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.
Author Archives: Shawn Thomas
The Unavoidable Consequences of Sin
In Isaiah 1:4 God laments the sin of His people Israel — a lament which unfortunately could apply to our own nation: “Alas, sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity.” There are actually SEVEN descriptions of the sin of God’s … Continue reading
Giftedness & Humility
“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged church, faith, humility, pastor, pride, Romans 12:3, spiritual gifts
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“The Message of the Cross” (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
A few weeks ago we installed a new wooden cross over our baptistry. Many people have commented that they like it — but some might ask: why would we put a cross here in our worship center? The answer is … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged church, cross, evangelism, faith, I Corinthians 1:18-24 sermon, ministry, salvation
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Sunday Afternoon Gleanings (7-26-15)
Samuel Rutherford was a 17th-century Scottish Puritan pastor who was exiled for his faith. He spent much time writing others at home or in prison who struggled with their faith due to their circumstances. Below are some gleanings from this … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged doubt, faith, prayer, Samuel Rutherford, The Valley of Vision, trials
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Beloved, “Sister”, Friend
The Song of Solomon is a challenging book to study. In some ways, one feels that to attempt to analyze it is akin to A.T. Robertson’s analogy of “dissecting a flower” by examining the individual characteristics of love in I … Continue reading
His Will Is Good
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you might prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) Romans 12:1-2 … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged God's will, Jim Eliot, Psalm 119:68, Romans12:2
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Legalism & “Renewing Your Mind”
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) One of … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged fundamentalism, holiness, legalism, media, renewing the mind, Romans 12:2, television
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Your First Word of the Day
I suppose a Monday morning “start of the week” blog is as good a time as any to publish some thoughts I have harbored for some time. Several years ago I began writing daily devotionals at shawnethomas.com, in the hopes … Continue reading →