Sermons That Exalt Christ

A High View of God - Part 1

Tom Pennington's sermon "Embracing Our Church�s Distinctives" introduces Countryside Bible Church's core values, beginning with "A High View of God." This distinctive means acknowledging two truths about God. First, God alone is great in His person. Emphasizing God's transcendence and incomparable holiness, this view contrasts with a contemporary church often losing sight of His unique majesty. This conviction shapes the church's commitments: worship-focused services, sermons grounded solely in God's Word, and profound respect for God among all. Second, God alone is sovereign in all things, a truth counter to popular philosophies. God's sovereignty is His nature, and His providence is how He actively preserves and governs every detail of creation to fulfill His eternal plan. This includes the physical world, nations, accidental events, and individuals' lives. Crucially, God superintends even sinful acts, directing them to His ultimate good purposes without causing the sin itself. The sermon cautions against misinterpreting providence as an excuse for sin or neglecting responsibility. Instead, believers are urged to submit to God's will, acknowledge His control in their plans, trust in His good intentions (Romans 8:28), shed fear of the future, and express gratitude for His daily, unwavering care.

How Should We Then Live? - Part 5

This sermon, the final installment in a series on Revelation, concludes by examining Revelation 22:20-21, the last verses of the entire Bible. Pastor Tom Pennington emphasizes that these verses encapsulate how believers should live in light of Revelation's prophecies, presenting two earnest prayer requests intended to become our own. First, John prays for Christ's return, echoing Jesus' thrice-repeated promise, "Yes, I am coming quickly." This signifies a certain, imminent, and personal future return of Jesus, not past historical events. Believers are called to live with eager expectation, earnestly praying "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Maranatha), recognizing that ultimate solutions for life's problems lie in His sovereign return. Second, John prays for Christ's grace: "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." This highlights our total dependence on Christ's grace until He returns. Grace is essential for salvation, as no human effort can earn heaven. Furthermore, grace empowers believers to live out their faith�providing spiritual capacity for service, endurance in trials, growth in sanctification, victory over temptation, ability to glorify God, and perseverance. This divine grace also ensures and secures our eternal future, guaranteeing that every moment in God's presence will be a gift of His unmerited favor.

How Should We Then Live? - Part 4

This sermon, "Revelation How Should We Then Live? (Part 4)," delves into Revelation 22:6-21, stressing the importance of obeying the prophecy within this book. Pastor Tom Pennington outlines two primary divine priorities. The first is the edification of saints: Revelation and all prophecy are intended to spiritually build up believers by offering apologetics for God, rebuking sin, fostering purity, providing comfort and stability, stimulating faithful service, leading to conversion, and promoting genuine worship. The second priority is an invitation to every sinner. Jesus identifies Himself as the God-Man, the Messiah Savior (Root and Descendant of David), and the Bright Morning Star, announcing a new day. This gospel invitation is extended by the Holy Spirit, the entire church, individual believers, and Christ Himself, calling those who are spiritually thirsty and willing to take the "water of life"�eternal life�without cost, through faith and repentance. Finally, the sermon exhorts believers to submit to Scripture's divine authority. This entails neither adding to God's Word (e.g., through extra-biblical traditions or new "inspired" books) nor taking away from it (e.g., denying its inspiration or rejecting specific contents).

How Should We Then Live? - Part 3

How Should We Then Live? - Part 2

Tom Pennington's sermon on Revelation 22:6-21, "How Should We Then Live? (Part 2)," addresses common pitfalls in responding to prophecy: preoccupation with eschatology, using news to interpret scripture, setting dates, ignoring prophecy, refusing to take a position, and satisfying curiosity without personal application. He stresses that Revelation's epilogue calls for specific responses. The sermon outlines three main exhortations. First, worship only the Trinity, resisting idolatrous veneration of angels or human figures, as even Apostle John was tempted. Second, live with expectancy, fostering joyful anticipation of Christ's imminent return and pursuing practical sanctification. Third, be sobered by Revelation's finality. This means recognizing that at Christ's return or death, everyone's spiritual condition and eternal destiny will be unchangeably fixed. The unrepentant will remain enslaved in sin and morally filthy forever, while the righteous will be perfectly holy, unable to sin, embodying God's purpose for them. This understanding should compel immediate repentance for non-believers and profound worship and holy living for Christians, as life is brief and eternal destinies are certain.

How Should We Then Live? - Part 1

The sermon "Revelation How Should We Then Live (Part 1)" explores the Book of Revelation's ultimate question: How should we then live in light of the coming new world? Pastor Tom Pennington emphasizes that Revelation is not merely for curiosity but for moral response, particularly in its epilogue (22:6-21). The central theme of this section is found in the exhortation: "Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book." The first exhortation for believers is to accept Revelation's authenticity as divine revelation. This trustworthiness is affirmed by three key witnesses. First, an angel testifies that "these words" are faithful and true, originating from the Lord through a divine process, revealing necessary events that will "soon take place." Second, Jesus Christ Himself declares His quick return and promises blessing to those who obey the book's inspired words. Third, the Apostle John, an eyewitness, confirms he "heard and saw these things." Ultimately, Revelation serves as an urgent invitation for unbelievers to repent and believe in Christ, and a call for believers to live in faithful obedience, anticipating Jesus' imminent Second Coming.