Sermons on Tom Lawson:

The Crucifixion Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 22, 2005

Jesus chose to go to the cross - to be beaten and spat upon and to be separated from the Father - even though He didn’t have to. The question is: why did He do it? Also learn when it’s right to speak up and when to remain silent.

1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. The Jewish religious leadership had already decided to try to get Jesus killed - they had done it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-46

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 22, 2005

Have you ever felt that doing things for God is impossible and if you fail you’ve fouled up God’s plan? This message will encourage you to step out, even if you fail.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event in world history. It is even more important than the cross - in this way: that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, the cross would be meaningless for mankind. Jesus was perfect and would go back to be with the Father - the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Free Are You? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

As Christians we consider ourselves to be free - but in fact we fall into slavery very easily - slavery to legalism. What is legalism and its corallary labelism?

Do you feel free? Free in Christ? Did you know that you although you may feel free you may have enslaved yourself - to what you ask? To legalism. Not possible. Yes - it’s a lot easier than you think. Winning freedom over legalism is what Galatians is all about. We’re going to learn what ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Living By Trust - Not By Effort Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

What happens after we are saved? Sometimes we treat salvation like a car wash - God cleans us up and then tells us not to get dirty again. But is that really grace?

I can’t lift very much - I don’t know how much I bench press - and even though I exercise fairly regularly, I don’t consider myself buff. But if I had a human exoskeleton I sure could be! This machine is designed to turn ordinary men into supermen - you wear it around you and is made of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Attaining Your Goals Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

How do you get where you want to be? Naturally we try hard and try to be motivated - and hope God approves of us. In reality we need to trust in the Holy Spirit instead of our own abilities.

What if you had to climb a really steep trail - and somebody came along and said, "here, use my brand new 2004 Dodge RAM SRT-10 with its 500 horsepower engine capable of 525 pound feet of torque - able to reach 60 miles an hour in 5 seconds and tear up that mountain trail!" So you say "thanks" ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Purpose Of The Law Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

What is the purpose of the Law - its like an external supervisor. Grace gives us in internal partner to make us like God - not just obey external rules.

Why are there speeding tickets? They exist because people drive faster than the posted limit - they are a notice that you’ve broken the law and have displeased the authorities and must pay for it. If no one ever drove too fast there’d be no need for tickets. Or if you always rode in a bus with ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:19-29

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Giving Up On Grace Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

We like to do things our own way. God often times is much too slow for our schedule ? or He doesn?t do things the way we would ? so we short circuit His work by coming up with our own, much better plan - but that can mean giving up on grace.

Do you ever read The Family Circus? I always like the ones where the Mom and Dad tell their oldest son to go get the mail or something - and instead of walking out the door and down the driveway and back - he goes out his window, around back, through the garden, plays with the dog, jumps the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Helping The Fallen Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

What happens when you sin? Legalism tells us to look down on that brother because they "failed." But in Galatians, Paul gives us a new way to help those who have fallen.

We left off last week by comparing the acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. Though we all want the latter, we often act in the former. Finding freedom from legalism and the condemnation it brings doesn’t mean you immediately cease from sin. Our goal is still to be like Christ - and we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God's Love Letter To You Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

If you need some encouragement - find out how He master-minded your salvation, and wishes to lavish wonderful things on to your life.

Don’t you love getting good news? "Congratulations, you may have won $1,000,000 in the Publishers Clearinghouse Giveaway." That’s false good news - but real good news: "Congratulations, it’s a boy" or "Yes, I will marry you" or "The cancer has completely gone away - and I don’t understand why." ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Are You A One-Brick Building? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

If you are a follower of Christ, God has a building project in you - creating you for things He planned a long time ago - but He is also building you into something greater. The question is, are you ready, or do you like going it alone?

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Getting Closer To God Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

How do you feel approaching God - guilty, weak, timid? Paul encourages us to see our relationship with the Father as it really is - and shows us that you can’t outlove God!

What is the biggest thing you can think of - the most marvelous and wonderful thing imaginable? What comes to mind - is it great riches so you don’t have to worry about the bills? Is it power so that people can’t hurt you any more? Perhaps its wisdom so that people will respect you and look up to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Does A Christian Look Like? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

Do you know what a Christian should be like? It may surprise you to learn what God approves of and what He wants to take out of your character.

What is your idea of what a Christian should be like? I did a Google search using those words the other day and came with the most unbelievable site I think I have ever seen. I won’t mention the name of the church but the page that came up was entitled: "How does God spot a Christian?" I thought ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Fresh Coat Of Paint Without Sanding Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

Paul tells us in the second half of chapter 4 that we need to let Christ sand us way down to the bear wood, in order to cover us with His way of thinking and acting.

I like to see a nice new coat of paint on something - like this bench we had outside on our patio. The problem is - in order to have a nice coat of paint I had to strip off the old - but I was lazy. So when I painted the new coat on, the old paint underneath began to chip and peel and push the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-33

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Living A Life Of Love Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

How we act and how we speak to each other really does matter to God. You may be just mirroring what you see people doing and saying around you - but is it right?

The cover story of the September 14th issue of Newsweek magazine is very revealing about our culture today. The story is entitled: "How to say no to your kids." What I found interesting wasn’t the tips of saying "no" but on why it’s so hard for parents to do it. Some statistics jump off the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

In The Beginning ... Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

Is the story of creation a myth? And what is the book of Genesis about anyway? Learn what this first book is, and what it is not as we begin our journey through God’s wonderful story.

For many people today - to say that you believe the Bible is to say that you are an anachronism - something out of today’s enlightened understanding. To say that Scripture is revealing the truth is laughable in some circles - especially among the intelligentsia. Much of the reason for scoffing at ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-31

Denomination: Calvary Chapel