Heed The Word

Pastor Ken Davis

Heed The Word is the online Bible teaching ministry of Pastor Ken Davis of Calvary Chapel Southwest Metro, a non-denominational church in Joshua, Texas. We are committed to bringing our listeners the Word of God by simply teaching the Bible simply. It is our hope that these broadcasts will encourage you to believe in Jesus Christ, and to grow as His disciple as you walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called.Our latest episodes are a rebroadcast of our "Heed the Word" radio program.  These episodes were originally broadcast on KDKR.  At that time our church was located in Burleson, Texas though we have since relocated to Joshua.  Additionally, these episodes indicate that CD copies can be ordered, but as they are now available through our podcast, we are no longer offering physical copies of these messages.  It is our continued hope that these Bible teachings are an encouragement to you and we appreciate you joining us here on Heed the Word!

  1. 6H AGO

    What You Believe About Hell Changes How You Live Today

    Send us a text What if our definition of success is upside down? We open Luke 16 and step into the story of Lazarus and the rich man to rethink life, death, and what lasts. Through vivid contrasts—a beggar carried by angels and a wealthy man waking in torment—we confront the reality of Hades, the nearness of paradise, and why eternal perspective reshapes every decision we make today. We move beyond clichés to hard questions with hopeful answers: Is there consciousness after death? What is the difference between Hades and the lake of fire? Why does Jesus say Scripture is enough even when people ask for a sign? We explore how Revelation 20 frames the first resurrection, the great white throne judgment, and the second death, and why those truths empower courage for believers rather than fear. Along the way, we point to the heart of the gospel: no one has to face final judgment apart from grace, because Jesus came not to condemn but to save. This conversation aims at your Monday, not just your theology. If a single second in hell would light a fire for evangelism, how do we cultivate that urgency without despair or guilt? We talk about loving the person at your gate, trading comfort for calling, and trusting that all things work together for good for those who love God. Expect clear teaching, practical reflection, and a renewed desire to see names written in the book of life. If this resonated, share it with someone who needs hope, subscribe for future verse-by-verse studies, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your voice helps the message of grace reach one more person. Support the show

    26 min
  2. 1D AGO

    Two Lives, Two Deaths, Two Destinies In Luke 16

    Send us a text Why do some people who seem far from God thrive while faithful people struggle? We sat with Luke 16 and the story of the rich man and Lazarus to face that question without flinching. What looks like favor at the feast can hide a famine of the soul, and what looks like lack at the gate can be kept by God’s quiet care. We pressed beyond the surface to examine how Jesus dismantles the idea that prosperity proves righteousness and instead points us toward a different treasure: the abundance of peace. Walking through Psalm 37, we unpack the pull of envy and the power of trust. “Delight yourself in the Lord” is not a trick to get more stuff; it’s the path that reshapes what we want. As delight grows, God plants new desires—holiness, deeper fellowship, freedom from sin, and a hunger for his kingdom. We trace how those desires change daily choices, quiet anxious comparison, and free us to see people at our gates with compassion rather than suspicion. The turning point comes with death, where illusions end. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom, while the rich man wakes in torment, fully conscious and painfully aware. We talk candidly about Hades, judgment, and why Jesus’ exclusive claim—“I am the way, the truth, and the life”—is not narrow cruelty but rescuing clarity. This conversation invites you to trade the fragile currency of status for the lasting wealth of peace, to let God rewrite your desires, and to measure success by eternity, not the moment. If this message moved you, share it with a friend, subscribe for future teachings, and leave a review to help others find the show. What desire is God reshaping in your heart today? Support the show

    26 min
  3. JAN 15

    Stewardship Over Ownership

    Send us a text A kingdom was expected overnight, but Jesus told a story that reshaped the timeline and the task. Walking through Luke 19, we explore the parable of the minas and what it means to live between a King’s departure and his return. The nobleman goes away to receive a kingdom, entrusts each servant with one mina, and later settles accounts. That single instruction—do business till I come—becomes a blueprint for faithful, everyday discipleship. We unpack how stewardship replaces the myth of ownership. Money, time, gifts, and even relationships are not possessions to control but trusts to cultivate. Pastor Ken draws a straight line from Jeremiah 29 to modern life: build, plant, raise families, and seek the peace of your city, even in a cultural “Babylon.” Far from passivity or panic, waiting looks like vocational excellence, generous living, and steady love for people God treasures. We also confront the hard edge of the story—the citizens who refuse the King—and trace it to the trial before Pilate where the crowd cries, “We have no king but Caesar.” The cross becomes the watershed: the rejected King secures salvation and promises to return. When he does, he will ask what we did with what he entrusted. Some will show tenfold fruit, others five, and some will only reveal a handkerchief and excuses. The difference isn’t talent; it’s trust and obedience. Expect rewards that far exceed the scale of our inputs—authority over cities for faithful trading in small things. By the end, you’ll have a renewed vision for your daily calling: invest your mina, honor the people God placed in your care, and work with hope anchored in the coming kingdom. If this message stirs you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then tell us: what mina will you put to work this week? Support the show

    26 min
  4. 11/07/2025

    What Does Christ's Love for the Church Teach Us About Marriage?

