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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2 Corinthians
An Aerial View of the New Testament
An Aerial View of the Old Testament
Anchored Section 1
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Lord, Teach Us To Pray
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We Were Made to Worship
When Life's Not Fair
Your Faith, Dead or Alive?
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2009-08-16

Walking In Our Father's Footsteps - Part 7

This passage from Ephesians 4:25-5:2 instructs believers to "be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love." This command summarizes previous teachings on Christian conduct. We are called to mimic God because we are His "beloved children," adopted through Christ�a profound reality (the indicative) that should compel us to obey this imperative. We cannot imitate God's incommunicable divine attributes, but we must emulate His moral character, specifically His love. Jesus Christ is the ultimate model for this love, demonstrating it by voluntarily and sacrificially giving Himself up. His death on the cross was an "offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma," permanently satisfying God's wrath against sin (propitiation). This amazing act of propitiation is the supreme expression of God's love. Therefore, believers are commanded to walk in this same self-sacrificial love, manifesting it through specific actions like speaking truth, reconciling conflicts, generous giving, edifying speech, and kindness and forgiveness, reflecting the Father's deep love for His children.

Tom Pennington
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Ephesians
2009
2009-08-09

Walking In Our Father's Footsteps - Part 6

In "Walking in Our Father's Footsteps (Part 6)," Pastor Tom Pennington uses the catastrophic Mount Pelee eruption as a vivid illustration of how destructive sinful attitudes can be. Drawing from Ephesians 4:25-5:2, the sermon calls believers to "walk in love" by actively imitating God's character. This imitation involves putting off six detrimental attitudes: bitterness (harboring resentment), wrath (explosive outbursts of anger), anger (a slow, seething hostility), clamor (angry shouting), slander (verbal abuse or name-calling), and malice (the delight in hurting others). These deeply rooted emotions, like volcanic magma, fester beneath the surface, eventually erupting to devastate relationships and communication. Conversely, believers are commanded to cultivate three godly attitudes: kindness, tender-heartedness, and forgiveness. Kindness reflects a sweet, generous disposition, desiring to help and do good. Tender-heartedness signifies deep compassion and sympathy, feeling for others from the heart. Forgiveness means releasing grievances, paralleling how God in Christ freely and wholeheartedly forgave our immense sins. Pennington stresses that human willpower alone cannot achieve this transformation; it necessitates the renewing work of Christ's Spirit, pursued through aligning one's mind with God's Word and intentionally replacing old habits with new, godly affections.

Tom Pennington
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Ephesians
2009
2009-08-09

Eyes to See, Ears to Hear - Part 2

Tom Pennington's sermon, "The Memoirs of Peter Eyes to See, Ears to Hear (Part 2)," explores the biblical principle that one only gains spiritual understanding by actively investing in it, much like getting out of an academic course what one puts in. Referencing Mark 4:21-25, the message highlights two parables: the Lamp and the Measure. The Parable of the Lamp signifies God's clear revelation of truth in Jesus Christ, which is openly displayed for all. The core of the sermon lies in the Parable of the Measure, which warns listeners to "take care what you listen to" and how they respond to God's Word. Diligent engagement, seeking to understand and obey Scripture, will be met with greater spiritual insight and amplified by God's grace. Conversely, neglecting the truth diminishes one's capacity for understanding, much like an unused muscle atrophies. Pennington outlines several implications: for believers, it's a call to diligent, grace-empowered Bible study; for the church, it's a mandate for faithful expository preaching to avoid spiritual decline. For unbelievers, it's a warning about their personal responsibility to seek God's truth and a gracious invitation to find abundant pardon by diligently listening, repenting, and turning to Him.

Tom Pennington
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Mark - The Memoirs of Peter
2009
2009-08-02

Eyes to See, Ears to Hear - Part 1

Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon explores Mark 4:21-25, interpreting Jesus' Parable of the Lamp. He explains that a lamp is lit to be placed on a lampstand, providing maximum light, not to be hidden. Symbolically, Jesus is the "Lamp," and His teachings are the "Light" of God's truth, intended to bring understanding and knowledge to the world. While Jesus sometimes used parables to temporarily conceal truth as a form of judgment, the ultimate divine plan was for all hidden truths to be revealed. This came to pass through the apostles' writings after Christ's resurrection, making the truth universally accessible. The core invitation from Jesus is, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." This is a call to repentance, acknowledging that spiritual deafness and blindness stem from rebellion against God. The sermon stresses that the problem isn't with the clarity or availability of God's light, which is profoundly displayed in Christ. Instead, the issue lies with humanity's impaired spiritual "sight"�being blinded by sin or mistakenly believing one sees light while remaining in darkness. True understanding begins with a willing heart, ready to turn from rebellion and embrace God's will.

Tom Pennington
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Mark - The Memoirs of Peter
2009
2009-08-02

Walking In Our Father's Footsteps - Part 5

Pastor Tom Pennington highlights the inherent difficulty of effective communication, noting that despite an expansive English vocabulary, accurately conveying thoughts remains a challenge. He argues that beyond accidental slip-ups, our daily communication often involves sinful and unwise choices, necessitating a transformation to "talk like Christians." Drawing from Ephesians 4:25-5:2, the sermon urges believers to "walk in love" by imitating God, specifically by building others up with their words and refraining from "unwholesome" speech. Pennington outlines three core principles for Christian communication: constantly controlling our mouths, carefully choosing words that edify "according to the need of the moment," and completely changing our thinking about why we speak. Instead of self-centered expression, our words should minister grace to others. Using unwholesome words grieves the Holy Spirit, whose mission is to build up. Ultimately, our words reveal our hearts, and according to Matthew 12:36-37, every careless word will be accounted for on Judgment Day, serving as evidence for or against our claim to follow Christ. Therefore, believers are called to speak like God, whose "word of grace" always aims to build up.

Tom Pennington
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Ephesians
2009
2009-07-26

Walking In Our Father's Footsteps - Part 4

Tom Pennington's sermon on Ephesians 4:28 challenges a narrow view of stealing, arguing it encompasses widespread behaviors beyond robbery or burglary. He identifies common forms, including failing to pay taxes, shoplifting (often for thrill by adults), and pervasive employee theft, which includes "time theft" and inflated expenses. Biblically, stealing originates from Satan and Adam and Eve's first sin, rooted in covetousness. Other forms include damaging property, failing to pay debts, shorting goods, religious manipulation, not returning borrowed items, deceitful contracts, and cheating. True repentance requires restitution and replacing the habit with opposite virtues. Paul provides three directives from the verse: first, cease stealing. Second, embrace hard work as a God-ordained activity, not a curse, exemplified by God, Adam, Paul, and Jesus. This diligent labor is part of a Christian's testimony and brings blessing. Third, work with the right goals: to use God-given gifts to benefit others (common grace), provide for oneself and dependents, and crucially, "to share with one who has need." Failing to give to the needy is deemed another form of stealing. Ultimately, Christians work to advance God's kingdom and promote God's glory, serving Christ, not just human employers, reflecting our generous Heavenly Father's perfect love.

Tom Pennington
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Ephesians
2009

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