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 17:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Glory," for 3/22/26
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 18:21-35, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Forgiveness," for 3/29/26
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- Teacher's Preview of Matthew 16:13-26, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: "Following Jesus" for 3/15/26
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- "Lessons From Gethsemane" (Matthew 26 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: Uncategorized
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
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“For God” (John 3:16 sermon)
In London, England there is a 70-foot high red granite obelisk called “Cleopatra’s Needle” that stands beside the Thames River. In the 1870’s it was given to Britain by Egypt. When they moved it to England and set it up, they put a … Continue reading
Posted in John 3:16 sermon series, Uncategorized
Tagged "For God", Bible, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, China Middle Kingdom, Cleopatra's Needle, egocentrism, Ephesians 2, ethnocentrism, grace, humility, John 3:16, Luke 18, mercy, prosperity gospel, Redemption Plan song, religion, Ron & Pat Owens, salvation, Sarah Michelle Geller, scripture, selfishness, spirituality, theology, worship
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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
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Don’t Be A Hypocrite
“… but do not do according to their deeds, for they say things and do not do them.” (Matthew 23:3) In Matthew 23 Jesus reserves His harshest words anywhere in scripture for the scribes and Pharisees. He repeatedly calls them … Continue reading
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
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