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.
-
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)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 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
Sons of the Father
Proverbs 4:1 pleads: “Hear, O sons, the instructions of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding.” God reminds us here that a father cares enough to give his child instruction; he loves them, and wants the best … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged father, John 14:15, obedience, Proverbs 4:1, sonship
Leave a comment
Stretching Us: Waiting on God
The last little phrase of Psalm 25:21 reveals one of the most important elements of the Christian life. David prays in the verse: “Let integrity and uprightenss preserve me, for I wait on You.” “I WAIT on You” is only … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged patience, Psalm 25:21, spiritual growth, stretching us, wait on the Lord, waiting
Leave a comment
Sins of Omission
How does God want you to treat people? Two verses in Proverbs 3 challenge us regarding our relationships with those around us: :27 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged neighbor, Proverbs 3:27, Proverbs 3:29, relationships, sin of omission
Leave a comment
The Basic Christian Message
David’s prayer in Psalm 25:16 is a little gospel in miniature: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” At least two elements in this verse are significant: what he realizes about himself, and … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged gospel, poor in spirit, Psalm 25:16, religion, salvation
Leave a comment
A Prayer For Young People (and others!)
Proverbs 2:11-13 contains a great Biblical prayer to pray for younger loved ones, like teenaged & college students, and younger adults: “Discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged intercession, knowing God, prayer, Proverbs 2, temptations, youth
Leave a comment
When It’s Too Late to Ask
People seem to think that they can respond to God whenever they feel like it, but scripture points to an opposite reality. Proverbs 1:28 says, “Then they will call on me and I will not answer; they will seek me … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged II Corinthians 6:2, Isaiah 55:6, Proverbs 1:28, seeking God, too late
5 Comments
Are You Really That Close to God?
Many people claim to be “a friend of God”, but the Bible indicates that number may be far fewer in actuality. Psalm 25:14 says, “The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make known … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged accountability, fear, fear of the Lord, friend of God, holiness, intimacy with God, judgment, Psalm 25:14
Leave a comment
Don’t Take That Road!
After a brief introduction to the book, the wisdom of Proverbs begins in earnest in verse 10: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” It is no coincidence that the first word of wisdom given after the introduction … Continue reading
Wisdom For Whoever You Are
We know who wrote the Book of Proverbs; verse 1 says they are the “proverbs of Solomon the son of David, King of Israel.” But who are they written FOR? Verses 4 & 5 give us the answer:
A Surprising Key To Your Restoration?
Job 42:10 contains an interesting detail regarding Job’s restoration by God after his trial. It says: “YHWH restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends.” Those last words may hold an important key to our own restoration … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Job 42:10, Matthew 5:44, pray for enemies, prayer
1 Comment
shawnethomas 