Sermons on Fuller:

What's More Important: You Or The Gospel? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 18, 2011

We have a lot of sources that would like us to imitate them: sports stars, movie stars, politicians, movers and shakers, even religious icons and leaders. Though we know we should imitate Jesus Christ, it is often hard for us to do that because He isn't h

In the latter half of chapter 10 Paul comes back to the argument he was making in 8 about food offered to idols. The Corinthians were arguing with Paul that because idols aren’t anything, and certainly aren’t gods, that eating food sacrificed to them was of no consequence. Paul tells ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

Who's Using You?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 13, 2011

How do respond when someone hurts you? Is it with veiled hatred and open contempt? The Apostle Paul had to deal with just such a situation and how he handled it can help us to deal with pain in a godly way.

Sometimes the right thing to do is confront bad behavior or attitudes. As a leader there have been times when I have had to call someone on the carpet. It’s never easy and too often that person does not receive the exhortation or even rebuke well. As a leader, my job is to protect and nurture ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Leaning Against Legalism

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 20, 2011

We often measure our success by how closely we stick to a set of expectations - whether on the job, at home, or in our walk with the Lord. We do good, we feel good - we do bad, we feel bad. But measuring success is really much different in a relationship

When you apply for a job you supply your resume—it’s that collection of information that tells why you are qualified for a particular position. Until not too long ago, a very important thing to have when going to a new area was a letter of recommendation. We still use them occasionally. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Super Cool Or Super Real?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 27, 2011

Are you real? That might seem like an obvious question but consider the lengths you go to in order to present yourself as "all together" to your friends and brothers and sisters. Being impressive by appearance can actually impede both your growth in the L

We talk a lot about natural human behavior and how that often runs counter to the real life given to us in Jesus Christ. Today I want to talk about your image. In our natural state we try really hard to present a good image to the world. We try to clean up, dress well, and act civilly. Beyond that, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Coming Evaluation

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 5, 2011

One of the worst pieces of mail you can receive comes with three little letters in the return address: IRS. Getting audited is like going to the dentist without the novocaine. As troubling as it may seem, an even more important audit is coming for all of

In the first part of Chapter 5 I have some good news and some not so good news depending on how you look at it. The good news is that you’re due for an upgrade. The bad news: you’re being audited. First, the upgrade. We talked last time about the fact that to God we are ordinary clay ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-11

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Jesus Became Sin For You

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 12, 2011

Just how did Jesus pay for your sins? To understand this will give you a new appreciation for just how bad evil is, how good God is, and the value of what Jesus did for you on the cross and bears for you each and every day. It also makes our job descripti

A few weeks ago we talked about the masks we as Christians put on that sometimes hides our true selves from one another. But those who do not know Christ also put on masks—to hide themselves from an awful reality that they don’t want to face—that we as humans are evil at the core. We distract ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Sabbath Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 13, 2009

A lot of people have had questions about the purpose of the Sabbath. Jesus takes it head on and reveals a lot about how we should live our lives.

Last time we ended with Jesus promising rest and peace for anyone who would come to Him and take His yoke—a yoke where He does the heavy lifting—no more striving to earn God’s favor by being good—only submitting lordship over your life to Him. The Jews got a picture of the rest of God through the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

They Never Saw It Coming

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 21, 2009

God sent Someone on a secret mission. The operative’s arrival had to be kept a secret from at least three groups of people or all of humanity could be in jeopardy. Yet the secret was let out to a select few. Who were they and why they were told of the mis

(WWII resistance snuck into France—they must arrive undetected) It is an ordinary evening in Palestine. Whether December or April, it doesn’t matter. Skies are dark and hearts darker. Though the people can’t see it, a blanket lies over the land called “Beautiful.” Were it visible, the people would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-38

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Why Should We Celebrate Christ’s Birth?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 26, 2009

In our society you can’t even utter the word "Christmas" in many circles. Why not just do away with it?

Have you noticed that a lot of stores are now open on Christmas Day? At one large grocery store chain, they told their employees that the reason they now open on Christmas is that only about 30% of Americans are Christians so why not? In our culture, especially in the last few years, the word ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Blaspheme Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 28, 2009

Ever wonder what that really is - and worried you might have done it? Let’s spread some truth into this very misunderstood idea from Matthew 12:22-32

The Blaspheme of the Holy Spirit is among the most feared and least understood concepts in the Bible. For many people they think if they accidently say something bad about the Holy Spirit God will damn them to hell for eternity with no possibility of repentance. Well, it’s not that easy. Today ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-32

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