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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2009-11-29

Q & A

Pastor Tom Pennington hosts a Q&A session addressing various theological questions. He advises against ecumenical cooperation with groups like those involved in the Manhattan Declaration. Pennington argues that differing "gospels" on salvation are fundamentally incompatible with biblical truth, citing Galatians 1 and Old Testament alliances, even when there are shared social concerns. Pennington explains that Proverbs offer general truisms for wisdom, not absolute guarantees, giving the example of "train up a child." He reconciles Proverbs 1:28, where God rejects sinners, with His mercy by clarifying that persistent, unrepentant rejection can close the door to His response, but genuine repentance always finds pardon, as seen in Isaiah 55. Discussing Ecclesiastes 7:15-16 ("Do not be excessively righteous"), he suggests it warns against self-righteousness or overly rigid living, emphasizing the book's theme of enjoying life's gifts from God while finding ultimate satisfaction only in Him. Regarding the elder qualification in Titus 1 concerning "faithful children," Pennington notes scholarly debate. He interprets it as children not living in open rebellion, stressing individual accountability for salvation (Ezekiel 18) and a parent's duty to be faithful, not to guarantee a child's faith.

Tom Pennington
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Q&A
2009
2009-11-29

Watch Where You Step! - Part 1

The sermon explores the biblical definition of foolishness, distinguishing it from common understanding. In God's view, a fool denies or blasphemes Him, mocks and loves sin, and, critically, despises His revealed wisdom and instruction, leading to morally corrupt and spiritually irrational behavior. The text then introduces Paul's command in Ephesians 5:15-18 for believers to "walk not as unwise men but as wise." This "walk" encompasses our daily thoughts, attitudes, speech, and behavior, urging Christians to live purposefully with divine wisdom. Two crucial components for cultivating biblical wisdom are presented from Ephesians 5:15-16. First, believers must "examine their ways" by carefully contemplating their life patterns and habits, using the Scripture as a spiritual mirror (James 1:21-25) to reveal their true condition and prevent self-deception (Proverbs 14:8). Second, they must "seize every opportunity" by "making the most of your time," actively "redeeming" moments (kairos) for spiritual growth. This urgency stems from the reality that "the days are evil," necessitating intentional use of one's free hours to pursue godly understanding, exemplified by figures like Jonathan Edwards. A wise life is an examined one, purposefully leveraging every opportunity for spiritual development.

Tom Pennington
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Ephesians
2009
2009-11-22

Unashamed! - Part 2

In "UNASHAMED! (Part 2)," Tom Pennington explores Romans 1:16-17, explaining why Christians should never be ashamed of the gospel. He highlights how this passage transformed Martin Luther's life, sparking the Reformation as Luther realized God's righteousness is received through faith, not human works. Pennington presents six key reasons for Paul's unashamed declaration. The gospel is: 1. **Good news**. 2. **God's power**. 3. **Produces salvation**. 4. **Appropriate for everyone**, regardless of background, status, or past sins, encompassing all people without discrimination. 5. **Requires no human merit or work**, received solely by faith�a supernatural gift involving knowledge, assent, and trust in Christ alone, distinct from personal effort. 6. **Promises righteousness**: God, as a judge, credits believers' sins to Christ and Christ's perfect righteousness to them, declaring them eternally righteous and free from condemnation through justification. This profound truth of salvation and imputed righteousness, received by grace through faith, is presented as the ultimate reason for thanksgiving, both now and throughout eternity, symbolizing the "white robes" believers wear in God's presence.

Tom Pennington
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Thanksgiving Sermons
2009
2009-11-15

You Meant It for Evil

Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "You Meant It for Evil" (Genesis 50:15-21) explores the Christian response to personal wrongs, contrasting it with the world's typical reaction. He highlights Joseph's life as a remarkable lesson in God's providence, where severe suffering (being sold into slavery, imprisonment) was orchestrated by God for a greater redemptive purpose. The sermon outlines three main responses. First, the world's common reaction to being wronged involves holding grudges, waiting for payback, and seeking revenge, which God explicitly condemns as taking His prerogative. Second, for those who have wronged others, the sermon emphasizes being open to conscience, quickly seeking reconciliation, acknowledging sin without excuses, humbly asking for forgiveness, and being willing to make restitution. Joseph's brothers exemplify this process after Jacob's death. Third, and central to the passage, is the wronged believer's response, modeled by Joseph. This includes having a forgiving spirit, understanding that dealing with sin and vengeance is God's responsibility, having a settled conviction that God providentially orchestrates even the sin of men for His good purposes, and choosing to return good for evil. Joseph's famous statement, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good," encapsulates this divine sovereignty.

Genesis
50:15-21
Tom Pennington
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Genesis
2009
2009-11-15

Unashamed! - Part 1

Pastor Tom Pennington introduces Romans 1:16-17, highlighting the gospel as the ultimate source of Christian gratitude, especially for communion and Thanksgiving. He explains that Christianity, particularly its core gospel message, has always faced intense ridicule and scorn, dating back to figures like Celsus and the Athenians who mocked Paul. This is because the gospel confronts human pride, exposes universal sin, proclaims God's looming wrath, and declares a crucified "peasant carpenter" as the divine Son and Savior�a message often perceived as foolishness. Due to this historical and ongoing derision, Christians are tempted to be ashamed. However, Paul boldly proclaims in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel." The sermon clarifies that in the New Testament's honor-shame culture, "shame" was a public loss of status, with crucifixion being the ultimate humiliation. Despite this, Paul presents the gospel unashamedly for three reasons: it is profound "good news" of rescue from God's wrath, it is God's inherent power to bring spiritual life and salvation, and it ultimately produces complete spiritual salvation for believers. Therefore, Christians should never be ashamed, as Christ bore all their shame on the cross.

Tom Pennington
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Thanksgiving Sermons
2009
2009-11-08

Let Your Light Shine

The text addresses the devastating impact of sexual sin among those labeled "Christian," from public figures like Jim Bakker and Ted Haggard to everyday believers. Such sin, exemplified by King David's actions in 2 Samuel, causes unbelievers to blaspheme God and undermines His mission. Drawing from Ephesians 5:11-14, the sermon asserts that believers, now "Light in the Lord," must "walk as children of Light" by living in sexual purity. This involves adopting God's high standard and understanding that sexual sin excludes from God's Kingdom, guarantees judgment, and conflicts with our new nature. The command to "expose the unfruitful deeds of darkness" (sexual sin) is primarily fulfilled not by verbally confronting unbelievers, but by radiating moral purity in our own lives. Our blameless behavior acts like a light, illuminating the shamefulness of sin in others and making them uncomfortable. Crucially, this light also has the power to attract some unbelievers, prompting them to question their own darkness and embrace Christ. Our sexually pure lives serve as "lighthouses" in a dark world, guiding people to Jesus Christ, the true Light, and furthering God's mission.

Tom Pennington
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Ephesians
2009

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