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 Stumbling Block of the Cross

Posted on 2017/11/13 by Shawn Thomas

“But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.” (Galatians 5:11) Paul makes it clear in this verse, that it is the cross of Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship | Tagged church, cross, cross of Christ, cross stumbling block, evangelism, Galatians 5:11, gospel, message of the cross, personal witness, witness | Leave a comment

“Fallen From Grace”?

Posted on 2017/11/10 by Shawn Thomas

“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4) For many years Galatians 5:4 has been quoted as a “proof text” by those who believe that a … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Doctrine/Theology | Leave a comment

When It’s Time To “Change Your Tone”

Posted on 2017/11/09 by Shawn Thomas

“But I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.” (Galatians 4:20) Everyone in a position of authority or leadership has experienced times when they had to “change their … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged admonition, change your tone, Galatians 4:20, leadership, parenting, rebuke, tone, warning | 2 Comments

A Picture of Discipleship

Posted on 2017/11/08 by Shawn Thomas

“My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19) Here in his impassioned message to the church he had planted at Galatia, Paul shows us some important things about the nature of … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized | Tagged costs of discipleship, disciplers, disciples, discipleship, discipling relationships, Galatians 4:19, goal of discipleship, relationship | Leave a comment

Serving God In Your Bodily Illness

Posted on 2017/11/07 by Shawn Thomas

“But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time …”. (Galatians 4:13) So the Apostle Paul had a “bodily illness” which was hindering him as he sought to … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged Galatians 4:13, II Corinthians 12:9, illness, service, sickness | Leave a comment

“Jesus’ Warning Against False Religion” (Matthew 7:15-20 sermon)

Posted on 2017/11/06 by Shawn Thomas

Last Monday, WWOK tv in West Virginia reported a scam that has been going on in Kanawha Country, in which someone posing as a local deputy calls and demands a fine to be paid over the phone. The county said … Continue reading →

Posted in Doctrine/Theology, Matthew sermons, Sermons | Tagged 5 Solas, antichrist, Atlantic magazine, Baptist Faith & Message, Benny Hinn, celebrity Christianity, creative worship, creativity, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, disguise, doctrine, Eugene Peterson, faith, false prophets, false religion, false teachers, fruit, fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, Grema Wormtongue, heresy, heretics, I John 4:1, II Corinthians 11:14, J.R.R. Tolkien, Litrugy of the Ordinary book, Lord of the Rings, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, Matthew 24:11, Matthew 7:15-20 sermon, novelty, pastor, preaching, relevant, repentance, salvation, same-sex relationships, Satan, satellite churches, scams, sermons, Shepherd, teaching, theology, Tish Warren, video churches, worship, you will know them by their fruits | Leave a comment

How Is It That You Turn Back Again?

Posted on 2017/11/06 by Shawn Thomas

“But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Test of Salvation

Posted on 2017/11/02 by Shawn Thomas

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6) Are you really a Christian? How can you know? The Bible gives us a number of “tests” of salvation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged assurance, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 4:6, Holy Spirit, mark of salvation, salvation, sealed with the Holy Spirit, test of salvation | Leave a comment

The Gospel in a Nutshell

Posted on 2017/11/01 by Shawn Thomas

“But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged adoption as sons, Christ, Christ deity, Christ humanity, Christology, Galatians 4:4-5, gospel, gospel in a nutshell, John 1:12, Old Testament prophecies, salvation | 1 Comment

“The Way of Pain”

Posted on 2017/10/31 by Shawn Thomas

“See if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:24) “Hurtful way” here is literally, “way of pain.” Our sinful, or ungodly ways, are “hurtful”, “painful” to ourselves and to others. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged adultery, anxiety, business, cost of sin, ethics, hurtful way, pain, Psalm 139:24, sin, the way of pain, theology, trust, way of pain | Leave a comment