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
- Teacher's Overview of Joshua 6:12-25, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Winning Strategy," for June 28, 2026.
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Numbers 14:11-24, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Rebellion & Judgment" for 9/28/25
- Teacher's Overview of Joshua 3:14-4:9, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson "Remembering God's Works" for June 21, 2026.
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 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
God Will Do What Your Worry Won’t
“For I am God, and there is no other; God, and there is no one like Me … saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” (Isaiah 46:9-10) If you’re tempted to worry about … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged "Sovereignty of God", anxiety, God's will, Isaiah 46:9-10, kingdom, kingdom work, service, sovereignty, trust, worry
1 Comment
Seeing But Not Observing
“You have seen many things, but you do not observe them; your ears are open, but none hears.” (Isaiah 42:20) Addressing the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah, God tells them that they have “seen” much in His Law, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged application, Bible, Isaiah 42:20, obedience
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What We’re Made For
“The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” (Isaiah 42:21) This little verse is packed with insight that should inform and direct each of our lives as God’s people:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Isaiah 42:21, praise, Psalm 149:2, Psalm 149:4, purpose, relationship, witness
3 Comments
The Weakest, Best Prayer
In Psalm 12:1, David begins his prayer with a very simple, basic request: “Help, Lord …” but it may have actually been the best prayer he ever prayed!
Consecration Today For Wonders Tomorrow (Joshua 3:5 sermon)
After months of waiting, this week it is finally here! Starting this Friday Pleasant Ridge will be presenting our Christmas musical “The Grinch” downtown at the CoMMA. It is a major production, and preparations have been made for months in … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged consecration, fasting, holiness, Joshua 3:5, Joshua 3:5 sermon, prayer, preparation
4 Comments
Can You Say: “Imitate Me”?
“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1) Can you tell people in your church: “See what I am doing? Do that.”? If it sounds daunting, that is exactly what the Apostle Paul was … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship
Tagged discipleship, example, I Corinthians 1:11, imitation
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Illustrations From Walt Disney: An American Original
I picked up a copy of Walt Disney: An American Original in a bookstore at (of all places!) Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It was not a “puff piece” but an interesting look into the life of a man … Continue reading
“If Everyone In The Church Were Just More Like Me …”
“If they were all one member, where would the body be?” (I Corinthians 12:19) The Apostle Paul makes a great point in this verse, as he addresses church members who wanted others in the church to function like them in … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged body, church, diversity, gifts, I Corinthians 12:19, service
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For The Common Good
“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (I Corinthians 12:7) The Bible teaches us here that every believer in Jesus Christ has been given a gift by the Holy Spirit: “But to … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged church, Holy Spirit, I Corinthians 12:7, pneumatica, service
1 Comment
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