Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In what is formally called the 'Olivet Discourse,' Jesus shares with His disciples many things concerning the end of times. In them, we find motivation, purpose, peace, perspective, and victory, not just for eternity, but also for everyday life. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Acts 15 and 16 mark a critical shift in the narration of Acts and salvation history: namely, Paul and Barnabas 'break up' after a sharp disagreement, but God uses their division to actually multiply His kingdom purposes to raise up new leaders, restore others, and redeem still more. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Judges is a tragic book, telling in many different ways the tired refrain of man's rebellion against God and subsequent enslavement to horrid gods and empty idols. Jephthah, one of God's judges, is no better than the people he is delivering; but his little bit of faith in the right direction makes an eternal difference, despite all the carnage and sorrow of his own sin. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | As Paul and Barnabas trek through Asia Minor on what is their first of four official 'missionary journeys,' they stop at a place called Antioch Pisidia, where they are met with a zealous welcoming as well as an equally zealous antagonism. Here, we see that people's responses to the gospel have more to do with their own heart and less to do with the message itself. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Acts 13 marks a key shift in the book Acts —  thematically, geographically, and demographically — as Luke directs our focus away from the church in Jerusalem and now to the church in Antioch. There, we see what a healthy, dynamic church culture looks like: in the church, from the church, and for the world.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Acts 12 features a duel of power between good and evil, God and Satan, Peter and Herod. In Herod, Satan tries to stomp out the gospel through unchecked power and sinister strength. But in Peter, God advances his Kingdom through trust, prayer, weakness, silence, and invisibility. The weakness and foolishness of God overturns what the enemy meant for evil, for good (1 Corinthians 1:25-30; Romans 8:28). 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | God brings Peter to Cornelius, and Cornelius gathers a crowd for Peter, so that God can declare the good news to the Gentiles. Acts 10 marks what may be referred to as the 'Gentile Pentecost,' which mirrors in many ways the first Pentecost in Jerusalem for the Jews. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | As Peter moves throughout the Mediterranean, he has two miraculous interactions - one with a paralyzed man, and another with a deceased woman - that replicate and repeat Jesus' own ministry. This story tells us something about apostolic authority back then as well as Jesus' heart for us today.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Acts 9 marks a milestone moment in the early church and also in the history of the world: the dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Even though Saul wasn't looking for God, God sought him out. And the ways God brought Saul to repentance and salvation is oftentimes how God brings us into the fold as well. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In Acts 6, the church faces a new type of opposition. It's not external (like persecution or imprisonment) nor is it internal (like corruption or temptation); this time, it's somewhat 'passive opposition' where no one is necessarily at fault; there is natural dissonance, natural conflict, compounded with the stress and strain of natural growth pains in the church. Stephen, in particular, serves the needs of the church that he is aware of; and also evangelizes to others he is not even aware of - all through a faithful, faith-filled life.