Sermons on Tom Claibourne:

Fighting Temptation Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 13, 2006

The Devil does not appear to us in a red suite with a pitchfork. In fact, Satans temptations are often attractive and fill legitimate needs - or seem to. Learn how Jesus fought these temptations and how we can as well.

Temptation An attorney was sitting in his office late one night, when the Devil appeared before him. The Devil told the lawyer, /’I have a proposition for you. You can win every case you try, for the rest of your life. Your clients will adore you, your colleagues will stand in awe of you, and you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-39

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

When Jesus Becomes Real Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 18, 2006

Jesus Christ invades the normal world and brings about healing, foregiveness and acceptance to the outcasts of society. When does He become real to you?

Do you ever have those moments when the Bible just comes alive to you? I had such a moment standing on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (also known as Sea of Gennesaret). It’s been many years now, but I remember being there near Kibbutz Ginossar, standing on the small pebbles that made up the shore ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-39

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Wired To Explode Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 26, 2006

How is your life wired? Jesus paints a picture of God\’s character to show us how differently we are wired and how much we are in need of a Savior.

A few years ago I thought I was pretty smart. We were putting in a hot tub and some people said - you should have it installed by a professional. "I don’t need no professional!" I responded. Well, we got the thing in okay- after hefting it sideways and rolling it on some very flimsy hand trucks or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-19

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Is God Like? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 3, 2006

Have you ever wondered if you could meet God - would you like Him? We learn from Luke 6 that many of God’s characteristics run counter to our natural way of thinking. Learn how freeing it is to live life like God lives life!

What is God like? Mankind has asked that question for millennia. God is powerful - He created the universe and can send down lightning bolts. God is angry - He likes to judge and punish people. God is distant - if you see Him you die and he lives far away in heaven where we can never touch Him. God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-49

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Do You Approach Jesus? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 10, 2006

Meet 5 people or groups who approached Jesus in many different ways. Jesus reaction tells a lot about how we should and should not approach Jesus when we are in need, in grief, in sin, or in control.

How do you approach Jesus? Here are some possibilities: Burn with anger Shrug your shoulders in indifference Look the other way Run the other way Stand off at a distance Look down your nose Bow prostrate Run into His arms Run up to Him and demand One thing’s for sure - we all approach Him ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-50

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Do You Get To Heaven?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 11, 2002

The question many ask, but few find the answer to – how do I get to heaven? In this study we look at how Jesus says the get to heaven – and how we must become changed into a different nature to get there using the example of children – and of a rich ruler

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat is very small. A little girl in class stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-28

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Why Do You Worship?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 27, 2002

Which Jesus do you want to meet – gentle and riding on a donkey, or carrying a sword and riding on a white horse?

We’ve come to a crucial crossroads in our journey through the book of Matthew. Everything that Jesus has taught and done has been leading to this point. You could say that the events we read about today are the beginning of the end that leads to the beginning. In cosmic terms – the Lamb of God, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17, Psalm 122:1, Isaiah 6:1-6

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Are You Worth?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 27, 2002

How do you figure your self worth – by how much money you have or how much power or prestige you have? Jesus has a totally different idea of how to measure your worth.

What are you worth? I mean, really, how do you figure out what you are worth as a person? If you are #7 NFL Draft pick Bryant McKinnie the answer is easy. He’s in negotiations now with the Minnesota Vikings. He says it’s easy to sign him: "All I’m asking is for a fair deal. And that’s real simple. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-34

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Calling All Shepherds

Contributed by Tom Balog on Oct 2, 2002

To challenge the heareres to identify themselves not always as the lost sheep but to see themselves as "lead sheep" or shepherds by caring and loving God’s "sheep", using Jesus Christ as their example.

Before we go to the Word, let us open with a word of prayer: Gracious God, you are the Good Shepherd. As we come now to your Word, help us, your sheep, to hear your voice so that we may receive the message you have for us. Lord, I ask that you use me as your vessel, so that those who hear will ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

You're Invited To A Party!

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 8, 2002

God is throwing a huge party and you’re invited. The only way you get in is by special invitation and by putting on wedding clothes. At the same time the world demands your loyalty and is having a party of it’s own - so which party do you want to go to?

As a reporter I often got to go places that others didn’t. Sometimes it was to places others wouldn’t want to go – like behind police lines or maybe to Iceland. But there were also times when you felt privileged – like being able to meet a president or former president. I remember when President ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Bearing Fruit

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 8, 2002

What happens when Jesus inspects your life? He cursed the fig tree because it didn’t bear fruit - why? And how do we bear fruit for our Savior?

I have three fruit trees in my backyard. I would not call it an orchard – just three trees – a plum, a pear, and an apple. It’s not an orchard, nor am I an orchardist – or whatever you are when you have an orchard. I think my trees know it too – they get together every winter and say "how are we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:18-46

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Have It Your Way?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 13, 2002

Many times we seek to understand and manipulate God by our human ideas. We need to get rid of our preconceptions about what God is doing in our lives and let Him direct how we think and pray.

Do you ever watch one of those martial arts movies – pick one, any one, it doesn’t matter – how about "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?" There is always a scene, at least one, where the hero or heroine is taking on a whole group of bad guys or gals. Two of them square off in the middle – and when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-45

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Let God See The Plumbing

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 21, 2002

When it comes down to it, do you let God in on the inside of you - or do you hold Him at arms length? Take a lesson from the religious establishment of Jesus’ day - let God into the ugly inner parts of your life, and let the Great Plumber heal you.

A few years back I did a remodeling project at my house - the carpenter did much of the work but I cut costs by doing the plumbing myself. After putting in a bathroom over our garage the area was covered up by sheetrock. One day as I was walking to my car I felt a drop of water hit my eye. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-30

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Advent Candle Ceremony #1 Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 30, 2006

These are readings for the lighting of the Advent Candles.

Advent Candle Ceremony #1 Introduction Each year we prepare for the coming of Christmas. We go about decorating our homes, setting up Christmas trees and buying presents. We look forward to spending time with family and friends. We also prepare in the Church as well. We have the hanging of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advent Candle Ceremony #2 Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 30, 2006

This is an Advent Candle Ceremony which includes scriptures, readings and prayers.

Advent Candle Ceremony #2 Introduction: Week One Advent is a time of joyful expectation of the coming of the Lord. It is a time of conversion and renewal, a time of watching and waiting, a time of new beginnings, a time to experience the power of God. It is above all else a time of hope, peace ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:32-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational