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.
Engage with the most recent teaching from God’s Word.
The preaching of God's Word is central to worship and of the utmost importance for the sanctification of every believer in Christ.
Explore messages organized to help you grow in Christ.
Search and filter sermons for quick access.
Contentment: The Lost Virtue - Part 3
The sermon "Contentment: The Lost Virtue" opens by contrasting our privileged modern lives with the discomforts of King Louis XIV's opulent Versailles, highlighting humanity's persistent struggle with contentment despite material advancements. Pastor Tom Pennington explains that discontent stems from internal craving and coveting, not external circumstances. Drawing from Philippians 4:10-13, he defines contentment as self-sufficiency and delight in God-ordained situations, emphasizing it's a heart attitude, not an excuse for idleness. To achieve lasting contentment, four attitudes are essential. First, find your ultimate joy in God, as no earthly possession or experience can truly satisfy the soul. Second, focus your attention on others; Paul's rejoicing over the Philippians' gift was rooted in their spiritual profit, not just his personal gain, demonstrating how selflessness counters discontent. Third, fix flawed thinking about circumstances: recognize that external situations do not cause discontent (it resides in the heart), understand that contentment can be learned in any condition (humble or prosperous), and accept that no circumstances are perfect�choose to focus on abundance rather than perceived lack. Finally, the "secret" to contentment lies in finding your strength in Christ, as articulated in Philippians 4:13.
The Ultimate Standard
The text defines God's righteousness as the ultimate standard for all existence, illustrating this by comparing it to the need for consistent measurements in the physical world. God is inherently (absolutely) righteous, meaning He *is* what is right, and His perfect character serves as the benchmark against which everything, including humanity, falls short (Romans 3:23). Beyond His being, God also demonstrates His (relative) righteousness through His actions. This includes legislating just laws, communicated through conscience and Scripture, which are not arbitrary but reflect His own nature. Furthermore, God's relative righteousness is distributive, meaning He impartially administers reward or punishment. While rewards for faithful service are given by His grace, not strict merit, punishment for sin is justly deserved, expressing God's holy revulsion toward evil. The implications of God's righteousness are profound: it argues for His existence, mandates that human government should reflect His justice, confirms that judgment is coming for all, and demands wrath for His enemies. It means His ways, even those we don't fully understand, must not be questioned. Most importantly, God's righteousness was both vindicated and satisfied through the death of Christ, allowing Him to justify believers by crediting them with Christ's perfect righteousness.
Contentment: The Lost Virtue - Part 2
This sermon identifies America's national sinful propensity as discontent, evidenced by constant job changes, rampant materialism, and a perpetual desire for "twice as much" as one currently possesses. This insatiable restlessness was even observed by Alexis de Tocqueville in the 1830s. Pastor Tom Pennington explains that biblical contentment, as articulated by Paul in Philippians 4:10-13, is an acquired state of mind, not an inherent trait. It means being truly satisfied in God despite one's circumstances, accepting one's lot as God's best, and is the direct opposite of coveting or craving. Paul himself learned this over time, realizing his deepest pre-conversion sin was coveting. To cultivate this contentment, the first essential attitude is to find ultimate joy in God. This involves recognizing that coveting is idolatry, as it seeks joy outside of God. Practical steps include investing in "heaven's currency"�godliness and Christ-likeness, which hold eternal value�and meditating on the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ above all earthly treasures. Just as the rich farmer Al Hafed missed the diamond mine on his own land while searching elsewhere, we often pursue temporary "baubles" instead of embracing God, the universe's greatest treasure, as our ultimate joy and satisfaction.
