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
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Romans 7:4-6, 14-25 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Struggle," for 10/11/26
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Confidence On That Day" (II Timothy 1:12 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Growing Christian Life" (I Peter 1:22 sermon)
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 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
Worship is More Than Words
We often think of “worship” as the prayers we say, or the songs we sing — or perhaps even the “heart” behind them. And there is some truth to those ideas. But Romans 12:1 should cause many of us to … Continue reading
Holiness & Salvation
In Romans 12:1 the Apostle Paul writes: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Realizing the audience the … Continue reading
The Motivation For Holiness
Why should we attempt to be holy? Many people do not realize that genuine Christians have a different motivation for holiness than most other religious groups. Romans 12:1 admonishes us: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged grace, mercy, Romans 12:1, salvation, works
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“The Discipline of Discipling” (II Timothy 2:2 sermon)
Coach Hayden Fry’s 1983 University of Iowa football team picture has become famous, not necessarily because of the games it won, but because of what became of its coaching staff. The assistants on Fry’s staff that year would go on … Continue reading
Just Do It!
Are you waiting for the “perfect” time to get started on “that” project? The Preacher of Ecclesiastes may have a word for you: “He who watches the wind will not sow, and he who looks at the clouds will not … Continue reading
“A Little Bird Told Me”
Have you ever wondered where that expression came from: “A little bird told me”? Look no further than Ecclesiastes 10:20 in your Bible. There the Preacher offers the following words of wisdom: “Furthermore, in your bed-chamber do not curse a … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged "a little bird told me", Ecclesiastes 10:20, gossip, words
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Maintenance Required
“Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.” (Ecclesiastes 10:18) What the Preacher observed here is certainly true of a literal house: if you neglect needed maintenance and repairs, then over time the rafters of your home … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged church discipline, discipline, Ecclesiastes 10:18, maintenance, neglect, relationships
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Unless They Are Sent
Often there is in the Christian church an emphasis on “going” on evangelistic and missions endeavors, and this is certainly appropriate. But Romans 10:15 challenges us in a different way: “How will they preach unless they are sent?” It is … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Acts 1:8, going, missions, Romans 10:14, Romans 10:15, sending, sending church
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Where Religion Goes Wrong
There are two fundamental problems with the religious outlook of most people in the world, and Romans 10:3 reveals both of them: “For not knowing about the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged justification, righteousness, Romans 10:3, Romans 3:22, salvation, self-righteousness
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