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
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 sermon)
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 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
Forgetting God
In Psalm 9:17 David writes: “The wicked will return to Sheol, even all the nations who forget God.” “The wicked” are in parallel here with “all the nations who FORGET GOD.” This should remind us that it is wickedness to … Continue reading
The Pit They Made
In Psalm 9:15 David speaks of the judgment which will come upon those who reject God. He writes: “The nations have sunk down in the pit which they have made; in the net which they hid, their own foot has … Continue reading
Vertical & Horizontal
In Psalm 9:11 David writes: “Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples His deeds.” God’s people are commanded to worship their King in two distinct ways here:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged balance, evangelism, Psalm 9:11, vertical relationship, worship
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He’s All I need
Colossians 2:10 says: “And in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” This verse follows the main theme of the Book of Colossians, and reminds us of the sufficiency of Christ. … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Christ, Colossians 2:10, Ephesians 3:8, riches, sufficiency of Christ
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Lessons in Grace
In I King 9:6 God told King Solomon, “But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me … (:7) then I will cut off Israel from the land …”. Here again we see that God DOES keep … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged grace, I Kings 9:6, obedience, Romans 7, salavation, works
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The Little Condo on the Prairie (4-28-14)
I’ve been busy preaching every Sunday and leading Bible Study on Wednesday nights — basically working a full-time schedule — for which I am very grateful! But one “side effect” is that I have not kept up my “Little Condo” … Continue reading
Trusting God’s Judgment
Psalm 9:8 says: “And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.” This is a needed reminder for many of us. It can be difficult to watch wicked people — or those … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged equity, fairness, James 2:13, judgment, justice, mercy, Psalm 9:8, righteousness
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The Face of God
Psalm 9:3 says “When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before You.” In Hebrew the words “before You” are literally, “from Your face.” It is interesting to see in scripture the differing effects that the face of God … Continue reading
Overflowing With Thanksgiving
In Colossians 2:7 Paul writes that we are to walk in Christ, “having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and strengthened in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving.” It is of … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged blessing, Christ, Colossians 2:7, gratitude, salvation, Thanksgiving
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Wholly Devoted?
In I Kings 8:61 Solomon challenged the people of Israel: “Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as this day.” Solomon’s admonition to them was … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged devotion, I Kings 8:61, John 14:15, obedience
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