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.
Engage with the most recent teaching from God’s Word.
The preaching of God's Word is central to worship and of the utmost importance for the sanctification of every believer in Christ.
Explore messages organized to help you grow in Christ.
Search and filter sermons for quick access.
Jesus on Divorce - Part 3
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon on Mark 10, "The Memoirs of Peter Jesus on Divorce (Part 3)," elucidates Jesus's definitive teaching on divorce and remarriage. Jesus unequivocally states that God intends marriage to be a permanent union, citing creation (Genesis 1-2) where male and female become "one flesh." He counters the prevalent Rabbinic view allowing divorce for "any reason," emphasizing that Moses permitted divorce certificates due to "hardness of heart," not as God's ideal. Unbiblical divorce and remarriage are deemed adultery. The sermon outlines two biblical exceptions: 1. **Sexual Immorality (Pornea):** Jesus, in Matthew 5 and 19, allows divorce for "unchastity" or "immorality," encompassing various sexual sins with another entity (adultery, homosexuality, incest, etc.). 2. **Abandonment by an Unbeliever:** Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7, states that if an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave the marriage, the believing partner is "not under bondage," implying permissible divorce and remarriage. Pennington offers practical applications: the never-married should commit to marriage's permanence; the currently married should uphold this permanence and avoid divorce threats. For those with unbiblical divorces, repentance and God's forgiveness are available. Reconciliation with a former spouse is encouraged if possible, unless the spouse is remarried, deceased, or an unbeliever.
Resolved: To Pursue Life's Highest Priority! - Part 3
In his sermon "To Pursue Life's Highest Priority," Pastor Tom Pennington explores Deuteronomy 6:4-9, presenting the command to love God entirely as a "spiritual stress test." He outlines four practical consequences of genuine love for God. First, a lover of God will diligently study and meditate on His Word, allowing it to shape their intellect, will, and daily decisions. Second, they will consistently teach God�s Word to their family, particularly parents, who are called to engrave these truths into their children through constant repetition. Third, God�s Word will saturate daily conversations, permeating all aspects of life�at home, away, morning, and night�rather than being confined to specific devotional times. Fourth, this love compels active application of God�s Word to every area of life: personal, family, and public, as obedience to His commands is the truest measure of love, as Jesus himself affirmed. Pennington concludes by posing two self-reflective questions: How healthy is your spiritual heart? This is assessed by one�s love for God's Word, faith in Jesus, love for fellow believers, perseverance in trials, and delight in God. How does one grow in this love?
Resolved: To Pursue Life's Highest Priority! - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "To Pursue Life�s Highest Priority!" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), asserts that loving God is life's ultimate resolution, directly correlating with one's spiritual health. He first clarifies what divine love is *not*: it's not simply emotionalism, religious ritual, external conformity to laws, biblical knowledge, or mere obedience. These are insufficient. True love for God, drawing from the Hebrew "ahav," comprises three key qualities. It requires **exclusive allegiance**, a resolute commitment to God alone, allowing no rivals like self, money, pleasure, or other earthly affections, mirroring the exclusivity of marital vows. Second, it involves **loving actions**, expressed through service, worship, and obedience to God's desires and commands, especially by caring for His people, as God Himself has no needs. Third, genuine love necessitates **genuine affection**, engaging the heart with sincere emotion. This affection is nurtured by knowing God through His Word, admiring His character, and delighting in His presence, rather than loving Him for selfish gain. This holistic love is to be given "with all your heart, soul, and might," encompassing intellect, will, emotions, desires, and maximum effort. The sermon offers two critical applications.
Jesus on Divorce - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "The Memoirs of Peter Jesus on Divorce (Part 2)," delves into Mark 10:1-12, addressing Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce. He highlights that divorce among Christians has become widespread, attributing this to secular influence, inadequate biblical instruction, and a diluted understanding of Jesus as a facilitator of personal happiness rather than a Lord to obey. The Pharisees, testing Jesus, cited Deuteronomy 24, where Moses permitted divorce with a certificate. Jesus clarified that this permission was given "because of your hardness of heart," not as God's original design. Jesus redirects to "the beginning of creation" (Genesis 1-2) to articulate God's foundational intent for marriage. He emphasizes four divine establishments: marriage's **place** as God's own creation, its **parameters** as between one male and one female (two becoming "one flesh"), its **priority** where spouses supersede parental ties, and its **permanence** as an indivisible union. Jesus declared, "What God has joined together let no man separate." Pennington reinforces this with Malachi 2:16, stating, "For I hate divorce." While acknowledging that biblical exceptions for divorce will be discussed later, the core message is that divorce goes against God's intention for a permanent, covenantal bond.
Resolved: To Pursue Life's Highest Priority! - Part 1
The sermon contrasts typical New Year's resolutions, which focus on temporal concerns, with life's true highest priority. Pastor Tom Pennington emphasizes that Jesus identified loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) as the greatest commandment, encompassing all of God's law. This passage, part of the Jewish Shema, details humanity's fundamental duty to God. Two key insights into loving God are presented: its preeminent claim and its personal confession. Loving God is our ultimate, central duty, demanding passionate pursuit above all else. This requires a personal confession acknowledging God's identity as Yahweh�the self-existent, sovereign "I Am." We confess Him as "our God" due to His gracious, unmerited choice, and as the "one" unique God, affirming monotheism while acknowledging the Trinity. This confession mandates undivided allegiance, warning against idolatry of wealth, pleasure, possessions, or pride. Ultimately, God recognizes only two groups of people: those who love Him and those who hate Him, leaving no room for neutrality. Loving God with all our being is therefore our supreme priority.
God's Unlikely Plan For the Birth of His Son - Part 2
This sermon by Tom Pennington from Luke 1:26-38 emphasizes understanding the profound uniqueness of Jesus, beyond superficial Christmas celebrations. It outlines three characteristics: First, His **unlikely parents**, Mary and Joseph, were humble and chosen by God�s sovereign grace, ensuring Jesus remained the focus, not their status. Second, His **unrivaled position** is paramount. He is named "Jesus" (Yahweh saves) because He is the *only* Savior sent to rescue humanity from sin through His sacrificial death. He is also the *one-of-a-kind Son of the Most High*, eternally God, not merely a created or adopted son. Furthermore, He is the *Sovereign of everything*, inheriting David's throne to reign eternally over a comprehensive kingdom, fulfilling ancient prophecies and establishing a new earth. Third, His **unique conception** by the Holy Spirit in a virgin, Mary, was miraculous. This virgin birth ensured His sinlessness, as the Spirit protected His humanity from inherited sin, making Him a holy Messiah. This divine intervention fulfilled prophecy, bypassed specific curses, and allowed the eternal Son of God to add full humanity without creating a separate person.
No Results Found.
We couldn’t find anything matching your search.
Explore The Word Unleashed
Our ministry brings together expository preaching, theological precision, and practical application for the good of Christ's church and the daily living of Christ's people.
.webp)
Sermons
Listen to expository sermons that clearly teach God’s Word and guide you in daily living.
Radio
Tune in to gospel-centered programs that share biblical truth and strengthen your daily walk with Christ.
Training
Join courses and workshops designed to deepen your faith and equip you to serve others with biblical wisdom.
.webp)
From the Pastor's Desk
Read pastoral messages that encourage, instruct, and help you apply God’s Word to every part of your life.
.webp)
Hymns
Discover timeless hymns that lift your heart in worship and remind you of God’s abounding grace and faithfulness.
Podcasts
Stay rooted in Scripture through our podcast series.