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
From A Cottage in the Foothills … (June 2015)
The past couple of weeks have been busy at “the cottage”; with all of the kids and grandkids coming in. We had a lot to celebrate — and then to recover from! ARE YOU MY MOTHER? Adding to the typical … Continue reading
The Sacrifice Remembered (Matthew 26:26-29 Lord’s Supper Message)
One of the newer monuments in Washington D.C. is the one commemorating our men who fought and won the Second World War. Among other elements, the memorial contains panels with bronze engravings of scenes from the war: soldiers loading artillery … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged communion, Lord's Supper, Matthew 26:26-29 sermon, ordinance, WWII Memorial
2 Comments
A New Testament “Outreach Plan”
“A great number of people heard of all that He was doing and came …”. (Mark 3:8) This is a good reminder of how “a great crowd” comes in the Lord’s work. We do not have to plan some … Continue reading
The Spirit Intercedes
We should take pains to make our prayers as scriptural and effective as we can — but thankfully, God’s word tells us that their efficacy does not rest with us. Romans 8:26 says: “We do not know how to pray … Continue reading
Tests of Salvation
Are you really saved? Several passages of scripture offer us tests of salvation; indicators of whether one has genuinely been converted. One of those texts is Romans Chapter 8. Multiple verses in the chapter describe the person for whom “There … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged assurance, II Corinthians 13:5, Romans 8, salvation, test of salvation
Leave a comment
The Discipline of Fellowship (Hebrews 10:23-25 sermon)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, 6-07-15) Cheryl & I are fond of assigning “chapter titles” to different episodes of our life together, like “The Dark Year”, “Just Then It Began to Snow” or “The Girl in the Purple Bikini” … Continue reading
Shall We Sin?
It’s an old question: If “once saved always saved” is true, wouldn’t people use it as an excuse to sin? Romans 6:15 addresses that issue: “What then, shall we sin because we are not under Law, but under grace?” The … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged libertinism, obedience, once saved always saved, Romans 6, sin
1 Comment
Not What You Are Here For
“If you have been foolish in exalting yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth …” (Proverbs 30:32) It is surely interesting that in this verse, “if you have been foolish in exalting yourself” is … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged chief end of man, fame, glorify God, pride, Proverbs 30:32, purpose, purpose of life, Westminster Catechism
Leave a comment
A Godly Prayer Request
“Two things I have asked of You; do not refuse me before I die. Keep deception and lies far from me; give me neither poverty or riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be … Continue reading
shawnethomas 