Sermons on Fuller:

Riding The Fence Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 1, 2011

More times than we would probably like to admit, we slip into legalism. It can happen when God takes too long to answer a prayer, or answers in a way we don't expect. We take over the reigns, and it's a mistake!

To continue Paul’s arguments against legalism he turns again to a story in the Old Testament. This time it is the children that God promised to Abram. The issue is whether you let God fulfill His promise of righteousness in you, or whether you want to take the controls and do it yourself. ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The War Within Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 7, 2011

Being human we are born with certain default settings that drive us to think in certain ways. When we become a Christian a war starts between a new nature seeking to establish a beachhead and take over and the old regime that wants to stay in control.

The human mind is self-rationalizing. In other words, we will rationalize our thoughts and actions according to ourselves, rather than to some external source. Even when we read something or hear something and alter our behavior, it is because we choose to believe that thing we read or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Real You Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 21, 2011

What is God like? Is your opinion of God based on an aloof, disconnected, or angry vengeful powerful being who is stern and judgmental? What would He be like if you ran into Him on the street? It might surprise you, but God is a lot like Galatians5:23-26.

I had the opportunity to drive in a foreign country recently. At first I tried to use Google Maps directions but ended up hopelessly lost and confused. Finally I discovered that in this particular country you could find your ultimate destination by just getting to the next community. There would ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:23-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

We're All Broken Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 21, 2011

The human mind is self-rationalizing and self-deceptive. Without a guide, we have no idea what is right and good. God's Word offers that guide but it's more than just reading a guidebook and determining to do better. We need to come to grips with the brok

Today we are going look at just three verses. Normally these verses might be couched in terms of “this is really bad stuff—this is sin—don’t do it!” While that is true, I want to handle these verses a little differently. Firstly, remember that these words are written ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Do I React To Sin? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 28, 2011

There are two seemingly automatic reactions to seeing sin in the life of someone else. One is to avoid them. The other is to judge. In Galatians 6 we begin to see a third alternative. It's harder, but much more loving and effective.

The main theme of Galatians is about whether legalism, in the form of the Jewish law, is required for a Christian. Paul’s answer is an emphatic “no!” Legalism, in general, is superimposing an external set of rules or expectations on yourself or others—even Biblical rules or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Stark Contrast Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 5, 2011

The contrast between the old nature and the new couldn't be more stark as we finish up our study in Paul's letter to the Galatians. The question we all have to face is: where is our treasure, in this legalistic age, or in God's kingdom?

Galatians is all about the contrast between the old nature and the new, legalism and Spirit-life. As we finish up the book today we’re going to see that contrast in stark relief so let’s look for it as we finish chapter 6. As we talked about the fruit of the Spirit in chapter 5, we saw ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:6-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Hero Unveiled Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 12, 2011

In a world held captive by an evil enemy, Jesus Christ comes rushing in like a super hero to do battle with evil and rescue us from the tyrant of sin. In this introduction to the gospel of Mark we learn who is behind the stories and some amazing things ab

How significant are our teen years? Can events that take place between 13 and 19 impact us for our entire lives? Surely. Take John Mark, for instance. As a young man he witnessed the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The Last Supper may have taken place at his home. Some speculate that he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Hero's Authority Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 19, 2011

Wanting to do something and actually being able to do it are two entirely different things. Jesus may have been introduced as the ultimate action hero but without action it's just a good sound bite. In this study the hero demonstrates His authority and ab

It is one thing to claim you can do something and it’s quite another to actually accomplish it. When I was four years old, like a lot of kids my age, I was enamored with Mighty Mouse. One day I remember grabbing a blanket and running around the neighborhood with it wrapped around my neck like ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-34

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Hero's Secret Strength Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 9, 2012

Every super hero has a secret strenth and a hidden vulnerability. Jesus, the only real superhero, has a strength to help guide Him in every situation and a vulnerability that each of us should possess.

Every superhero has a secret to their great strength, and a hidden something that some might call a vulnerability. For the Green Lantern it was the special ring he wore that gave him the ability to form things out of nothing; for Superman, Kryptonite was the only thing that stopped his superhuman ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-45

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Outcasts! Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 16, 2012

In Mark 2 we meet two outcasts: a paralyzed man and Levi. Each had a decision to make that mirrors decisions that we as humans must make as well with the presence of Jesus.

Whereas in Chapter 1 we saw Jesus, the ultimate action hero, begin his battle against the enemy, Satan, in Chapter 2 He takes the war to a new front and begins battling the religious establishment in Israel, which was just as much an impediment to entering God’s kingdom as Satan. He does this by: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Hero's Hostile Takeover Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 23, 2012

When it comes to living life which rules you, law or love? Jesus brought this into sharp focus when it came to healing on the Sabbath and it brings us to confront just who is actually Lord of our lives.

Jesus, our Ultimate Action Hero is waging a battle against enemies who are keeping us captive and away from a relationship with God. He is in the middle of battling the Pharisees, members of the religious establishment of the day who desired power and control. They were oh so good looking on the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Hero's Power, Position, And Person Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 31, 2012

When the religious authorities fail in their attempt to trip up Jesus with the Scriptures they descend to character assassination. They come dangerously close to eternal separation from God. How can that happen?

No one could deny that Jesus was different than anyone who had ever walked the earth. The words He spoke rang true and reamed His opponents. His actions were unmatched—healing, setting people free from possession and disease. His enemies, the Jewish leaders of the day, tried to trip Him up ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:6-35

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Tilling Up The Mind

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Feb 6, 2012

How open are you to the words of Jesus? Many of us are so hardened that His words bounce off, for others the past, present and future make our minds unable to process His thoughts. Today we examine the pliability of our minds.

Puzzles can be fun or extremely frustrating. Some people look at the pieces of a puzzle poured out on a table and have no idea what to make of it. They pick up a piece or two and nothing seems to make sense. They can’t see the whole picture and they aren’t willing to work it out. But ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Taking The Test Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Feb 13, 2012

What happens after you hear the words of Jesus? Is your life different? Today as we study Mark's gospel we see how the Lord gives the disciples an opportunity to test how much the words of Jesus became life in them.

When I was 15 I took a course at high school in how to drive a car. Drivers Education featured movies, texts, and lectures. At no time during this course did we set foot inside of an actual vehicle. Later, I took driver’s training where we tried out our skills behind the wheel. All this was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-41

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Stronger Man Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Feb 20, 2012

As humans we have been taken prisoner by a strong opponent who wants nothing but to destroy us. We see this captivity and torture revealed graphically as Jesus takes on not one but thousands of demons at once. It is a powerful picture of how our ultimate

Just prior to Chapter 5 Jesus calmed the wind and seas and the disciples said “Who then is this?” As the disciples approach land they find out in spades. In a way, all of chapter 5 involves people imprisoned and the ultimate action hero who comes to set them free. In verses 1 through 20 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel