Author Archives: Shawn Thomas

About Shawn Thomas

My blog, shawnethomas.com, features the text of my sermons, book reviews, family life experiences -- as well as a brief overview of the Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson for Southern Baptist Sunday School teachers.

The Sin of Indignation

Posted on 2018/04/24 by Shawn Thomas

“Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James & John.” (Mark 10:41) This verse highlights a danger that good Christians need to beware of. James and John had just asked Jesus that they might sit on His right … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged bitterness, division, fellowship, forgiveness, Genesis 4:7, indignation, jealousy, Mark 10:41, ministry, sin, strife, temptation, unity | 3 Comments

“When You Follow Jesus” (Mark 10:29-30 sermon)

Posted on 2018/04/23 by Shawn Thomas

I saw an ad the other day which indicated that a subscription I am very interested in was only $2 for two months — which was a very good deal! But when I read the fine print, it said that … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Sermons | Tagged Am I A Soldier of the Cross?, Andrew Brunson, Beatitudes, blessed are the persecuted, blessings, Chick-Fil-A, Christian family, church family, context, disciple, discipleship, eternal life, family, fellowship, follow Jesus, follow Me, game show, II Timothy 3:12, Islam, John 17:3, leave family, Mark 10, Mark 10:29-30, New Yorker magazine and Chick-Fil-A, Pastor Cao, Paul & Timothy, persecution, priorities, Psalm 16:11, rich young ruler, Rifqa Bary, sermon | 16 Comments

NOT Like The World

Posted on 2018/04/17 by Shawn Thomas

“You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; shall not walk in their statutes.” (Leviticus … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged consecration, holiness, Leviticus 18:3, separation, standards, worldliness | Leave a comment

“Come Away … And Rest” (Mark 6:30-32 sermon)

Posted on 2018/04/16 by Shawn Thomas

In the 1860’s, Mark Twain took a steamboat tour of Europe and the Holy Land, during which he visited Rome. He wrote about his experience there: “Afterward we walked up and down one of the most popular streets for some … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Sermons | Tagged 4th Commandment, balance, break, busy-ness, Christian life, cruise, daily Bible reading, day off, Ephesians 2:8-9, exercise, getaway, Hebrews 4, Mark 1:35, Mark 6:30-32, Mark Twain, prayer time, rest, rest in Jesus, rest in Me, rest in peace, retreat, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 14:13, Sabbath, sabbath rest, salvation, The Innocents Abroad, trust, vacation, work | 4 Comments

Freed By The Blood

Posted on 2018/04/12 by Shawn Thomas

What an amazing picture we find in Leviticus 14, where the Bible describes the ceremony for the cleansing of a leper: two birds are ordered to be brought the tabernacle for the ceremony: one is sacrificed, but the other the … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged bird, blood, Christ, cleansing, free like a bird, freedom, gratefulness, leper, Leviticus 14, redemption, sacrifice, salvation, taking for granted, Thanksgiving | 2 Comments

Do You Appreciate God’s Word?

Posted on 2018/04/11 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 119 is an acrositc. It is composed of 22 sections of 8 verses each, the verses of each section beginning with one letter of the Hebrew alphabet. So :1-8 all began with the Hebrew letter Aleph; verses 9-16 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged Bible, Bible Reading, Bible study, delight, God's word, Hebrew, joy, meditation on scripture, Psalm 119, Psalm 119:9-16, scripture, scripture memory, the Law of the Lord, witness | Leave a comment

Psalm 119’s Most Important Lesson

Posted on 2018/04/10 by Shawn Thomas

”How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.” (Psalm 119:1) Well, that eliminates all of us, doesn’t it?! Psalm 119 is such a majestic Psalm. It is the longest Psalm, the longest … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged God's word, God’s commandments, God’s Law, Law of the Lord, Psalm 119, Psalm 119:1, Romans 3:10, salvation, sin, the Law | 2 Comments

“No Strange Fire: Honoring God in Worship” (Leviticus 10:1-3 sermon)

Posted on 2018/04/09 by Shawn Thomas

When I was pastoring in Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal came to our church one Sunday to share his testimony. It was a big day; we had one combined service, and every seat was filled, with standing room only. There were … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged Abba Father, Acts 5, Ananias & Sapphira, Apostle John, awesome God, balance, Bible, caesar banquet shamed, cat in church, celebrities in the church, clothing, creativity, dress, dress and worship, entertainment, entertainment and worship, familiarity, fear of God, focus in worship, giving, glory of God, God's word, Governor Bobby Jindal, Hebrews 13:28–29, house of prayer, hypocrisy, Leviticus 10:1-3 sermon, Lord's Supper, Malachi 3:10, Nadab & Abihu, obedience, prayer, preaching, regulative principle, relationship with God, respect, Revelation 1:13, Revelation 1:17, reverence, salvation, scripture, singing, songs, strange fire, testimonies, testimony, Unseen presence, worship, worship planning | Leave a comment

Keep The Fire Going!

Posted on 2018/04/09 by Shawn Thomas

“Fire shall be kept burning continually on the altar; it is not to go out.” (Leviticus 6:13) The Old Testament tabernacle worship was full of symbolism. It taught God’s people the “A-B-C’s” of what it takes to have and keep … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged daily Bible reading, devotions, fire, relationship with God, walk with God | Leave a comment

The Power of an Example

Posted on 2018/04/03 by Shawn Thomas

“Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it and began to eat. All of them were encouraged and they themselves also took food.” (Acts 27:35-36) This may not … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged Acts 27:35-36, disciple, discipleship, example, ministers, parenting, pastors, teachers, teaching | Leave a comment