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
- Romans 6:1-14, Overview of Lifeway's Explore the Bible lesson, "Freedom," for October 4, 2026.
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Romans 5:1-11, 18-21, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Restored Relationship, for 9/27/26.
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- Joshua 3:5 Sermon: "Preparing For God To Work"
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
Tag Archives: ministry
Servants, Not Lords
In Colossians 1:23 the Apostle Paul writes about “the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a servant.” The description Paul gave of himself … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Apostle Paul, authority, Colossians 1:23, diaconos, Matthew 20:25-26, minister, ministry, servant, service
2 Comments
By The Will of God
In Colossians 1:1 Paul wrote that he was an apostle “by the will of God.” This is an extremely important assertion. He had not taken this mantle upon himself; God had purposed and given it to him. It should be … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Colossians 1:1, God's will, ministry, vocation
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Putting Hardship In Perspective
If you ever think about how hard things are for you as you live and serve in the Christian life, Hebrews 12 may have some good words for you: get a little perspective by pondering the hardships that Jesus endured … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged difficulties, hardship, Hebrews 12, Jesus, ministry, persecution, perspective, service
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The Grieving Minister
I Samuel 15 relates the story of how Saul disobeyed God in the campaign against the Amalekites, and how Saul initially tried to justify his disobedience. Because he feared the people more than God, Samuel told Saul that the kingdom … Continue reading
They Have Not Rejected You, But Me
In I Samuel 8:7, God told the disappointed Samuel: “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me.” Many pastors and other Christian workers today need to hear this same word from God and take it to heart.
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged disappointment, I Samuel 8:7, ministry, rejection
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“Before the Lord”
I Samuel 2:18 says: “Now Samuel was ministering before the Lord, as a boy wearing a linen ephod.” Then :21 adds: “the boy Samuel grew before the Lord.” Both of these verses contain that expression “before the Lord”. They tell … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged before the Lord, I Samuel 2, ministry, practicing the presence, Samuel, sons of Eli
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That Missing Something
Psalm 45:7 says: “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows.” Hebrews 1:9 quotes this verse as referring to Jesus, and it certainly does. He loved … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged anointing, consecration, holiness, II TImothy 2:21, ministry, Psalm 45:7
2 Comments
What Should I Preach On This Sunday?
If this sounds like an odd title for a blog post, let me explain its origin: WordPress blog statistics show you what internet searches have brought people to your blog. For example, on a given day, my stats might indicate … Continue reading
Unashamed to Care
In II Timothy 1:16, the Apostle Paul wrote that Onesiphorus “was not ashamed of my chains.” Onesiphorus was a true friend and minister — he was not ashamed of Paul’s situation, but loved and cared for him just the same.
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged a true friend, II Timothy 1:16, ministry, Onesiphorus
1 Comment
Bonhoeffer on Some “Different” Church Ministries
If you’ve had trouble finding your ministry in the church, what about “The Ministry of Holding Your Tongue”?! In Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book Life Together, he lists some “ministries” in the church body that you may not have considered. Due to my current … Continue reading
