Sermons on Tom Clairbourne:

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

Abomination - The Hidden Infection

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 3, 2002

There is a hidden infection out there, resting under the surface, waiting to erupt into the world system. Do you know what it is and more importantly, are you ready? Learn about end times prophecy and the Rapture of the church.

Last week we talked about a sign – something to show us that the end is near. But instead Jesus gave only vague references to increasing tension, increasing aggression, and decreasing love and devotion to God. Mostly He told us not to be alarmed but to keep on doing what we’re supposed to do – tell ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-51

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The End Is Near - Don't Be Alarmed

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 3, 2002

We hear about violence and famine, war and crime every day on the news. Jesus said this was the beginning of the end for this world - but He also says something else to us - "Don’t be alarmed." How do we keep a peaceful heart in times of great storm?

There’s an attitude that exists, certainly among scientists, the educational elite – and surprisingly even among Christian professors – that the Bible is not historically accurate. "It is an account that was crafted by men who had a point to make, so the details don’t necessarily match up with what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Are You In Or Out?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 11, 2002

In the end we will not be able to say "I don’t want to play this religion game." It won’t be about religion, but about relationship with God. As Jesus prepares to go to the cross, He shares His very last teaching, about our lives, and about the end times.

A professor of a graduate-school class of gifted students included a HUGE amount of material on the midterm exam. Tension in the room built, people were sighing and gasping aloud as they realized how much material they had covered and were expected to recall. The following week, the professor ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-46

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Faith, Suffering & The Will Of God

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 22, 2002

The story of Jesus betrayal, arrest, and trial could be seen as a dark time, but it teaches us things about faith, suffering, and finding the will of God in our lives like no other portion of Scripture.

I hate politics. Politics at its worst is the manipulation of people and processes to get your way. I’m sure there’s a good side to politics – but I haven’t seen it lately. Certainly it was politics at its worst that was operating in Palestine around 33AD when the ruling religious political group ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-75

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

It Is Your Responsibility

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 25, 2002

We can’t gussy up our attitudes or actions to make them seem righteous on the outside and think that we are pleasing God. It’s much better to be transparent and let God deal with you, than try to hide sin under a pretty blanket.

The latest answer when you are caught making a mistake, doing something wrong – even breaking the law is: There was an error in judgment. Not, I goofed, or I’m guilty – but an error in judgment was made. That goes right along with this one: "I assume responsibility for all of my actions, except the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-65

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

He Is With You Always

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 1, 2002

Do you ever feel lonely, depressed, abandoned? Jesus has three special words of encouragement for you - words that will give you comfort and purpose, especially in times when you don’t feel like going on.

We can’t even begin to imagine what waking up on that Sunday morning after the crucifixion was like for Mary Magdalene and Mary, Jesus’ mother. All of the turmoil of the trials, the terror of the cross, then the terrible waiting, while it all sunk in over the Sabbath. We have a name for it now – ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

One Step At A Time

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 29, 2002

There are two vital things that Jesus wants to know - are you ready for the test? And are you willing to take just one step to become closer to God?

A fourth-grade teacher was giving her pupils a lesson in logic. "Here is the situation," she said. "A man is standing up in a boat in the middle of a river, fishing. He loses his balance, falls in, and begins splashing and yelling for help. His wife hears the commotion, knows he can’t swim, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-28, Matthew 16:9

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Much Faith Is Enough?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 3, 2002

All of us know we need to have faith - but many of us have faith in the wrong thing. In this study Jesus reveals who He really is, and challenges us to trust in Him, not trust in faith.

A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-27

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Time To Rebuild

Contributed by Tom Doubt on Jul 14, 2003

Every new project or ministry has several hands in it: hand of God, hands of outsiders, hands of believers, and hands of opposition.

A Time To Rebuild Nehemiah 2:17-20 Dr. Tom Doubt, Senior Pastor Four Mile Creek Baptist Church July 13, 2003 BACKGROUND: A. Parable: There once was a thriving little church in the country. Internal squabbles developed that tore the church apart. Attendance dwindled until the church died. It ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Foundation?

Contributed by Tom Doubt on Jul 15, 2003

What can we do about folks who are shooting arrows at the foundations of our faith?

What Foundation? Psalm 11:1-7 Pastor Tom Doubt Four Mile Creek Baptist Church June 15, 2003 BACKGROUND: A. An old favorite hymn, How Firm A Foundation, has a 4th verse that goes like this: “The soul that hath leaned on Jesus for repose, I will not, I will not desert to His foes; That soul, through ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-7, Nehemiah 2:18

Denomination: Baptist