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
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 21:23-32, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Authority," for 4/26/26.
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- Teacher's Overview of Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25, "Love" for Sunday 11/02/25
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 20:1-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Grace," for 4/19, 2026
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 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
Prayer + Purity = Power
In II Corinthians 4:7, the Apostle Paul speaks of “the surpassing greatness of the power” that is in the life of a Christian, even though in and of themselves they are merely an “earthen vessel.” In other words, God manifests … Continue reading
Something Beyond Ourselves
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (II Corinthians 4:7) Why is it that God often allows those of us in His service … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged evangelism, Holy Spirit, II Corinthians 4:7, ministry, power, witness
1 Comment
Rodney Stark, “Mythbuster”!
I have never watched “Mythbusters”, the iconoclastic Discovery Channel show which tests the veracity of popular urban legends — but I felt like I was in the midst of a Christian history version of the show as I read Rodney … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized
Tagged Baylor University, Christian history, Christian history myths, Christianity, Christopher Columbus, crusades, flat earth myth, Gospels oral tradition, history, inerrancy, mythbusters, myths, Rodney Stark, The Triumph of Christianity, Washington Irving
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“The Holy People”
In Isaiah 62, God promises that one day He will restore His scattered people; that although they are now “desolate” and “forsaken” (:6) they will become “a praise on the earth” (:7). But it is notable what the last verse … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged holiness, holy people, Isaiah 62:12, the holy people
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Not “Self-Confidence”, GOD-Confidence!
In II Corinthians 2:16, the Apostle Paul, speaking of his ministry to the Corinthians and others, exclaimed: “And who is adequate for these things?” The answer, of course, is that none of us are. We must depend upon God … Continue reading
Two Keys to Paul’s Ministry of the Word
“For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” (II Corinthians 2:17) How did the Apostle Paul keep from corrupting the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged II Corinthians 2:17, ministry of the word, motives, preaching, sincerity, teaching
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“The Disciple’s Character: Spiritual Dependence” (Matthew 5:3 sermon)
Several years ago I read the testimony of a Hollywood celebrity who had struggled for years with drinking. But they kept denying that they really had a problem. They said the breakthrough came when they got to their lowest point, … Continue reading
Posted in "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12), Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Beatitudes, character, character of Christ, humility, I need help, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:3 sermon, Pharisee and publican, poor in spirit, prayer, purpose for trials, Romans 8:28-29, salvation, self-righteousness, sin, spiritual dependence, spiritual poverty, three most important words, trials
1 Comment
Your Real Resume
“Do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged discipleship, II Corinthians 3:1-3, letter of recommendation, love, ministry, people, resume
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Our Ministry Attitude
What attitude should we demonstrate towards those with whom we serve in God’s Kingdom work? Paul gives us a brief outline of his perspective in II Corinthians 1:24: “Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with … Continue reading
“Binding Up The Brokenhearted”?
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me … He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted …”. (Isaiah 61:1) The Lord Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1 in Luke 4:18 regarding His own ministry. He fulfilled its prophecy Himself … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged Bind up brokenhearted, Ezekiel 34:4, I Peter 2:21, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, ministry, Psalm 147:3
7 Comments
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