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 Shield of Faith
Tom Pennington's sermon on Ephesians 6:16, "The Shield of Faith," explains spiritual armor given by God to protect our minds from Satan's lies, as the spiritual battle is primarily one of ideas. This armor, which comes from Christ, is not literal but guards our thoughts from error. Following the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith is the fourth piece of armor, to be "taken up" when facing immediate spiritual threats. Pennington draws a metaphor from the Roman *scutum*, a large, door-shaped shield often soaked in water to extinguish flaming arrows�ancient battlefield "shock and awe." Spiritually, "faith" is our shield. Its power, however, doesn't reside in faith itself, but in its *object*: Jesus Christ for salvation, and God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and His Word for sanctification. The shield of faith is an unwavering trust in God and in His Word, which, when properly used, is 100% effective against *all* of Satan's "flaming arrows"�every temptation, doubt, despair, persecution, or false teaching. Sin, in this context, indicates a loss of trust in God's character or Word.
Q & A
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon on Ephesians 6:15, "The Right Shoes for Battle," focuses on the spiritual significance of the "shoes of the gospel of peace" as part of the full armor of God. He explains that deep expository preaching is necessary to unpack Paul's condensed teachings, which Ephesians summarizes. This armor is crucial for believers to stand firm against Satan's powerful schemes and supernatural forces, as the battle is waged in our minds. Pennington details the Roman soldier's "caligae" � cleated sandals designed for crucial stability in hand-to-hand combat, allowing them to maintain footing. Spiritually, these shoes represent "a growing confidence in the personal implications of the gospel of peace." Contrary to some interpretations, the "preparation of the gospel" here refers not to evangelism but to a firm foundation for standing strong against Satan's attacks. The core of the gospel, Pennington emphasizes, is not merely forgiveness but *reconciliation* with God. Through Christ's death, our enmity with God is transformed into peace, making us adopted children. This objective peace with God, secured by the gospel, provides spiritual stability.
The Right Shoes for Battle
Pastor Tom Pennington�s sermon on Ephesians 6:15, "The Right Shoes for Battle," delves into the "armor of God," emphasizing a deep understanding of scripture. This message focuses on the "shoes of the gospel of peace," analogous to Roman soldiers' cleated sandals, which provided crucial stability in combat. Spiritually, these "shoes" equip believers for the "hand-to-hand combat" against Satan's attacks�a battle of ideas in the mind. The "preparation of the gospel" signifies a readiness to *stand firm*, not primarily for evangelism, but for spiritual warfare. It embodies "a growing confidence in the personal implications of the gospel of peace." The gospel�s core is reconciliation: through Christ�s atoning death, God, once our enemy due to sin, becomes our loving Father. When Satan assaults with accusations, doubt, or temptation, believers gain stability by actively recalling this objective peace with God. This confident assurance, rooted in justification by faith and freedom from condemnation, allows them to stand firm, bringing internal peace amidst conflict.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
The text emphasizes that Christians are engaged in a spiritual war, necessitating God's armor as described in Ephesians 6. Following the belt of truth, believers must don the "breastplate of righteousness." Pastor Tom Pennington argues that this righteousness is not our own personal moral efforts, which are insufficient, but rather "imputed righteousness"�the perfect righteousness of Christ credited to believers through justification. This understanding is crucial because it aligns with other armor pieces being divine gifts (like the helmet of salvation) and fits Paul's overarching theological emphasis on justification by faith, as well as the Old Testament context from Isaiah 59. Practically, applying this truth of imputed righteousness serves as vital spiritual protection. It shields believers from Satan's false gospels (which promote salvation by works), despair during temptation, guilt after sinning, doubt in times of trial, and fear when facing death. By reminding ourselves and Satan of our righteous standing in Christ, we effectively put on this breastplate, allowing temptation and despair to fall harmlessly away. This foundational truth of justification is central to the Christian faith and our spiritual resilience.
Lessons From the Salt Shaker!
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "Lessons from the Salt Shaker" delves into Mark 9:49-50, using salt as a metaphor for crucial aspects of discipleship. He begins by illustrating salt's everyday complexity and vital role, historically and biologically. The first lesson, "everyone will be salted with fire," emphasizes that true discipleship requires a willingness to sacrifice everything for Christ. Drawing parallels to Old Testament sacrifices, believers are called to be "living sacrifices," ready to deny themselves, amputate sin, and recognize their lives belong to God. This demands a spirit willing to go anywhere for Christ and His gospel. The second lesson, "if the salt becomes unsalty," underscores that becoming Christ's disciple is a permanent commitment. True salt retains its permanence, symbolizing a lasting covenant. Jesus warns that those who profess faith but abandon their commitment become "unsalty" and useless, indicating they were never truly His disciples. This calls for counting the cost of discipleship and highlights the perseverance of the saints. Finally, "have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another" reveals that a sacrificial heart toward Christ cultivates peace among fellow Christians.
The Disciple's Greatest Danger - Part 2
In Mark 9:42-48, Jesus employs the shocking imagery of amputation to convey the extreme seriousness with which disciples must confront personal sin, identifying it as their greatest spiritual danger. The sermon clarifies that Jesus does not advocate for physical mutilation or asceticism, explicitly rejecting these as ineffective for genuine spiritual transformation. Instead, His message is a call for radical, decisive action against sin. The text presents six core affirmations: Tolerating personal sin poses the gravest threat to one's soul. Eternal punishment in hell is a terrifying reality, a place of unquenchable fire and undying torment for the body, where suffering is perpetual. It is actual, personal patterns of sin�not merely original sin�that ultimately condemn an individual. Nothing in life is more crucial than one�s eternal destiny, making it worth sacrificing even the most cherished worldly possessions. Believers must cultivate a profound hatred for sin in all its forms, committing to "kill it" within themselves, a process made possible by the Holy Spirit. The ultimate objective is not just outward purity, but nurturing a pure and holy heart that mirrors Christ's moral character, addressing internal desires like lust and pride.
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