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
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "Confidence On That Day" (II Timothy 1:12 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 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
The Sin of “NOT …”
We often think of sin as something we “do”, but Romans 1 reminds us that it also often involves what we do NOT do. Verse 31, speaking of those who are worthy of God’s wrath, says that they are: “unloving, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged apathy, Elie Wiesel, indifference, James 4:17, love, mercy, opposite of love is not hate, Romans 1:31, sin
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A “Little” Sin?
You might not think it’s much of a sin — but it may be bigger than you imagine! Romans 1:21, speaking of those upon whom the wrath of God rightly falls, says: “For even though they knew God, they did … Continue reading
Not Just “Their” Sins …
We need to recognize the importance of a little word in Romans 1:18, where the Apostle Paul writes: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men …”. This chapter is well-known for … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged forgiveness, homosexual practice, homosexuality, Romans 1:18, salvation, self-righteousness, sin
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“The Discipline of the Model Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13 sermon)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, 5-10-15) I attended a men’s retreat last year and I had the opportunity to talk to a man who shared with me that when he was a young Christian, he was challenged to spend … Continue reading
THE Power For Salvation
Many Christians can quote Romans 1:16, but perhaps we need to hear again what it is really saying? “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes …”. … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry
Tagged evangelism, gospel, I Corinthians 15:3, ministry, Romans 1:16, salvation, the gospel
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The Model Prayer: Praying For God’s Will (Matt. 6:10 Sermon)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Wed. p.m., 5-06-15) A few years back I read the testimony of a pastor who lived well over a hundred years ago, and who was praying for a friend of his who was very … Continue reading
And He Was Teaching Them
Mark 2:13 says that Jesus went out by the sea again, and the crowd came out to Him. But it is instructive for us to see just what He did when they came out. It says: “And He was teaching … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry
Tagged Bible, Mark 2:13, ministry, teaching, word of God
1 Comment
“If it’s God’s will”?
One must admit, Paul didn’t make much of a “positive confession” in Romans 1:10, when he told the church at Rome: “if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.” Those words … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged faith, God's will, humility, if it's God's will, James 4:14-16, Lord willing, positive confession, Romans 1:10, word faith, words
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Give To Everyone You Meet
In Romans 1:11 the Apostle Paul writes: “For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established (strengthened).” Paul wasn’t speaking of “spiritual gifts” here in the technical way … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship
Tagged discipleship, Navigators Wheel, Romans 1:11, spiritual gift
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From A Cottage in the Foothills …
It’s been a busy few weeks since we hit the ground running at my new pastorate, Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Morganton, North Carolina. People have asked how Cheryl and Michael especially like it here, and the answer is that … Continue reading
