Matthew 6:5-9 Introduction to the Model Prayer

Posted on 2015/04/16 by Shawn Thomas

The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most familiar and beloved Christian scriptures – yet it may also be one of the most misunderstood. But it is a scripture that is VITAL for us as we would learn to pray.

We are going to look at “The Discipline of Prayer” in our “Disciplines of Disciples” series here in a few weeks on Sunday morning. But I wanted those of us who come on Wednesday nights to  have an even more in-depth look at prayer, specifically the Model Prayer that Jesus gave us here in Matthew 6:9-13.

We’ll do a little bit of background and an overview of the prayertonight, and then we’ll spend the next 6 weeks looking at it by line:

Continue reading →

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God’s Work

Posted on 2015/04/16 by Shawn Thomas

When many of us think of “God’s work”, we think of missions and evangelism, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and other “church”-type activities. And those things certainly ARE God’s work.  But Proverbs 16:11 shows us another perspective on what “God’s work” consists of:  Continue reading →

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No Such Thing As Luck

Posted on 2015/04/15 by Shawn Thomas

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:33)

This is a very striking verse, and its truth should sink deeply into our hearts, permeate our outlook, and change our vocabulary.  It says “The lot” — supposedly an instrument of chance — “is cast into the lap.”  “But its every decision is from the LORD” (literally, YHWH, the God of the Bible).  This verse clearly teaches us that despite popular belief, and occasional appearances to the contrary, there is no such thing as “blind luck.”  There is only the purpose and providence of God who sovereignly rules from heaven.  Continue reading →

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Do You Really Believe This?

Posted on 2015/04/14 by Shawn Thomas

There are a number of verses in scripture which are easy to skim over quickly, and nod your head thoughtlessly in agreement — but if you stop and think about what they really mean, they may give you pause. Proverbs 16:19 is one of them:  “It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud?” Do you really believe that?

Stop and think about what this verse is teaching. Continue reading →

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“Are You A Disciple?” (Luke 9:23 sermon)

Posted on 2015/04/13 by Shawn Thomas

(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, 4-12-15)

Are you a disciple?  When we think of the word “disciple”, a lot of us probably think of 12 guys in robes who followed Jesus around, usually saying or doing the wrong then, and then getting taught about Jesus about what they should have done.  (In fact, other than the robes, that’s probably not too far off of the definition of what we are as His disciples!)    We have seen that in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gave His Great Commission to go and “make disciples.” We’ve seen that the most important business of the church is to make disciples. But what does it mean to be a disciple? The Greek Bible word “mathetes” means to be learner, or a follower.  It means more than just being a “convert” or “making a decision.” It involved much more than just raising your hand, or going forward and filling out a card,being baptized, or being a member of a church. It is a commitment of your life to Jesus to be His follower. Thankfully we don’t have to invent our own definition of what a disciple is; Jesus spelled out the kind of commitment He requires of His followers in Luke 9:23:

“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'” Continue reading →

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Are You Any Better?

Posted on 2015/04/13 by Shawn Thomas

Often it is easy to criticize others for a particular drawback, when the truth is we are not any better than they are. In Psalm 28, David asks God to judge the wicked, and in :5 he gives the reason: “Because they do not regard the works of YHWH, nor the deeds of His hands …”. A closer look at the verse might keep us from too quickly judging others, and should cause us to examine our own faith as well:  Continue reading →

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When God Changes Your Plans

Posted on 2015/04/09 by Shawn Thomas

Don’t be surprised if things don’t turn out the way you plan. Indeed, often it seems like they rarely do! But Proverbs 16:9 explains why that is often the case: “The mind of man plans his way, but YHWH directs his steps.”

We can (and should!) plan. It is a good and godly thing to do, as some other Continue reading →

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No Small Sin

Posted on 2015/04/08 by Shawn Thomas

A church member was once overheard saying: “He’s a good minister, he’s just got a little pride problem.” But pride is not a “little” problem — for a minister or anyone else, as Proverbs 16:5 makes clear: “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to YHWH; assuredly he will not go unpunished.” Notice how powerfully this verse condemns what many consider a secondary sin:  Continue reading →

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Roll It To God

Posted on 2015/04/07 by Shawn Thomas

Proverbs 16:3  is a good word for any of us who make plans, whether personal, business, or in ministry: “Commit your works to YHWH and your plans will established.” The Hebrew here is literally “ROLL” your works to YHWH” — entrust them Continue reading →

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The Demons Know

Posted on 2015/04/06 by Shawn Thomas

When Jesus cast demons out of people in Mark 1, :34 says: “He did not allow them to speak, because they knew Him.”  There are a couple of important lessons in this verse:

One is that the demons have a better understanding of spiritual things than most people do: Continue reading →

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