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 21:23-32, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Authority," for 4/26/26.
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25, "Love" for Sunday 11/02/25
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 20:1-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Grace," for 4/19, 2026
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 sermon)
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: sin
Doing The Impossible
“When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ And looking at them Jesus said to them ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” (Matthew 19:25-26) This conversation, … Continue reading
He Knows Your Thoughts
“And Jesus knowing their thoughts …” (Matthew 9:4) These may be some of the most intimidating and convicting words in scripture. They should serve to eliminate ANY pretense of “self-righteousness” from every one of us: “Jesus, knowing their thoughts.”
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Genesis 6:5, grace, holier than thou, Matthew 9:4, mind, self-righteousness, sin, thoughts
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The Most Important Thing
“Take courage, son, your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2) Someone might not think there was anything strange about the words that Jesus spoke here — except that they were spoken to a man who was paralyzed! Some people brought this … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged attitude, forgiveness, Matthew 9:2, Psalm 4:7, salvation, sin
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“America’s Verse”?
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1) You would think from interacting with people, reading internet posts, or watching interviews on television, that Matthew 7:1 was the single most important verse in the Bible to … Continue reading
“My Redeemer” (Job 19 sermon)
(Palm Sunday/Lord’s Supper service 3-20-16) If you want to make my wife Cheryl groan, just mention the Book of Job. I think she feels like we lived through that book for about two years as a family, and indeed Job … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged I John 2:2, Job, Job 19:25, Lord's Supper, mediator, My Redeemer Lives, Oscar Schindler, Palm Sunday, redeemer, redemption, salvation, sin, umpire
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On Heroes and Pedestals
Cam Newton and Peyton Manning, two of the sporting world’s biggest heroes, took some hits Sunday — and not just on the football field. Newton had a disappointing performance in the eyes of many of his team’s fans. His fumbles … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Doctrine/Theology, Uncategorized
Tagged alcohol, Budweiser, Cam Newton, example, football, frailty, hero, heroes, pedestals, Peyton Manning, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, sin, sin nature, sports, Super Bowl 50
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“The Disciple’s Character: Mourning Over Sin” (Matthew 5:4 sermon)
Many times over the years, people have come to my office, feeling very troubled over a sin or a habit in their life. And sometimes they will say something like: “I feel so bad about that sin; I am not … Continue reading
Posted in "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12), Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Beatitudes, blessed are those who mourn, character, character of Christ, conviction, discipleship, Donald Whitney Ten Questions To Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, Fireproof movie, I Corinthians 5:2, intercession, Isaiah 6, Isaiah 66:1-2, James 4:9, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Edwards, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Matthew 23:37, Matthew 5:4, Matthew 5:4 sermon, Monica, mourning, prayer, Psalm 119:136, Psalm 126:5, Romans 7, Romans 8:28-29, sin, St. Augustine
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His Terrifying Fury
“Then He will speak to them in His anger, and terrify them in His fury.” (Psalm 2:5) Many people today have a woefully inadequate view of God. Some consider Him to be soft and lenient, like a doting grandfather who … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged judgment, Psalm 2, rebellion, salvation, sin, wrath
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“The Disciple’s Character: Spiritual Dependence” (Matthew 5:3 sermon)
Several years ago I read the testimony of a Hollywood celebrity who had struggled for years with drinking. But they kept denying that they really had a problem. They said the breakthrough came when they got to their lowest point, … Continue reading
Posted in "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12), Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Beatitudes, character, character of Christ, humility, I need help, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:3 sermon, Pharisee and publican, poor in spirit, prayer, purpose for trials, Romans 8:28-29, salvation, self-righteousness, sin, spiritual dependence, spiritual poverty, three most important words, trials
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A Simple Verse For A New Year
As the song says: “Fast away the old year passes” and we sit on the doorstep of a brand new year. It is typically — and should be — a time of reflection, and recommitment. But what kind of commitments … Continue reading
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