Advertise on podcast: Second Thoughts with Austin Gentry

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Jesus encounters a man who has it all - yet still feels like he is missing something. But he's lacking not a material or social or relational piece to his life - he lacks spiritual assurance; peace; true security. As Jesus uncovers, the man's assumptions are flawed, his heart ruled, and his righteousness insufficient. This man is a story of all of us who, by default of our pride and sin, try fulfilling our deep, spiritual needs with shallow, earthly means. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The cross was not just a moment in time, but the fulfillment of all of time. Though many prophesies were fulfilled throughout Jesus' life, many more were fulfilled at the hour of His death. On the cross, all that the Old Testament prepared for... finally came to pass.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | John 4 provides a masterclass of how to effectively evangelize, and it's modeled from the greatest Evangelist Himself. By tracing the nuances, tactics, and trajectory of Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well, we too can find a template for our own evangelism efforts ourselves.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In Matthew 16, Jesus brings the disciples to Caesarea Philippi for one of the most powerful object lessons about who He is and what He has come to do. Jesus' position is clear: we can hope He follows us, or we can hope in and follow Him.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | God's call to give is more than just a 'transaction' - it is a foundation for the Christian life. In giving, we demonstrate a posture of heart to God that is essential for relating rightly with Him: right response, true trust, real devotion, and genuine lordship. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Matthew 11 records three different doubts to Jesus' works and words: i.e., doubts that come from emotion, disposition, and volition. These same doubts persist even to today, carrying the same reasons and responses that people struggle in matters of life and faith. To some, Jesus comforts. To some, Jesus confronts. To others, Jesus condemns.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Prayer is one of the most important spiritual disciplines, but oftentimes, our experience of it can be marked by disillusionment, distraction, and even detachment. Jesus, however, teaches His disciples how to pray, because it's not intuitive for us. His instruction to them back then is the same as it is for us today: not technique mastery, not spiritual mantras, but simple invitation.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Many Christians begin the new year knowing that they should read the Bible, and that it's an important spiritual discipline. But... why? The following audio explores 5 main reasons for why Christians ought to steep themselves in the Word of God regularly. It's more than a just a discipline; it's meant to be our desire and a delight. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Jesus calls His followers "salt" and "light" -- two analogies that were layered with nuance in Israel back then -- framing what it means to be His follower today. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Simeon's song expresses the deep reality and emotional experience of Christmas: the divine tension of glory and suffering, peace and pain, light and conviction, salvation and rejection. Even as a baby, Jesus' presentation at the Temple points to His suffering and glory at the cross as our final Redeemer.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | From start to finish, the gospel of Matthew broadcasts one message loud and clear: Jesus came to fulfill Israel's covenants and story. In chapters 3-4, Jesus fulfills Israel's covenantal path and wilderness experience. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Unlike other holidays in our culture or in the church, Christmas is a uniquely musical time of year - and there is a grand reason for why. This is because the original Christmas story in Luke 1-2 resounds with song. Mary, the mother of Jesus, sings a new song - and her reason for singing ought to compel our own. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | As the Israelites are on the cusp of the wilderness and are about to cross into the Promised Land, their leader Moses is on the cusp of life and is about to cross into eternity. And after years of shepherding, he leaves them with famous 'last words' so that they can step confidently into the future God has for them. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | At the end of 1 Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel is depressed, disappointed, and distressed. Decades of his life, work, and ministry had been geared towards building the kingdom culture of Israel - and in no time at all, Saul's reign had ruined so much hard work. Without a plan forward, Samuel mopes. With too stringent a perspective, Samuel wrestles. But God gently corrects his course, showing His hand and hope through it all. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Deuteronomy is Moses' last words to the people before they take their last step out of the wilderness and their first step into the Promised Land. In Moses' opening address, he repeatedly emphasizes several principles to help move forward in faith: 1) Trust God to move on and move forward; 2) Trust God to fight your battles; 3) Trust God's Words and Promises for the road ahead.