Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Psalm documents David's long, grueling journey of hardship that was met with long grace and long deliverance. When we are walking through long difficult seasons of life, David gives us 7 truths that give us long grace for a long journey of long deliverance.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Psalm 110 stands as one of the most mysterious, yet marvelous pictures of the Messiah. In it, we see 7 different truths about who this King is, and how we can live in light of them each day.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Mark 8 records a unique moment in Jesus' ministry where He pulls back the layers and filters of His disciples' perception of Himself. But by doing so, He leads them to a clearer understanding of who He is - and He does the same with us today.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Psalm 96 gives us a window into the nature of worship, in general, and the effect it has on our life. When we worship God, an activity of restoration, hope, healing, and perspective take place that affects us at the deepest level.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Throughout the gospel of Mark, Jesus says things that do not "fit" into people's categories, expectations, desires, or ideas; but in chapter 5, he does something that does "fit" according to people's sensibilities or timelines. Namely, He calls them to wait when they feel like they shouldn't have to and when it even feels inappropriate. But in it, He shows His glory and grace, delivering the best into our lives.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Psalm 1 introduces the entire book of Psalms, all 150 chapters, around the idea of what it means to be "blessed." The psalmist shows us that when it comes to blessing, there are only two distinct paths of life, two distinct experiences, and two distinct destinies. There is no 'middle ground' to spiritually, an underlying principle that resonates through every psalm.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Jesus begins His public ministry by addressing 4 different faulty frameworks of the people of God. In order to rightly be seen for who He truly is, He begins to 'deconstruct' their frameworks that stand in the way of them seeing, believing, and experiencing the reality of His rule and kingdom.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Every incoming college student eventually comes across important "forks-in-the-road" moments, even within the first three weeks of stepping foot on campus. So, what do you do at the fork? How do you make the right decision? Who do you walk with? What if you fail? The acrostic "F.O.R.K." provides a couple of truths to hold on to and action-steps to move forward with - today - before you even get there. Because making the right decisions now is much easier and...
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Peter leaves us with a message to endure through the hardships of sin and hostility of the world. One of the ways Peter encourages us to do this is by assessing our Judge, his judgment, and his glory. When we live with this end in mind, our lives reorient with new love, rest in new peace, and strengthen with new resiliency.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Isaac Watts' famous hymn, "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" remains one of the most popular hymns of all time. Inspired by a heart-felt passion that worship ought to be heart-felt, Watts pens this hymn drawing from the deep well of Galatians 6. In 5 stanzas, he paints a picture of a cross that is, against all worldly paradigms, "wondrous."
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In 1 Peter 3, Peter addresses an age-old issue: cultural push-back in the form of questioning, shaming, and mockery. He encourages the believers to endure, specifically by telling them what to expect, how to prepare, and where to hope.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The Ironman's Men Ministry has been going through a series entitled, "Greatest Hits," an exegetical-exploration of the very hymns that stock the backs of church pews and choir lofts, across the world, across the years. The famous hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," derives from Lamentations 3, a deep cry of faith in God's love and purposes, beyond what can be felt or seen or understood.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Some of the most daunting questions in young adulthood are, "What am I supposed to do with my life?" and "What career should I choose?" and "Do I have a specific calling or purpose?" Drawing on the 4 'Greats' in Scripture, we can see God's purpose for everyone. Then, looking deeply at the 3 'As' in our unique makeup, we can see God's unique calling for each of us.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Esther ends in a rather dramatic fashion, as the climactic reversal of the book in chapter 7 cascades into more reversals throughout the Empire. Altogether, we see God's promises and protections unfold in increasing measure, challenging us today, and painting a picture of our true Advocate in heaven, Jesus Christ.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | To the modern ear, the book of Leviticus might sound far-fetched, distant, and even primitive. But underneath its many stipulations and legislatures and systems, there remains the linchpin of the entire Bible: namely, how to be right with God. In Leviticus, God shows us 'how' back then and also 'how' today.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Chapter 4 opens with high alert: chaos rips through the Persian Empire at the edict that the Jews will be terminated in only a matter of time. Mordecai grieves, processes, and pleas. Esther stresses, strategizes, and risks. In this story, we can see how to grieve, how to help those who do, and what to do in the midst of grief.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In our modern day Christianity, the book of Esther typically finds itself packaged and advertised as a Bible Study for women, but it's a book that's just as relevant, applicable, and convicting for men. In chapter 1, we see the full import of man's depravity, the beginning of a kingdom's downfall, and the hiddenness of God's sovereignty.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Exodus 14 features the most climactic moment in the book: the parting of the Red Sea. In this account, God shows us how and why He's worthy of our trust as He works on our behalf.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The Christmas story has 3 main journeys: Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem; the shepherds’ journey to the manger; and the Magi’s journey from Persia to the home of Jesus. Looking at the Magi’s journey, we can see a number of truths about God’s character and a host of principles of Christian living that apply just as much back then as it does to our journey of faith today.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Exodus opens with a context of Israel's rapid multiplication and horrid suppression in Egypt. But after 400 years, God breaks the silence, and we are given one of the greatest examples of God's compassion, wisdom, and action for His people in all of Scripture.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Acts ends with another display of God bringing about salvation in an uncanny, epic fashion. Many times, it seems like God's promise to take Paul before Caesar will not come to fruition; but in many faith-inspiring turns of events, God works fulfillment, salvation, and glory once more.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In Acts 22, the apostle Paul stands before his persecutors, almost in a 'full-circle' moment. At one point, he was persecuting the Christians in Jerusalem; now, he is being persecuted as one himself. In Paul's last words to the Jews in Jerusalem, we can see a blueprint for how to share our faith effectively with others.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | While the New Testament certainly gives clarity to the event of the Second Coming of Christ, it is certainly not a new idea or new development. Throughout the Old Testament, God gives His people many pictures, promises, and prophecies about this 'day' that marks the end of our age and the beginning of the next, one that Jesus then claims as His own.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In Acts 19, Paul embarks on his third missionary journey and camps out in the city of Ephesus for more than 2 years. During his time, God works in many different ways to work different types of people - and He does the same today, as well.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In Acts 18, Paul arrives in the city of Corinth with no money in his pockets, no people alongside him, and no place to stay; but a hot passion in his heart. Immediately, God provides him with ministry friends, financial means, and a place to do ministry - and 18 months later, the gospel goes forward in a place that seemed otherwise impossible. How? By God's grace, direction, and favor, and by Paul's practical ministry each day.
Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | As Paul begins his second missionary journey, God frustrates his plans... while leading him to just the right place, at exactly the right time, specifically to meet the right people. In all the open and closed doors, God's providence guided even their instinct of faith, when they did not have all the information before them.
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.
