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)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- Romans 6:1-14, Overview of Lifeway's Explore the Bible lesson, "Freedom," for October 4, 2026.
- "Where's Your Glory?" (Jeremiah 9:23-24 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
It’s Not Complicated
“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40) It’s not complicated. God’s basic will for your life as a whole, and for every day, is actually fairly simple. In Matthew 22 Jesus said “the whole … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged God's will, Great Commandment, love, love God, love people, Matthew 22:40
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Your Foremost Concern Today
“This is the great and foremost commandment.” (Matthew 22:38) What is your greatest concern today? If there were ONE thing you could accomplish, which would cause you to consider this day a success, what would it be? Jesus gives us … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged concern, daily quiet time, greatest commandment, holiness, love, loving God, Matthew 22:38, priorities, worship
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The Power of a Question
“And He said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’” (Matthew 22:20) It is significant that Jesus responded to the Pharisees’ disciples with question. They had just asked Him if it was lawful to pay a poll tax to … Continue reading
Beware The Flatterers
“And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.’” (Matthew … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged flatter, flatterers, flattering, flattery, Matthew 22:16, Proverbs 29:5
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Assassination By Proxy
“Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him …” (Matthew 22:15-16) Jesus said that the sons of this age are often more wily in regard … Continue reading
“Gentle Jesus Meek & Mild”?
“And Jesus entered the Temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the Temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.” (Matthew 21:21) Many people in … Continue reading
Motivated By Compassion
“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” (Matthew 20:34) Why did Jesus help the men in this passage? And why does He help us today? What is His motivation? That is … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged compassiion, love, Matthew 20:34, motivation
2 Comments
This Is Not Mine
“He said to them, ‘My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” (Matthew … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged anxiety, control, controversy, faith, Matthew 20:23, responsibility, stress, trust
1 Comment
“Three Fruits of Christian Maturity” (Phil. 1:7-11 sermon)
Cheryl & I had to laugh three years ago, as we watched our son-in-law (who is probably about as mechanically inclined as I am, which isn’t saying very much!) try to put together a baby swing in the living room … Continue reading
