Author Archives: Shawn Thomas

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About Shawn Thomas

My blog, shawnethomas.com, features the text of my sermons, book reviews, family life experiences -- as well as a brief overview of the Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson for Southern Baptist Sunday School teachers.

Fear Can Be A Strong Motivator

Posted on 2014/09/04 by Shawn Thomas

Ezra 3:3 describes how Jeshua and the priests rebuilt the altar of God in Jerusalem: “So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings … Continue reading →

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According to Your Ability

Posted on 2014/09/03 by Shawn Thomas

Ezra 2 describes how the people of Israel came back to the Promised Land and began the process of rebuilding the Temple. Verse 69 says: “According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work”. Here we find … Continue reading →

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Faith Under Trial

Posted on 2014/09/02 by Shawn Thomas

Ezra 2 gives us a list of the exiles who returned to Israel from the Babylonian captivity. While all the names and numbers may seem trivial, they are not. And verse 41 gives us a special insight when it says … Continue reading →

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The Discipline of Morning Prayer (Psalm 5:3 Sermon)

Posted on 2014/09/01 by Shawn Thomas

(Preached at First Baptist, Pauls Valley, OK 8-31-14) One of the best articles I have ever read is “The Tyranny of the Urgent” by Charles Hummel. In it he writes that many people often wish for a 30-hour day, so … Continue reading →

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Pray For God To Stir Hearts

Posted on 2014/09/01 by Shawn Thomas

In Ezra 1:1, the Bible says “In order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia” to issue a proclamation allowing the Jews to return … Continue reading →

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Bible Doctrine in a Nutshell

Posted on 2014/08/29 by Shawn Thomas

Ezra 1:1 gives us a “doctrine in a nutshell” for what we believe about scripture: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah …”. … Continue reading →

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Trust His Purposes

Posted on 2014/08/28 by Shawn Thomas

Ezra 1:1 begins with a reminder that God’s purposes are always fulfilled: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up … Continue reading →

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“Heart-Knower”

Posted on 2014/08/27 by Shawn Thomas

In Acts 1:24-25, the disciples, seeking God’s direction for a man to fill the apostleship vacated by Judas, prayed: “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry … Continue reading →

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The Most Important Thing

Posted on 2014/08/26 by Shawn Thomas

It is no accident that David opens Psalm 18:1 by saying, “I love You, O Lord my strength.” His love for Yahweh was the first and most important thing in his life — and should be in ours as well.

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“The Discipline of the Word” I Peter 2:1-3 sermon

Posted on 2014/08/25 by Shawn Thomas

(Preached 8-24-17 at First Baptist Pauls Valley, OK) For years before his death in 2013, Pat Summerall broadcast NFL games on television. Many of you would recognize his voice to this day. Some of you also know that Summerall’s life … Continue reading →

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