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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Christians Love the Church
The text "Hold Fast: The Forgotten Truths We Must Always Remember Christians Love the Church" emphasizes that loving the church is a foundational, often-forgotten truth for real Christians. It clarifies that the "church" primarily refers to the *local* assembly of believers, not just the universal body or a building. The author argues that real Christians love the church because it is at the center of God's eternal plan, serving as His primary stage to display His wisdom to angelic beings. It is also described as God's family, His dwelling place on earth, and the supreme object of Christ's love, for which He died, is cleansing, and will return. Consequently, this love should manifest in concrete commitments: belonging to a local church, making it a priority over other life commitments like career or family activities, faithfully serving within it using spiritual gifts, building genuine relationships with fellow believers, and sharing a passion for evangelism to grow God's family. A Christian's love for the church directly reflects their love for God.
Expository Preaching Is the Biblical Pattern
The text argues that expository preaching, defined as reading, explaining, and applying Scripture systematically (often verse-by-verse), is the biblical and historically consistent pattern for the church, a truth largely forgotten today. Many modern churches, exemplified by Andy Stanley's dismissive views and seeker-sensitive approaches, reject this method as outdated or ineffective. However, strong arguments support its necessity. Practically, it ensures a Bible-centered ministry, addresses all Scripture themes, forces engagement with difficult passages, and promotes spiritual growth. Theologically, it flows naturally from the doctrine of divine inspiration, as God�s very words are taught as He revealed them. Historically, this method has been the consistent practice from early church figures like Justin Martyr to Reformation leaders such as Luther and Calvin. Biblically, the pattern is evident from Moses' exposition of the law in Deuteronomy, the Levites and Ezra's ministry in Nehemiah 8, Jewish synagogue worship, Jesus' own teaching ministry in synagogues, and the New Testament apostles' commands to elders in 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. Therefore, individuals should prioritize personal Bible study, seek churches committed to expository preaching, and diligently apply the preached truth as Christ�s voice.
The Bible Is Without Error
This sermon addresses biblical inerrancy as a crucial, yet forgotten, truth facing attacks culturally and within evangelicalism. Pastor Tom Pennington highlights how figures like Bart Ehrman challenge its veracity, and some evangelicals deny its error-free nature in history or science while affirming doctrinal infallibility, a compromise he sees as a defining battle for the current generation impacting views on creation and social issues. Inerrancy asserts that the Bible, in its original writings, is entirely without error in all its affirmations�spiritual, moral, historical, and scientific. Three arguments support this: the **historical** consensus of church fathers (Augustine) and Reformers (Calvin, Luther), who consistently affirmed Scripture's perfection; the **biblical** claims that Scripture is God's "truth" and "breathed out by God" (2 Timothy 3:16), with Jesus declaring not "the smallest letter or stroke" of the Law would fail (Matthew 5:18); and the **internal testimony of the Holy Spirit**, who removes spiritual blindness, allowing believers to directly apprehend the Bible's divine origin and truthfulness, as God illuminates the soul, leading to a grateful conviction.
We Must Pursue Holiness
Tom Pennington argues that while people endlessly pursue change, self-help or secular methods can only modify external behavior, never truly transforming the heart. Genuine, lasting heart change is exclusively God's work, made possible through Jesus Christ, who breaks sin's power and predestines believers to reflect His image. However, sin's presence remains, necessitating an ongoing process called progressive sanctification�a command for every Christian. This pursuit of holiness involves three core actions. First, believers must actively "lay aside the old self," shedding sinful habits and ways of thinking like old clothes. Second, they must "be renewed in the spirit of your mind," allowing God's Spirit to transform their internal thought patterns to align with divine truth. This renewal primarily occurs through prayer and diligent engagement with God's Word, which provides the mind of Christ. Third, Christians are to "put on the new self," actively adopting Christ-like virtues and behaviors that replace former sins. This transformative process requires intentional effort: identifying specific sins and their heart-level roots, studying corresponding biblical virtues, consistently meditating on Scripture, and creating practical plans to replace sin with righteousness. Ultimately, pursuing holiness is a lifelong journey, essential for all who genuinely follow Christ.
The Gospel Produces Four Responses
Tom Pennington's sermon "The Gospel Produces Four Responses" explores Jesus's Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), highlighting it as a crucial "forgotten truth" explaining varied reactions to the Gospel. The parable illustrates that the "seed" is the Word of God, sown by anyone, while the "soils" represent four conditions of the human heart. The **hard heart** (roadside) hears but doesn't understand, allowing Satan to snatch the Word away. This self-hardened heart, due to pride or indifference, remains unreceptive. The **superficial heart** (rocky ground) receives the Word with joy but lacks deep roots; its temporary faith withers under affliction or persecution, revealing it was never genuine. The **distracted heart** (thorny ground) hears the Word, but worries of the world, deceitfulness of wealth, and life's pleasures slowly choke it out, rendering it unfruitful. Only the **prepared heart** (good soil), which God enables, hears, understands, accepts, holds fast, and consistently bears the fruit of genuine faith and good works. This parable serves as a guide for understanding others' responses, a mirror for self-examination, and an invitation for anyone to seek God's grace in preparing their heart for His Word.
We Have Been Justified
In his sermon "We Have Been Justified," Tom Pennington highlights justification as a foundational, yet often forgotten, truth essential for spiritual assurance and central to the gospel. Focusing on Isaiah 53:11, Pennington outlines four core truths. First, **the Servant (Jesus Christ) accomplishes it**, providing the only divine means of salvation, contrasting with all other religions' emphasis on human achievement. Second, **a righteous judge (God) declares it**, resolving the paradox of God declaring sinful people righteous. This is made possible through the third truth: **imputation enables it**. This "double imputation" means our sins are credited to Christ, who bore God's wrath on the cross, and Christ's perfect righteousness is credited to us, treating us as if we had perfectly obeyed God's law (Solus Christus). Finally, **faith receives it**; justification is a gift received solely through faith in Christ, not by works. Pennington concludes by urging the unsaved to embrace this gift and believers to live in the joy and motivating power of their justified standing, understanding that in Christ, there is no condemnation.
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