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
- 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)
- "How To Run 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)
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 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
Assurance and Fruit
Hebrews 6:11 says: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end.” Though scripture is very clear that salvation is entirely of grace, it also … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged assurance of salvation, confidence, fruit, Hebrews 6:11, I John 3:19, perseverance
Leave a comment
The Great Benefit of Christianity
Hebrews 7:19, comparing the Old Testament Law with the better hope we have in Christ, says: “(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged benefit, draw near to God, Hebrews 9:19, Isaiah 59:2, Jesus, salvation
Leave a comment
Fluctuations in Faith
In I Samuel 16:2, Samuel’s response to God’s command to go and anoint another king of Israel to replace Saul was less than faith-filled: “But Samuel said, ‘How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me.’” … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged best day, C.S. Lewis, doubt, faith, fluctuations, I Samuel 16:2, inconsistencies
Leave a comment
The Grieving Minister
I Samuel 15 relates the story of how Saul disobeyed God in the campaign against the Amalekites, and how Saul initially tried to justify his disobedience. Because he feared the people more than God, Samuel told Saul that the kingdom … Continue reading
Biblical Revival (Psalm 85)
Psalm 85:6 says, “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” Here scripture teaches us several important things about revival:
An Anchor of the Soul
Hebrews 6:19 says: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul.” The problem many people have is that there is nothing to “anchor” their lives; they drift wherever they “feel led”, or wherever the prevailing winds of culture … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Ephesians 4:14, Hebrews 6:19, hope, The Solid Rock
Leave a comment
“The Little Condo on the Prairie” (Sept. 19)
Both home school and football make their debut in this week’s “Little Condo”: Although Michael is a very good student, and is usually very self-motivated, sometimes he and Cheryl go ’round and ’round in their homeschooling. Here are some episodes … Continue reading
The Fear of Man
After much prevarication regarding his sin of not fully obeying the Lord regarding His command to destroy the Amalekites, in I Samuel 15:24 Saul did finally own up to his sin: “I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged fear, I Peter 3:14-15, I Samuel 15:24, intimidation, leadership, peer pressure, Saul
5 Comments
Be A Repenter, Not A Justifier!
In I Samuel 15, God had commanded King Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions, but Saul spared King Agag and his people kept many of the best of the livestock. When Samuel rebuked him, Saul said … Continue reading
When Self-Congratulation Is Not In Order
I Samuel 15 narrates how God commanded Saul to attack the Amalekites, and utterly destroy them and all their possessions. Saul did indeed launch the attack, but he spared the king, Agag, as well as “the best” of the animals … Continue reading
