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 18:21-35, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Forgiveness," for 3/29/26
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 17:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Glory," for 3/22/26
- “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)
- "Lessons From Gethsemane" (Matthew 26 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- Teacher's Preview of Matthew 16:13-26, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: "Following Jesus" for 3/15/26
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
A Most Memorial Day
Originally posted on shawnethomas:
My Memorial Day did not unfold exactly the way I had envisioned it a week or so ago, but in the end it was the most poignant, and memorable, I have ever experienced … I had taken the…
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The Missing Distinctive
Exodus 33:16 is a signature verse. Moses said: “For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Exodus 33:16, power of God, presence of God
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An Important Balance in Worship
Psalm 2:11 commands: “Worship Yahweh with reverence; rejoice with trembling.” Here we find an important balance commanded for our worship. We are to worship with “reverence” — and yet “rejoice.” We are to “rejoice” — yet “with trembling.” It reminds … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged balanced worship, joy, Matthew 28:8, Psalm 2:11, reverence, Romans 8:15, worship
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When Faith Means Giving Up
In II Timothy 4:6-7 the Apostle Paul wrote: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have … Continue reading
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Tagged acceptance, accepting God's will, faith, II Timothy 4:6-7, trials
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Ultimate Accountability
II Timothy 2:15 adjures: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed …”. The words “approved to GOD” are key here. They remind us that it is not any man … Continue reading
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Tagged accountability, approval of men or God, approved to God, II Timothy 2:15, John 12:43, judgment
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“Negative Preaching”?
In II Timothy 2:2, Paul exhorts Timothy: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and teaching.” It is interesting that of the three terms Paul uses here to describe the … Continue reading
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Tagged II Timothy 2:2, negative preaching, preaching, rebuke, reprove
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The Priority of His Presence
Psalm 140 ends: “the upright will dwell in Your presence.” (:13) THIS is what is really important. Psalm 140 speaks repeatedly of the “evil men” (:1) who “stir up wars” (:2) and “sharpen their tongues”, etc. But the Psalm ends … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Exodus 33:15, God's presence, Psalm 140:13, the presence of God
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Giving and Worship
Although Christians are not under obligation to keep the Law, Exodus 23:19 shares a principle which surely applies to those of us under the New Covenant as well: “You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Exodus 23:19, first fruits, giving, grace giving, tenth, tithe, worship
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The Blessing of Affliction
In Psalm 119:71 the Psalmist declares: “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.” It is a striking proclamation, and one which many experienced saints will heartily “amen.” Though we would never CHOOSE … Continue reading
You Shall Be Gracious
Exodus 22:26-27 may read at first like a quirky, specific law for Israel, but it is in fact an admonition to grace: “If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you are to return it before the sun … Continue reading
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