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 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
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
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
