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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Whose Slave are You? - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington explains Romans 6 by utilizing the analogy of Roman slavery to illustrate a believer's radical transformation. Unlike ancient Romans, we may not personally understand physical slavery, but the concept�like military enlistment�effectively conveys complete control. Paul clarifies that before Christ, everyone was a slave to sin, leading to death. This was a universal condition, regardless of outward morality, driven by a darkened mind, enslaved will, and lack of fear of God. Through salvation, a profound change occurs. God, by His grace, freed believers from sin's tyranny and regenerated them, making them "obedient from the heart" to the gospel. This obedience, a willing response to faith and repentance, is not self-initiated but God�s sovereign act of delivering us to a new Master. We are no longer free to sin, but rather "enslaved to righteousness," compelled by God's Spirit to walk in His statutes as promised in the New Covenant. This divine intervention ensures spiritual growth and holiness, providing assurance that God, who began this good work, will complete it. Our lives, bought by Christ's death, now solely belong to Him, not ourselves.
The Intertestamental Period
The 400-year Intertestamental Period, or "silent years," between Malachi and John the Baptist, saw no new direct revelation, but God sovereignly prepared the world for His Son's arrival. Politically, Daniel's prophecies accurately foretold successive empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Alexander the Great's rapid conquest and subsequent empire division, followed by Antiochus Epiphanes' brutal persecution and temple desecration, prompted the Maccabean Revolt and temple rededication (Hanukkah). Roman rule under Pompey and Herod the Great eventually controlled Judea. Religiously, the Pharisees (conservative, oral law) and Sadducees (priestly, anti-supernatural) arose. The Sanhedrin (ruling council), synagogues for local worship, and the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament translation) also developed. These changes were God's providence: Greek became a precise, universal language; Roman peace (Pax Romana) and road networks aided gospel spread; and dispersed Jews, with the Septuagint, yearned for a Messiah, all paving the way for Christ. This intricate historical tapestry demonstrates God's sovereignty, orchestrating events to fulfill His ultimate plan of redemption, as Galatians 4:4 states, "when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son."
Whose Slave are You? - Part 1
Tom Pennington's sermon on Romans 6:15-23, "Romans Whose Slave Are You?", asserts that genuine believers, justified by God's grace, are no longer enslaved to sin but are now slaves to God and righteousness. Paul�s letter, specifically this section, addresses how the "gospel is experienced" and offers security in justification. Pennington explains that the question "Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?" (referring to a persistent pattern of sin) is met with Paul's emphatic "May it never be!" Using the analogy of Roman slavery, the sermon highlights a fundamental spiritual truth: everyone serves one of two masters. You are either a slave to sin, which inevitably results in death (spiritual, physical, and eternal), or a slave to obedience and righteousness, which leads to sanctification and the free gift of eternal life through Christ. Paul emphasizes that one cannot serve both masters; your actions reveal your true allegiance. If one habitually presents themselves to sin, they are sin's slave, and their profession of faith is a sham. Conversely, a true Christian, freed by Jesus, is compelled by their new nature to obey God, demonstrating a life increasingly characterized by righteousness.
Mindful Worship
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon, "Mindful Worship," distinguishes biblical "mindfulness" from the secular craze, emphasizing that true believers are called to be fully present, especially in corporate worship. He asserts that distraction is a significant problem, and Jesus' teaching in John 4:23-24 defines acceptable worship as being "in spirit and truth." Worship "in truth" means it must be directed to the biblical God, based on the complete revelation of Scripture, and include only elements God explicitly prescribes (the regulative principle), such as singing, praying, giving, reading, teaching, baptism, and the Lord's Table. It must also be grounded in a life of obedience and offered through Jesus Christ. Worship "in spirit" dictates that it must be a matter of the heart, not merely external performance. It must be wholehearted, enthusiastic, and passionate, engaging one's entire immaterial being, reflecting God's nature as Spirit. Critically, true worship is active, not passive; God is the audience, evaluating our sincere, engaged participation in every element. The sermon concludes by highlighting that the capacity for true worship originates from God: "The Father seeks such people to be His worshipers." We become worshipers not by seeking Him, but by His gracious pursuit of us through Christ.
The Deadly Danger of Sexual Lust
Pastor Tom Pennington identifies sexual lust as a particularly deadly sin for believers. He defines it, using terms like 'lust' and 'covetousness,' as a strong, sinful desire for what God forbids, specifically another person sexually. This encompasses looking with intent to lust, creating explicit mental images, and exciting lust in others through actions, words, or attire. He distinguishes it from natural attraction or healthy sexual desire within marriage. Pennington emphasizes lust's severe dangers: it bears the moral guilt of the sinful act (Jesus calls it adultery in the heart), excludes from Christ's kingdom (being idolatry), and condemns one to eternal hell if unrepented. He urges radical steps against it. Seven biblical strategies are offered: 1) Flee temptation, making sin difficult. 2) Cultivate thanksgiving, counteracting craving. 3) Use Scripture for holiness and as a weapon. 4) Pray for God's grace and help. 5) Rehearse lust's tragic consequences (it never satisfies, destroys relationships). 6) Enjoy married love or pursue marriage if single. 7) Crucially, depend on Christ alone for forgiveness, help, and sanctification, as He is the sole source of freedom from this deadly slavery.
The Deadly Danger of a Proud Heart
Tom Pennington's sermon, "The Deadly Danger of a Proud Heart" (1 Peter 5:5-7), highlights pride as a destructive force, illustrating its peril with the Admiral Nakhimov collision caused by human arrogance. He contends that despite cultural affirmations of self-esteem, pride is the soul's greatest enemy, severing us from God's grace. The core biblical principle, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble," underscores this danger. Pride, originating with Satan and pervasive in humanity, manifests in accomplishments, position, and even spiritual acts, leading to self-sufficiency and a superior attitude. God actively opposes the proud, chastening even believers for it, as seen in biblical figures like Uzziah and Hezekiah. Conversely, God continuously bestows grace�His unmerited favor�upon the humble, those who possess a deep sense of their moral littleness. This humility is a prerequisite for receiving God's essential grace for spiritual survival. Pennington outlines a three-step path to cultivate humility: submitting to rightful human authorities, becoming a "slave of everyone" by valuing and serving others (like Christ), and embracing God's providence in all life's circumstances by casting anxieties upon Him. Embracing humility aligns us with God's will and ensures His ongoing grace.
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