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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Sanctification: The Process of True Biblical Change - Part 3
This sermon, "Sanctification: The Process of True Biblical Change," defines sanctification as God's free grace continuously delivering justified sinners from sin's pollution, renewing their nature, and enabling them to live righteously. It emphasizes that this is a lifelong work of God, yet requires maximum human effort, involves an ongoing internal struggle, and is ultimately guaranteed. The speaker critiques flawed views, such as Wesleyan perfectionism and Keswick teaching, which suggest sudden, effortless spiritual transformation. The biblical view asserts that God typically uses means for sanctification, rejecting unbiblical methods like isolation (e.g., monasticism, avoiding unbelievers) or asceticism (depriving oneself of good gifts or inflicting pain). The primary means God uses is "the truth"�His entire Word. While other life circumstances and spiritual activities can contribute, their sanctifying effect is only realized when interpreted and applied through the Word of God. The Word itself is a tool in God's hand, effective only as the Holy Spirit causes it to work. The practical process of biblical change, outlined in Ephesians 4, involves three steps. First, believers must "lay aside" (put off) the old self�the person and sinful habits associated with life before Christ, recognizing that this old self died with Christ.
Forgive Us Our Debts
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon on Matthew 6:12, "Forgive Us Our Debts," highlights that our spiritual debt to God is a far more critical issue than financial indebtedness. He explains that Jesus outlines three crucial elements for properly addressing sin in our lives. First, we must acknowledge our ongoing sinfulness. "Debts" metaphorically represents our constant failure to render perfect obedience to God, leading to spiritual bankruptcy through both sins of omission and commission. Even after receiving the "bath" of justification at salvation, daily sin necessitates a "foot washing"�daily confession to maintain close fellowship with God, our Father. Second, understanding the nature of forgiveness is vital. Forgiveness means God "sends away" or "lets go" of our debt. God is inherently good, eager, and faithful to forgive, but this forgiveness is entirely based on Christ's atoning death, which paid the price for our sins, not on human merit. Third, a non-earning condition for receiving daily forgiveness is our willingness to forgive others. This act doesn't earn God's grace but serves as evidence that we have truly experienced His saving forgiveness. An unforgiving heart, Jesus warns, indicates a lack of genuine understanding of God's mercy towards oneself.
Give Us Our Daily Bread
In his sermon "Give Us Our Daily Bread" (Matthew 6:11), Pastor Tom Pennington dissects the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, revealing four essential spiritual lessons for believers. First, it�s a **lesson in grace** ("Give"). Everything we have, including the ability to work and the sustenance for life, is a direct gift from God's undeserved kindness, not solely our own effort. Second, it's a **lesson in love** ("Give us"). The plural "us" mandates praying not only for personal needs but also for the needs of family, fellow believers, and all humanity, fostering a communal responsibility. Third, it's a **lesson in reliance** ("Give us this day"). We are called to depend humbly on God for each day's necessities, rejecting worry for tomorrow or trust in material possessions, which are transient. Our confidence should be solely in Him. Finally, it's a **lesson in contentment** ("our daily bread"). "Bread" symbolizes all physical needs. We should be content with God's daily provision, avoiding excessive accumulation. If blessed with abundance, the Christian response is generosity and good works. This petition underscores God's deep and personal care for our everyday lives.
Sanctification: The Process of True Biblical Change - Part 2
Tom Pennington defines sanctification as the "process of true biblical change," distinct from spiritual activities, emotional experiences, rule-following, or avoiding overt sin. It's not merely accumulating knowledge or outward reformation, which he calls "utterly defeating." Instead, sanctification involves both a definitive setting apart at salvation and a progressive, ongoing work of God's grace to morally purify a believer's entire nature. Pennington outlines nine biblical propositions: it's made possible by Christ's work, entirely a work of God (we cannot change ourselves at a heart level), yet demands maximum human effort. Sanctification is a lifelong process, not a sudden event, and involves a constant inner spiritual war that continues until death or Christ's return; perfection is not achieved in this life. It's a means to an end�to glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him�and fundamentally a renovation of the heart, not just behavior. Finally, our sanctification is guaranteed by God as the ultimate goal of our salvation. Crucially, God produces this change *through means*, specifically "the truth" or His Word.
Your Will Be Done
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Lord, Teach Us to Pray (Part 7)," explores the third petition of the Lord's Prayer: "Your will be done." Citing the martyrdom of missionaries John and Betty Stam, Pennington highlights this as a prayer centered on God's glory, not human desires, alongside "Hallowed be Your name" and "Your kingdom come." To genuinely pray "Your will be done" means to seek three spiritual results. First, a deliberate rejection of all other wills�Satan's, others', and crucially, our own will, which is often the greatest antagonist to God's plan and requires daily self-denial. Second, it signifies an unconditional acceptance of God's sovereign will, His eternal and unchangeable plan. This involves trusting God's character and purposes in all circumstances, from major life events to daily interruptions, even when understanding is lacking, as exemplified by Habakkuk. Third, it demands willing obedience to God's revealed will, which is clearly laid out in Scripture. The phrase "on earth as it is in heaven" emphasizes a desire for perfect obedience to God's commands, mirroring the obedience of angels in heaven. God's revealed will includes being saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, grateful, and willing to suffer for Christ.
Sanctification: The Process of True Biblical Change - Part 1
In "Sanctification: The Process of True Biblical Change (Part 1)," Pastor Tom Pennington highlights the inadequacy of many common approaches to spiritual growth by comparing them to outdated 18th-century medical remedies. He asserts that true biblical change, or sanctification, is *not* achieved through mere participation in spiritual activities, having emotional experiences, adhering to a set of rules, avoiding overt sins, performing good deeds, or simply accumulating biblical knowledge. These methods, Pennington argues, are often superficial and fail to bring genuine inner transformation. Instead, sanctification is defined as God's ongoing work, through His Spirit, that continuously delivers justified believers from the pollution of sin, renews their nature in the image of God, and enables them to increasingly die to sin and live righteously. This profound process is made possible solely by the work of Christ and is entirely a work of the Triune God (Father, Son, and Spirit). However, Pennington emphasizes that sanctification also demands maximum human effort and discipline, as believers are commanded to "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" and "work out your own salvation." This creates a crucial dynamic where God produces the change as humans expend their utmost effort.
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