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.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The book of Deuteronomy opens as the people of God arrive at the end of their 40-year-long journey in the wilderness, and now reside along the border of Moab and the edge of the Jordan River: right on the cusp of stepping into the Promised Land. As they are right on the cusp of something new, Moses stands before them and speaks - a word of encouragement and hope to empower the people to take their next step forward.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | The wilderness is not just a place of common complaint and occasional crossroad, but also a place of subtle comprise. In chapter 22, the narrative pans away from the Israelites in the wilderness to an interaction on a hillside directly above them. A place where a prophet compromises, God shows grace, and Israel waits unaware.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | In 1 Samuel 11, Saul's insecurities seep out once more under pressure, but the Spirit rushes upon him and gives him a newfound preparation, power, and perspective - even forgiveness - to be the king that Israel needs. In this chapter, we're able to see defining characteristics of Spirit-led leadership versus a leadership of the natural man - and how it makes all the difference.