Tag Archives: rewards

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 20:1-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, “Grace,” for 4/19, 2026

Posted on 2026/04/11 by Shawn Thomas

Includes a sample introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications you can make. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: (Let me … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Bible context, C.S. Lewis Great Divorce, Christian service, context, Dave Ramsey better than I deserve, day laborers, discipleship, Ephesians 2, Explore the Bible, God, gospel, grace, grace giving, Jesus, judgment, Kingdom of Heaven, lesson outline, Lifeway, Mary and Martha, Matthew 20, Matthew 20:1-16, parable, Parable of the Landowner, rewards, rewards in heaven, salvation, Sarah Smith from Golders Green, service, Shawn E. Thomas, Shawn Thomas, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, Sunday School teacher | 16 Comments

Teacher’s Overview of Matthew 19:16-30, Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson, “Eternal Life” for 4/12/26

Posted on 2026/04/04 by Shawn Thomas

Includes a suggested introduction to the lesson, text outline and highlights, illustrations you can share, discussion questions for your group, and spiritual life applications you can make. A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at: INTRODUCTION/ILLUSTRATION: “In … Continue reading →

Posted in Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews | Tagged Baptist, Benjamin Franklin moral perfection, Bible, Bible study, Book of Matthew, C.S. Lewis The Great Divorce, Dwight Eisenhower and Billy Graham, eternal life, eternal salvation, Explore the Bible, forgiveness, George Barna survey, God, good works, gospel, gospel in a nutshell, heaven, how can I know that I am going to heaven, how can I know that I have eternal life, James 2:1, Jesus, John 17:3, Juan Ponce de Leon, keep the commandments, Law, lesson help, lesson outline, Lifeway, marshmallow test, Matthew, Matthew 19, Matthew 5:3, New heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem, partiality, partiality to rich, poor in spirit, poverty in spirit, regeneration, rewards, rich, rich young ruler, salvation, salvation in a nutshell, Samuel Rutherford, Shawn E. Thomas, sin, Southern Baptist, spiritual pride, Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, with God all things are possible, with men this is impossible, www.shawnethomas.com | 2 Comments

“Tried By Fire” (I Peter 1:6-7 sermon)

Posted on 2019/05/06 by Shawn Thomas

Theodore Roosevelt was a man of very unique character: he gloried in facing obstacles and overcoming them. He would take his guests out on a 20-mile hike – and much to their dismay, the tougher the course, the better he … Continue reading →

Posted in I Peter sermons, Sermon Illustrations, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity in America, confess Jesus, confession, dark year, difficulties, distress, facing death, faith, faith proof, Garden of Gethsemane, Hawaii, I Peter 1:6-7 sermon, I Peter sermon, illness, John Calvin, John Calvin blocks of wood, joy, joy in trials, maturity, perseverance, professions of faith, real faith, refined by fire, rejoice, reward for trials, rewards, run tee shirts, salvation, saved, saving faith, temptations, Theodore Roosevelt, trials, tried by fire, various trials | Leave a comment

“Great Expectations” (I Peter 1:4-5 sermon)

Posted on 2019/04/29 by Shawn Thomas

One of Charles Dickens’ greatest novels bears the title: Great Expectations. “Great Expectations” didn’t just mean that great things were expected of the young man Pip, whom the story was about. To have “expectations” in old England meant that you … Continue reading →

Posted in Doctrine/Theology, I Peter sermons, Sermon Illustrations, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged Acts 20:32, Ephesians 1:14, eternal reward, eternal security, false teachers, father, FDIC, giving, glory, government debt, Great Expectations Charles Dickens, health and wealth gospel, heaven, Hebrews 9:15, I Peter, I Peter 1:4-5 sermon, II TImothy 1:12, imperishable, inheritance, John 10:28-29, kingdom of God, kingdom work, materialism, once saved always saved, prosperity preachers, reward, rewards, Romans 8:38, salvation, security, service, Social Security crisis, stephanos, theology, time, tithing, U.S. Government, victor's crown, wasting time, Your Best Life Now | Leave a comment

The Christian’s Inheritance

Posted on 2016/11/21 by Shawn Thomas

“To obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (I Peter 1:4) When I was a boy, someone gave me a silver dollar, which I treasured. Not trusting myself with … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged afterlife, faith, heaven, I Peter 1:4, inheritance, Matthew 6, rewards | Leave a comment

Which World Are You Living For?

Posted on 2016/04/20 by Shawn Thomas

Why do hypocrites do what they do? In His Matthew 6 admonition to His disciples to avoid hypocrisy, Jesus gave several examples which reveal a basic motivation that each person takes into consideration when they make their choice of action: … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged heaven, Hebrews 11:24-26, hypocrisy, Matthew 6, Moses, rewards | Leave a comment

“The Drink Offering: Don’t Waste Your Life” (Phil. 2:17 sermon)

Posted on 2016/04/04 by Shawn Thomas

Some time ago, as I was getting out of my car, I noticed that I had a can of Coke in the cup holder. I can’t stand to leave anything in my car, so I picked up the can to take it … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged "only one life 'twill soon be past, Bill Borden, C.T. Studd, drink offering, eternity, II Timothy 4:6, life purpose, ministry, missions, Nate Saint, only what's done for Christ will last, Philippians 2:17, reward, rewards | Leave a comment

Not In This World

Posted on 2015/12/14 by Shawn Thomas

“If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.” (I Corinthians 15:19) How important is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? In this part of I Corinthians 15, Paul listed a … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged eternity, I Corinthians 15:19, prosperity gospel, rewards, suffering, Your Best Life Now | 2 Comments