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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Look in the Mirror! - Part 1
The sermon "Look in the Mirror!" begins by marveling at modern medical diagnostic tools like fMRI, which reveal hidden physical conditions with incredible precision. Pastor Tom Pennington then poses whether God provides a similar spiritual diagnostic, asserting that His Word, the Bible, serves as a perfect "mirror of our souls" to reflect our true spiritual state. Drawing from Psalm 1 and James 1:19-27, the message highlights that our response to Scripture is crucial for discerning the legitimacy and maturity of our faith. A teachable heart, a key mark of genuine belief, is characterized by three essential qualities: First, we must be "quick to hear" God's Word, eagerly listening and seeking to understand, not merely passively hearing. Second, we should be "slow to speak," meaning we should not argue with or contradict the Word, nor rush to teach others without deeply internalizing its truth ourselves. Third, we must be "slow to anger" when the Word challenges our cherished beliefs or confronts our sins, understanding that human anger doesn't align with God's righteousness.
Hook, Line & Sinker - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon on James 1:13-18 offers four Godly responses to temptation. First, **accept full responsibility**, recognizing that God neither tempts nor is tempted by evil; blame stems solely from our own sinful hearts. Second, **identify the true source** of temptation as "our own lusts" or internal cravings, not external circumstances. Third, **understand the process of temptation**, which unfolds in five stages: attraction (lust entices), decision (the will consents, and lust "conceives"), action (sin is "born"), disposition (repeated sin becomes character), and ultimately destruction (spiritual, physical, or eternal "death"). The ideal point to combat temptation is at the initial attraction stage before the will assents. Fourth, **unmask the deception** inherent in cravings, which aim to distort our view of God's character. This involves recognizing deceptions about God's goodness (He gives only perfect gifts), greatness (He provides ample power to overcome), immutability (He is unchanging and faithful), and His eternal plan to conform us to the image of Christ. By applying these biblical truths, believers can effectively deal with temptation.
Bad to the Bone: A Study of Human Depravity - Part 5
This sermon, "Bad to the Bone: A Study of Human Depravity (Part 5)," addresses the practical ramifications of human depravity and how believers should deal with it. Regarding **other believers**, understanding shared depravity means we must never tempt them, confront their sin through the outlined church discipline process in Matthew 18, and quickly forgive personal offenses, recognizing our own constant need for forgiveness. Concerning **unbelievers**, we must expect them to sin, as their nature is totally depraved (Titus 3:3), and thus avoid isolating ourselves; instead, we are called to reach out to them with love and the Gospel. For **ourselves**, our remaining depravity dictates that we cannot accurately assess our own motives or fully discover our sin, nor should we implicitly trust our hearts. We must exercise self-control, avoid catering to bodily appetites, refrain from pushing Christian liberty to its limits, and radically deal with our own sin, even taking extreme measures if necessary (Matthew 18:8-9). Finally, in our **relationship with God**, depravity demands that we avoid external worship without heart, constantly guard against doctrinal error, and cultivate profound spiritual humility, always acknowledging His perfect holiness and our utter reliance on His amazing grace.
Bad to the Bone: A Study of Human Depravity - Part 4
This sermon, "Bad to the Bone: A Study of Human Depravity (Part 4)," focuses on "total inability," asserting that unregenerate humanity is utterly incapable of responding to or pleasing God. The speaker traces historical theological conflicts, from Augustine versus Pelagius to Luther versus Erasmus, highlighting this doctrine's centrality. Defining "free will" as "self-determination"�the ability to choose according to one's desires�the sermon clarifies that fallen man's desires are inherently corrupt, rendering him morally unable to choose God or spiritual good. Biblical passages illustrate this inability: man cannot act contrary to his sinful nature, enter God's kingdom, embrace spiritual truth, obey God, or come to Christ for salvation unless the Father "irresistibly draws" him. The argument that responsibility implies ability is addressed, explaining that God's law reveals sin and inability, rather than empowering obedience. Consequently, salvation must be a monergistic (God-alone) act of sovereign grace, demolishing human pride, empowering evangelism by relying on God's work, and demanding eternal gratitude.
Hook, Line & Sinker - Part 1
Tom Pennington's sermon, "James Hook, Line, and Sinker, (Part 1)," examines James 1:13-18, focusing on the foundational issue of temptation. Using a fishing analogy to illustrate deception, Pennington explains that temptation is a universal human experience originating internally, not from God, who is "untemptable" and tempts no one. The sermon outlines two crucial biblical responses to temptation. First, believers must "accept full responsibility" for their sins. Blame-shifting, a common human trait, is presented as an indirect accusation against God. Instead, Pennington asserts that sin stems from our own "corrupted heart" and "depraved hearts." Second, it is vital to "identify the source" of temptation: "each one is tempted by his own lust." Here, "lust" refers to any "strong desire" or "craving," not exclusively sexual. These cravings can transform even good things into sinful desires when pursued in excess, at the wrong time, or in rejection of God's providence. They are rooted in our "unredeemed humanness" or "flesh" and are the ultimate cause of every sinful act. Pennington concludes with practical steps: examine your heart for blame-shifting, identify the specific cravings fueling your frequent temptations (e.g., anger driven by a craving for control), and confess these underlying desires to God.
Bad to the Bone: A Study of Human Depravity - Part 3
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "Bad to the Bone" explains that understanding human depravity is crucial for appreciating God's grace. He illustrates depravity with Augustine's pear theft, chosen not out of need but for the pleasure of the sin itself, highlighting humanity's innate desire for gratuitous evil. Pennington argues the biblical view of human nature isn't merely "sick," but "dead in trespasses and sin," stemming from Adam's "original sin," which includes both imputed guilt and inherited spiritual corruption. "Total depravity" means sin permeates every part of our being�mind, will, emotions, and body�leaving nothing spiritually good in us. Our "good deeds," if not from a redeemed heart, hold no value in God's eyes, akin to Monopoly money in a real bank. Citing extensive scripture, particularly Romans 1 and 3, he demonstrates that all humanity is corrupt in morals, understanding, will, and behavior, inherently lacking fear of God. Without Christ, humanity stands guilty, defenseless, under God's wrath, utterly hopeless, and aware of this dire condition. Recognizing this profound depravity should foster humility, watchfulness, a fervent pursuit of personal holiness, immense gratitude for Christ's deliverance, and an eager longing for His return and ultimate, complete redemption.
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