Second Thoughts with Austin Gentry Austin Gentry

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Genesis 35 recalls the final leg of Jacob's tumultuous journey, an uneasy but providential climb to Bethel. In the process, God protects and provides providentially, and reassures him who he is in Him, and His promises to him - the same thing God does for us as we navigate the unknowns, from a desperate place to our designated destination. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The most defining moments in Jacob's life happen in his two  transition: from Canaan to Haran; and again, from Haran to Canaan. Both journeys are riddled by tumult and trial, but also tenacity: namely, his tenacity for what he wants for himself, but also God's tenacity for what He wants for Jacob. Again, on the road of transition, Jacob wrestles with God, and God wrestles with Jacob - leaving him never again the same. So, how do we wrestle with God? How does He wrestle with us? And how can we journey in faith through our hardest, greatest transitions, and perhaps, the most defining moments of our life? 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Jacob nears the end of his agreement with Laban, and he's anxiously awaiting a transition into a new chapter of life. As he begins the transition from Haran and back to Canaan, we see alot of messiness and manipulation, but also God's sovereignty, and principles that we can apply to our own life as we make transitions as well. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Genesis 24 marks a significant transition - the end of Abraham's life and legacy and his 'passing of the torch' to his only son, Isaac. But before he passes, he sets out to find a wife for his son. Here in this chapter, we can find 25 principles that can be applied to searching for a spouse today. 

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The life of Abraham can be seen as a series of tests of faith, which each one getting more and more severe. In faith, he left his homeland; in faith, he left his family; in faith, he left Lot; in faith, he trusted God with Ishmael; and now, in faith, he trusts God by offering up Isaac - the climactic moment of his life and legacy.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Genesis 14 establishes the 'tithe' between God and God's people, a primary way we respond God, trust Him, and also receive His honor and blessing.