Sermons on Fuller:

Don't Let Temptations Sink You

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 10, 2011

Though so often we start out with such good intentions, things happen in our life to trip us up from serving God. What are those things and how can we avoid them?

Paul has just gotten finished encouraging us to pursue our relationship with the Lord and our being used by Him in the furtherance of the gospel like we were competing for the Olympic games, or in a boxing match where winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing! It’s a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

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

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

Matthew 2 Joseph's Difficult Road Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 3, 2009

Many times we think of Mary’s role in the birth of Jesus, but Matthew records the difficult road Joseph had to travel in protecting this little life that the enemy wanted to snuff out.

Have you noticed that the first chapters of Matthew are really Joseph’s story? Luke records Mary’s version of events and has her genealogy, but Matthew one is Joseph’s lineage, and her in Chapter 2 we find God again speaking to Joseph about caring for the safety of the Messiah. As a father, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Handling Temptation Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 16, 2009

One of the most difficult things for a Christian is to resist temptation. Satan brings temptations to us and tries to make it easy and logical for us to fulfill legitimate needs. Jesus shows us just how crafty he is, and how to resist.

We love the great times, don’t we? The times when we feel God’s Spirit flowing through us and when others recognize the Lord in us and rejoice. Wouldn’t it be great if every day was like the baptism of Jesus—with the Spirit of God descending like a dove on us and God telling us He is pleased with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-48

Denomination: Calvary Chapel