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
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 21:23-32, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Authority," for 4/26/26.
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Gift That Is An Insult" (I Kings 9:10-14)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 20:1-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Grace," for 4/19, 2026
- "The People of God" (I Peter 2:9-10 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 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
A Prayer for God’s People
Another good scriptural intercessory prayer is found in Psalm 28:9, where David concludes the Psalm with these words: “Oh save Your people and bless Your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.” It is a prayer which specifically targets … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged church, God's people, individuals, intercession, prayer, Psalm 23:1, Psalm 28:9, Shepherd
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Matthew 6:5-9 Introduction to the Model Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most familiar and beloved Christian scriptures – yet it may also be one of the most misunderstood. But it is a scripture that is VITAL for us as we would learn to pray. … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship, Sermons, The Model Prayer Series
Tagged Chuck Quarles, how to pray, Lord's Prayer, model prayer, prayer, prayer outline, Sermon on the Mount
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God’s Work
When many of us think of “God’s work”, we think of missions and evangelism, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and other “church”-type activities. And those things certainly ARE God’s work. But Proverbs 16:11 shows us another perspective on … Continue reading
No Such Thing As Luck
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:33) This is a very striking verse, and its truth should sink deeply into our hearts, permeate our outlook, and change our vocabulary. It … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged chance, Hebrews 1:3, luck, Matthew 10:29, Proverbs 16:33, providence, Providence of God
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Do You Really Believe This?
There are a number of verses in scripture which are easy to skim over quickly, and nod your head thoughtlessly in agreement — but if you stop and think about what they really mean, they may give you pause. Proverbs … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged humility, losing, pride, Proverbs 16:19, winning
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“Are You A Disciple?” (Luke 9:23 sermon)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, 4-12-15) Are you a disciple? When we think of the word “disciple”, a lot of us probably think of 12 guys in robes who followed Jesus around, usually saying or doing the wrong then, … Continue reading
Are You Any Better?
Often it is easy to criticize others for a particular drawback, when the truth is we are not any better than they are. In Psalm 28, David asks God to judge the wicked, and in :5 he gives the reason: … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged faith, Psalm 28:5, spiritual blindness, spiritual perception
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When God Changes Your Plans
Don’t be surprised if things don’t turn out the way you plan. Indeed, often it seems like they rarely do! But Proverbs 16:9 explains why that is often the case: “The mind of man plans his way, but YHWH directs … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged C.S. Lewis, interruptions, plans, Proverbs 16:9, providence
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No Small Sin
A church member was once overheard saying: “He’s a good minister, he’s just got a little pride problem.” But pride is not a “little” problem — for a minister or anyone else, as Proverbs 16:5 makes clear: “Everyone who is … Continue reading
Roll It To God
Proverbs 16:3 is a good word for any of us who make plans, whether personal, business, or in ministry: “Commit your works to YHWH and your plans will established.” The Hebrew here is literally “ROLL” your works to YHWH” — … Continue reading
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