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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War and Peace: Learning to Deal with Personal Conflict - Part 5
Tom Pennington's sermon, "War and Peace: Learning to Deal with Conflict, Part 5" (James 4:1-10), explores the growing cultural acceptance of pride, contrasting it with biblical teaching. He attributes societal conflict to our selfish desires and "spiritual adultery" against God (James 4:1-5). The solution, found in James 4:6, states: "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Pride, a core human sin, involves exalting oneself above others, manifesting in arrogance about accomplishments, status, or even spiritual activities. God actively "takes up arms" against the proud, as demonstrated by figures like King Uzziah. Grace, by definition, is undeserved, but God sovereignly bestows it on those who humble themselves. True humility means recognizing one's desperate spiritual need, much like the tax collector in Jesus' parable. This humble posture, acknowledging spiritual poverty, is the prerequisite for receiving God's forgiveness and sanctifying grace. Conversely, clinging to pride puts one on a collision course with God, inviting His opposition and blocking His grace for both forgiveness and holiness.
Defining the Church - Part 2
The provided text defines the church as a "mystery" central to God's eternal plan, revealed to display His "manifold wisdom" to heavenly beings. Biblically, the Greek word "ekklesia" signifies "an assembly summoned or called together," encompassing both local gatherings of professing believers and the universal body of all true believers�the "invisible universal church" as God sees it. To deepen understanding, Scripture employs various metaphors, with "the body of Christ" being a prominent one. Key principles for interpreting these images include: acknowledging that the church exists solely "in and because of Jesus Christ"; recognizing that all metaphors are necessary for a complete picture; understanding them as figurative, not literal; and viewing them as permanently accurate descriptions. The "body of Christ" metaphor emphasizes Christ as the unrivaled Head, providing authority and direction through His Word and appointed leaders. True believers are spiritually baptized into this single body, fostering unity and mutual dependence among members. It highlights the importance of appreciating the diverse strengths and spiritual gifts within the church, where each member plays a divinely assigned, essential role. The church's spiritual growth hinges on every part fulfilling its unique function, making it a complex and wonderful living organism, intricately connected to Christ.
Defining the Church - Part 1
This sermon addresses the widespread confusion and redefinition of "the church" in modern evangelicalism, citing various non-traditional models like seeker-sensitive, house, cyber, and emergent churches. Pastor Pennington argues these innovations, influenced by societal trends like materialism and individualism, as well as internal church issues like the decline of expository preaching, have obscured the church's true nature. He stresses the necessity of returning to a biblical definition, as Christ committed to building only one institution: His church. The English word "church" originates from the Greek "kuriakon," meaning "belonging to the Lord," initially referring to the meeting place and later the people. More critically, the Greek "ekklesia" signifies "an assembly summoned or called together." While used for secular gatherings or the Old Testament "qahal" (assembly), the New Testament primarily applies "ekklesia" to the local church�a specific assembly of professing believers�and the universal church, comprising all professing believers worldwide. The latter is further distinguished as "visible" (all who claim faith) and "invisible" (only true believers, as God knows them). Notably, "ekklesia" never refers to a building or denomination.
War and Peace: Learning to Deal with Personal Conflict - Part 4
In a sermon on James 4:1-10 titled "War and Peace: Learning to Deal with Conflict, Part 4," Tom Pennington introduces God's "greater grace" as the refreshing solution to sinful quarreling, following weeks of stern rebuke from the book of James. Previously, Pennington explained that sinful conflict stems not from external issues or people, but from our internal craving for pleasure, which James identifies as "spiritual adultery"�friendship with the world over God. This sermon focuses on the third practical step to conflict resolution: applying the right solution, which is "grace." The word "but" in James 4:6 signifies a stark contrast between humanity's profound sinfulness and God's merciful response. God, despite being jealous for our complete allegiance, is inherently gracious, offering this divine favor constantly from eternity past, through Christ's sacrifice, at salvation, and as an ongoing supply for daily living. This grace is "greater" than our sins' guilt and power, and sufficient for all our trials, as highlighted by Paul's experience with his "thorn in the flesh." The sermon defines grace as God's goodness shown to those who deserve wrath.
War and Peace: Learning to Deal with Personal Conflict - Part 3
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "James War and Peace: Learning to Deal with Conflict, Part 3" delves into James 4:1-10, revealing the true source and profound nature of sinful conflict. He asserts that most quarrels, from international wars to marital disputes, originate not from external issues or other people, but from our own hearts�specifically, the pursuit of selfish pleasures and sinful cravings. Conflict arises when our desires are obstructed. Pennington clarifies that while rare, righteous conflict for Christians can exist, such as in church discipline or defending sound doctrine. These must be driven by motives glorifying God and expressed with a gracious spirit, free from anger or malice. However, he emphasizes that the vast majority of our arguments are selfish and sinful. The sermon then magnifies the real sin behind common conflict, equating it to "spiritual adultery" against God, a term James uses for his readers. This concept, rooted in the Old Testament portrayal of Israel's unfaithfulness, means "friendship with the world is hostility toward God." Worldliness is defined as eagerly pursuing the world's sinful pleasures or making legitimate pleasures the primary purpose of life, reflecting a mindset of self-satisfaction (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life).
The Church: Why Does It Matter?
Tom Pennington's sermon "The Church: Why Does It Matter?" addresses a concerning "mega-shift" among evangelicals who no longer prioritize the local church. He critiques George Barna's book "Revolution," which suggests the local church is obsolete, advocating for alternative "macro" or "micro" faith communities instead. Pennington identifies external societal causes for this drift, including materialism, modern busyness, family over-commitment, a quest for self-fulfillment leading to a "designer church" mentality, and individualism. Internal church-related causes include megachurch anonymity, seeker-sensitive approaches that de-emphasize believer needs, unhelpful para-church ministries, and the decline of expository preaching, which leaves congregants spiritually unfed. Pennington asserts the church's vital importance through four scriptural arguments: 1. **The Example of New Testament Believers:** Early Christians were deeply committed to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and communal care within their tight-knit church communities. 2. **The Teaching and Pattern of the Apostles:** Apostles consistently established churches, ministered within them, and directed their epistles to specific local congregations, demonstrating the church's centrality. 3. **The Commands of the New Testament:** Scripture explicitly commands believers to assemble for worship, give through the church, and employ their spiritual gifts within its body. 4.
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