The First Testament of Jesus Christ - Part 3
This sermon asserts that the Old Testament is profoundly centered on Jesus Christ, a truth often overlooked by Christians, much like the cause of the Black Death was missed for centuries. The speaker contends that Christ is central to Old Testament history, involved in creation and providence, and present through appearances as the Angel of the LORD. More importantly, the Old Testament unequivocally teaches about Him. Jesus Himself declared that Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms all testified about Him, urging people to believe what was written to find life. The apostles, notably Peter and Paul, consistently rooted their proclamations of Jesus as the Messiah in Old Testament scriptures. They referenced prophecies from David concerning Christ's resurrection and divine authority, Isaiah's descriptions of the Suffering Servant, Moses' prophecy of a prophet like himself, and Abraham's covenant promising blessings through his "seed," all pointing to Jesus. Although Old Testament believers had varying degrees of understanding, figures like Abraham, Zacharias, and Simeon grasped significant truths about the Messiah's spiritual salvation for both Jews and Gentiles, and His suffering. Jesus critiqued those who failed to understand, attributing their blindness not to unclear scripture but to "slow hearts.
Contentment: The Lost Virtue - Part 1
The sermon, "Contentment: The Lost Virtue (Part 1)," introduces its theme with Leo Tolstoy's story of Pahom, a peasant driven by an insatiable craving for land that ultimately costs him his life, demonstrating humanity's endless desire for more. The pastor then connects this to Paul's teaching on contentment in Philippians 4:10-13, specifically focusing on what causes *discontentment*. Two primary sins are identified as enemies of contentment: **lust** and **covetousness**. Lust (Greek *epithumia*) signifies a strong, often sinful, desire or craving for what God has prohibited or withheld, stemming from our unredeemed human nature. Covetousness, meaning "to want to have more," is presented as idolatry, making wealth or worldly desires one's master over God. It encompasses craving both tangible possessions (property, money) and intangibles (status, relationships). This sin is insatiable, exemplified by John D. Rockefeller's desire for "just one more dollar," and invariably leads to other transgressions. Ultimately, both lust and covetousness reveal a profound dissatisfaction not merely with circumstances, but with God Himself. They are like C.S. Lewis's addictive "Turkish delight," promising satisfaction but only fueling further destructive desires. True contentment and rest for the heart are found solely in God.
The First Testament of Jesus Christ - Part 2
The sermon, "Seasonal The First Testament of Jesus Christ (Part 2)," highlights Jesus Christ's central role in the Old Testament, drawing an analogy to understanding a tsunami's cause. Pastor Tom Pennington asserts that Christ, identified as God, was actively involved throughout Old Testament history, notably appearing as "the angel of the LORD"�a distinct divine figure who accepted worship and ceased appearances after the incarnation. Furthermore, the text emphasizes that Old Testament Jews eagerly awaited their Messiah. This anticipation is evidenced from Genesis 3:15, which introduced the hope of a "seed of the woman," through New Testament accounts of figures like Simeon, Anna, and the public, all expecting a Deliverer. Even Moses chose the "reproach of Messiah" over Egyptian riches, and prophets understood the Messiah's coming sufferings and subsequent glory, diligently searching for details (1 Peter 1:10-12). This foundational understanding validates the Old Testament for Christians, urging its diligent study as "the first testament of Jesus Christ." It also prefigures Christ's ongoing involvement with His church and profoundly challenges contemporary believers to live in eager anticipation of His second coming, mirroring the fervent hope of Old Testament saints for His first.
No Results Found.
We couldn’t find anything matching your search.
Explore The Word Unleashed
Our ministry brings together expository preaching, theological precision, and practical application for the good of Christ's church and the daily living of Christ's people.
.webp)
Sermons
Listen to expository sermons that clearly teach God’s Word and guide you in daily living.
Radio
Tune in to gospel-centered programs that share biblical truth and strengthen your daily walk with Christ.
Training
Join courses and workshops designed to deepen your faith and equip you to serve others with biblical wisdom.
.webp)
From the Pastor's Desk
Read pastoral messages that encourage, instruct, and help you apply God’s Word to every part of your life.
.webp)
Hymns
Discover timeless hymns that lift your heart in worship and remind you of God’s abounding grace and faithfulness.
Podcasts
Stay rooted in Scripture through our podcast series.