Straight From The Heart
Aired Teaching # Scripture Description Listen
1/20/2025 SAM940 II Thessalonians 1:1-10 God's righteous judgment- The true path of a Christian is one of suffering. It's the path that Jesus took. The Thessalonians were able to patiently endure persecution because they knew God is perfectly just, and their persecutors would receive just punishment from God one day.
1/17/2025 SAM940 II Thessalonians 1:1-10 Faith under fire- The pressure of tribulations started to become a heavy weight for the Thessalonians. Where was God? Ever felt this way? Since Paul's first letter to the church at Thessalonica, false teaching also threatened to corrupt the truth they were taught.
1/16/2025 SAM939 I Thessalonians 5:19-28 Concluding words- Among some other encouraging thoughts and warnings, Paul reminded the Thessalonians as he wrapped up his letter that God would be faithful to help them accomplish the things they were being called to live out.
1/15/2025 SAM939 I Thessalonians 5:19-28 Don't quench the Spirit- After going through a list of things we should be doing according to the will of God, Paul begins a list of "don'ts" for the Christian life. What does it mean to "quench" the Spirit, and how do we make sure we aren't doing it?
1/14/2025 SAM938 I Thessalonians 5:12-18 Relationships in the church- Our relationships within the body of Christ should be different than worldly relationships. Paul outlines what some of that practical conduct should look like. This also includes our relationship with church leadership.
1/13/2025 SAM937 I Thessalonians 5:4-11 Not appointed to wrath- What "wrath" is Paul assuring us God has delivered us from? Is he talking about our eternal salvation or deliverance from the wrath of God during the tribulation? How seriously are we taking Paul's charge to build each other up as we wait for Christ's return?
1/10/2025 SAM937 I Thessalonians 5:4-11 You are not in darkness- Does your conduct reflect what you believe about your eternal future? Paul said we are children of the light so we don't have to live in fear of where the world is headed. We also should not be so comfortable in the world that we become complacent.
1/9/2025 SAM936 I Thessalonians 5:1-3 The day of the Lord- What is "the day of the Lord?" How is it connected to the rapture of the church? One thing we can be sure of, Paul said, is that the day of the Lord will come "as a thief in the night."
1/8/2025 SAM936 I Thessalonians 5:1-3 Understanding the end days- Paul spoke to the Thessalonians in great detail about "the times and seasons" prior to writing his letter to them. Do we as the church have an understanding of eschatology? Are you prepared to give an answer to a lost world about the end times?
1/7/2025 SAM935 I Thessalonians 4:13-18 What about the rapture?- Is the rapture of the church an undeniable fact biblically? If so, when will it happen? What will it look like? Who will be "caught up" with the Lord and who will be left behind?
1/6/2025 SAM935 I Thessalonians 4:13-18 The facts of our future- Whatever your theological stances on death and the afterlife are, Paul wants us to be assured of these facts: 1) Jesus is coming again. 2) He's coming for His church. 3) The dead in Christ will not miss this event. 4) His coming will produce a glorious reunion.
1/3/2025 SAM934 I Thessalonians 4:1-12 Living out your sanctification- A life of sanctification does not mean perfect performance, but it does mean our behavior should reflect the reality that we are "set apart" for His purposes. Practically, that looks like avoiding sexual sin, laziness, and meddling in other people's business.
1/2/2025 SAM934 I Thessalonians 4:1-12 God's will for your life- Ever wondered what God's will for your life is? Paul says that God's will for you is your sanctification. Our sanctification is not only a one-time transaction. It's a lifelong process. Part of living out God's will is to abstain from sexual sin.
1/1/2025 SAM933 I Thessalonians 3 A war of devotion- Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica repeatedly in the middle of persecution to remember that Jesus was coming back. We don't face the same persecution in our culture, so we must constantly fight against spiritual complacency that can threaten our devotion.
12/31/2024 SAM933 I Thessalonians 3 Enduring trials and temptation- When we bear the weight of trials and temptations our enemy will strike. He knows how to kick us when we are down. Paul had a word of encouragement for the Thessalonians, so their faith would not fail under the pressure of their circumstances.
