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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The Church: Where Do You Fit In?
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "The Church: Where Do You Fit In?" from 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, emphasizes that every Christian must actively participate in the church, which the New Testament likens to a physical body. An ineffective church often results from members failing to function as designed, stemming from flawed mindsets (spectator, professional), distractions (busyness, family), fear, ignorance of God's design for the church, or disobedience. Pennington outlines four foundational principles from 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 concerning spiritual gifts. First, God's Spirit sovereignly chooses each believer's unique "grace gift" (charismata) for service, creating diverse abilities like teaching or serving. Second, the Lord determines the specific contexts or ministries where these gifts are to be employed. Third, God the Father ultimately determines the results of these efforts, protecting believers from pride or discouragement. Finally, the purpose of every gift is for the common good of the church and, ultimately, for the glory of God through Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to value diversity, avoid discontent or pride, and actively get involved in serving, trusting in God's sovereign plan for their unique role.
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Part 3
This sermon, based on James 1:2-12, explores how believers should respond to life's trials and troubles. Pastor Tom Pennington illustrates that just as physical pressure is essential for muscle health, spiritual pressures build and develop our spiritual strength. The core message is that God uses life�s troubles to refine our character and mature our faith, provided we respond correctly. Four godly responses to trials are outlined. First, cultivate a joyful attitude, not delighting in the trials themselves, but in their potential to produce spiritual maturity and endurance. Second, utilize God's available resources, such as prayer, wisdom, and grace, which He provides during difficulties. Third, avoid focusing on earthly circumstances: the humble should glory in their exalted spiritual position as God's children, while the rich should glory in their spiritual humiliation, acknowledging wealth's temporary nature and spiritual liabilities. This counters prosperity gospel theology. Fourth, live with an eternal perspective, understanding that persevering under trial proves genuine faith and ultimately leads to the "crown of life," which is eternal life promised to those who love God. This eternal viewpoint helps believers endure present afflictions, knowing they are temporary compared to future glory.
Bad to the Bone: A Study of Human Depravity - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Bad to the Bone," delves into human depravity, asserting its foundational importance for understanding salvation. He illustrates this concept not only through extreme examples like Nazi war criminals but also through the pervasive daily sins evident in every individual's life, such as pride and selfishness. The sermon defines "original sin" as the inherited sinful state and corruption passed down from Adam, which is the root of all personal sin. Pennington outlines key theological perspectives on this doctrine, contrasting the Pelagian view (humans born innocent, sin by example) and the Arminian view (physical corruption but no inherited guilt from Adam), with the Reformed view (Adam's sin imputed guilt, corruption, and death to all humanity, rendering us unable to please God). Addressing the common objection that inheriting Adam's guilt is unfair, the pastor explains that if this imputation is unfair, then the imputation of Christ's righteousness (which operates similarly) would also be deemed unfair. He clarifies that God's judgment ultimately rests on personal sins, though Adam's sin establishes our guilty standing. Pennington favors the "Federal Covenant" or "Representative" view, where Adam acted as humanity's representative, leading to the imputation of his sin.
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "James: Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Part 2)," based on James 1:2-12, asserts that trials are God's instruments for refining Christian character and fostering maturity. Trials encompass all external difficulties, from daily pressures to catastrophic events. Pennington outlines two godly responses. First, develop the right attitude: "consider it all joy" (James 1:2-4). This joy stems not from the pain, but from recognizing God's purpose: testing faith produces endurance, leading to spiritual completeness. Second, utilize divine resources (James 1:5-8). Everyone universally lacks wisdom�the practical skill for God-pleasing living�during trials. God commands believers to ask Him for this wisdom through prayer, promising to give "generously and without reproach." God's gracious character ensures He provides what's needed, having already given His Son. While He may not reveal the "why" of trials, He grants wisdom to understand their spiritual benefit and respond appropriately. However, this asking must be "in faith, without any doubting." "Doubting" here signifies "double-mindedness"�a divided allegiance or inner conflict between self-reliance and God-reliance, likened to a turbulent sea. A person with such divided loyalties, "unstable in all his ways," will not receive God's help.
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Part 1
In his sermon on James 1:2-12, Pastor Tom Pennington introduces the book's focus on trials, emphasizing that life's troubles are God's tools for refining character and producing Christian maturity. Citing George Matheson's prayer for "thorns," he encourages a radical shift in perspective. Trials are inevitable, multi-faceted external difficulties that unexpectedly "fall into" our lives, encompassing everything from daily pressures to major tragedies. Instead of common negative responses like denial or complaining, Christians are commanded to "consider it all joy." This doesn't mean enjoying suffering, but finding joy in the spiritual results God produces. This attitude stems from "knowing" three core truths: God is ultimately behind every trial, intending it for our spiritual good to test and refine our faith. When faced with the right mindset, trials produce "endurance," which builds "proven character" and strengthens "hope." This process ultimately leads to Christian maturity, making believers "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Like rocks tumbled to smooth their edges, trials shape believers into Christ-likeness, a transformative benefit available exclusively to those who have faith in Jesus Christ.
James: First Lessons
This sermon introduces a study of the Book of James, emphasizing its practical call to examine the genuineness of one's faith. The speaker warns against "counterfeit faith," drawing parallels to deadly fake drugs, identifying natural, historical (belief in facts without true commitment), and temporal (short-lived emotional) forms. Citing Paul and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, the text asserts that true faith is evidenced by obedience and must be actively tested, a central theme of James's epistle. The author, James, is identified as Jesus's half-brother, who, despite growing up with Christ and witnessing His life and miracles, initially rejected Him and thought Him insane. His eventual conversion, after Jesus's resurrection, is presented as a powerful illustration that belief stems not from proximity or human effort, but solely from God's sovereign will and "the word of truth" (James 1:18). This realization encourages persistent prayer and sharing the Gospel for those yet to believe. James's self-identification as a "bondservant" further underscores God's sovereignty in believers' service, reminding them that their lives are not their own but dedicated to God and Christ. Lastly, James addresses Jewish Christians "dispersed abroad" due to persecution, highlighting God's sovereignty over circumstances.
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