Second Thoughts with Austin Gentry

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Elijah challenges the Israelites, the prophets of Baal, and King Ahab in one epic showdown on Mount Carmel. His message is clear: when people follow the Yahweh, you run instead of limp, you experience life instead of drought. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | King Asa inherits the southern kingdom of Judah - and it's in an abysmal condition. But he begins making reforms that will change the culture for the better. What he did and how he did it provide us a helpful template for what to do to grow in godliness and righteousness in our own lives. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | 1 Kings 12 documents "Rehoboam's Folly," where certain burdens unmet by God are driving  certain decisions that are destructive. How do we make good decisions? What's the driving force behind them? 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | 1 Kings 11 documents the end of King Solomon's life, which ends on a tragic note. The ending of his life, however tragic, offers two things that couldn't be more relevant for how we live our lives today: a sobering warning, but also a deep promise. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | 1 Kings 8 documents the apex moment of King Solomon's life and legacy: the completion of the Temple of God in Jerusalem. 1 Kings 8 documents the day the Temple is finally completed and ready, like a big ribbon-cutting moment, featuring its initiation, dedication, benediction, and celebration. Even though the Temple is long gone, it represents an important truth - how God relates to us and how we relate to God - which is still in tact today through Jesus Christ.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | When Solomon was only 20 years, God came to him in a dream, granting him a request of whatever he desired. Solomon asks for wisdom, and God gave it abundantly. The following story shows us how we perceive wisdom, how we receive wisdom, and how God gives wisdom. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In light of the end and Jesus' return - looming ever so increasingly day by day - we have the temptation to neglect our daily responsibilities on this earth, in looking forward to the next. But according to the Apostle Paul, this tendency is rooted in a wrong view of work and our calling for today. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Amidst all the doctrinal instruction about the end times, the antichrist, and judgment day, there is a singular question couched into that conversation that matters more than anything else: Am I saved? Am I right with God? And how do I know? In the following text, the apostle Paul provides some authenticating signs of a genuine, saving faith, because assurance to the believer is at all time premium in the Christian life.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul talks about the mysterious figure, the Antichrist, and the signs associated with his coming and reign. And even more so, the essence of this antichrist that is alive and active today. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Paul gives the Thessalonian believers an exhortation about taking their next step. Likewise, how do we grow in faith and love?