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.

He Knew

Posted on 2017/07/12 by Shawn Thomas

“For He knew the one who was betraying Him …” (John 13:11) “He KNEW.” Judas’ betrayal didn’t catch Jesus off guard. “HE KNEW” — all about it. So why did He allow it? Why didn’t He do something about it?

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged circumstances, faith, God knows, John 13:11 | 1 Comment

If I Do Not Wash You

Posted on 2017/07/11 by Shawn Thomas

“Peter said to Him, ‘Never shall You wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’” (John 13:8) There can be no fellowship with the Lord for human beings, unless we … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged blood of Jesus, cleansing, cross of Christ, faith, fellowship with God, forgiveness, holiness, Holy God, I John 1:9, John 13:8, salvation, sin, sin nature, washing | 1 Comment

“The Disciple’s Indispensable Book” (Matthew 5:17-19 sermon)

Posted on 2017/07/10 by Shawn Thomas

John Bunyan’s classic story, Pilgrim’s Progress, is generally regarded as the 2nd-most widely read book of all time outside the Bible. In it he tells the allegorical story of “Pilgrim”, who leaves “The City of Destruction” where he lives, on … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Matthew sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged Alvin Reid, Baptist Faith & Message, Beatitudes, Bible, Big Picture of the Bible, book, commitment, creation, discipleship, Ezra, Ezra 7:10, Fall, heaven, Hebrew, homosexuality, homosexuality and Bible, homosexuality and Leviticus, II Timothy 3:15, inerrancy, infallible, Israel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John Bunyan, keriah, Law, letter, LGBT, Matthew 5:17-19, McDonalds, moral law, Old Testament, Old Testament and homosexuality, Pilgrim's Progress, preaching, redemption, restoration, sacrificial law, scripture, Sermon on the Mount, Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out, stroke, teaching, word of God, yod | Leave a comment

“You Will Understand Hereafter”

Posted on 2017/07/10 by Shawn Thomas

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.’” (John 13:7) Of how many things that happen to us are these words true: “What I do you do not realize now, … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged discipleship, faith, John 13:7, trials, trust, understanding, wisdom | 1 Comment

The Confidence That Serves

Posted on 2017/07/06 by Shawn Thomas

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized | Tagged assurance, confidence, discipleship, faith, humility, John 13:3-4, service | Leave a comment

“Knowing”: The Firm Foundation

Posted on 2017/07/05 by Shawn Thomas

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God …” (John 13:3) The word “knowing” here is a crucial one: “Jesus, KNOWING …”. … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged assurance, confidence, faith, foundation, heaven, I John 5:13, Jesus, John 13:3, knowing, relationship with God, service | 1 Comment

“Don’t You Touch Them ‘Ere Things”

Posted on 2017/07/04 by Shawn Thomas

As one of the first conflicts of the Revolutionary War made its way back from Lexington and Concord, through the little town of Menotony, British troops were vandalizing the home of an American deacon in his absence. The British ordered … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, History, Sermon Illustrations, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“Uncle Sam Needs YOU: To Be Salt & Light” (Matthew 5:13-16 sermon)

Posted on 2017/07/03 by Shawn Thomas

We’ve all seen the famous recruiting sign, “Uncle Sam needs YOU!” The truth is, Uncle Sam DOES need you: our country is in desperate need of you today. NOT necessarily to sign up for the military — though we do … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Matthew sermons, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged Acts 16, Christians in restaurants, compromise, disciples, discipleship, Dr. Chuck Quarles, evangelism, glorify God, hide light, I Corinthians 10:31, It Was Fun Working In The White House, legacy, light, light under a bushel, Lillian Parks Leighton, Matthew 5:13-16, ministry, out of the closet, Paul & Silas, purpose, Ronald Reagan city on a hill, salt, salt and light, salt lost savor, Sermon on the Mount, tipping, tips, uniform, witness | 4 Comments

Going to The Father

Posted on 2017/07/03 by Shawn Thomas

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged comfort, Death, death of loved one, eternal life, facing death, father, heaven, Heavenly Father, John 13:1 | Leave a comment

Some Said It Thundered

Posted on 2017/06/29 by Shawn Thomas

In John 12 Jesus had just prayed before the multitude, “Father, glorify Thy name.” “Then a voice came out of heaven: ‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.’” (:28) What is interesting is the response of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged belief, Blaise Pascal, choice, cynics, doubt, faith, John 12:28-29, Pascal light shadows, skepticism | 1 Comment