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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God Rules! - Part 2
In "God Rules! Part 2," Pastor Tom Pennington explores James 4:13-17, urging Christians to acknowledge and submit to God's absolute sovereignty and providence, rejecting self-determinism. He illustrates this by recalling Herbert Hoover's optimistic 1928 speech, which predated the Great Depression, highlighting humanity's limited control. Pennington explains that while Christians may doctrinally affirm God's rule, they often subtly deny it in daily life by making plans without reference to Him. James condemns merchants who confidently outline business ventures ("Today or tomorrow we will go... make a profit") without acknowledging divine will. This isn't about planning itself, but the "arrogance" of self-sufficiency. Such an independent mindset is irrational because humans cannot know what tomorrow holds (as demonstrated by Captain Smith of the Titanic) and life itself is fleeting, like a "vapor." This self-reliant pride obstructs God's grace. Therefore, the sermon implores believers to cultivate humility and seek God's will in all decisions�daily schedules, future plans, career choices, and major life changes�understanding that true wisdom and grace stem from constant dependence on Him.
God Rules! - Part 1
The sermon "God Rules!" by Tom Pennington (James 4:13-17) challenges worldly philosophies that deny God's ultimate control over life. Pennington refutes naturalistic determinism (genetics/environment), fatalism (predetermined events), causalism (random chance), and self-determinism (individual will), asserting they contradict biblical truth. Instead, the sermon emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and providence. Sovereignty means God maintains perfect, total, and ultimate control over all things. Providence describes how this divine rule manifests in every aspect of existence. Drawing heavily from the Old Testament, Pennington illustrates that God directs our birth, death, and all life circumstances, including our successes and failures. Crucially, God is also sovereign over our free actions and decisions, and even uses human sin to accomplish His ultimate purposes (e.g., Joseph's story, Christ's crucifixion), without being the author of sin. This divine control, termed "concurrence," means God, as the first cause, superintends secondary causes (human actions, natural laws) to fulfill His eternal plan. For Christians, this foundational truth brings immense comfort and confidence, affirming God is on His throne, orchestrating every detail of existence.
Defining the Church - Part 4
Tom Pennington's sermon, "Defining the Church (Part 4)," outlines four primary biblical attributes of the church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. The church is "one" because all genuine believers are inherently united to Jesus Christ and, therefore, to each other. This unity is not organizational but essential, calling for love and fellowship among Christians, visible unity for the world, and mutual responsibility. It is "holy" in two ways: believers are positionally set apart for God at salvation and are progressively becoming more righteous. This demands personal growth in holiness and the practice of church discipline. The church is "catholic," meaning universal. It transcends geographical, social, and chronological limitations, encompassing all true believers across time and nations. This universality compels the church to welcome diverse people and maintain continuity with its past and future generations. Finally, the church is "apostolic" because it is founded upon the teachings of Christ's apostles, as recorded in Scripture. This requires the church to order its life, proclaim, defend, and faithfully pass on the Word of God. Understanding these attributes reveals the true nature and responsibilities of the church.
A Rush to Judgment
Based on James 4:11-12, Pastor Tom Pennington warns against the sinful tendency to "rush to judgment." He argues that "speaking against" a fellow believer is an act of slander rooted in pride, directly opposing the humility God commands. While acknowledging that Scripture permits judging in specific contexts�such as civil justice, church discipline, and identifying false doctrine�Pennington clarifies that James forbids judging the genuineness of a believer's salvation, their hidden motives, or their choices regarding doubtful matters of conscience. This critical behavior is destructive because it harms the church family and disregards the "royal law" to love one�s neighbor. Furthermore, placing oneself as a judge over others effectively puts one above the law, leading to disobedience. Ultimately, Pennington emphasizes that judgmentalism is an arrogant attempt to usurp God�s authority, as He alone is the Lawgiver and Judge with the power to save and destroy. Believers are therefore called to examine their own hearts rather than condemning others.
War and Peace: Learning to Deal with Personal Conflict - Part 6
The sermon on James 4:1-10 addresses sinful conflict by outlining three steps. First, identify the true source: the heart's craving for sinful pleasures, not external factors. Second, recognize the real sin: "spiritual adultery," loving worldly pleasures more than God. Third, embrace the solution: God's grace, which is available only through humility. To humble oneself and receive this grace, genuine repentance is essential. Repentance involves submitting to God and making oneself low. It has three core components: 1) Turning one's heart to God by resisting the devil and drawing near to the Lord, severing ties with sin. 2) Turning from all known sin, cleansing hands (deeds) and purifying hearts (thoughts/attitudes) by actively ceasing ungodly behavior and rejecting sinful thoughts. 3) Cultivating godly sorrow, a deep, miserable grief over sin, fostered by contemplating God's goodness, holiness, and one's own sinfulness. This sorrow, distinct from worldly regret, produces eagerness to deal with sin. God consistently responds to genuine repentance with abundant grace, exalting those who humbly turn to Him.
Defining the Church - Part 3
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Defining the Church (Part 3)," explores powerful scriptural metaphors to illustrate the church's nature, emphasizing Christ's central role in each. Firstly, the church is a **building or temple**, founded on Christ, who is its cornerstone, architect, and builder. This stresses the church's purpose of worship, its holy character, the ongoing need for evangelism (adding "living stones"), and leaders' responsibility, warning against divisiveness. Secondly, the church is a **household or family**. Believers are adopted by God, becoming spiritual siblings, which calls for profound love, commitment, and practical care among members. Lastly, the church is the **bride of Christ**. This metaphor showcases Christ's deep love and sacrifice for His church, highlighting its exalted position and demanding absolute loyalty, personal holiness, and loving submission. Crucially, it impels believers to eagerly anticipate Christ's return, much like a bride awaiting her wedding feast. These images provide a comprehensive and vivid understanding of the church's identity and mission.
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