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.
2007-11-11

Praying For the Person Who Has Everything - Part 3

Tom Pennington's sermon "Praying for the Person Who Has Everything (Part 3)" uses the anecdote of William Randolph Hearst searching for art he already owned to illustrate how Christians often seek spiritual resources they already possess in Christ. He explains that Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:15-19 models how to pray for spiritual growth, focusing on "illumination" � the Holy Spirit granting a deep, spiritual understanding of truth, beyond mere intellectual knowledge. Pennington contrasts this with the "darkened understanding" of unbelievers, explaining that while conversion initiates spiritual sight, true comprehension is a lifelong process. He emphasizes five points: spiritual understanding is slow, cannot be self-produced, requires prayer for the Spirit's illumination, is never outgrown, and is essential for spiritual growth. The sermon then details the first of three blessings Paul highlights: "the hope of His calling." God's "calling" refers to His "effectual" call, which draws individuals to saving faith, leading to justification and glorification. "Hope" in the New Testament signifies "desire and certainty" � a sure expectation of future blessings like salvation, righteousness, and eternal life, anchored firmly in God's promises and Christ.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
Ephesians
2007
2007-11-11

An Aerial View of the Old Testament - Part 2

This sermon, "An Aerial View of the Old Testament," outlines nine major historical movements, beginning with universal dealings and concluding with the restoration, but primarily focuses on the period from the Exodus through the early monarchy. At Mount Sinai, God established two crucial systems for Israel: the sacrificial system and the Law. The elaborate sacrificial system, involving daily, communal, and individual offerings, was commanded by God as a means to approach Him. These sacrifices, which had to come from a sincere heart and were substitutionary (an innocent animal dying for the guilty), were not the ultimate basis for forgiveness but rather "pictures of the coming human sacrifice of Christ," the only true way for sinful humanity to approach a holy God. Administered by priests, this system's profound message still points to Jesus. God�s Law, categorized as moral, civil, and ceremonial, revealed His character and expectations. While the ceremonial law was fulfilled by Christ and He provides righteousness, the moral law (Ten Commandments) remains binding for believers, guiding obedience and exposing sin in all people. Israel�s journey often exemplified unfaithfulness, such as their refusal to enter Canaan, which led to forty years of wilderness wandering.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
An Aerial View of the Old Testament
2007
2007-11-04

An Aerial View of the Old Testament - Part 1

Tom Pennington's sermon, "An Aerial View of the Old Testament," introduces a series designed to provide a high-level understanding of this often-neglected yet vital part of Scripture. He explains structural differences between English and Hebrew Bibles, then outlines the Old Testament's historical flow. The survey begins with "Universal Dealings" (Genesis 1-11), covering creation, the fall, the flood, and the nations, detailing humanity's rebellion. God then shifts to the "Patriarchal Period" (Genesis 12-50), choosing Abraham and his family (Isaac, Jacob, Joseph) to form a unique "witness nation." This decision provided a powerful testimony to God's character, setting His people apart. Next, the sermon covers Israel's "Bondage in Egypt" and the "Exodus" led by Moses. God sent ten plagues to demonstrate His sovereignty over false Egyptian gods and redeem His people. At Mount Sinai, God established the Mosaic covenant, instructing Israel to be a "kingdom of priests" and a "holy nation," essentially a living display of His glory and grace. This overarching purpose of being God's witness, redeeming people from spiritual slavery, remains central to the New Testament church today.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
An Aerial View of the Old Testament
2007
2007-11-04

Praying For the Person Who Has Everything - Part 2

This sermon emphasizes the critical importance of spiritual "illumination," the Holy Spirit's work enabling believers to grasp and love God's revealed truth. Drawing from Ephesians 1, Pastor Tom Pennington explains that unregenerate minds are spiritually blind due to sin and Satan's influence, requiring a divine miracle�like God speaking light into creation�for understanding to dawn. Illumination is vital for both initiating and advancing the Christian life. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is for "a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him," signifying a deep, experiential understanding (epignosis) of God Himself and His work in their lives. The natural man cannot comprehend spiritual truths; only the same Spirit who inspired Scripture can illumine hearts to truly know God. The text outlines three stages of spiritual growth�children, young men, and fathers�each marked by an increasing, intimate knowledge of God, not merely facts about Him. To grow, believers should engage with theological resources, listen to teaching on God's attributes, and diligently study Scripture, focusing on God's self-revelation, while continually praying for divine illumination to deepen their relationship with God.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
Ephesians
2007
2007-10-28

Praying For the Person Who Has Everything - Part 1

The sermon emphasizes that humanity's greatest spiritual problem is not a lack of resolve or spiritual resources, but a failure to truly know God and understand what He has accomplished through Christ. Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 offers a divine model for intercessory prayer, instructing believers on how to pray for their own and others' spiritual growth. Paul's motivation for praying for the Ephesians stems from their genuine faith in Jesus, visibly demonstrated by their love for other Christians, and his desire for them to fully appreciate and appropriate the immense spiritual blessings they already possess in Christ. His prayer exhibits a distinct pattern: it is individual, persistent, balanced between heartfelt thanksgiving and specific petitions, unselfish, and regular. The core of Paul's request for the Ephesians is "illumination"�a Spirit-given disposition of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. This illumination signifies the Holy Spirit's work in enabling believers to deeply grasp, love, and apply biblical truth, thereby transforming God's Word into a vibrant, beautiful, and transformative reality in their lives. This essential insight requires both fervent prayer for the Spirit's work and diligent study of Scripture.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
Ephesians
2007
2007-10-21

Sealed By the Spirit

This sermon by Tom Pennington concludes a series on Ephesians 1:3-14, focusing on the Holy Spirit's crucial role in God's redemptive plan: "sealing" believers. This sealing permanently connects individuals to Jesus Christ, with the Spirit always glorifying Christ. It occurs at the moment of salvation, immediately after one hears and believes the gospel, and is a universal spiritual reality for all Christians, initiated by God the Father using the Holy Spirit as the seal. The sealing provides several vital assurances for believers: it proves God's ownership, certifies their genuineness as Christ's followers, demonstrates divine authority, and critically, guarantees their eternal security. Additionally, the Holy Spirit acts as a "pledge" or "down payment," assuring believers of their full future inheritance. This divine act of sealing lasts until the "day of redemption," ultimately serving "the praise of God's glory" and manifesting His inherent majesty.

Tom Pennington
Access Now
|
Ephesians
2007

No Results Found.

We couldn’t find anything matching your search.

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