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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2 Corinthians
An Aerial View of the New Testament
An Aerial View of the Old Testament
Anchored Section 1
Anchored Section 2
Anchored Section 3
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
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Deadly Dangers
Embracing Our Church's Distinctives
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Five Hallmarks of a Biblical Church
Hold Fast
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Just by Faith Alone
Lies Christians Believe
Look in the Mirror!
Lord, Teach Us To Pray
Mark - The Memoirs of Peter
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Riches to Rags
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The Distinctives of Countryside Bible Church
The First Testament of Jesus Christ
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Trending vs. Truth
United in Christ!
Watch Your Mouth!
We Were Made to Worship
When Life's Not Fair
Your Faith, Dead or Alive?
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2017-02-05

Old Testament: Judges to Monarchy - Part 1

This sermon provides an aerial tour of Old Testament history, emphasizing its instructional value. It covers the Conquest and Division of Canaan (Joshua), the Period of the Judges (Judges and Ruth), and the early Monarchy (1 Samuel), focusing on Saul and David. The Book of Joshua describes Israel's conquest and the land's division, fulfilling God's promises. However, Israel's incomplete obedience in driving out the Canaanites led to future problems. The text explains Canaanite Baal worship's depravity, characterized by sexual perversion and child sacrifice, justifying God's command for extermination. The Period of the Judges, following Joshua's death, was a dark era lacking national leadership, where "every man did what was right in his own eyes." This resulted in a cycle of sin (intermarriage, idolatry), divine judgment (oppression), supplication, and God raising local deliverers. The Book of Ruth, set during this time, highlights loyalty and God's redemptive work, tracing David's genealogy. The transition to Monarchy, guided by Samuel, occurred because Israel demanded a king prematurely and for the wrong reasons, essentially rejecting God. Yet, God had a plan for kings, who were to rule under His law and be accountable to prophets.

Tom Pennington
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Anchored Section 1
2017
2017-02-05

The Amazing Benefits of Justification - Part 2

In "The Amazing Benefits of Justification (Part 2)," Pastor Tom Pennington emphasizes the profound blessings accompanying a believer's justification, often overlooked like a hidden treasure. Building on prior benefits of peace with God, standing in His grace, and hoping in His glory, the sermon introduces two more immediate advantages from Romans 5:1-11. Firstly, justified believers can **rejoice in tribulations**. Unlike common responses of denial or anger, Christians can find joy in suffering by *knowing* God uses trials to produce perseverance. This endurance, a steadfast remaining under pressure, builds proven character, confirming the authenticity of our faith and fostering spiritual maturity. This strengthened character then produces hope, assuring us of future glory. Secondly, Christians gain **confidence in God's unconditional love**. This love, lavishly "poured out" by the Holy Spirit at salvation, assures believers of God's unwavering affection. Its unconditional nature is evident because Christ died for humanity when we were utterly helpless, ungodly, and sinful, not because of any merit within us, but solely due to God's own benevolent character. This divine love, therefore, remains constant and steadfast, providing profound comfort and eternal security.

Tom Pennington
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Romans
2017
2017-01-29

The Amazing Benefits of Justification - Part 1

The sermon, "The Amazing Benefits of Justification (Part 1)" from Romans 5:1-11, initiates a new section of Paul's letter, "The Gospel Experienced," focusing on the security and abundant blessings received through justification. Justification is defined as God's past, legal declaration that a believer is righteous, not by personal merit, but solely through Christ. This involves God crediting our sins to Christ, imputing Christ's righteousness to us, and forgiving our sins, culminating in adoption into God's family. Three immediate benefits for the justified are presented: 1. **Peace with God**: Justification ends the "war" between God and the sinner, establishing objective reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Previously, God was hostile due to sin, but now believers experience peace of mind and conscience, knowing their sins are fully dealt with. The speaker contrasts this with false peace, which is based on superficial belief or self-righteousness, not genuine commitment to Christ. 2. **Standing in God's Grace**: Through Christ, believers are introduced into an unshakeable position of grace. We are no longer under the law to earn favor but are securely fixed in God's undeserved kindness, regardless of daily performance, always treated with goodness we don't deserve. 3.

Tom Pennington
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Romans
2017
2017-01-22

Just Like Abraham

Tom Pennington's sermon on Romans 4:23-25 argues that Paul's doctrine of justification by faith alone is the unchanging gospel, consistent with Old Testament teachings and Abraham's belief. He identifies three ways Satan attacks this truth: promoting works-based righteousness (seen in Roman Catholicism and cults), encouraging antinomianism (using grace to excuse sin), and redefining justification (as in the New Perspective on Paul). Jesus' parable of the humble tax collector, justified by God's propitiation, exemplifies true righteousness over the self-reliant Pharisee. Pennington asserts that Abraham's justification in Genesis 15:6 provides a universal model for believers. We are made right with God the same way (by justification through grace), through the same means (faith alone), by believing in the same God (Yahweh, who raises the dead), and through the same Redeemer (Jesus, the Messiah Abraham anticipated). Our justification is grounded in Christ's work: His death for our transgressions and His resurrection. The resurrection serves as proof of God's acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice and guarantees the ongoing application of His work to those who believe. This profound truth offers an invitation to abandon self-righteousness and trust in Christ, while also providing deep assurance for existing believers that God's way of salvation remains constant.

Tom Pennington
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Romans
2017
2017-01-15

Are Your Ambitions Justified?

The sermon "Are Your Ambitions Justified?" emphasizes that while justification is God's legal declaration of righteousness through faith alone, true saving faith profoundly transforms a person's life and ambitions. Although justification is an external legal act, it is always accompanied by profound internal changes, occurring simultaneously with other salvific events like regeneration. Drawing from Philippians 3:10-11, Pastor Tom Pennington outlines three primary ambitions that characterize a genuinely justified individual, mirroring the Apostle Paul's desires: 1. **To Know Christ:** This involves seeking an intimate, personal, and relational understanding of Jesus, valuing Him above all else. A lack of this deep desire indicates an absence of true conversion. 2. **To Be Like Christ:** This entails a longing for moral transformation through the power of His resurrection, a willingness to share in His sufferings (persecution for His sake), and conformity to His death (self-denial and taking up one's cross). 3. **To Be With Christ:** This is a fervent desire for the resurrection and eternal communion, driven by the ultimate goal of perfect likeness to Jesus forever. Ultimately, an incorruptible love for Jesus Christ is the distinguishing mark of a truly justified person, differentiating believers from those who merely claim faith.

Philippians
3:10-11
Tom Pennington
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Philippians
2017
2017-01-08

A Portrait of Faith - Part 4

This sermon, "A Portrait of Faith (Part 4)," based on Romans 4:17-22, explains and illustrates justifying faith through Abraham's example. Pastor Tom Pennington argues that Paul uses Abraham to demonstrate that salvation has always been by faith alone, not by works. The passage helps identify true saving faith and guides Christians in daily living by faith. Key qualities of saving faith are highlighted: it is biblical, rooted in God's trustworthy character, a certain hope, and often contrary to human expectations. It's a gift of God's grace, founded solely on His Word. Abraham believed God despite his and Sarah's advanced age and physical impossibilities, refusing to waver in unbelief, which the sermon defines as a sin. His faith grew strong by focusing on God's promises and power, giving God glory by acknowledging His truthfulness and ability to perform His Word. Ultimately, faith is the means by which a sinner receives justification�the crediting of Christ's righteousness. It's not faith itself that saves, but Christ saves through faith, acting as the instrument to receive God's gift. This results in being declared righteous and having peace with God, just as Abraham was.

Tom Pennington
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Romans
2017

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