I'm a retired Southern Baptist pastor of almost 40 years. My wife Cheryl & I moved to Norman, OK in March of 2025. I share a weekly overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, as well as texts of my sermons and other articles.
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Top Posts & Pages
- Romans 8:14-27 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview, "Indwelt," for October 18, 2026
- Romans 7:4-6, 14-25 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Struggle," for 10/11/26
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- Romans 6:1-14, Overview of Lifeway's Explore the Bible lesson, "Freedom," for October 4, 2026.
- "Confidence On That Day" (II Timothy 1:12 sermon)
Categories
- "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12)
- "The Disciplines of Disciples" series
- "This Is My Story" sermon series
- Beatitudes Series 2020 FBCA
- Book of James Sermons: What Real Faith Looks Like
- COVID-19 crisis assorted messages
- Current Events
- Devotions/Bible Studies
- Discipleship
- Discovering FBCA Membership class lessons
- Doctrine/Theology
- Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
- Explore the Bible Sunday School lessons
- Habakkuk "Find Us Faithful" series messages
- History
- Home & Family Life
- I Peter sermons
- India Mission Trip 2011
- Isaiah 53 sermon series Suffering Servant Glorious King
- John 3:16 sermon series
- Luke 10:38-42 Mary & Martha series
- Luke 2 Christmas series
- Matthew sermons
- Ministry
- missions
- Music
- Philippians sermons
- POTS (dysautonomia) articles
- Psalms studies and messages
- Revelation sermon series
- Reviews
- Sermon Illustrations
- Sermons
- The Model Prayer Series
- The Model Prayer series (FBCA 2020)
- This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog)
- Travel
- Uncategorized
- worship
Author Archives: Shawn Thomas
Two Keys to Paul’s Ministry of the Word
“For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” (II Corinthians 2:17) How did the Apostle Paul keep from corrupting the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged II Corinthians 2:17, ministry of the word, motives, preaching, sincerity, teaching
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“The Disciple’s Character: Spiritual Dependence” (Matthew 5:3 sermon)
Several years ago I read the testimony of a Hollywood celebrity who had struggled for years with drinking. But they kept denying that they really had a problem. They said the breakthrough came when they got to their lowest point, … Continue reading
Posted in "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12), Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Beatitudes, character, character of Christ, humility, I need help, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:3 sermon, Pharisee and publican, poor in spirit, prayer, purpose for trials, Romans 8:28-29, salvation, self-righteousness, sin, spiritual dependence, spiritual poverty, three most important words, trials
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Your Real Resume
“Do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged discipleship, II Corinthians 3:1-3, letter of recommendation, love, ministry, people, resume
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Our Ministry Attitude
What attitude should we demonstrate towards those with whom we serve in God’s Kingdom work? Paul gives us a brief outline of his perspective in II Corinthians 1:24: “Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with … Continue reading
“Binding Up The Brokenhearted”?
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me … He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted …”. (Isaiah 61:1) The Lord Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1 in Luke 4:18 regarding His own ministry. He fulfilled its prophecy Himself … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged Bind up brokenhearted, Ezekiel 34:4, I Peter 2:21, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, ministry, Psalm 147:3
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One of Satan’s Biggest Schemes
“… so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” (II Corinthians 2:11) Although many are reluctant to talk about “the devil” in our “modern” days, The Bible tells us … Continue reading
“The Disciple’s Character: God’s Goal For Your Life in 2016” (Matthew 5:3-12 sermon)
Francis Chan wrote in his book, Crazy Love: “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” That quote is worth pondering as we begin this new year. Many of … Continue reading
“Who Is Adequate For These Things?”
“and who is adequate for these things?” (II Corinthians 2:16) Anyone who has ever taken their Christian ministry seriously can identify with the words of the Apostle Paul in this verse. Here Paul just exclaims about the gravity of the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged dependence, humility, II Corinthians 2:16, James 4:6, ministry, poor in spirit
1 Comment
The “Scent” You Leave Behind
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” (II Corinthians 2:14) Scientists tells us that just as each person has … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged aroma, evangelism, II Corinthians 2:14, ministry, scent, witness
1 Comment
“First” (2016 New Years message)
A friend of mine in Louisiana who is a runner sent me a hilarious video some time ago. It was about a guy whose life was all about running. It just dominated his day. He would get up early in … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Bible Reading, decision making, decisions, devotions, giving, God first, Matthew 6:33, New Year, priorities, priority, running, Sabbath, Sunday worship, worship
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