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
- Teacher's Overview of Romans 1:13-25, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "True Power," for 9/06/26
- Teacher's Overview of Joshua 1:1-11, 16-18, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson: "Strong & Courageous" for 6/07/26
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Ruth 3:8-13, 4:13-17, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Redemption," for 8/30/26.
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The Word That Sustains In Difficult Days" (Habakkuk 2:1-3 sermon)
- About Me
- "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
The Missing Distinctive
Exodus 33:16 is a signature verse. Moses said: “For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Exodus 33:16, power of God, presence of God
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A Surprising Sign of Wickedness
Psalm 10 speaks of “The wicked” in :3. But when many of us think of “the wicked” we often picture some REALLY bad people, not anyone like US! But some might be surprised at what :4 says about the wicked: … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Great Commandment, Psalm 10:3-4, seeking God, sin, wickedness
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Little Condo on the Prairie (May 20)
The “Little Condo on the Prairie” dodged some tornadoes this week, and shared a lot of laughs in our families’ proximity while we await Libby’s baby — due this Friday! TORNADO ALLEY Oklahoma is not known as “Tornado Alley” for … Continue reading
The Change of a Moment
Psalm 6:10 says: “All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly dismayed; they shall turn back, be put to shame IN A MOMENT.” This verse reminds us that SO much can happen, in God’s plan, “in a moment” of time.
An Important Balance in Worship
Psalm 2:11 commands: “Worship Yahweh with reverence; rejoice with trembling.” Here we find an important balance commanded for our worship. We are to worship with “reverence” — and yet “rejoice.” We are to “rejoice” — yet “with trembling.” It reminds … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged balanced worship, joy, Matthew 28:8, Psalm 2:11, reverence, Romans 8:15, worship
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Zealous For Good Deeds
Titus 2:14 says that Jesus “gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” The verse opens with what we might consider a … Continue reading
My Part/God’s Part
Psalm 1:3 says: “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” The “He” in :3 refers … Continue reading
The Right Side of History
Psalm 2:1-3 asks: “Why are the nations in an uproar, and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying ‘Let … Continue reading
The Origin of All Skill
In Exodus 31:2-3 God says: “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged ability, Exodus 31:2-3, Exodus 31:6, gifts, God-given ability, skill, talents
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