Sermons on Fuller:

Letting The Gospel Shine Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 25, 2011

1st Corinthians 11 is one of the most controversial and misunderstood sections of Paul's writings. We'll explore it using culture, context, character, and language to find out what Paul is and is not saying to the Corinthians and to us today.

The first thing to know about this section is that it is not about marriage or the role of women in the church. It is about having respect in worship for each other within our culture. Just prior, Paul was telling us to have respect for the conscience of others who are weak in terms of the freedoms ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Who Am I More Important Than? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 30, 2011

Divisions are never good in the body of Christ. But when the divisions take place over a celebration of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, things get serious real fast. In this lesson, we learn about avoiding the things that separate us, and clinging to that

Among the many problems of the Corinthian church was division. Earlier in the letter he talked about division around choosing one leader over another. In the second half of chapter 11 he focuses on another type of division that was splitting the Corinthian church: the division of rich and poor and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-35

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Feb 7, 2011

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit has split churches and The Church for thousands of years. Paul delves into this lively and controversial subject in the next three chapters of 1st Corinthians. His reason for the discussion is not to provide a complete guide t

Chapter 12 might look to some as a right turn in the letter—Paul introducing a totally new subject that has nothing to do with what came before. Although it appears to an answer to yet another question from the Corinthians, the undertone of the letter continues—“let the gospel shine brighter than ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How To Find Your Place In The Body Of Christ Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Feb 13, 2011

Finding your place in the body of Christ is made difficult by the very nature of the spiritual gifts. People with upfront or flamboyant kinds of ministries can make the rest of us feel insignificant, like we are not contributing or maybe just aren't a par

As humans we like two things: to impress and be impressive. That was one of the main problems the Corinthians faced in many areas including spiritual gifts. The more flamboyant the gift, the more impressive the show of the Spirit, the better. So in chapters 12 through 14 Paul corrects this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

True Love Part 1 Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 14, 2011

True love is a lot deeper than any of us imagine. Understanding it is probably the most important key to growing as a Christian.

There are a few times for a pastor teaching through the Word of God when a real defining moment arrives. I feel we are at one of those places today. Often times people want a key to becoming a mature Christian. I believe we have such a key before us today. But make no mistake, what we are about to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-4

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

True Love Part 2 Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 14, 2011

If you think you understand what real love is, think again. 1 Corinthians 13 is not a bunch of feel goodisms, but delves deeply into the character of a mature person in Christ. Are you ready?

We began last week looking at Paul showing the Corinthians how much they had missed the real character of God by wanting to be “spiritual” over being loving. In the first three verses Paul tells us that no matter how impressive we are with our spiritual credentials, knowledge, power, or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

True Love Part 3 Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 14, 2011

When it comes to studying about love, it is easy to feel under the pile because no human can measure up to the standard of love in 1 Corinthians 13 - and that's because it is God's standard. Thanks be to God that he makes us able, as we give our lives, ho

If you’ve watched any spy movies lately, or paid attention to military rhetoric in the past decade, you will have heard the term “actionable intelligence.” It means that you have obtained important information that you can do something about. Well, when it comes to love, I want ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5-6

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

True Love Part 4 - Love Goes The Distance Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 14, 2011

As we come to the end of our series on love we learn that true love 'goes the distance.' Love does not have limits, nor will it ever end. So how do you get this love flowing through your life? We also learn that a person who wants to mature in their faith

Growing up in a world that doesn’t know God, doesn’t understand God, doesn’t act like God and doesn’t want anything to do with God, it is not surprising that the default value for humanity is “every man for himself.” Get what you deserve and make sure no one else ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Way Down

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 3, 2007

In one of the saddest chapters of the Bible, Israel first neglects, then abandons their relationship with Yahweh. Through it all, though He remains faithful to them and stands ready to help when they cry out, just like with us.

I was 16 years old. It was my first "real" job after working as a newspaper delivery person for many years. I worked for a dry cleaner establishment that (I found out later) was about to go under. My job was to deliver cleaned drapes to customers. I was given the keys to an old van and told to take ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Work Or The Worker Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 17, 2007

Which matters most to you - doing the job or getting the credit? That’s what Barak faces in a battle against Israel’s enemies. He makes the right choice - do we? Also - letting God do a complete work of healing in our lives.

Chapters 4 and 5 of Judges are a real bright spot in a book that is mostly bleak and depressing. Not only do we see a great victory but it also features some real role reversals. This time it’s not the guys who shine, but the gals. We have a woman, Deborah, who is both a judge and a prophetess. I ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Gideon, The Reluctant Hero Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 29, 2007

Have you been afraid that your lack of skills, background, or ability to hear God disqualifies you for service? Learn how God worked with a timid man and turned him into a hero.

Do you remember the Sand People from the original Star Wars movie? They lived on Tatooine - I guess their proper name is: Tusken Raiders. Anyway - these nomads were covered all over with rags with little lenses or something to see and breath out of. They carried these big sticks and traveled on ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-40

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Creation Of Humility Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 5, 2007

God strips away from Gideon everything he had confidence in so that Gideon will have confidence in God. Learn the basis of humility and how God works it in us.

Last time we saw timid, but stubborn Gideon. He thought he was incapable of obeying God in rescuing Israel from the Midianites. He asked God for several signs - including two different signs with the fleece as a way of proving that God was really going to do what He said. So now it’s almost as if ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:1-25

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Facing The Court Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 16, 2008

The Apostle Paul has put himself in harms way and now stands before a Roman court. Thanks to the Lord working through other people, he is bold to share his faith - a boldness we can have too.

As we saw in verse 11 of chapter 23, Jesus’ will was for Paul to go to Rome. Paul may have not known just how he was going to get there but here he was in Roman custody, having barely escaped being torn to death twice—first by the Asian Jews in the Temple and second by the Sanhedrin itself. What ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Escape Button Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 24, 2008

We learn from the Apostle Paul that as we mature as a Christian it becomes less about us and what we get and more about the Lord and what we give for Him, including ourselves.

It’s been my experience in the 30+ years I’ve been a follower of Jesus Christ, that there are two major stages in the maturity of a Christian, and within those major stages are two parts. What Can I Get For me from the Lord (it’s about me finding blessings for my life) In me from the Lord (it’s ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Shipwreck Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 14, 2008

The Apostle Paul is thrown into (literally) a very tough spot while on his way to possible execution in Rome. Why does God allow turmoil upon turmoil in our lives and how can he use it for His (and our) good?

Recently Margaret and I had the opportunity to spend some time at sea. At times all you could see was ocean. There were no islands or land of any kind in sight. All you had was the rolling waves. I thought what it must have been like for the Apostle Paul—on his way to Rome where he would most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:1-44

Denomination: Calvary Chapel