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)
- 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)
- Romans 6:1-14, Overview of Lifeway's Explore the Bible lesson, "Freedom," for October 4, 2026.
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 sermon)
- "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
Theology 101
Psalm 119:68 contains what we might describe as “Theology 101” — a basic understanding of God: “You are good and do good.” This verse reminds us that the basic nature of God is good; and everything that He does is … Continue reading
Are You Taking His Name In Vain?
In Exodus 20:7, the 3rd Commandment says: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” There are many ways we can violate this command, but one of them is certainly by claiming to take the … Continue reading
The Christian Blessing
It is significant that the Christian greeting which the Apostle Paul employs in II Timothy 1:2 is “grace, mercy and peace”. It is NOT “justice, reward, and fear” — and of course we should be most thankful for that! None … Continue reading
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The Word of God is Not Imprisoned
In II Timothy 2:9 Paul wrote to Timothy: “I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.” Paul evidenced an important outlook here which unfortunately many of us seem to miss: the Kingdom of God is … Continue reading
The Servant and the Word
In Psalm 119:125, the Psalmist prays: “I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.” There is an interesting relationship here between the servant of God and the word of God:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged prayer for understanding, Psalm 119:125, servant of God, service, word of God
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Consecration Before Revelation
In Exodus 19:10, the Lord told Moses: “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow … and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged consecration, Exodus 19:10, God's will, holiness, word from God
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POTS Update: A Change of Geography Helps?
Due to my bout with dysautonomia/POTS, I had to step down as pastor of First Baptist Moss Bluff, Louisiana, at the end of February 2013, and my family & I moved to Norman, Oklahoma. While we are still very much in … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged altitude, dysautonomia, geography, Louisiana, Oklahoma, POTS, POTS and change of location
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While You Are Waiting
If you are in a difficult, “in between” situation, Psalm 119:114 may have a word for you. In it, the Psalmist declares: “You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.” These are great directions for those of us who are … Continue reading
No Excuse
In Psalm 119:110 the Psalmist declared: “The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I have not gone astray from Your precepts.” His commitment to follow God’s word even while others were trying to entrap him is an important … Continue reading
