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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The preaching of God's Word is central to worship and of the utmost importance for the sanctification of every believer in Christ.
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When Life's Not Fair - Part 2
This sermon, "When Life's Not Fair (Part 2)," explores James 5:7-12, offering Christians five responses to injustice in a fallen world, exemplified by figures like Charles Simeon and the early church. First, believers are urged to be patient until the Lord�s coming, trusting that Christ will right every wrong, similar to a farmer patiently awaiting harvest. Second, they must be strong in their resolve, like Jesus "setting His face like flint," to remain faithful and obedient despite trials, knowing the Lord's return is near. This spiritual fortitude is cultivated by understanding God's truth. Third, Christians are commanded to be gracious toward one another, refraining from complaining or blaming fellow believers, especially under stress, remembering God�s impartial and imminent judgment. Fourth, encouragement should be drawn from the examples of others who suffered and endured, such as the prophets and Job. Their stories showcase God's compassion and faithfulness, inspiring courage in believers. Finally, the passage warns against making rash vows or bargains with God during distress, emphasizing honesty in speech and commitment, lest one fall under judgment. Ultimately, maintaining a righteous response to injustice hinges on remembering Christ's imminent return, when all things will be made right.
Church Government: Monarchy, Anarchy, or Democracy? - Part 2
The provided text, "Systematic Theology Church Government: Monarchy, Anarchy, or Democracy?", explores various church government models, noting that many reflect worldly forms like dictatorship or pure democracy. Pastor Tom Pennington argues for God's intended design: an internal church government led by a plurality of qualified men known interchangeably as elders, overseers, or shepherds. Pennington provides biblical evidence for plural eldership from both the Old and New Testaments. He refutes common arguments against this model, such as the "one pastor" concept or the idea that the "priesthood of all believers" mandates congregational democracy. He clarifies that "elder" signifies maturity, "overseer" denotes the ruling function, and "shepherd/pastor" highlights the nurturing aspect, all referring to the same office. This elder rule is presented as a mandate from the Pastoral Epistles and apostolic example, not an oligarchy, corporate structure, or pure egalitarianism. Instead, it involves servant leadership where Christ chooses elders affirmed by the church based on biblical qualifications. The congregation's duties include appreciating and esteeming elders, financially supporting those who labor in teaching, imitating their faith, and submitting to their biblically-based leadership, fostering a structure of wisdom, protection, and accountability.
When Life's Not Fair - Part 1
In "When Life's Not Fair (Part 1)," Tom Pennington addresses the Christian response to injustice, beginning with stories of wrongful imprisonment and everyday betrayals. He identifies common, sinful reactions to unfairness: blaming God, harboring anger towards perpetrators, or seeking personal revenge. Drawing from James 5:7-12, Pennington calls believers to a different path: patience until the Lord's coming. This means refraining from retaliation and enduring injustice, whether it arises from general human fallenness or direct persecution for faith. He emphasizes that this patience mirrors God's own long-suffering. The sermon uses the analogy of a farmer patiently awaiting the harvest, an image that also symbolizes God's future judgment and the rectification of all wrongs. Pennington stresses that true justice is not guaranteed in this world but is assured at Christ's return, serving as an anchor for believers' souls. He encourages living "looking" for this blessed hope, trusting that God, like a righteous father, will ultimately make everything right.
Church Government: Monarchy, Anarchy, or Democracy? - Part 1
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Systematic Theology Church Government: Monarchy, Anarchy, or Democracy?", asserts that a God of meticulous order, evident even in the smallest biological cells, must have a divine blueprint for His church's structure, countering the view that such organization is unimportant. He explores three primary historical models of church government. The Episcopalian model features rule by bishops in a hierarchical structure, defended by historical precedence and certain scriptural interpretations, but countered by the New Testament's synonymity of "bishop" and "elder." The Presbyterian model establishes rule by elders over local, regional, and national churches, justified by arguments for gifted men serving beyond local congregations and the unity of the body, yet challenged by the lack of scriptural evidence for elders' authority beyond their local flock. The congregational model posits that ultimate authority rests within each autonomous local church, manifesting in diverse forms such as single-pastor leadership, corporate boards, pure democracy, or even anarchy. Pennington advocates for a "plural, local elder board" as the biblically prescribed pattern.
Filthy Rich
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Filthy Rich James 5:1-6," unpacks James's condemnation of the ungodly wealthy, illustrating with modern examples of jet-setters and historical accounts from Psalm 73. While James primarily addresses wealthy unbelievers facing impending judgment, the message serves to guard believers against materialism and envy. Pennington highlights four key sins of the "filthy rich": 1. **Hoarding:** Amassing wealth, garments, and precious metals beyond reasonable use, allowing them to rot or "rust" metaphorically. This disuse testifies against them at judgment. Believers are encouraged to invest in heavenly treasures and give generously. 2. **Fraud:** Withholding the rightful wages of laborers, an act whose "outcry" reaches God. Christians must pay employees fairly and promptly, avoiding exploitation or delaying payments to others for personal gain. 3. **Self-indulgence:** Living in excessive luxury and "wanton pleasure," oblivious to the needy, akin to "fattening hearts in a day of slaughter" before God's judgment. Believers should shun conspicuous consumption. 4. **Injustice:** Condemning and oppressing the righteous, often through legal manipulation or abuse of power, leaving victims helpless. Christians must not advance themselves by harming others or through unfair practices. Concluding with insights from 1 Timothy 6, Pennington reminds listeners that most Americans are globally wealthy.
All We Like Sheep
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "All We Like Sheep," from Isaiah 53:6, prepares the congregation for the Lord's Table by focusing on Christ's death. He explains that Old Testament prophets, though not knowing the Messiah's exact identity or timing, foresaw a suffering Messiah who would bring salvation and glory, a truth most thoroughly revealed in Isaiah 53. The core verse, Isaiah 53:6, reveals two reasons for Christ's suffering: humanity's universal sin and His substitutionary death. "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way" highlights that humanity's problem is not intellectual or biological, but sin�a conscious choice to rebel and deviate from God's standard, leading to destruction. Christ's death was a voluntary substitution, meaning He took our place, bearing the penalty for our sins and living the perfect life we couldn't. This act of imputation�our sins credited to Him, and His righteousness credited to us�is the heart of the gospel and springs from the Father's loving plan. The sermon offers an invitation for non-believers to turn from their sinful ways and be reconciled to God.
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