Second Thoughts with Austin Gentry

Second Baptist Church, Houston - TX | Daniel 9 features an intercessory prayer by Daniel for the nation of Israel, outlining the three attributes of prayer. The passage displays prophetic message of the Messiah, an apocalyptic glimpse of the end times, and why all prayer falls right in the middle of your view of the Messiah's first and second coming.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Jeremiah recounts perhaps one of the most grueling seasons of suffering they'd ever have to walk through. Yet, in their suffering and confusion, God gives his people one, unfailing hope—and he offers that same hope to us as well. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Where is God in pain and suffering? But where also is God when pleasure, too, has run its course? God gives Ezekiel a powerful message of his faithfulness to his people, empowering them for any season of life.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The topic of 'revival' can evoke many different ideas and experiences. But what is revival, exactly? In 2 Chronicles 34, we see what revival truly is, what revival is not, and how we access true revival ourselves.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Isaiah 6 shows us a True King when all other kings and kingdoms fail, and how that reorients and redeems everything—to how we perceive God, view ourselves, interact with others, and therefore, navigate life as we know it.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Isaiah 36-37 recounts a battle in Israel's history where the Assyrian Empire threatened to destroy them completely. In this story, we see the nature of real faith, the ultimatum of compromise, and the only confidence that will deliver.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Hosea stands distinct from the other prophetic books because its message was not primarily a compelling word as much as it was a powerful visual. God calls Hosea to love and marry a prostitute to show Israel and the world what his love is like to his people who keep turning away from their covenant to their Lord. In this image of marriage, we see t...

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Jonah recounts a story full of unexpected reversal, deep irony, and profound portrayals of God, sin, and grace. The book functions like a mirror, so that we can see the worst of Jonah and Nineveh in all of us--and yet, the best of God in Jesus Christ for all of us, too.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | 1 Kings 18 features the pinnacle of the prophet Elijah's life and ministry: showing that 'The LORD is God' and exposing all other gods as false and fake. Scripture illustrates that false gods cause spiritual drought and cripple you in any circumstance, whereas only the true God causes flourishing and empowers you to run freely in any circumstanc...

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Solomon is considered the wisest king to have ever lived. But is his wisdom inaccessible to us? In the following audio, we'll look at why 1 Kings 3 gives us a template for how to perceive wisdom, how to receive wisdom, and how God gives wisdom. (1 Kings 3)

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | While social media has many advantages, it can pose many threats as well, especially regarding one's self-worth. In light of the smart phone revolution, the insurgence of social media, and the prevalence of the digital age, deriving self-worth from social media has become endemic to our society today. Our phones might be a symptom; however, they are not t...

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | 1 Samuel 24 recounts David hiding in a cave from his ruthless pursuer, King Saul. During this scene, David is tempted in two main ways: 1) to despair because of his circumstances, and 2) to take matters into his own hands so that he wouldn't despair. Where David finds strength to resist both temptations--to despair and to take control--shows us where we c...

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Joshua marks the beginning of an entirely new era for the Israelites. They are situated on a nation-wide precipice of newness: a new leader, a new land, a new generation. Joshua's main message is not necessarily new, but it is contextualized in such a way so that it particularly resonates in seasons of newness. The book—although written in his...

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Old Testament, and it's known as the 'Second Law.' The book receives its name not because it says anything new, but because its given to the next generation of Israelites who will inherit the Promise Land. Yet, the message given then points to the message of the Christian life we have now.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | To be generous, the book of Leviticus is hardly a fan favorite in the Bible. It can be dense at times, boring at times, seemingly irrelevant at times, and downright confusing at times. It's comprised of many laws and rituals that would seem not just archaic, but also arbitrary. However, context and symbolism provide a window to seeing that Leviticus is pe...

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Exodus 32 recounts the story when the Israelites graved a golden calf in the wilderness and worshiped it. In our culture, of course, no one sets up a golden calf for worship. However, what the golden calf represented back then is profoundly representative of how we tend to worship today: defining and approaching God on our terms instead of defining and approac...

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Job is perhaps one of the most difficult, complex books in the entire Bible. It raises questions, challenges our assumptions, and shatters our categories for how we'd otherwise naturally make sense of life. It spotlights the reality of suffering, the majesty of the Suffering Savior, and the hope it gives all people in suffering.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Studying the Bible remains an important practice for Christians; however, it does little to no good if the underlying question, 'Is the Bible even trustworthy?' remains unanswered. The following audio touches on subjects such as the inspiration, exhortation, and appropriation. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In our day and age, genealogies don't mean much. But in Jesus' day and age, they meant everything. Matthew's gospel opens with the genealogy of Jesus - not only revealing God's behind-the-scenes activity during the 400 years of silence, but also depicting what the gospel is all about and who it is for.