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)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- Romans 7:4-6, 14-25 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Struggle," for 10/11/26
- "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)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- "America's Verse" -- "Judge Not" (Matthew 7:1-5 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
Enemies Within & Without
The prophets of Baal were not the only false prophets in Israel in the days of Elijah, as we see in I Kings 22. As Ahab and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were seeking guidance before a potential battle, :11 says … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Acts 20:29-30, doctrine, false prophets, false teachers, heresy, I Kings 22
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Getting The Right Advice
We all have times when we need advice. But almost as important as the decision you are making is that you get your advice from the right sources. In I Kings 22, Jehoshaphat and Ahab were about to go to … Continue reading
Even Ahab; Even Me!
The Bible describes Ahab, the King of Israel during the time of Elijah the prophet, as one of the most wicked kings ever. I Kings 21:25 summarizes his life by saying that he “sold himself to do evil in the … Continue reading
Your Heart’s Inclination
“Have you murdered and also taken possession?” This is the question Elijah asked King Ahab in I Kings 21:19, after Ahab had killed Naboth and stolen his vineyard. The prophet also foretold the disaster that was come upon Ahab because … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Ahab, David, heart, I Kings 21:19, punishment, repentance, sin
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Patience With Holiness
Colossians 3:10 says that Christians “have put on the new self, who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him …”. It should be instructive to us that the verse says … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Colossians 3:10, Golden Rule, holiness, patience, process of holiness, sanctification
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The Prophetic Function of God’s Word
In I Kings 21, after King Ahab took the land which was the inheritance of his neighbor Naboth, :17 says: “Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite …” God did not overlook this evil deed of … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Bible, God's word, I Kings 21:17, II Timothy 3:16, prophetic function, scripture, sin
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That We Might Know Him
In I Kings 20:13 one of God’s prophets approached Ahab the king and told him that God was going to deliver him from an oppressive army that day, “and you shall know that I am the LORD.” This is just … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged I Kings 20:13, knowing God, Philippians 3:10, purpose
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Against “Trash Talk”
“Trash talking” is an attempt to verbally intimidate an opponent, and it has become a familiar part of American culture, especially in sports and video games — but it has infiltrated many other segments of our society as well. In … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged arrogance, boasting, confidence, humility, I Kings 20:11, James 4:13-16, Presumption, pride, trash talk
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Sin & the Body of Christ
Colossians 3:8 says: “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.” It is interesting that in the Greek text, the word “mouth” is singular, but the word “your” is plural. … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged body of Christ, Colossians 3:8, corporate sin, sin, words
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