Sermons on Tom Ellsworth:

Making The Gospel Attractive To The World Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 13, 2005

Christians are more and more known for what we are against than what we are for. This confuses people about what the gospel is really about. Paul gives some very practical advice on how to be practically spiritual in an unsaved world.

How can we sum up Titus? It’s as simple as 1-2-3. 1. Find a good Biblical model and follow it (chapter 1) - Personal Faith 2. Allow yourself to be inconvenienced in order for the gospel to be attractive (ch 2) - Interpersonal Example 3. Seek to cooperate and assist others around you by being a ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-15

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How To Change Your Character Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 14, 2005

We as humans see things we don’t like in ourselves - then just decide to change. But we are who we are and cannot change - unless God does the transformation. We also hear how God uses this to turn what the enemy means for harm into good.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could plan the day of our departure? Just think about it - you could accomplish the things that are really important, pass on vital information to those you will leave behind, then set your sights on heaven and away you go. I remember when I was growing up the father of ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Restoring Relationships - Breaking Down Barriers Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 17, 2005

Broken relationships are among the Christians thorniest problems - yet relationships are so vital to our life as a believer. Paul gives us some good ways to help break down barriers we put up between ourselves and restore broken relationships through the

Relationships - they are among the most important things we have as humans. Studies have shown that if newborn babies are not touched - if they don’t have some sort of a relationship with another human - they will literally die. Our need for relationships never stops. A recent study among ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God's Purpose For Pain Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 21, 2005

Learn about God giving courage to those who needed to try their faith as he prepares a leader to rescue Israel from slavery to sin and as a picture of God rescuing us from sin as well.

Exodus means "exit, or departure." Exodus is a book of rescues, reintroductions, intercession, and second chances. In it we see God rescue Israel from the evil rulers of Egypt after they intercede - but we also see him rescue Moses from death - multiple times. And we see that despite our own ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

New & Improved Or Tired & Old Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 25, 2005

Sometimes the new and improved isn’t - and we become leary. When God came up with a new and improved way to approach Him, some thought the new way was uncomfortable so they wanted to go back.

There’s no doubt that we as humans like the comfortable and the familiar. Especially when presented with challenges - we like what we know. My dog is like that. She knows that when we are finished exercising on Saturday morning that it’s time for her walk. And at a certain time in the evening - she ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-2

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Moses - The Reluctant Hero Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 27, 2005

Most of the time we think of spiritual giants just itching to do God’s work. Moses was actually very reluctant to answer God’s call. This gives us ordinary folks hope. God takes us - whatever we have in our hand - and uses it for His glory.

What are you like when God calls you? Do you actively listen for His voice then jump at the chance to obey? Or are you just kind of going along, doing your job, minding your own business and when God calls you might reluctantly go along if He twists your arm enough? You might think that a ...read more

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

How Far Will You Go? Part 1

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 19, 2011

There are three questions each Christian should ask themselves when it comes to deciding just how far to go in serving the Lord. They are not easy questions, but your answers will reveal much about yourself. In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul gives us a clear choic

Answer this question for yourself: “I feel good about my life when …” In a way, the Apostle Paul could be asking the Corinthians to consider this question when they judge him. If you answer the question: “I feel best when external circumstances are not difficult and when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Far Will You Go? Part 2

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 26, 2011

Often we enter into partnerships without thinking of the consequences for either us or those that we influence. Though we are not to withdraw from this world, we need to be careful when we entangle ourselves in the values of this age. Today we examine bei

Are you willing to appear as a fool in order to be used more effectively by the Lord? Who is the main author of the book of your life? So finally we get to question 3: Are you willing to be differentiated from the world in order to be used more effectively by the Lord? The problem with ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Power Of Positive Repentance

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 2, 2011

Taking criticism is one of the hardest things for us humans. When it comes to God's critique of our lives, and areas He needs to touch, we often react with our natural human defenses. But Paul in addressing the subject with the Corinthian church, gives us

What happens when you realize you’ve blown it? You have done something, said something, held an attitude about something—and somehow you get called on the carpet. Perhaps it’s by the Holy Spirit, maybe by a Bible study, or listening to a sermon, or even someone else telling you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Positive Giving

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 8, 2011

What motivates you to give? The Corinthians had an easy time setting unrealistic giving goals that set them up for failure, but a hard time giving in a way that released the gift to God and brought Him glory. In this chapter Paul gives us some valuable le

Giving is one of those subjects that pastors either ignore or really focus on. For us at Calvary Chapel, we teach through the Scriptures so when a chapter comes along on any particular subject then we teach it. Giving should be a part of every growing Christian’s experience, and I’m not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel