Tag Archives: purpose

“Pilgrim’s Progress” (I Peter 1:1-2 sermon)

Posted on 2019/04/08 by Shawn Thomas

The Bible is the #1 best-selling, most-read book of all time. But right behind it, is The Pilgrim’s Progress, widely considered the second most-read book in history. It was written by Puritan John Bunyan, in the form of an allegory: … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Doctrine/Theology, Sermon Illustrations, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged aliens, ambassador, baptism of Jesus, Bible, Chris Boniol, David McCullough Mornings on Horseback, doctrine, evangelism, gardener, George W. Bush Muslims, God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, God the Son, Great Commission, Gregory of Nazianzus, Hebrews 11:13, I Peter 1:1-2, I Peter 2:11, I Peter sermon, II Corinthians 5:20, Islam and the Trinity, John Bunyan, modalism, not of this world, pilgrim, Pilgrim's Progress, pilgrims, place kicker, planted, Puritans, purpose, scripture, sown, The Pilgrim's Progress, Theodore Roosevelt Sr., this world is not your home, Trinity, Triune God, vocation, when I say God I mean Father Son and Holy Spirit, witness | 3 Comments

“Reaching, Teaching, Caring” (Matthew 4:23 sermon)

Posted on 2019/03/03 by Shawn Thomas

I came home from work last Monday night and Cheryl was sitting on the couch wrapped up in a blanket, and she said, “You remember that thing you said in the sermon yesterday about how ‘If you worshiped God first … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Ministry, Sermon Illustrations, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged "reaching, Abraham Lincoln, Acts 2:42-47, care, caring, Carl Sandburg Abraham Lincoln, church, church calendar, Church Council, church leaders, discipleship, evangelism, gospel, I Peter 2:21, in His steps, Jesus cares, love, Luke 9:56, Mark 1:15, Mark 6:34, Matthew 14:14, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 4:23 sermon, Matthew 8:14-16, Matthew 9:35, megachurches, mercy, ministry, ministry priorities, ministry team, mission, priorities, purpose, R.H. Dana, Reaching Teaching Caring, repentance, repentance and faith, salvation, see feel compassion do, service, spiritual growth, Sunday School, teaching, Two Years Before The Mast, What Would Jesus Do?, worship, WWJD | 1 Comment

“Our Greatest Priority” (Matthew 22:34-38 sermon)

Posted on 2019/02/25 by Shawn Thomas

I have to admit: I was kind of disappointed last Sunday after we came home from church and eating out, that there wasn’t a football game on tv that I could fall asleep to. Can’t wait till next September — … Continue reading →

Posted in Ministry, Sermon Illustrations, Sermons, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged Acts 2, busyness, calendar, church, church calendar, church priorities, corporate worship, daily quiet time, devotional time, distractions, ecclesiology, evangelism, fill up the calendar, first business of the church, fundamentals, Great Commandment, greatest commandment, Isaiah 59:2, John 17:17, knowing God, left your first love, letters to the churches, life purpose, loving God, Luke 10:38-42, Mark 1:35, Matthew 22:34-38, missions, morning prayer, morning worship, personal worship, prayer, priorities, purpose, revelation, Revelation 2 & 3, Romans 3:23, running, salvation, salvation purpose, schedule, sin, Sunday, tithe, tithing, Vince Lombardi gentlemen this is a football, worship, worshiping God | 2 Comments

“Ambassadors For Christ” (II Corinthians 5:20 sermon)

Posted on 2018/08/06 by Shawn Thomas

According to a recent article in Politico magazine, the American ambassador to Germany is not the most popular man in that country today. In fact, he is very unpopular. But part of the problem is the fact that he is … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Sermon Illustrations, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged ambassadors, ambassadors for Christ, behavior, compromise, conduct, conduct unbecoming, Donald Trump, evangelism, gospel, I Corinthians 6:19, II Corinthians 5:20, Jon Huntsman, Libby Breland, Message, mission, missions, neighborhood, Philippians 1:27, purpose, rights, Romans 5:10, Romans 5:8, salvation, school, witness, work place | 2 Comments

“The Providence of God” (Genesis 37-50 sermon)

Posted on 2018/02/12 by Shawn Thomas

Christians have a different outlook than other people have. We believe in an unseen, almighty, all-wise God. So because of that, not only is our outlook different, but our vocabulary is different as well. Many people speak of “karma” or … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermon Illustrations, Sermons | Tagged Carson Wentz, chance, church planting, coincidence, Corrie Ten Boom, Doug Pederson, dysautonomia, Ephesians 1:11, forgiveness, Genesis 37-50, God, Joseph story, Karma, luck, Nick Foles, OU Nebraska game of the century, Philadelphia Eagles, plan, POTS, providence, Providence of God, purpose, Romans 8:28, salvation, theology, trust, witness, workplace | 1 Comment

“I Also Send You”

Posted on 2017/09/14 by Shawn Thomas

“So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” (John 20:21) This must be one of the most important statements found in the book of John, regarding the duty … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized | Tagged discipleship, evangelism, follow, John 20:21, mission, purpose | Leave a comment

“Uncle Sam Needs YOU: To Be Salt & Light” (Matthew 5:13-16 sermon)

Posted on 2017/07/03 by Shawn Thomas

We’ve all seen the famous recruiting sign, “Uncle Sam needs YOU!” The truth is, Uncle Sam DOES need you: our country is in desperate need of you today. NOT necessarily to sign up for the military — though we do … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Matthew sermons, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged Acts 16, Christians in restaurants, compromise, disciples, discipleship, Dr. Chuck Quarles, evangelism, glorify God, hide light, I Corinthians 10:31, It Was Fun Working In The White House, legacy, light, light under a bushel, Lillian Parks Leighton, Matthew 5:13-16, ministry, out of the closet, Paul & Silas, purpose, Ronald Reagan city on a hill, salt, salt and light, salt lost savor, Sermon on the Mount, tipping, tips, uniform, witness | 4 Comments

Sickness For The Glory Of God?

Posted on 2017/05/31 by Shawn Thomas

“This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” (John 11:4) The Bible repeatedly teaches us that God is to be glorified in everything … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged discipleship, glory of God, healing, I Corinthians 10:31, II Corinthians 12:7-9, illness, infirmities, John 1:14, purpose, sickness | 2 Comments

It’s Not All About Us

Posted on 2016/11/28 by Shawn Thomas

“It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged Ephesians 1:11, I Peter 1:12, plan, purpose | Leave a comment

Don’t Let The Crowd Be Your Guide

Posted on 2016/10/20 by Shawn Thomas

“If You are the Son of God come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:40) Jesus had heard this very same phrase three years earlier, in His temptation in the wilderness at the beginning of His ministry. Now He hears it … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged direction, God's will, Matthew 27:40, peer pressure, purpose | 1 Comment