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.

Black and white close-up of a person writing in a notebook with an open book beside them.
A man giving a speech at a podium.

Explore messages organized to help you grow in Christ.

Search and filter sermons for quick access.

2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
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
Christmas Sermons
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
Passion Week Sermons
Power Over Temptation
Preserving the Unity of the Church
Psalm 23
Q&A
Recovering a Lost Legacy
Revelation
Riches to Rags
Romans
Ruth
Sanctification
Six Steps to Spiritual Stability
Sunday Evening Online
Systematic Theology
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?
1 Corinthians
1 John
1 Peter
1 Samuel
1 Timothy
2 Corinthians
2 Thessalonians
2 Timothy
Acts
Colossians
Daniel
Deuteronomy
Ecclesiastes
Ephesians
Exodus
Galatians
Genesis
Hebrews
Isaiah
James
John
Lamentations
Luke
Malachi
Mark
Matthew
Numbers
Philippians
Proverbs
Psalms
Revelation
Romans
Ruth
Selected
Selected Scriptures
Titus
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
2008-04-13

An Aerial View of the New Testament - Part 6

The sermon, "An Aerial View of the New Testament (Part 6)," provides a historical overview of the early church's growth, fulfilling Jesus' promise to build His church against all opposition. Using the book of Acts as its primary framework, the talk traces Christianity's expansion from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and eventually the remotest parts of the earth. Key events include Pentecost, marking the church's birth and Peter's powerful sermon, the martyrdom of Stephen, and the transformative conversion of Saul (later Paul). A significant turning point is Peter's encounter with Cornelius, signaling God's embrace of Gentiles into the church. The Jerusalem Council is highlighted as crucial for defending salvation by faith alone against legalistic "Judaizers." The sermon then outlines Paul's three missionary journeys, detailing how the gospel spread across Asia Minor and into Europe, establishing numerous churches and serving as the context for many New Testament epistles. After the events of Acts, the overview briefly touches on Paul's later ministry, his final imprisonment, and the writings of other apostles like Peter, John, James, and Jude, culminating with Revelation. The central message is that Christ's church continues its unhindered growth, a mission believers are called to participate in until His ultimate return.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
An Aerial View of the New Testament
2008
2008-04-13

Foreigners to God & His People

Tom Pennington's sermon on Ephesians 2:11-13 reveals the enduring relevance of Paul's message regarding the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles through Christ. He explains that God initially chose Israel as His witness nation, entrusting them with His divine oracles, which created a profound advantage over other peoples. Before Christ, Gentiles were entirely alienated from God and His people. They were considered "uncircumcision" by the Jews, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to God's covenants of promise, without hope, and literally "without God in the world." They were spiritually "far off" from any knowledge or relationship with the true God. However, "now in Christ Jesus," those who were once far off "have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Through Christ's sacrificial death, both Jews and Gentiles are united into a completely new entity: the church. This spiritual union means all believers are equally connected to God. This truth carries significant practical implications: Christians must always remember their past alienation from God's grace, eradicate all forms of ethnic pride and prejudice, and understand that salvation is not just individual but also corporate.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
Ephesians
2008
2008-04-06

This Is Your Life - Part 9

Tom Pennington�s sermon on Ephesians 2:1-10 culminates by identifying God's greatest work not as the vast cosmos or intricate human body, but as the new believer in Jesus Christ. He explains that God�s spiritual rescue, detailed in this passage, is entirely His doing, moving from humanity's dead state (v. 1-3) to God making us alive (v. 4-6). The "why" of salvation (v. 7-10) involves three goals: displaying God's glorious grace, eradicating all human boasting (as salvation is by grace through faith alone), and guaranteeing our good works. Focusing on verse 10, Pennington interprets "we are His workmanship" (Greek: *poiema*) as believers being God�s "work of art" or "masterpiece." This implies God's ownership, sovereignty, and intentional design. We are "created in Christ Jesus for good works," meaning these works are not the *cause* of salvation but its *result* and *purpose*. God prepared these good works beforehand, predestining us to be conformed to Christ's image, and we are called to "walk in them" as a habitual way of life.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
Ephesians
2008
2008-03-30

An Aerial View of the New Testament - Part 5

In Part 5 of an "Aerial View of the New Testament," Pastor Tom Pennington provides historical context for the New Testament, focusing on the book of Acts. His goal is to show how the epistles fit into Acts' narrative, bridging Jesus' earthly ministry and the early church's expansion. Acts, written by Luke around 60-62 A.D. for a Gentile official named Theophilus, chronicles Christianity's remarkable growth from 120 disciples to a widespread movement across the Roman Empire. The book's primary purpose is to offer historical certainty for what believers were taught and to demonstrate Jesus' continuing work through the Holy Spirit and His apostles. Acts 1 details Jesus' post-resurrection commissioning of His apostles as witnesses, His ascension, and the replacement of Judas. Acts 2 recounts Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descended, empowering apostles to speak in diverse, known foreign languages ("tongues") to confirm their message. Pennington argues this miraculous gift was for the apostolic period to confirm the message and messengers, and is not the normative experience for the church today. Peter's sermon in Acts 2 proclaims that God made Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Messiah, initiating the church's rapid growth.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
An Aerial View of the New Testament
2008
2008-03-30

This Is Your Life - Part 8

Tom Pennington�s sermon on Ephesians 2:1-10 emphasizes that salvation is entirely God's work, contrasting sharply with humanity's innate pride and cultural messages promoting self-reliance (illustrated by a frog churning milk into butter to escape). Paul aims to dismantle this "horribly flawed" view, revealing God's rescue of those spiritually dead and deserving of wrath (v. 1-3). God intervened (v. 4-6) with two primary goals: to display the "surpassing riches of His grace" (v. 7) and to "destroy all human boasting" (v. 8-9). We must affirm salvation as a spiritual rescue accomplished by God, a past event with continuing results, entirely by grace, and received *through* faith. This saving faith involves knowledge, assent, and trust in Christ alone, acting as the means to receive salvation, not its cause or a meritorious work (like a cup holding water). Conversely, we must deny that anything in us�our works, heritage, or even faith originating from ourselves�is the source or cause of our salvation. God meticulously designed salvation so "no one may boast," ensuring every ounce of credit and glory belongs solely to Him. True believers, recognizing their spiritual bankruptcy, offer gratitude and praise to God, not self-congratulation, for His unmerited gift.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
Ephesians
2008
2008-03-23

Jesus' Own Evidence for the Resurrection

In a sermon based on Luke 24:36-49, Pastor Tom Pennington presents Jesus' own compelling evidence for His resurrection. He categorizes this evidence into three types. First, **empirical evidence** involved Jesus' physical appearance to His disciples in a locked room, proving He was not an apparition. He invited them to touch His hands and feet, showing the marks of crucifixion, and ate broiled fish, demonstrating He had "flesh and bones" and was truly alive, not a spirit or impostor. Second, **biblical evidence** came as Jesus "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." He explained that His suffering, death, and resurrection on the third day, along with the global proclamation of repentance for forgiveness of sins, were all foretold in the Old Testament (Law, Prophets, Psalms), confirming His identity and mission. Third, **testimonial evidence** was established for future generations. Jesus commissioned His apostles as "handpicked witnesses" who had seen, touched, and eaten with Him after His resurrection. They were to spread this message, and their written accounts in the New Testament continue to serve as the unassailable witness to His triumph over death, urging all to repent and embrace Him as Lord and Savior.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
Passion Week Sermons
2008

No Results Found.

We couldn’t find anything matching your search.

Now Playing -
Now Playing
00:00
-00:00