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 25:31-46, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson "Active Faith" for May 17, 2026
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 24:36-51, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Alert" for May 10, 2026
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "Ambassadors For Christ" (II Corinthians 5:20 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- Joshua 3:5 Sermon: "Preparing For God To Work"
- "The Church With An Open Door" (Revelation 3:7-13 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: worship
“For God” (John 3:16 sermon)
In London, England there is a 70-foot high red granite obelisk called “Cleopatra’s Needle” that stands beside the Thames River. In the 1870’s it was given to Britain by Egypt. When they moved it to England and set it up, they put a … Continue reading
Posted in John 3:16 sermon series, Uncategorized
Tagged "For God", Bible, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, China Middle Kingdom, Cleopatra's Needle, egocentrism, Ephesians 2, ethnocentrism, grace, humility, John 3:16, Luke 18, mercy, prosperity gospel, Redemption Plan song, religion, Ron & Pat Owens, salvation, Sarah Michelle Geller, scripture, selfishness, spirituality, theology, worship
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Your Foremost Concern Today
“This is the great and foremost commandment.” (Matthew 22:38) What is your greatest concern today? If there were ONE thing you could accomplish, which would cause you to consider this day a success, what would it be? Jesus gives us … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged concern, daily quiet time, greatest commandment, holiness, love, loving God, Matthew 22:38, priorities, worship
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Are You Really Following?
“Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:22) When Jesus called His disciples in Matthew 4, He gave them an unambiguous command: “Follow Me.” And we see in the succeeding verses that this is exactly … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged caring, discipleship, evangelism, following Jesus, Matthew 4, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 4:22, ministry, teaching, worship
2 Comments
Four Ways To Praise (Psalm 9)
“I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2) Psalm 9 … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged happiness, praise, prayer, Psalm 100:4, Psalm 9:1-2, singing, song, Thanksgiving, witness, worship
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“First” (2016 New Years message)
A friend of mine in Louisiana who is a runner sent me a hilarious video some time ago. It was about a guy whose life was all about running. It just dominated his day. He would get up early in … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Bible Reading, decision making, decisions, devotions, giving, God first, Matthew 6:33, New Year, priorities, priority, running, Sabbath, Sunday worship, worship
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Church: Not Spiritual “Show & Tell”
“What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (I Corinthians 14:26) After detailing several ways … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged church, edification, ego, I Corinthians 14:26, pride, service, worship
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The River of God’s Delights
“They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; and You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. (Psalm 36:8) Speaking of those who have been touched by the grace of God (:7), the present verse … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Christian hedonism, delight, edenica, Hebrew word, pleasure, Psalm 36:8, salvation, worship
1 Comment
Worship is More Than Words
We often think of “worship” as the prayers we say, or the songs we sing — or perhaps even the “heart” behind them. And there is some truth to those ideas. But Romans 12:1 should cause many of us to … Continue reading
A Heart For Worship
The way a person responds to God’s work in his life reveals a lot about his heart. In Acts 3:8 the Bible tells us that when the lame man outside the Temple was healed, “With a leap he stood upright … Continue reading
A Scriptural Guide For Including Children In Worship
The age at which small children should join their parents in worship can be a contentious issue. Is it merely a matter of preference, or can it be resolved scripturally? We may find a hint in Nehemiah 8:2 “Then Ezra … Continue reading
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