    Send us a text Marriage and divorce through God's eyes reveals surprising truth and profound healing. Pastor Ken Davis tackles the challenging words of Jesus in Matthew 5:31-32, where Christ states that divorcing a spouse for any reason except sexual immorality causes them to commit adultery. This teaching confronts our culture's casual attitude toward divorce while equally challenging church traditions that have often made divorce the unpardonable sin. Pastor Ken uses a powerful illustration of glued wood being forcibly separated—the boards don't cleanly come apart but tear at their weakest points. Similarly, divorce creates damage that affects both spouses regardless of who initiated it. "Divorce is like amputation," he explains. "You can survive it, but there's less of you left after it." This understanding helps explain why God hates divorce—not because He rejects divorced people, but because of the destruction it causes. Scripture provides two allowances for divorce: sexual immorality (Matthew 5) and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7). Yet even in these situations, reconciliation should be pursued whenever possible. Pastor Ken testifies to marriages that should have ended but instead became stronger through grace, humility, and forgiveness. The most powerful revelation comes from Ephesians 5, which shows marriage as a living picture of Christ's relationship with His church. Husbands are called to love sacrificially as Christ loved the church; wives to respect and submit as the church does to Christ. This mutual commitment creates marriages that reflect God's unwavering faithfulness. When we understand this divine purpose, we see why divorce distorts this spiritual image while appreciating God's abundant grace for those who've experienced it. Whether you're married, divorced, or single, this message offers profound insight into God's design for relationships and His heart toward those wounded by broken covenants. Join us next time as we continue our journey through Luke's Gospel, discovering more about our Savior's teachings on life, love, and redemption. Support the show

    26 min
  5. 11/03/2025

    When Two Become One: Why God Hates Divorce

    Send us a text Ever wondered why Jesus spoke so strongly against divorce? Pastor Ken Davis dives deep into the spiritual reality of marriage as he examines Jesus's confrontation with the Pharisees in Matthew 19. With unflinching clarity, he declares, "Sin is sin. Adultery is sin. Divorce is sin." The message reveals how the Pharisees misused Moses's divorce allowance as justification for ending marriages "for any reason." Jesus counters by pointing to creation itself—God's original design where two become one flesh. This spiritual union explains why divorce causes such profound damage. As Pastor Ken powerfully illustrates, "Divorce is like amputation. You can survive it, but there's less of you left after it." Through careful examination of Scripture, Pastor Ken uncovers the true purpose behind Moses's divorce certificate—not to encourage separation but to protect vulnerable women in a patriarchal society. He explores why Jesus said a man who divorces his wife "causes her to commit adultery," revealing that sin never remains contained but "gets all over everything." What makes this teaching particularly powerful is its balance of truth and grace. While maintaining God's high standard for marriage, Pastor Ken testifies that "there is no marriage God cannot heal" when couples submit to Him with humility and forgiveness. Even after adultery, reconciliation remains possible through God's redemptive power. Whether you're married, divorced, single, or somewhere in between, this message will transform your understanding of God's heart for marriage. It challenges us to view our commitments through His eyes and to let our "yes be yes." Tune in for a compassionate yet uncompromising look at one of Jesus's most challenging teachings. Support the show

    26 min
  6. 10/31/2025

    Marriage Under Attack: Biblical Truths in a Changing Culture

    Send us a text Marriage stands at a crossroads in our society. As Pastor Ken Davis unfolds the profound truths of Luke 16:18, we confront Jesus' straightforward teaching that "whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery." This challenging verse emerges amid Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees who justified themselves before men while God knew their hearts. Marriage today faces unprecedented attacks from three directions. The ease of obtaining divorces has undermined marriage's permanence, with some states becoming "divorce capitals" where people temporarily relocate to take advantage of lenient laws. Simultaneously, many dismiss marriage as unnecessary, preferring serial cohabitation without legal commitment. Most fundamentally, our culture actively works to redefine marriage as something other than the union between one man and one woman that God established at creation. What makes this teaching particularly difficult is the disconnect between belief and practice within church communities. Statistics suggest divorce rates are actually higher among churchgoers than non-churchgoers. While this may partially reflect believers feeling more compelled to marry rather than cohabitate, it represents a troubling contradiction between professed faith and lived experience. Scripture leaves no ambiguity – Malachi 2:16 states clearly that God hates divorce. Yet Pastor Ken emphasizes a crucial distinction: while God hates divorce, He doesn't hate divorced people. Too often, churches respond with condemnation rather than compassion, driving away those who most need healing. The biblical position balances truth and grace – acknowledging sin while extending forgiveness. When examining Moses' allowance for divorce certificates, Jesus clarified this was a concession "because of the hardness of your hearts" but "from the beginning it was not so." These certificates actually protected women, ensuring they could legally remarry without accusations of adultery. God's original design, established in Genesis 2, reveals that marriage was God's idea – a sacred covenant that reflected His character and purposes. Whether you're married, divorced, single, or somewhere in between, this teaching challenges us to align our view of marriage with God's unchanging word rather than shifting cultural norms. Join us as we explore how to honor God's design while extending Christ's compassion to everyone. Support the show

