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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Uncommon Servants and Unlikely Saints
Pastor Tom Pennington begins his study of Philippians by introducing Paul and Timothy as "uncommon servants." Paul, though the sole author, humbly includes Timothy, his devoted companion, to share the limelight and model humility for the Philippian church, which struggled with internal disunity. They are described as "bond-servants" or "slaves of Christ," a term signifying willing devotion and privilege, reflecting Christ's own servanthood. This concept is contrasted with being a "slave of sin," emphasizing that everyone serves something, but choosing Christ offers true freedom and purpose. Pennington then characterizes the Philippian believers as "unlikely saints." The church's origins, detailed in Acts 16, involved diverse and unexpected converts: Lydia, a successful businesswoman; a demon-possessed slave girl; and a Roman jailer. The term "saints" refers to all Christians, denoting those "set apart by the Holy Spirit for God�s purposes" and united with Christ, not by their own merit, but by God's grace. This positional holiness inherently implies a duty to pursue personal holiness. Finally, Paul's greeting of "grace and peace" is presented as an underrated yet profound blessing, representing God's unmerited favor and subjective peace bestowed upon those willingly devoted to Christ as His holy people.
Why Should You Care About Theology? - Part 1
Pastor Tom Pennington introduces Systematic Theology, addressing its importance by highlighting how many people have a fragmented understanding of Scripture, akin to a "poorly sewn quilt." He defines theology as a discourse about God, explaining its various classifications (historical, biblical, practical, and systematic). Systematic Theology's core aim is to answer: "What does the whole Bible teach today about any given topic?" This involves meticulously collecting, exegeting, interpreting, and synthesizing all relevant passages for comprehensive understanding. While it uses terms not explicitly in the Bible (e.g., Trinity, Incarnation), these summarize biblical concepts. The study relies on presuppositions that God exists, the Bible is His absolute and intelligible revelation. Key tools include the divinely inspired Scripture, exegesis (discovering author's meaning), and reason, critically aided by the Holy Spirit's illumination for spiritual grasp. Systematic Theology typically covers doctrines like Scripture (Bibliology), God (Theology Proper), Man (Anthropology), Christ (Christology), Salvation (Soteriology), Church (Ecclesiology), and the Future (Eschatology). This organized approach directly links deep biblical knowledge to spiritual growth and practical Christian living, preventing a jumbled theology.
God's Plan for the Church - Part 3
Tom Pennington's sermon, "God�s Plan for the Church (Part 3)," based on Ephesians 4:7-16, emphasizes the church's divinely appointed purpose and ultimate destination. He likens a church straying from Scripture to Columbus's miscalculations, warning against arriving at a "wrong destination." Recapping Ephesians 4:7-12, Pennington outlines God�s plan: Christ appoints leaders (evangelists, pastor-teachers) who equip members (through teaching and prayer). These equipped members then accomplish the church's service (worship, nurturing, evangelizing), leading to the body's growth. Ephesians 4:13 then reveals the ultimate goal: 1. **When:** "Until Christ returns," when all believers achieve perfect spiritual maturity, becoming entirely like Jesus. This divine plan is eternal and unchangeable, refuting ideas of "reinventing the church." 2. **Who:** "We all" � every true Christian will persevere, preserved by God, to reach this perfection. 3. **How:** Through a "slow, steady growth" process, akin to physical development or a journey, rather than sudden spiritual crises. True spiritual life always produces growth. 4.
God's Plan for the Church - Part 4
In the fourth part of his sermon series on Ephesians, Pastor Tom Pennington delves into Ephesians 4:14-16, revealing God's purpose for the church: to prompt specific changes in believers' lives. He presents two core commands. First, believers are urged to "grow up," shedding spiritual immaturity. Pennington likens immature believers to children, easily "tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine," often propagated by deceptive false teachers driven by selfish motives. To achieve maturity, believers must "hold to the truth in love," cultivating both a deeper understanding of God's Word and an increasing love for God and fellow believers. This spiritual growth, a collaborative effort between human diligence and divine enablement, aims to establish Christ as the central focus of one's entire life. Second, believers are called to "get involved." Using the metaphor of the human body, where Christ is the head, Pennington explains that the church thrives when every individual part performs its unique, God-given function. He emphasizes that the collective growth and edification of the body in love depend on each member's active participation and use of their spiritual gifts within the local church.
God's Plan for the Church - Part 1
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "God's Plan for the Church (Part 1)" from Ephesians 4:7-16 emphasizes the church's divine purpose to display God's wisdom, urging listeners not to lose sight of this grand vision amidst daily activities. The focus is on the spiritual gifts (charisma) given to every individual believer. Pennington explains that at salvation, "grace was given to each one of us" as a unique, supernatural capacity for service, distinct from natural talents. These are permanent "edifying gifts," categorized broadly as speaking or serving, intended to build up the body. He encourages believers to discover their gifts by studying Scripture, praying, assessing their desires and strengths, seeking the church's confirmation, and faithfully serving, as gifts often become evident through use. God sovereignly assigns each believer their specific gift, the context for its use, and its results, which should cultivate both humility and contentment. While divine sovereignty is absolute, believers are responsible to progress in their gifts and soberly evaluate their role in the church, avoiding pride or feelings of inferiority. These gifts were bestowed by Christ upon His triumphant ascension, following His victory over spiritual enemies.
God's Plan for the Church - Part 2
Tom Pennington's sermon, based on Ephesians 4:11-12, outlines God's four-part plan for the church, clarifying its divine purpose amid contemporary confusion. First, Christ appoints leaders as gifts. These include foundational apostles and prophets (whose roles ceased), evangelists (missionaries), and pastor-teachers (elders/overseers). Leaders are identified by their desire for the work, character, capacity to teach/manage, and congregational confirmation. Members are called to respect and obey these biblically-appointed leaders. Second, leaders equip members. Their primary role is to prepare "the saints for the work of service" through teaching God's Word and prayer. Equipping involves restoring believers, providing spiritual skills, and training them to mature in faith. Third, equipped members accomplish service. This includes all ministry, rejecting clericalism. Service balances worshiping God, nurturing believers, and evangelizing/showing mercy to the world�a threefold duty for every member. Fourth, the plan's outcome is the "building up of the body of Christ." This signifies spiritual maturity and Christ-likeness for both local and universal churches, not merely numerical growth. Adherence to this divine blueprint ensures the church fulfills its intended purpose.
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