Straight From The Heart
Aired Teaching # Scripture Description Listen
6/4/2026 SPM541 Mark 8:27-9:30 Understanding the gospel- When Peter correctly declared that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus warned the disciples not to tell people about Him. Why would He say that? The disciples did not know what it meant to follow Jesus because they didn't fully understand the message of the cross.
6/3/2026 SAM306 Mark 8:1-26 Sight and vision- Helen Keller said, "the only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." Riding on a boat after the feeding of the four thousand, Jesus helped the disciples to realize their failure to understand and perceive the lessons He was aiming to teach them.
6/2/2026 SAM305 Mark 7:31-37 Jesus understands- How persistent are you in your prayers and efforts to bring friends to Jesus? A deaf and mute man was brought to Jesus by his friends who begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus couldn't talk with him through speech, but He was still able to communicate that He knew all the man's emotions and desires.
6/1/2026 SAM304 Mark 7:24-30 Purpose in pain- A Gentile woman came to Jesus and "kept asking" Him to cast a demon out of her daughter. Sometimes God uses our pain and heartache to bring us face to face with Him, so we can gain a greater understanding of His love.
5/29/2026 SPM539 Mark 6:45-7:23 Clean hands, dirty heart- The Pharisees criticized Jesus and His disciples for not following a ceremonial tradition of washing hands. Jesus used this as an opportunity to point out the danger of being too focused on appearing holy on the outside, but still having a wicked and sinful heart.
5/28/2026 SPM539 Mark 6:45-7:23 The storms of life- It's been said that we are either headed into a storm, in the middle of a storm, or coming out of a storm. There are many reasons why we can find ourselves in the middle of trying circumstances, but one thing we can always trust is that Jesus will be with us in those times.
5/27/2026 SPM538 Mark 6:7-44 Feeding the five thousand- The disciples thought they were headed toward a time of rest with Jesus until they were interrupted by a crowd of people. Nearing the end of the day, the disciples wanted to send the people home, but Jesus knew they were hungry and needy. God's provision is always best.
5/26/2026 SPM538 Mark 6:7-44 His name became known- Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to preach repentance and gave them power to perform miracles. The name of Jesus became "well known" to the people because of their ministry, including King Herod. John the Baptist called out Herod because of his unlawful marriage. How do you respond to criticism?
5/25/2026 SPM537 Mark 5:21-6:6 The sin of unbelief- Jairus trusted Jesus when He was challenged to believe despite what seemed to be a failed attempt to have Jesus heal his daughter. His faith was rewarded when he saw Jesus raise his daughter from the dead. In contrast, Jesus "could do no mighty works" in his hometown of Nazareth because of their unbelief.
5/22/2026 SPM537 Mark 5:21-6:6 Keep believing- A man named Jairus with a gravely ill daughter, and a woman dealing with an issue of blood flow for 12 years each came to Jesus out of desperation. Jesus chose to help the woman first, while Jairus's daughter died in her sickness. Why does God choose to heal some people and not others?
5/21/2026 SPM536 Mark 4:21-5:20 Who can this be?- When Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples asked in fear and amazement, "who can this be?" When they arrived at the other side of the sea in the country of the Gadarenes, their question was answered in an encounter with a demon possessed man.
5/20/2026 SPM536 Mark 4:21-5:20 Stories and storms- After another day of teaching the gathered crowds through parables, Jesus and the disciples prepared to cross the Sea of Galilee, and quickly found themselves in the middle of a storm. There are some lessons we can only learn in the storms of life.
5/19/2026 SAM296 Mark 4:1-20 The parable of the sower- What place does God's word have in your life? People have plenty of excuses they make for not reading the bible, but Jesus showed in this parable that the real problem is whether our hearts are prepared to receive the seed of the word.
5/18/2026 SAM295 Mark 3:22-35 The unpardonable sin- Jesus said, "he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness but is subject to eternal condemnation." What is the unpardonable sin? There is an important difference between quenching the Spirit and resisting the Spirit.
