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.
Heaven Rules - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington introduces Daniel 4 with the theme: "only God is great." The chapter, written by King Nebuchadnezzar, recounts his troubling dream. A magnificent tree, representing his vast empire and personal glory, was to be cut down, leaving a stump, and he would live as an animal for "seven periods of time." Daniel, troubled by the dream�s meaning, explained that Nebuchadnezzar would suffer from boanthropy�believing he was an ox�for seven years until he recognized God's supreme sovereignty. Daniel urged the king to repent, turn from his sins, and show mercy to the poor, suggesting this could bring temporal blessing or genuine salvation. Despite God's patient 12-month grace period, Nebuchadnezzar's profound pride, expressed while admiring Babylon's splendor, triggered the immediate fulfillment of the prophecy. He was driven from mankind, living like a beast, his body physically transforming. After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself, "raised his eyes toward heaven," and his reason and kingdom were restored. He then praised God, recognizing His unending sovereignty, unstoppable power, unchangeable plans, and unfathomable mercy.
I Will Build My Church
Countryside Bible Church celebrated its 40th anniversary by launching its first official church plant, Northlake Bible Church, a plan 11 years in the making. Pastor Tom Pennington laid out the biblical foundation, citing Jesus' promise in Matthew 16, "I will build My church," founded on the confession of Him as the Christ, Son of the Living God. The Great Commission (Matthew 28) mandates making disciples, baptizing, and teaching, which the sermon explains is accomplished by establishing local churches where believers are discipled under elder authority. The early church in Acts modeled this, from Jerusalem's expansion to Antioch's active missionary sending, establishing churches and appointing leaders. Countryside seeks to follow this pattern. The Northlake plant, led by Elder Dusty Burris, aims for 35 families in a fast-growing area near Argyle and Justin. They will initially meet in a local school, with an official launch set for March 2020. The church also proposes purchasing 11.5 acres of land in a new development for a long-term home, pending a congregational vote. Members considering joining the plant are called to commitment, sacrifice, and service.
Human Responsibility - Part 1
Tom Pennington�s sermon on Romans 9:30-10:21 addresses why most Jewish people rejected their Messiah, attributing it to "human responsibility." This section of Romans clarifies the relationship between God's divine election and man's free will. Pennington asserts that while salvation is solely a result of divine election, condemnation is entirely due to human responsibility. He illustrates this with the analogy of a death row inmate: their guilt is their own, but a pardon is the governor's sovereign grace. The sermon identifies Israel's primary failure as a misunderstanding of God's Law. They pursued "righteousness by works" rather than "by faith." Paul argues that the Law was never intended as a means of self-justification. Instead, its purpose is to expose sin and demonstrate humanity's inability to meet God's perfect standards, thereby leading individuals to Christ for salvation through faith. Israel's refusal to embrace salvation on God's terms, evidenced by their disobedience and obstinacy despite clear Old Testament prophecies, makes their unbelief inexcusable, a message of personal accountability for unbelief that applies universally.
Heaven Rules - Part 1
Daniel 4, titled "Heaven Rules," emphasizes God's complete sovereignty over all human rulers and kingdoms, a central theme of Daniel's prophecy. The chapter introduces King Nebuchadnezzar's second dream, occurring late in his prosperous reign. He dreamt of a massive, flourishing tree, symbolizing himself and his empire, which an angelic watcher commanded to be cut down. The decree specified that the stump, representing the king, would remain but be bound, and the king's mind would change to that of an animal for seven periods of time (likely seven years). The explicit purpose of this divine judgment, proclaimed by the angelic watchers, is "in order that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men." After Babylon's wise men fail to interpret the disturbing dream, Daniel, recognized by Nebuchadnezzar as possessing "a spirit of the Holy God," is called upon. The text highlights God's sovereignty as constant, real (over mankind's affairs), specific (over individual rulers), and unrestricted, demonstrating that no one attains power apart from His will and ultimate purposes.
Not Your Own!
Tom Pennington's sermon, "Not Your Own!", challenges the modern cultural value of personal autonomy, asserting that for Christians, the opposite is true: they belong entirely to Jesus Christ. He defines autonomy as being one's "own law," a concept alien to believers who are fundamentally Christ's possession. Pennington outlines four biblical reasons for this ownership. Firstly, Christ is the Creator of all things, including every person, thus holding ultimate ownership. Secondly, the Father, in an act of eternal love, "donated" believers to His Son. Thirdly, through redemption, Christ purchased believers from their slavery to sin with His own blood, establishing a change of ownership. While this means becoming Christ's "doulos" (slave), this relationship is characterized by His gracious, kind, and loving mastership, treating believers as friends and family. Lastly, salvation involves a personal devotion and commitment to deny oneself, take up one's cross, and follow Christ as Lord. The practical ramification is that Christians are literally "not their own." This means every facet of their lives�their bodies, minds, thoughts, spiritual life, time, relationships, work, possessions, and daily decisions�is under Christ's authority and intended to be lived for Him.
Through the Fire - Part 3
This sermon on Daniel 3 highlights God's sovereignty over government persecution. It recounts how Nebuchadnezzar, in defiance of God, commanded all officials, including Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, to worship a golden image or face a fiery furnace. The three Hebrews courageously refused, demonstrating an unintimidated, confident, submissive, and committed faith. Enraged, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter. When the bound men were thrown in, the extreme heat killed the soldiers who cast them. However, Nebuchadnezzar was astonished to see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking in the fire, the fourth "like a son of the gods" (believed to be a pre-incarnate Christ). He called them out, and they emerged completely untouched, without even the smell of smoke, their ropes being the only things consumed. This miraculous deliverance powerfully illustrates God's complete power. The sermon details how God protects His people, not just miraculously, but also through Christian support, biblical wisdom, providence, eternal deliverance, spiritual preservation, and His constant presence.
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.