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
A Sobering Self-Deception
“There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, yet is not washed from his filthiness.” (Proverbs 30:12) This is a good reminder that just because a person “thinks” something is so, or “feels” that something is so, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged forgiveness, II Corinthians 13:5, Proverbs 30:12, salvation, self-deceit
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The Model Prayer: Spiritual Protection (Matthew 6:13 sermon)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, May 27, 2015) Much of America cheered some months ago when a Texas mother fought off three masked home invaders who came into the house where she and her little son were. With a … Continue reading
“The Discipline of Scripture Memory” (Matt. 4:1-11 sermon)
(Preached at PRBC 5-31-15) In the summer of 1980 I went on a mission trip with my home church, the First Baptist Church of Harrah, to Switzerland and Germany. During the trip we also took a one-day visit to Paris, … Continue reading
Why Are You Watching?
While God’s stated goal for each of His followers is to become like Jesus, too many of us are troublingly more like the Pharisees whom Jesus condemned instead. Mark 3:2 says: “And they were watching Him closely, to see if … Continue reading
Who Me, “Ungodly”?
Many professed Christians tend to think of themselves as “pretty good church people” — but Romans 5:6 reminds us that genuine Christians were, at least once, very much otherwise: “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged attitude, humility, Romans 5:6, self-righteousness, sin, ungodly
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It Takes Two: A Plumbing Parable of Marriage
(In honor both of our 33rd wedding anniversary, and our icemaker 😉 Last week some workers discovered that there was a leak underneath our house, and they recommended that we call a plumber. Cheryl & I saw where the leak … Continue reading
Do We Need To Get “A Vision”?
One of the most frequently quoted verses in the Old Testament, is, sadly, often MIS-quoted. Proverbs 29:18 reads: “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained (or “perish.)” Typically someone quotes this verse and follows up with an admonition … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Proverbs 29:18, scripture, vision, where there is no vision, word of God
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Be Thankful You Didn’t Say It!
Sometimes after a confrontation with an annoying person we might be tempted to think: “I should have really let them have it”, but Proverbs 29:11 says otherwise: “A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.” … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged fool, fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, Proverbs 29:11, self-control, temper, wisdom
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The Model Prayer: Forgiveness (Matthew 6:12 sermon)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist, 5-20-15) I know that many of you, like me, grew up hearing soloists and others sing what became the “traditional” version of “The Lord’s Prayer.” There is one part of the song that seems almost … Continue reading
No Room For Boasting
“Where then is boasting? It is excluded.” (Romans 3:27) A better word could not be said regarding true religion. There is NO room for personal boasting in genuine Christianity.
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged boasting, Galatians 6:14, grace, holier than thou, Romans 3:27, salvation, self-righteousness, works
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