5/15/2026 SPM534 Mark 2:17-3:21 Stretch out your hand- Jesus called many to follow Him, but not everyone had faith to accept His invitation. The first work we are called to in a relationship with Jesus is to "be with Him." The Pharisees became more hostile toward Jesus and started to plan how they might kill him.
5/14/2026 SPM534 Mark 2:17-3:21 Breaking tradition- The Pharisees were offended by the fact that Jesus and his disciples did not strictly adhere to rules when it came to religious ordinances, like fasting and the Sabbath. Jesus was not just a rebel. He wanted the religious Jews to know that He came to do a new work.
5/13/2026 SAM290 Mark 2:13-17 The call of Matthew- Matthew decided to follow Jesus after a life of observing the hypocrisy of religion and experiencing the emptiness of pursuing happiness through material wealth. How do you see your unsaved friends? Jesus saw sinners as those who are spiritually sick.
5/12/2026 SAM289 Mark 2:1-12 The power to forgive- How motivated are you to bring your friends to Jesus? Four men were so determined to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus they broke through someone's roof. Jesus claimed the authority to do something only God can do- forgive sins.
5/11/2026 SAM288 Mark 1:40-45 Jesus can make you clean- A man with leprosy came to Jesus, desperate to be free of a disease that isolated him from society. Just as leprosy corrupts the body, sin slowly kills the soul, and disrupts our fellowship with God. Only Jesus can cleanse us from the disease of sin.
5/8/2026 SPM532 Mark 1:1-38 Preaching the gospel- In one action-packed day at Capernaum, Jesus taught with authority, cast out demons, and healed the sick. Jesus was clear that the objective of His work was that people would "repent, and believe in the gospel."
5/7/2026 SPM532 Mark 1:1-38 The Gospel of Mark- Mark's gospel cuts right to the chase. Unlike Matthew and Luke, who begin their gospels with the birth of Jesus, Mark begins by showing how John the Baptist was called to pave the way for Jesus.
5/6/2026 WED760 Esther 8-10 Rest from the enemy- The feast of Purim became a day of celebration and gladness to remember how God used Mordecai and Esther to deliver the Jewish people. We are ambassadors of the gospel, called to spread the good news that Christ has overcome sin and death.
5/5/2026 WED760 Esther 8-10 A new law published- With Haman and his evil plot in the past, Esther and her people still faced a problem. The law of sin and death cannot be changed, but the new law of grace has now been issued through Christ.
5/4/2026 WED759 Esther 5-7 Haman's demise- After a sleepless night, the king discovered that no one ever honored Mordecai for foiling an assassination attempt against the king. When Esther revealed to the king Haman's plot to destroy the Jews, it was Haman who was hanged on the gallows meant for Mordecai.
5/1/2026 WED759 Esther 5-7 A banquet with the king- Esther worked up the courage to request an audience with the king so she could make a request to save her people. Haman and Esther both looked forward to a banquet with the king for very different reasons.
4/30/2026 WED758 Esther 3:7-4:17 Such a time as this- We can't remain silent in a culture that desperately needs to hear the truth of the gospel. Mordecai sent a message to Esther to encourage her that God had placed her where she was for a reason and a purpose.
4/29/2026 WED758 Esther 3:7-4:17 Haman's evil plan- Haman successfully influenced the king to make a decree that all the Jews in his kingdom should be annihilated. When Mordecai caught wind of the grave news, he hurried to try and warn Esther that her people were in trouble.
4/28/2026 WED757 Esther 2:1-3:6 The wrath of Haman- Haman was promoted above all the princes after a failed assassination attempt on the king's life. Haman began to concoct his own conspiracy against the Jewish people after Mordecai refused to bow down and pay homage to Haman.
4/27/2026 WED757 Esther 2:1-3:6 The king loved Esther- On the search for a new queen, King Ahasuerus noticed something different about one of the applicants, a young Jewish girl named Esther. Esther's cousin Mordecai advised her not to reveal her Jewish heritage.
