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
Anchored Section 2
Anchored Section 3
Baptism Services
Bible Study for Every Christian
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Christmas Concert Messages
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Committing to Christian Relationships
Daniel
Deadly Dangers
Embracing Our Church's Distinctives
Ephesians
Five Hallmarks of a Biblical Church
Hold Fast
Hook, Line and Sinker
John
Just by Faith Alone
Lies Christians Believe
Look in the Mirror!
Lord, Teach Us To Pray
Mark - The Memoirs of Peter
Marriage & Family by God's Design
Matthew
Missions Sunday
No Whining Allowed
Ordination Services
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Power Over Temptation
Preserving the Unity of the Church
Psalm 23
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Recovering a Lost Legacy
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Riches to Rags
Romans
Ruth
Sanctification
Six Steps to Spiritual Stability
Sunday Evening Online
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Thanksgiving Sermons
The Deadly Sin of Anger
The Distinctives of Countryside Bible Church
The First Testament of Jesus Christ
The Memoirs of Peter
The Reason We Live
The Sermon on the Mount
Trending vs. Truth
United in Christ!
Watch Your Mouth!
We Were Made to Worship
When Life's Not Fair
Your Faith, Dead or Alive?
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2008-09-07

How to Pray for This Church - Part 6

Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Ephesians: How to Pray for This Church (Part 6)," highlights the confusion surrounding God's nature in contemporary culture, contrasting modern attempts to redefine God with the biblical narrative of man, made in God's image, being restored to Christ-likeness. The sermon centers on Paul�s third prayer request for the Ephesians in 3:19: "that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." Pennington clarifies that this doesn't mean believers become God or possess His uncommunicable attributes, but rather share and exhibit His *moral attributes* like love, joy, and holiness. This transformation into God's image, or Christ-likeness, is God's ultimate goal for believers from election through glorification. He describes this process as cumulative (building on spiritual strength and understanding Christ's love), comprehensive (for all believers), tentative (a possibility requiring God's action), passive (God�s work through the Holy Spirit), and progressive (a gradual journey of growth). While this transformation is ultimately God's work, believers can actively participate through three steps: intercession (praying for Christ-likeness), observation (intimately studying God's character in Scripture), and imitation (endeavoring to live and love like Christ).

Tom Pennington
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Ephesians
2008
2008-09-07

The Heart of Jesus' Ministry

This text analyzes the core of Jesus' ministry, focusing on Mark 1:14-15. Following John the Baptist's arrest, Jesus began His extensive ministry in Galilee, a region chosen for its diverse population and openness to His message, contrasting with Judean resistance. Jesus' central activity was "preaching" (kerusso), meaning to authoritatively proclaim as a herald on behalf of God. The content of His message, "the gospel of God," encapsulated good news from God. It presented two key indicatives: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand." This kingdom signifies God's rule, existing both as a present spiritual reality (Christ ruling believers' hearts through salvation) and a future physical kingdom. To enter this kingdom, Jesus issued two imperatives: "repent" (a God-granted turning from sin involving intellectual, emotional, and volitional change) and "believe the gospel" (placing complete and ongoing trust in Christ for salvation). This enduring message invites individuals to transfer from sin's dominion into Christ's gracious rule.

Tom Pennington
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Mark - The Memoirs of Peter
2008
2008-08-31

How to Pray for This Church - Part 5

This sermon, based on Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3, delves into the infinite and qualitatively unique nature of God's love in Christ, which human language struggles to describe. The speaker emphasizes that this love is boundless, with no end or limit, making it impossible for finite humans to fully comprehend on their own. Paul's prayer specifically requests that believers be able to "comprehend and know" Christ's love. A crucial prerequisite is being "rooted and grounded in love" at salvation, meaning one must be a Christian to genuinely experience and begin to understand it. This understanding is vital for *all* believers, not just a select few, as it brings profound spiritual benefits: assurance and confidence in God, a deeper love for Him and others, and a powerful motivation to live for Christ instead of oneself. To grow in comprehending this vast love�described with dimensions of "breadth, length, height, and depth" that surpass knowledge�Christians must earnestly pray for divine insight and diligently study God's Word.

