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)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- Romans 7:4-6, 14-25 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Struggle," for 10/11/26
- Romans 6:1-14, Overview of Lifeway's Explore the Bible lesson, "Freedom," for October 4, 2026.
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 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
If Saved Will Persevere
Many Christians (especially Baptists) are fond of claiming “once saved always saved”, and there is truth in that statement. Those who are genuinely saved will indeed never lose it. But many misinterpret that teaching to mean that anyone who makes … Continue reading
Today
Hebrews 4:7 tells us: “He again fixes a certain day, ‘Today,’ saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, ‘Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts’”. God has fixed a … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Hebrews 4:7, II Corinthians 6:2, instant obedience, now is the time, today
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Let God Fight For You
Psalm 35:1 opens: “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight with me.” The key principle taught here is: let GOD do your fighting for you.
Whose House We Are
Hebrews 3:6 says: “But Christ was faithful as a Son over His house – whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” What is His “house”? It says … Continue reading
Not Just For Atheists
Psalm 53:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.’” It has often been quoted in regard to atheists, and certainly it applies. But the verse also applies to the many who claim to be God’s … Continue reading
Bearers of Bad News
I Samuel 3:9-10 tells how Eli taught Samuel to say to God, “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.” But we also need to remember the message He subsequently gave Samuel — it was not pleasant! God immediately said in … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged bad news, I Samuel 3:9-10, II TImothy 4:3-4, preachers, responsibility
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Tremble Not On God’s Behalf
In I Samuel 4, the people of Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle against the Philistines. Verse 13 of that chapter says “Behold, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road eagerly watching, because his heart … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged "Sovereignty of God", awe of God, Eli, I Samuel 4:13
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Is “God Calling” Through That Devotional Book?
The books God Calling and Jesus Calling have become very popular devotional readings over the years, making numerous “best-seller” lists. But from the moment I began to see quotes from the books being posted on Facebook and other places I … Continue reading
Suffering and Empathy
Hebrews 2:18 teaches: “Since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” This verse, which specifically refers to Jesus’ ministry, also has application for us, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged empathy, Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 4:15, purpose of suffering, Romans 8:28-29, suffering
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