4/24/2026 WED756 Esther 1 Vashti said no- Ahasuerus, the king of Persia, was the leader of the most powerful empire in the world, but he was weak because he could not say no to alcohol. In contrast, Queen Vashti said no to the king, and refused to be held up as his personal trophy.
4/23/2026 WED756 Esther 1 The book of Esther- God is not named one time in the book of Esther. Esther's story reminds us that God's hand of providence and protection is always working behind the scenes, even if we can't feel his presence.
4/22/2026 WED339 II Corinthians 12:1-13:14 Final exhortations- Concluding his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul announced he would be returning to visit them, and expressed his genuine love for the church there. Paul also challenged those who were critical of him to make sure to examine themselves.
4/21/2026 WED339 II Corinthians 12:1-13:14 Visions and revelations- There were some voices in the church during Paul's time (and even now) that boasted about having revelations from God. What was Paul's thorn in the flesh? Through persistent prayer, Paul learned that God's grace was enough to sustain him.
4/20/2026 WED338 II Corinthians 11:1-33 Credentials of an apostle- What kind of fool would willingly choose a life of suffering? That's what many who were critical of Paul's ministry said about him. Paul did not use his apostleship as a platform to boast in himself, only to glorify God.
4/17/2026 WED338 II Corinthians 11:1-33 Godly jealousy- Like a loving parent, Paul was concerned about false teachings that were creeping into the Corinthian church. Deceptive doctrines can be very subtle and even appealing, many times containing some hints of truth.
4/16/2026 WED337 II Corinthians 10:1-18 Warning against comparisons- One problem plaguing some people in the church at Corinth was the temptation of comparisons. We should not be measuring the health of our relationship with God based on what other people are doing. Christ alone should be our standard.
4/15/2026 WED337 II Corinthians 10:1-18 Weapons of our warfare- There is a spiritual war going on between good and evil. How do you fight against an invisible enemy who knows your weaknesses? Through prayer and the word of God. These are the weapons of our warfare.
4/14/2026 WED336 II Corinthians 8:16-9:15 Sowing and reaping- There is a difference between tithing and giving. Paul says the main principle for giving is very simple: "God loves a cheerful giver." God wants us to give of our time, money, and resources out of the goodness of our hearts.
4/13/2026 WED336 II Corinthians 8:16-9:15 Giving in the church- God can use finances to further His work through the body of Christ. How should Christians think through the topic of giving at church?
4/10/2026 WED335 II Corinthians 7:2-8:15 Wisdom concerning giving- Some people in the church wrongly encourage giving as a form of investment. We aren't supposed to give and expect something back in return. Paul pointed to Jesus, and the church at Macedonia, as examples of what a giving heart that pleases God looks like.
4/9/2026 WED335 II Corinthians 7:2-8:15 Godly sorrow- Did Paul regret writing his first letter to the Corinthians? Like a surgeon, Paul knew his words would painfully cut into the hearts of his brethren at Corinth. The news of their repentance brought Paul great joy.
4/8/2026 WED334 II Corinthians 6:4-7:1 Let us cleanse ourselves- Some of the Corinthians were letting worldliness creep into their lives. They were making excuses for unhealthy fellowship with unbelievers. Paul called them to repentance and cleansing from their idolatry.
4/7/2026 WED334 II Corinthians 6:4-7:1 Serving with Christ- What can the servant of God expect to experience? It is certainly not a glamorous calling. In fact, you can expect to face hardship in your service to God. Serving Christ means separation from the world, but not isolation.
4/6/2026 WED333 II Corinthians 5:12-6:3 The word of reconciliation- Christians are all called to be ambassadors for Christ, imploring others to be reconciled to Him. The word of reconciliation is the truth that only Jesus Christ can offer man forgiveness and peace with God.