Tom Pennington
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Ephesians
2008
2008-08-17

How to Pray for This Church - Part 4

In "Ephesians How to Pray for this Church (Part 4)," Tom Pennington illustrates that human understanding of God is merely a tiny dot compared to His infinite nature. He describes God as eternally self-sufficient and complete, who, out of immeasurable love, chose to create humanity and offer Christ as a sacrifice, making eternal promises. Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3 is that believers might comprehend this boundless love. Pennington emphasizes that spiritual growth is a progressive process, not an instant transformation, akin to the stages in 1 John 2: "little children" (knowing God's forgiveness and the Father), "young men" (strong in Scripture, overcoming evil), and "fathers" (possessing a deep, full knowledge of God). Paul's second prayer request for the Ephesians is that they might comprehend Christ's love in its immeasurable breadth, length, height, and depth. The essential prerequisite for this deep understanding is "being rooted and grounded in love," a state established at salvation. This "love" encompasses both God's transformative love for believers and their reciprocal love for God and others, which naturally flows from experiencing His love. This continuous rooting and grounding in love qualifies believers to continually deepen their grasp of Christ�s boundless affection.

Tom Pennington
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Ephesians
2008
2008-08-17

A Virtual Tour of Israel - Part 2

Pastor Tom Pennington�s sermon provides a virtual tour of Israel (Part 2), guiding listeners on a pilgrim's journey south from Galilee to Jerusalem. He describes the Jordan Rift, a geologically significant region mostly below sea level, highlighting sites like Beit Shean, a strategic Roman city, and Ein Gedi, famed as David�s hiding place. The tour moves to Masada and Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls dramatically confirmed the ancient biblical text's remarkable preservation. The journey proceeds to Jericho, a crucial stopping point before the arduous 4000-foot ascent to Jerusalem. Pennington emphasizes Jerusalem's profound biblical importance, from Genesis� King of Salem and Isaac�s sacrifice to Christ�s crucifixion, resurrection, and future return to the Mount of Olives. He details the city�s topography, including the Kidron Valley and Mount of Olives (home to Gethsemane). The Temple Mount, Herod's massive expansion, is central, with its ancient retaining walls (now the Western Wall). He notes the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic shrine, stands where the Holy of Holies once was. Finally, the tour focuses on the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, identified as the almost certain site of Jesus� crucifixion and burial.

Tom Pennington
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2008
2008-08-10

A Virtual Tour of Israel - Part 1

Pastor Tom Pennington's "Virtual Tour of Israel (Part 1)" emphasizes the land's crucial role in understanding Scripture. He explains God chose Israel not for inherent beauty, but its unique strategic location as an ancient international land bridge connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. This placement allowed Israel to be God's "witness nation," tasked with displaying His character and wisdom to passing civilizations if they obeyed His laws (Deuteronomy 4). The tour navigates Israel's diverse topography and historical eras, exploring significant biblical sites. Caesarea, the Roman capital, was pivotal for early Christianity. Megiddo reveals ancient strategic importance. Mount Carmel marks Elijah's famous confrontation. The Jezreel Valley (Armageddon) witnessed many battles, including Gideon's strategic victory at Ein Harod. Nazareth was Jesus' humble home, while Capernaum became His primary ministry base on an international route, hosting Peter's house and a synagogue where Jesus taught extensively. Other stops include the Sea of Galilee, Mount of Beatitudes, and the Golan Heights. The tour culminates at Dan in the north, contrasting its beauty with Jeroboam's idolatrous "high place." Pennington concludes that Israel's geography and history serve as God's stage, showcasing His grace to the faithful and His wrath against sin and idolatry, providing enduring lessons for all.

Tom Pennington
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2008

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