Sermons That Exalt Christ

The Heart of the Christian Life - Part 2

In his sermon on Romans 12:9-21, Pastor Tom Pennington addresses the challenging times faced by his congregation, emphasizing that God is concerned not only with their circumstances but also with their responses, which reveal their hearts. He highlights that genuine love, as introduced in Romans 12:9 ("Let love be without hypocrisy"), is the core of Christian life and is practically expressed through how believers respond to difficult situations. Pennington outlines several key responses: First, Christians are called to **rejoice in hope**, a "happy certainty" of God's future glory, which provides joy and confidence even amidst present suffering and trials. Second, they must **persevere in tribulation**, actively enduring difficulties, understanding that such pressures build character and deepen hope. Both hope and perseverance are ultimately God-given and Spirit-produced. Third, believers demonstrate love by being **devoted to prayer** for themselves and others, showcasing their trust in God. Finally, love compels Christians to **contribute to the material needs of the saints**, sharing resources and entering into fellowship with those facing hardship, and to **practice generous hospitality**, actively welcoming and caring for unknown believers to advance God's kingdom.

It Is Finished!

Pastor Tom Pennington's Easter sermon, delivered remotely during the pandemic, centers on Jesus's sixth saying from the cross: "It is finished!" (John 19:30). He explains this translates to the single Greek word "tetelestai," a perfect tense verb signifying "it has been finished." This declaration was intentional, as Jesus knowingly fulfilled scripture and orchestrated events to make this powerful pronouncement. It was also pictorial, recalling first-century uses like a servant completing a task, a mission accomplished, a perfect sacrifice, an artist finishing a masterpiece, and, most vividly, a debt paid in full. Theologically, "tetelestai" means Jesus fulfilled all Old Testament messianic prophecies, completed His vicarious suffering and earthly mission, and fully satisfied God's justice and wrath against sin. This signifies He purchased complete forgiveness for sins and eternally earned salvation for every believer, emphasizing that salvation is a gracious gift received by faith in His completed work. The cry is intensely personal, inviting a response: believers should deepen their love and commitment to follow Jesus, while non-believers are called to trust in Christ's finished work, confessing Him as their Lord and God. The Resurrection serves as the Father's divine "Amen" to Jesus's triumphant declaration.

Passion Week Background and Introduction

Lord Willing - Part 2

Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon on James 4:13-17, "James Lord Willing (Part 2)," addresses our human illusion of control over life, particularly in the face of current global crises. He emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and providence, stating God controls all life's details. The text critiques those who plan their future without acknowledging God, calling such actions irrational due to life's uncertainty and brevity (we are "just a vapor"). The proper response, from James 4:15, is humble acceptance of God's providence. This means genuinely understanding, acknowledging, and submitting to His eternal plan for our existence and future activities, not merely uttering "If the Lord wills" superficially. It also entails obeying God's moral will. Refusing this submission is identified as "cosmic arrogance"�boasting in self-sufficiency�and a "deliberate sin" of omission, for failing to do what we know is right. This reveals our profound need for God's grace and Christ's perfect righteousness. Believers are thus called to joyfully submit to God's will in all circumstances, giving thanks for His wise and sovereign control, a posture in direct opposition to self-assured pride.

Why the Pandemic? Understanding God's Role and Purpose

In an online Sunday evening service, Pastor Tom Pennington explored the biblical perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the widespread question of "why." He dismissed secular explanations like randomness, environmental revenge, or capitalist greed, and also rejected liberal Christian views that detach God from such events. Pennington presented two core biblical assertions regarding disasters. First, God is ultimately responsible for all global disasters. Rooted in humanity's Fall, these events are expressions of God's just judgment. While sometimes immediately caused by human sin, Satanic activity (permitted by God), or direct divine action, God consistently acts justly and with mercy. Second, God always uses disasters to accomplish profound spiritual and eternal goals. These purposes include fostering a fear of God, executing temporal judgment on sin, sanctifying believers by building perseverance and hope, and driving sinners to repentance as a gracious "wake-up call." Ultimately, these events serve to display God's name and glory throughout the earth. Pennington urged listeners to respond by exalting God, confessing sins, allowing personal sanctification, and sharing the gospel, finding confidence in God's unfailing love and sovereignty.

Lord Willing - Part 1

Tom Pennington's sermon "Lord Willing (Part 1)" (James 4:13-17), delivered in March 2020, confronts human self-sufficiency during unexpected crises like the pandemic, asserting that despite detailed plans, humans lack ultimate control. This contrasts with God's absolute sovereignty and providence. The sermon critiques "self-determinism," the illusion that life is solely a result of one's own will. Pennington defines God's **sovereignty** as His comprehensive control and **providence** as the active outworking of His will through all events, even human choices, to accomplish His purposes. This truth comforts believers but often offends unbelievers. James 4:13-14 targets believers who, despite doctrinal affirmation, demonstrate "practical atheism" by planning with arrogant self-confidence, omitting God. This independent mindset is irrational because life is inherently **uncertain** ("you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow") and **short** ("you are just a vapor"). God alone determines life's events and duration. The sermon concludes by urging believers to consistently acknowledge God's sovereignty in all plans and decisions, joyfully submitting to His perfect will, and offers a gospel call for readiness for eternity.