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
- "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)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- Romans 6:1-14, Overview of Lifeway's Explore the Bible lesson, "Freedom," for October 4, 2026.
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 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
The Narrow Way
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to … Continue reading
Get Up And Serve Him
“He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.” (Matthew 8:15) It is one thing to tell someone “Thank you!” for a deed done on your behalf — it is another thing … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged deacon, diakoneo, gratitude, Matthew 8:15, service
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Christianity’s Neglected Horizontal Arm
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) The word “therefore” in Jesus’ familiar “Golden Rule” verse is very significant. It lets us know … Continue reading
“A Christian Decision-Making Grid” (I Cor. 9-10 sermon)
In 1939 Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the leading Christian preachers and teachers in Germany — but the country had been taken over by Adolph Hitler, and the noose of his control was beginning to tighten over the country. Soon … Continue reading
God & Math: “The Man Who Knew Infinity” Movie Review
Sometimes when you are looking for something specific, you find something unexpected, and even better, instead. That may have happened today. I was searching for a theater which might be showing the newly released “Love And Friendship”, a Jane Austen … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized
Tagged "The Man Who Knew Infinity", apologetics, Christian worldview, Dev Patel, evangelism, Hinduism, Jeremy Irons, review
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“America’s Verse”?
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1) You would think from interacting with people, reading internet posts, or watching interviews on television, that Matthew 7:1 was the single most important verse in the Bible to … Continue reading
A Mutual Embrace
“My soul clings to (after) You; Your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:8) We get glimpses in several of the Psalms of the kind of deep spiritual relationship that David had with the Lord. Psalm 63 is one of those. … Continue reading
The Real Reason You Shouldn’t Worry
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink …”. (Matthew 6:25) Many Christians would admit that anxiety is one of the biggest problems … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged anxiety, focus, kingdom, Matthew 6:25, Matthew 6:33, worry
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What’s Your Focus?
“The lamp of the body is the eye; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged commitment, discipleship, eye, focus, Matthew 6:22-23, priority
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