Second Thoughts with Austin Gentry

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The prophet Micah gave a pointed call to the leaders of Israel, or the 'church' leaders of his day. The following message picks out 7 different characteristics of corrupt leadership; but inversely, shows 7 different ways the greatest leader, Jesus, succeeded where corrupt leaders failed. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Hosea is a heavy, sobering message of God to his beloved people; but even though the indictments, condemnation, and warnings, God's message does not end on that note. Rather, it ends with a promise of restoration, returning, and all that God has in store for those who walk with him. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In Revelation 2-3, Jesus gives a word to 7 different churches, and he saves perhaps his severest, most sobering message last - one that would be particularly for the church of Laodicea. Jesus indicts them for their spiritual lukewarmness, a message all churches can heed today. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | God gives Hosea a message to the people of Israel about His great love for them. Contrary to the conventional prophetic words, this message, however, would be a demonstration more than a declaration - a powerful illustration the Israelites wouldn't easily forget. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The prophet Amos gives God's message to the northern kingdom of Israel: a message of grave warning about God's justice, but also an appeal about God's grace. Chapter 5 features God's appeal through Amos to seek Him and live. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Amos preaches a message of justice upon the people of God for their cheap, self-indulgent Christianity; however, he shares with them that their judgment did not come out of nowhere. Instead, it came after countless times, over-and-over-and-over again, where God sought to wake them up first,  yet to no avail. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Amos might be one the most unpopular prophets in all of Israel because he spoke what needed to be said most when people wanted to hear it the least. He levels charges against the people of God, not just the enemies of God; because if there's no justice inside the community of God's people, then we shouldn't vocalize its absence elsewhere.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | King Josiah leads the final reform of Israel, bringing spiritual revival and renewal. But there is no secret or complexity to what brings revival and renewal; what was true back then is just as true for us today.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | 2 Kings 12 features King Jehoash, a king who technically did the right things, but only because of the godly influences in his life. A closer look into his life reveals a lack of personal faith all along. His life and legacy symbolizes a relationship to God without priority, passion, or personal investment. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The nation of Israel is in distress, and they have no where to turn, except to the LORD. What they discover is that their big obstacles and few options and viable outcomes were too small, too narrow for God. He provided in an unconventional, unexpected way.