    26 min
  7. 10/28/2025

    You Are the Treasure He Sold Everything to Buy

    Send us a text What truly lies at the heart of God's Kingdom? Pastor Ken Davis takes us deep into Jesus' parables about the mustard seed, birds in branches, and leaven in Luke 13:19-21, revealing surprising and sometimes troubling spiritual truths that challenge our comfortable Christianity. Through the principle of expositional constancy, Pastor Ken unveils how the birds nesting in the mustard tree represent evil forces infiltrating God's Kingdom—false teachers and corrupting influences that attempt to weaken the church from within. This interpretation aligns perfectly with Jesus' parable of wheat and tares, where enemy-planted weeds grow alongside true believers until the final harvest. The parable of leaven similarly warns about sin permeating the church when left unchecked. Throughout history, we've witnessed cycles of corruption and renewal as leaven enters the body of Christ. Particularly in American Christianity, we've often adopted a weak, compromised version of faith that confesses Jesus with lips but fails to submit to His Lordship in daily living. Most powerfully, Pastor Ken reframes the parables of treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great price. Rather than us giving everything to obtain Christ, these parables reveal that we are the treasure—Christ gave everything to purchase us. Just as an irritant produces a pearl in an oyster, the Holy Spirit's convicting presence produces something precious in us when we respond to His work. This teaching confronts us with a profound question: Is our faith genuine enough to withstand persecution? As one Chinese house church leader provocatively suggests, perhaps the American church needs persecution to distinguish authentic faith from cultural Christianity. When following Christ costs everything, only those truly committed will remain. Join us next time as we continue our verse-by-verse study through the Gospel of Luke and discover more transformative truths from God's Word. Visit HeedTheWord.org to access more resources and continue growing in your understanding of Scripture. Support the show

    26 min
  8. 10/24/2025

    Money's Grip: The Battle Between Mammon and Faith

    Send us a text Pastor Ken Davis cuts straight to the heart of our most challenging idol - money. In this eye-opening examination of Luke 16, he reveals Jesus' counterintuitive teaching that money is "least" important while most Americans treat it as "most" important. The compelling parable of the unjust steward serves as a contrast rather than an example, showing how Christians should be as intentional and strategic with their resources for Kingdom purposes as worldly people are for personal gain. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This timeless truth resonates throughout the message as Pastor Ken boldly challenges our cultural assumptions about wealth. D.L. Moody's wisdom echoes through the teaching: "I can tell more about a man's spirituality by looking at his checkbook than I can by his prayer book." Our spending habits truly reveal our priorities. Through powerful biblical examples from Genesis, Pastor Ken demonstrates how tithing predates the Mosaic Law, seen in Abraham's interaction with Melchizedek and Jacob's promise to give a tenth despite having nothing but a staff. The message transforms our understanding from "giving to God" to "returning what already belongs to Him" through a memorable live demonstration with a volunteer. This isn't about religious obligation or earning salvation. Rather, it's about alignment with God's principles and priorities. The question isn't whether the church will survive without your financial faithfulness - it's whether you can spiritually thrive while withholding what belongs to God. Whether you're financially comfortable or struggling to make ends meet, this message offers liberating perspective on money's proper place in the Christian life. Ready to reconsider your relationship with money and possessions? Listen, reflect, and allow God's Word to challenge your assumptions about wealth, giving, and what truly matters in life's economy. Support the show

    26 min

About

Heed The Word is the online Bible teaching ministry of Pastor Ken Davis of Calvary Chapel Southwest Metro, a non-denominational church in Joshua, Texas. We are committed to bringing our listeners the Word of God by simply teaching the Bible simply. It is our hope that these broadcasts will encourage you to believe in Jesus Christ, and to grow as His disciple as you walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called.Our latest episodes are a rebroadcast of our "Heed the Word" radio program.  These episodes were originally broadcast on KDKR.  At that time our church was located in Burleson, Texas though we have since relocated to Joshua.  Additionally, these episodes indicate that CD copies can be ordered, but as they are now available through our podcast, we are no longer offering physical copies of these messages.  It is our continued hope that these Bible teachings are an encouragement to you and we appreciate you joining us here on Heed the Word!