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.
-
Top Posts & Pages
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 17:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Glory," for 3/22/26
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Preview of Matthew 16:13-26, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: "Following Jesus" for 3/15/26
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "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
Category Archives: Devotions/Bible Studies
A Daily Gethsemane
“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39) The words spoken by Jesus here are some of the most important ever uttered in human language.
An Eternal Destination
“These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46) This is the last verse of Matthew 25, and in it Jesus concludes His Parable of The Sheep and The Goats. Fittingly, this final verse … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged annihilationism, eternal destiny, eternity, heaven, Hebrews 10:27, hell, lost, Matthew 25:46, saved
3 Comments
What Displeases Your Master
“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.’” (Matthew 25:26) There are two things which the master of the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged consecration, holiness, kingdom, laziness, Lordship, Matthew 25:26, morality, obedience, sanctification, sin, wickedness
Leave a comment
The Blessing We All Seek
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matthew 26:21) There are many applicable … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged fellowship, joy, joy of your Master, Matthew 26:21, obedience, Psalm 16:11, Zephaniah 3:17
Leave a comment
One Important Lesson About The End
“See to it that no one misleads you.” (Matthew 24:4) Jesus’ disciples had just asked Him in :3, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Doctrine/Theology, Uncategorized
Tagged discernment, doctrine, eschatology, false teachers, I John 4:1, Matthew 24:4
1 Comment
It Will All Be Torn Down
“Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged eschatology, last days, materialism, Matthew 24, Matthew 24:1-2
Leave a comment
“You Were Unwilling”
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” (Matthew 23:37) These … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Calvinism, free will, Matthew 23:37, responsibility, sovereignty, will
Leave a comment
“Straining Gnats & Swallowing Camels”
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Bible, justice, Matthew 23:23-24, mercy, obedience, priorities, scripture, tithing, word of God
Leave a comment
Who’s Your “PR Agent”?
“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) Have you ever seen someone boast (or maybe “humble brag” — if there is really such a thing! — on Facebook or Twitter) in order … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged boasting, exalt, humble, humility, I Peter 5:6, Matthew 23:12, Matthew 5:5, meekness, PR agent, pride, Proverbs 27:2, Psalm 37
Leave a comment
A Misplaced Love
“They love … being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi …” (Matthew 23:6-8) Jesus’ harshest words in scripture were reserved for the scribes and Pharisees, whom He condemned in this chapter. Here He tells us one … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged love, Matthew 23:6-8, misplaced love, pride
Leave a comment
shawnethomas 