12/30/2024 SAM932 I Thessalonians 2:13-20 What is your hope?- Our hope can change as quickly as our circumstances do in life. Satan is often working behind the scenes through his strategies to discourage us, but he can never touch the hope and future we are assured of in God's Word.
12/27/2024 SAM932 I Thessalonians 2:13-20 The word of God vs the word of men- Your world view will either be determined by the word of God or the word of man. Paul commended the Thessalonians because they "welcomed" the word of God into their lives in such a way that produced a biblical world view and perspective.
12/26/2024 SAM931 I Thessalonians 2:1-12 A model of Christian service (part 2)- We are all called to serve in some way as followers of Jesus Christ. Wherever and whoever you are serving that is your "ministry." Paul tells us in I Thessalonians chapter 2 what we should not do, and what we should be doing as we serve.
12/25/2024 SAM424 Isaiah 9:6 Unto us a child is born- God sent a baby into the world named Jesus. He was no ordinary child. He was God in human flesh. Around 700 years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah prophesied, "His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
12/24/2024 SAM150 Luke 2:1-14 A Savior is born- An angel appeared to shepherds in a field and declared the greatest news of joy and peace for humanity. A savior had been born in Bethlehem. What are the chances that anyone other than Jesus could have been the one to fulfill the Messianic prophecies of the old testament?
12/23/2024 SAM931 I Thessalonians 2:1-12 A model of Christian service- We are all called to serve in some way as followers of Jesus Christ. Wherever and whoever you are serving that is your "ministry." Paul tells us in I Thessalonians chapter 2 what we should not do, and what we should be doing as we serve.
12/20/2024 SAM930 I Thessalonians 1:6-10 Turning, serving, and waiting- The Thessalonian church turned away from idols to God and remained turned. Some people try to take Jesus and weave him into their old ways. We should be continually serving and "waiting up" for Christ's return. Not serving and settling.
12/19/2024 SAM930 I Thessalonians 1:6-10 God's plan for the church- God's plan for the church is not for the outside world to wonder what is going on inside the church. Paul said the church at Thessalonica was an example to all other churches because they were so effectively reaching the outside world. What was their secret?
12/18/2024 SAM929 I Thessalonians 1:1-6 Is your life an example?- When Paul thought about the Thessalonian believers, he gave thanks for their good example of a maturing Christian life. They had faith that works, love that labors, and hope that holds on. What do other Christians think of when they look at your life?
12/17/2024 SAM929 I Thessalonians 1:1-6 Paul's prophetic letters- Paul's letters to the Thessalonians are full of encouraging words to a young church that was growing in faith. Every chapter of this first letter ends with a reminder of the imminent return of Christ. It is no coincidence that the return of Christ is the most universal subject of the new testament.
12/16/2024 SPM642 Romans 16:10-27 Finishing on a high note- Writing his final words to the Romans, Paul reminds the church that God will triumph over our ultimate enemy Satan. Therefore, he encourages us to remain faithful and obedient to God's word without letting sin mix into our lives.
12/13/2024 SPM642 Romans 16:10-27 Greeting and exhorting- Paul concludes his greetings to the church in Rome and offers a final exhortation and warning. Paul begs the church to be watchful for those who cause division and avoid them, "For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly."
12/12/2024 SPM641 Romans 15:8-16:10 A fellow worker- The final words of Paul's letter to the Romans are dedicated to 35 fellow laborers in Christ. Paul was an apostle with a unique calling, but he knew he could never fulfill God's will for his life without so many other saints faithfully serving alongside him.
12/11/2024 SPM641 Romans 15:8-16:10 Man plans, God directs- Paul had plans to visit Rome, but he knew God had other responsibilities that first required his attention. Paul begged the church in Rome for their prayers that he might be protected on his journey. Are we faithful to pray for our leaders in the faith?
12/10/2024 SPM641 Romans 15:8-16:10 Apostle to the Gentiles- Paul was confident in his calling to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentile world. How could he not faithfully deliver the good news to those who were unaware when God showed such great grace toward him?
12/9/2024 SPM640 Romans 14:6-15:7 Obedience that pleases God- God is loving and patient with us. In the same way, we are called to be patient with those who are younger in the faith. We can obey God with the wrong attitude.