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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Found Righteous - Part 3
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon "Found Righteous (Part 3)" on Romans 3:21-31, delivered on February 28, 2016, centers on the doctrine of justification�the heart of the gospel. Paul explains that no one possesses intrinsic or earned righteousness. Instead, God's righteousness is manifested "apart from the Law" through faith in Jesus Christ, offered as a gift to all who believe. Justification is defined as an objective, legal declaration by God, pardoning sins and accepting believers as righteous solely based on Christ's imputed righteousness, received by faith alone. While justification is external, regeneration (an internal change) occurs simultaneously at salvation, making faith and repentance possible. The sermon emphasizes that justification is imperative for all people because "there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Regardless of differences, all humanity shares the same sinful moral state and guilty standing before God, equally needing this divine rescue. "All have sinned" highlights our universal past and present failure to meet God's perfect standard or reflect His glory. Our efforts contribute nothing; we are entirely dependent on God's grace through Christ's redemption.
Found Righteous - Part 2
This sermon profoundly unpacks Romans 3:21-31, highlighting it as the theological heart of the Christian faith: justification by faith alone. Pastor Tom Pennington emphasizes that humanity, utterly lacking personal righteousness, cannot earn a right standing with God. Instead, God manifests "the righteousness of God" as a gift, entirely "apart from the Law" and human effort. Justification is a divine legal declaration: God credits our sins to Christ and Christ�s perfect righteousness to us, thereby forgiving our sins and declaring us righteous. This isn't a new concept but God's eternal plan, "witnessed by the Law and the Prophets" (Old Testament) and upheld by Jesus and the apostles. Crucially, justification is appropriated by *faith alone in Christ alone*. Paul argues this truth, highlighting that salvation is a gift of grace through Christ�s work, eliminating all human boasting. Faith is the empty hand receiving this gift; it is the means, not the cause, of salvation. The saving power resides solely in Jesus Christ. True saving faith requires turning from self-reliance and rebellion, placing complete confidence in Christ�s person and finished work. This is God's exclusive and enduring plan for humanity's reconciliation.
Found Righteous - Part 1
The sermon, "Found Righteous (Part 1)," from Romans 3:21-31, introduces justification by faith alone as the foundational truth of Christianity, crucial for the church's existence. Pastor Tom Pennington emphasizes Paul's shift at "But now" (Romans 3:21) from humanity's universal unrighteousness to revealing "the righteousness of God." This divine righteousness is a gift, fundamentally different from human attempts to earn it through law-keeping. Justification is defined as a *legal declaration* by God, not an internal process of making someone righteous. It's a courtroom verdict where God declares the ungodly righteous, crediting faith. This involves three transactions: God credits our sins to Christ, Christ's perfect righteousness to us (an "alien righteousness"), and based on this, God forgives our sins and declares us forever righteous. This "magnificent exchange" means Christ bore our guilt, and we receive the credit for His obedience, making justification the core of the gospel. Listeners are urged to abandon self-righteousness for this gift through faith in Christ.
Your Day in Court - Part 2
Pastor Tom Pennington's sermon on Romans 3:19-20 concludes the "bad news" section of Paul�s letter, emphasizing humanity's universal guilt before God. He outlines God's five-part verdict for every person apart from Jesus Christ. First, all are **responsible before God's law**, whether written or innate, meaning no one can claim ignorance at judgment. Second, all are **guilty with no defense**, as the overwhelming evidence silences every mouth, leaving no excuses. Third, humanity **abides under God's wrath**, likened to living on death row with no appeals, constantly under divine anger (John 3:36). Fourth, all are **hopeless before the divine standard**; no human effort or "works of the Law" can justify or change one's guilty status, as only perfection is acceptable. Finally, all are **fully aware of their true condition**, as the Law acts as a mirror, providing intimate knowledge of personal sin, not to cleanse but to reveal spiritual depravity. This "bad news" is crucial for understanding the desperate need for the "good news" of Christ, who offers forgiveness and righteousness by faith. For Christians, this knowledge should inspire profound gratitude, holiness, and a passionate desire to share the gospel, pleading with others to be reconciled to God.
Your Day in Court - Part 1
In "Your Day in Court (Part 1)," Pastor Tom Pennington highlights humanity's pervasive tendency to avoid responsibility, first through frivolous lawsuits and then by assuming one can navigate God's justice system similarly. Citing Romans 3:19-20, he asserts that God's justice is absolute and inescapable. Pennington explains Paul's argument: all humanity, both Jews with the written Law and Gentiles with the "work of the law written in their hearts" (conscience), are universally and totally depraved, without excuse. Our sin permeates every aspect of our being, stemming from a lack of fear of God. Consequently, every individual is fully responsible before God's law; ignorance does not negate guilt. For those without Christ, this means a future judgment where God will impart perfect justice, holding them accountable for every thought, word, and action, with no exceptions. However, this stark reality underscores the profound grace offered through the gospel. For believers, Christ "cancelled out the certificate of debt" of our sins by nailing it to the cross, providing complete forgiveness and righteousness. Understanding our inherent guilt before God intensifies appreciation for the salvation found in Jesus Christ.
Q & A
Pastor Tom Pennington opens a Q&A session, encouraging congregants to ask questions on various topics. He first addresses biblical fasting, clarifying it is a practice tied to extended prayer during difficult life circumstances, not for earning God's favor, long durations, or weight loss, as Jesus assumed believers would fast appropriately. Next, he interprets Romans 11, explaining "all Israel will be saved" refers to a massive future ingathering of Jewish people at the end of the Tribulation, not every historical Jewish individual, aligning with God's ultimate covenantal plan. He affirms the biblical principle of self-defense, stating Scripture permits taking a life to protect one's own or an innocent person's life. On Ephesians 3:17, "Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith," Pennington clarifies "dwell" means to be "at home," signifying a deep, faith-based communion with the ever-present Triune God, not a mystical feeling or initial indwelling. He distinguishes between sinful fear of punishment (cast out by love) and a healthy "fear of God," which is reverent awe and a desire not to offend a loving Father.
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