Sermons on Fuller:

Who's In Control Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 25, 2009

We as humans have a hard time giving up control of anything, but in order to find the abundant life Jesus offers, we must cede authority of our lives to Him, even if that means going into choppy waters.

We began last time by looking at Jesus as He came down from giving the Sermon on the Mount. He begins to demonstrate that it isn’t all talk—that He really is the coming King and controls His creation, both the visible and invisible. We see Him first approached by two people who really have no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:14-34

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Are You Sick? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 2, 2009

Jesus tweaks the argument of who is in control just a little bit to introduce the real sickness in mankind - sin. He is in control of that too. Are you willing to give Him control over your total cleansing from evil?

We’ve spent a couple of weeks in Matthew chapter 8 talking about control and authority. Matthew shows us that Jesus has it—over the seen and unseen universe—but that we as humans are loathe to give up control over our own lives and give it to Him. We saw a couple of notable examples in a Gentile ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

It’s Time To Stop Pretending Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 3, 2010

We are more like the Pharisees than we would like to admit - hiding our true selves from others and from God and blaming external things for the consequences of our own behavior. But Jesus offers real hope if we will open up to Him in relationship.

The act of projection involves blaming things outside of yourself for your problems. The act of denying personal responsibility means it is the fault of your spouse, your boss, the government, the weather, or even that tool you were using. The Pharisees were masters at projection, and as it turns ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:33-50

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How's Your Soil? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 10, 2010

Jesus presents a familiar story with a real spiritual punch - take a listen and figure out if you are rocky, weedy, pathy, or pliable. It may be more significant than you ever dreamed.

Last winter I collected bags of leaves as a covering and mulch for our garden. I got the bags from a street corner where someone had raked them off their lawn. I spread them around and was satisfied. Then in the spring when it was time to plant our beans, pumpkins, tomatoes, and cucumbers, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Getting Into The Weeds Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 18, 2010

Why does evil exist in the world and what are we to do about it? Jesus tells a good story and has some sober advice as we look at ourselves - are we weeds or wheat?

Today we are going to talk about three parables that give us an idea of the effect of the gospel in the world. Last time we looked at the parable of the sower, which describes how the individual is or is not open to the gospel. Now we turn outward to look at how the gospel spreads. First century ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-33

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Treasure Island Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 24, 2010

Just how valuable is Jesus to you? Is He more of a common rock you use to skip across the water or buried treasure so valuable he is worth everything you own and more?

Most American kids love pirates. I was also among them—I’m not sure if it was the adventure of the open seas, the outfits, or those great accents that did it for me. Of course, the reality of pirates is something quite different than the romanticized “Pirates of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-58

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Overcome Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Feb 1, 2010

How does suffering affect our ability to minister? As Jesus is overcome with grief how is it that He ended up with compassion, not bitterness?

Back in 2006 my wife and I were presented with an opportunity—go to Kenya and minister to folks who have been unreached by other organizations. On one hand it was an obvious opportunity and a way to serve God by spreading the gospel. On the other hand I was scared to death. We were going to a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Preparing Jesus, Preparing For Jesus Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 3, 2008

This chapter provides some real contrasts between real and trumped up worship, real belief and real betrayal. It is all a part of preparing Jesus for the cross and preparing us to receive him.

John places Jesus at Ephraim, a village north of Jerusalem. Between the end of chapter 11 and here, Jesus travels back to Galilee, heals the ten lepers (Luke 17), talks to Zacchaeus (Luke 19) in Jericho on his way back to Bethany. It’s only six days until the Passover, and Jesus’ crucifixion. John ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-50

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Entitlement Mentality Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 19, 2009

Humans by nature feel a sense of entitlement, that by our very existence we are owed something - and that includes by God. Romans 9 is controversial in that it totally blows the entitlement mentality out of the water, but also surprising when we learn of

The word “entitlement” has become a part of the public discourse in America these days. Some people suggest that the United States is becoming a society of entitlement, where everything we need or want is owed to us. When we don’t get what we want we feel we have been treated unfairly. It’s a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-33

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Word Speaks Louder Than Actions Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 26, 2009

Has God really rejected Israel forever? It’s a touchy subject, but one Paul deals with strongly in these chapters. If God has not cast them away forever, then how do they, and us, reach God? By the Word.

We’ve been talking about Israel. There are many believe that God has turned His back on those who were His people. I believe Romans 9-11 provide proof that this is not the case. Paul was so concerned about his brethren that if would have become accursed if they would come to faith. He continues ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Living Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 4, 2009

Are you being impressed upon by the outside, or motivated by an inward change in character? That’s at the heart of these first very important verses of Romans 12.

God’s mercy leads us to give ourselves willingly into His hands as a sacrifice to be used in God’s service. This happens by a two step process: stopping the process of conformation to the world, and encouraging the process of transformation into someone who thinks like God. As we move forward we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Finding Your Place Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 10, 2009

How do you get a sense of well being, identity and purpose? Is it by how you feel inside and how you compare to others outside? Paul gives us some wonderful advice on how to deal with this as a member of the body of Christ.

Last time we talked about how to respond to God’s mercy—by making ourselves available to God by putting ourselves on the altar as a living sacrifice, shunning the molding of the world on our character externally, while embracing the transformation of our character internally by the presence of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Show Or Show Off? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 25, 2009

Many times when we think of God using us and us using spiritual gifts we think of some pretty impressive stuff - miracles, prophecy, healings and the like. But Paul gives us some great instruction about the color of the ways God uses us.

We’ve come to this point in our study through Romans by seeing that since God has had so much mercy on us that it is only reasonable for us to make ourselves available to Him to help spread the truth of God’s love and gift of salvation. Last time we saw that we need an accurate look at ourselves ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Harassed And Helpless Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 8, 2009

How many times do we go through our lives thinking we have it all together, only to encounter a crisis that blows us away? Life is a lot more tenuous that we like to think. But into that crisis comes One who says "do not fear, only believe." Are you willi

Think for a moment about a time of crisis on your life—a time when something significant went wrong and you really didn’t know how you were going to come out of it whole. It might be violence, sickness, accident, financial burden, relationship gone very bad—something that tore a hole in your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-38

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Real Life Evangelism Part 1 Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 22, 2009

Want to be a part of bringing God’s love to the world but think you have to be a missionary to the jungles of Africa to do it? Think again. Share the gospel without speaking a word.

As I’ve said on numerous occasions, there are two purposes for redeemed humanity: to glorify God by becoming like Him, and to therefore be more effective in bringing others into relationship with Him. To do the first we must come into relationship with Jesus—invite Him to do a friendly takeover of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-8

Denomination: Calvary Chapel