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
- Romans 7:4-6, 14-25 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Struggle," for 10/11/26
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 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)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Ambassadors For Christ" (II Corinthians 5:20 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
An Important Perspective For Prayer
“In Your righteousness deliver me …” (Psalm 31:1b) As David calls out to the Lord for deliverance in Psalm 31, this is an important little statement because of its correct perspective about our prayers and what we “deserve.” David asks … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged grace, intercessory prayer, justice, Merchant of Venice, mercy, prayer, Psalm 31:1, righteousness, Shakespeare
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Which Example Are YOU?
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.” (III John 11) Here John encourages his readers to imitate those who … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Demetrius, Diotrephes, discipleship, example, III John 11, imitate, model
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The Root Sin
“I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say … He himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged church, church discipline, III John 9-10, Korah, Numbers 16, pride, root sin, surface issues
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“The Spirit We Need” (Matthew 3:11 message)
One day last week, a woman posted a comment on my blog on the internet. She wrote: “Shawn, I was looking at your work “being poured out as a drink offering”. I am a Christian who have received the baptism … Continue reading
Posted in Matthew sermons, Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged baptism in the Holy Spirit, baptism in the spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 5:18, gifts of the Spirit, God the Holy Spirit, healing, holiness, Holy Spirit, I Corinthians 12:13, I Corinthians 12:7, I Corinthians 6:19, II Corinthians 13:5, John 14:16-17, Joni Earickson Tada cancer testimony, Matthew 3:11 sermon, power, power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:9, salvation, speaking in tongues, Spirit of Christ, Spirit of God, spiritual gifts
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“His Marvelous Love In A Besieged City”
“Blessed be the LORD, for He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city.” (Psalm 31:21) Here David praises God for ministering to him, even in an extremely difficult time in his life. He said he was … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged chesed, circumstances, grace, joy, love, lovingkindness, Psalm 31:21, Psalm 4:7, Samuel Rutherford, trials, worship
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What’s The Report About YOU?
“For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.” (III John 3) Evidently some “brethren” left the presence of the church that John was addressing here, and brought … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Christian life, discipleship, evaluation, III John 3
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Does Your Soul Prosper?
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” (III John 2) Controversy surrounds this little verse, as proponents of the prosperity gospel attempt to use it to promote … Continue reading
Praying For Health & Prosperity?
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” (III John 2) From John’s prayer here which opens his third letter, it is evidently not WRONG to pray for … Continue reading
“The Servant & The Savior” (Matthew 3:11 sermon)
Several years ago, one of my sisters was attending a missions banquet, and she heard that the President of our Southern Baptist International Mission Board was going to be in attendance, so she was looking forward to meeting him. She … Continue reading
Posted in Matthew sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Charles Spurgeon conversion, cruise ship or battlleship, Deity of Christ, humble, humility, Isaiah 45:22, Jesus, life change, look to Jesus, love, Matthew 3:11 sermon, power of the Holy Spirit, pride, Savior, service, spiritual gifts, steward, stewardship, the Holy Spirit and fire, transformation
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Loving In Truth
“The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.” (III John 1) It was for no light reason that the Spirit of God inspired John to add these words, “in truth” to this opening verse of his third … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged brotherly love, fondness, hypocritical love, III John 1, inspiration of scripture, love, love in truth, lust, truth
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