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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The Rich, Young Ruler - Part 2
Tom Pennington's sermon on Mark 10:17-27, "The Rich, Young Ruler," contrasts Jesus's direct challenge to the man with modern seeker-sensitive evangelism, highlighting the difficulty of salvation. The rich young ruler, a wealthy and outwardly moral man, asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus confronts his flawed understanding of "goodness" and the Law, which the man claims to have perfectly kept. Jesus, "feeling love for him," then tells the man to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. This command exposes the man's true idol: his vast wealth. Unwilling to relinquish his riches, the man departs "saddened" and "grieving," choosing his possessions over eternal life. Jesus then teaches His astonished disciples that it is incredibly hard, even humanly impossible, for the wealthy�and by extension, anyone relying on self-merit�to enter the Kingdom of God, famously stating, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." The sermon emphasizes that salvation is a divine miracle, not a human achievement. Personally, believers must identify and surrender any idols that rival Christ, recognizing that true faith demands total allegiance.
The Rich, Young Ruler - Part 1
This sermon unpacks the story of the rich young ruler from Mark 10:17-27, challenging prevailing first-century Jewish beliefs that wealth signified God�s blessing and good works earned salvation. The rich young ruler, an outwardly righteous and influential figure, approaches Jesus asking what *he* must *do* to inherit eternal life, seemingly believing he only lacked one thing. Jesus�s response is designed to expose the man's flawed understanding of sin and salvation. He first questions the ruler's address, stating, "No one is good except God alone," to highlight humanity�s inherent sinfulness and moral inability, emphasizing that true goodness is exclusive to God. Next, Jesus recites several commandments, not as a means to earn eternal life, but to serve the Law�s true purpose: to awaken conscience, reveal sin, and drive individuals to Christ. The Law acts as a "tutor," demonstrating the impossibility of meeting God's perfect standard through human effort, leaving sinners without excuse. The core message stresses that salvation is a gift, received like a child with no merit or accomplishments to offer.
Do You Love Jesus Christ?
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Ephesians Do You Love Jesus Christ?", posits that the heart of the Christian life is an "incorruptible love" for Jesus Christ, as highlighted in Ephesians 6:24. He stresses that this love, not merely theological knowledge or religious practice, is the primary, distinguishing mark of a true believer. The most vital question one can ask is, "Do I truly love Jesus Christ?" Pennington warns against relying on subjective, self-made standards to assess this love, such as church attendance or past decisions. Instead, he presents four objective, biblical tests of genuine love for Jesus: 1. Is Jesus more valuable to you than anything else in the world, including wealth, success, or personal comfort? 2. Is your affection for Jesus greater than for any other person, even yourself, demonstrating supreme allegiance? 3. Do you love His people�fellow Christians�actively caring for and serving the church? 4. Do you obey His commands, seeking to follow His Word and fight against sin patterns in your life?
Are There Seekers?
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "Are There Seekers?" critiques the modern church's "seeker-sensitive" approach, often stemming from the Church Growth Movement and pragmatic marketing strategies like Beatles-themed messages or 3D videos. While acknowledging that the Bible invites and commands men to seek God (Isaiah 55, Acts 17) and reveals His nature through creation (Romans 1), Pennington argues that humanity, in its fallen state, does not naturally seek Him. He identifies several types of "false seekers" in scripture who appear to seek God but are actually pursuing external religion without heart change (Isaiah 58), eternal life through self-effort and pride (John 5, Romans 10), temporal blessings (John 6), or mere entertainment and detached curiosity (John 11, Ezekiel 33). The sermon's core assertion is that there are no true seekers without divine intervention. Citing John 6:44, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him," and Romans 3:11, "THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD," Pennington emphasizes that human will is corrupt and unable to initiate a genuine search for God independently.
Watch and Pray - Part 2
This text emphasizes that prayer is as vital for our souls as breathing is for our bodies, especially in the context of spiritual warfare against Satan. Christians are called to be soldiers, depending on God and His armor (gospel truth) while continually praying. Paul's instructions in Ephesians 6:18-20 detail how to pray: with all kinds of prayer, at all times, in the Spirit, with alertness, and perseverance. Crucially, we must pray "for all the saints," meaning for ourselves and for fellow believers worldwide, combating self-focus and recognizing our shared battle. Paul's own prayer request from prison serves as a powerful example. Despite unjust imprisonment, he didn't ask for release or comfort. Instead, he sought prayer for "utterance" � God-given words to boldly proclaim the "mystery of the gospel" (Christ and the church's unity) to authorities like Caesar � and for "boldness" to speak with clarity, completeness, and courage. The overarching lesson is to view life's difficulties through the lens of spiritual warfare, not just physical circumstances or human actors. Our prayers should primarily focus on God using our situations, and those of others, to advance the gospel and His kingdom, rather than merely seeking removal of hardship or personal ease.
Let the Children Come!
This text analyzes Mark 10:13-16, highlighting Jesus's radical compassion for children, which starkly contrasted the low regard for children in first-century culture and pagan societies, exemplified by infanticide and neglect. The disciples' attempt to rebuke parents bringing children to Jesus reflected this prevailing, flawed perspective, provoking Jesus's indignation. The speaker extends this critique to modern secular and even some Christian views that devalue children or prioritize personal ambition over their well-being. Jesus's powerful teaching emphasizes that "the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" and one must "receive the kingdom of God like a child." This does not suggest children are morally innocent or inherently saved, but rather underscores their complete helplessness and lack of merit. To enter God's kingdom, adults must abandon all claims of self-righteousness and receive salvation as a pure act of grace, just as a child receives everything without earning it. Jesus's actions of taking them in His arms and blessing them further exemplify His tender affection.
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