4/3/2026 SAM439 Isaiah 53:10-12 God's Servant Satisfied- Isaiah chapter 53 paints perhaps the greatest picture of Jesus Christ in the old testament. Follow along with Pastor Joe through this 5-part series as we take some time to focus on the person and mission of Jesus for Passion Week.
4/2/2026 SAM438 Isaiah 53:7-9 The Silent Servant- Isaiah chapter 53 paints perhaps the greatest picture of Jesus Christ in the old testament. Follow along with Pastor Joe through this 5-part series as we take some time to focus on the person and mission of Jesus for Passion Week.
4/1/2026 SAM437 Isaiah 53:4-6 The Suffering Servant- Isaiah chapter 53 paints perhaps the greatest picture of Jesus Christ in the old testament. Follow along with Pastor Joe through this 5-part series as we take some time to focus on the person and mission of Jesus for Passion Week.
3/31/2026 SAM436 Isaiah 53:1-3 God's Humble Servant- Isaiah chapter 53 paints perhaps the greatest picture of Jesus Christ in the old testament. Follow along with Pastor Joe through this 5-part series as we take some time to focus on the person and mission of Jesus for Passion Week.
3/30/2026 SAM435 Isaiah 52:13-15 God's Servant Exalted- Isaiah chapter 53 paints perhaps the greatest picture of Jesus Christ in the old testament. Follow along with Pastor Joe through this 5-part series as we take some time to focus on the person and mission of Jesus for Passion Week.
3/27/2026 WED333 II Corinthians 5:12-6:3 Motivated by God's love- Some of the Corinthians were critical of Paul and thought he was crazy to be content living a life of trials. It was not a glamorous calling. Paul's mindset in ministry was motivated by his love for Christ.
3/26/2026 WED332 II Corinthians 4:7-5:11 By faith, not by sight- The Holy Spirit is our guarantee that one day we will be "absent from the body," and "present with the Lord." That's why we are called to walk by faith, remembering where our home really is.
3/25/2026 WED332 II Corinthians 4:7-5:11 Renewed day by day- The greatest capacity of man is to contain the glory of God. That's good news for believers because the outward man is decaying. Although we have a glorious future, our inward man needs to be renewed daily to endure the momentary affliction of this life.
3/24/2026 WED331 II Corinthians 3:1-4:6 We have this ministry- The good news of the gospel is that anyone can have a living, breathing relationship with God. We are called to present this glorious truth to the world in humility and simplicity. Are you praying for your friends and family who are spiritually blind?
3/23/2026 WED331 II Corinthians 3:1-4:6 A letter from Christ- It was apparent that many of the Corinthians' lives had changed. But not because they were following the letter of the law. For "the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Some unbelievers will read your life before they ever read the Bible. What will they notice?
3/20/2026 WED330 II Corinthians 1:15-2:17 The fragrance of Christ- We need to be aware of the schemes of Satan. If we do not accept those who are truly repentant, we might be giving space for the enemy to move in. Paul exhorted the church at Corinth to show love to a brother who had failed and repented of his sin.
3/19/2026 WED330 II Corinthians 1:15-2:17 Setting the record straight- Paul was accused by some of being unreliable and untrustworthy because he did not make it to Corinth to visit the church. How do we respond with grace to people who are critical of us, or make assumptions about our intentions?
3/18/2026 WED329 II Corinthians 1:1-14 Living by God's grace- Paul recounted a trying time while in Asia that was so discouraging he "despaired even of life." Sound familiar? Ever feel so overwhelmed you just want to throw in the towel? It's only through the grace of God that we can find deliverance from our suffering.
3/17/2026 WED329 II Corinthians 1:1-14 Second to the Corinthians- Many believers in the church at Corinth heeded the exhortations and corrections in Paul's first letter. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is full of encouragement, in addition to some defense of his own reputation and ministry.
3/16/2026 SPM661 I Corinthians 16 Last words and greetings- Paul shares his final words of exhortation and encouragement in this first letter to the Corinthian church.