Sermons That Exalt Christ

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ - Part 1

The Temptation of Jesus Christ - Part 4

In "Matthew: The Temptation of Jesus Christ (Part 4)," Pastor Tom Pennington explores the third and climactic temptation Jesus faced in Matthew 4:8-10, paralleling it to the legend of Dr. Faust selling his soul for worldly gain. Satan offered Jesus all earthly kingdoms and their glory if He would simply worship him. The true temptation, however, was not merely a moment of worship, but for Jesus to seize His promised kingdom *now* and *His own way*, bypassing the Father's plan of suffering and a later glorification. This represents a pursuit of power, wealth, and self-fulfillment over God's perfect will and timing. For believers, this temptation manifests as a sinful craving for power and possessions, which can lead to idolatry�loving these things more than God, pursuing them contrary to His commands, or trusting in them. Jesus countered Satan by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, "YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY." This highlights that all we have is a gift from God and must never replace Him in our lives.

The Temptation of Jesus Christ - Part 3

This sermon on Matthew 4:1-11 examines Jesus' second temptation, where Satan prompted Him to seek personal glory instead of God's. Pastor Pennington establishes that temptation is universal and not sin, yet a lifelong challenge, with Jesus' example providing guidance. Satan tempted Jesus to leap from the Temple's pinnacle, misquoting Scripture to urge a public, spectacular display. The core temptation was for Jesus to instantly prove His Messiahship through self-promotion and a dramatic sign, rather than God's chosen path of teaching His Word. Jesus resisted by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test," emphasizing that one must not distrust God's Word or demand He prove Himself on human terms. For believers, this temptation appears as "boastful pride of life" � any form of self-promotion. To overcome it, we must embrace two convictions: our purpose is to glorify God alone, and any personal exaltation comes solely from Him, in His chosen way and time. Our inherent sin is prioritizing our own glory over God's, highlighting our need for Jesus. As the only sinless one, Jesus is uniquely qualified to be our Savior, offering salvation to all who repent and believe.

The Temptation of Jesus Christ - Part 2

In "The Temptation of Jesus Christ (Part 2)," Pastor Tom Pennington contrasts Oscar Wilde's cynical view on temptation with Jesus' powerful example from Matthew 4:1-11. After 40 days of fasting, Jesus, extremely hungry, was tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread. This, the first of three climactic temptations, is presented as a paradigm for believers. Pennington explains that this temptation represents how legitimate physical needs can become a source of sin if pursued contrary to God's will, in excess, or with idolatrous passion. Jesus, fully human yet sinless, did not succumb to the pressure, demonstrating that our physical body, while a gift, can be a "beachhead of the flesh" if not disciplined. Jesus' response, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3), reveals crucial presuppositions. It emphasizes Scripture's authority, God's sovereignty over our circumstances, His role as provider, and His purpose in allowing deprivation�to humble us, test our loyalty, and build our faith. Jesus, as a man, overcame through the Spirit and the written Word.

The Temptation of Jesus Christ - Part 1

The text explores Jesus' temptation in Matthew 4:1-11, presenting it as a powerful display of His sufficiency over sin. This event, strategically timed after His baptism, reveals the collaborative work of the triune God in redemption, with the Father initiating, the Son executing, and the Spirit perfecting divine plans. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desolate wilderness for testing, enduring forty days of direct temptation by Satan. Unlike humanity, whose temptations stem from both external forces and internal lusts (the "flesh"), Jesus' temptations were solely external; He possessed no sinful craving. Furthermore, due to His divine nature, God's decree, and the Spirit's power, Jesus was impeccable�He could not sin. Despite this, His temptation was profoundly real and more intense than any human experience, as He faced its full fury without ever yielding. This unwavering sinlessness is paramount for human salvation, making Jesus the perfect, sinless substitute who could bear our sins and credit His righteousness to believers, enabling our forgiveness and declaration of righteousness before God.

Q & A

Pastor Tom Pennington�s Q&A sermon addresses diverse theological and practical questions for Christian living. He delineates biblical law into three categories: moral laws, reflecting God�s unchanging character, which still abide; civil laws, specific to ancient Israel, now overseen by government; and ceremonial laws (sacrifices, feasts, Sabbath observance), which are fulfilled in Christ. He advises interpreting biblical narratives by differentiating between actions God merely records and those He commends, acknowledging that even biblical heroes were flawed. Pennington clarifies that while believers primarily pray to the Father, it is acceptable to address the Son or Holy Spirit, as all are equally God. Regarding practices like Lent, he classifies them as "issues of conscience," cautioning against legalism and advocating for consistent daily self-discipline over seasonal observances. He explains that after death, unbelievers experience conscious torment, while believers are immediately "present with the Lord," both awaiting future bodily resurrection. He also discusses the regulative principle of worship, stating that church practices, including special music, must be scripturally prescribed. Pennington further affirms the unified character of God across the Old and New Testaments, underscoring Jesus's pervasive presence in the Old Testament, and encourages believers to let scriptural truth, rather than fleeting emotions, govern their lives.