challenging individuals to truly accept Him as both Savior and King.
The Heart of the Gospel
The sermon, "Sermons The Heart of the Gospel," emphasizes the absolute essentiality of Jesus Christ's resurrection to the Christian faith, drawing from 1 Corinthians 15. Pastor Tom Pennington explains Paul's purpose was to correct the Corinthian denial of bodily resurrection, affirming that Christ's resurrection is foundational to the gospel and guarantees believers' future resurrection. The gospel's core, summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, contains four propositions. First, Christ "died for our sins according to the Scriptures." Humanity's sin demands punishment, but God, in love, sent Jesus to die as a substitutionary sacrifice, satisfying divine justice (Isaiah 53). Second, Christ "was buried," confirming His genuine death and providing the empty tomb evidence. Third, Christ "was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." This verifies Jesus' claims, affirms God's acceptance of His sacrifice, and guarantees His future role as judge, rising with a glorified body (Psalm 16, Isaiah 53). Finally, Christ "appeared to eyewitnesses." Over 500 people, including skeptics like James and Paul, saw the risen Christ, offering undeniable historical proof. To receive this good news, individuals must "repent and believe the gospel," turning from sin and relying solely on Jesus Christ for salvation and reconciliation with God.
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