
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Send us Fan Mail
A prophet loses his head, a crowd finds a meal, a disciple sinks and is saved—Matthew 14 is a collision of courage, scarcity, and rescue that speaks right into modern life. We walk through John the Baptist’s costly stand for truth, the tender power of Jesus multiplying a boy’s small lunch, the storm where Peter steps out and begins to sink, and the shoreline of Gennesaret where testimony turns into a wave of healing.
We talk about how integrity clashes with approval-seeking, why “not enough” is often the doorway to abundance, and how a two-word prayer—Lord, save—carries more power than polished speeches. The feeding of the five thousand becomes more than a miracle story; it’s a pattern for ministry and life: receive from Jesus, then give. We explore the quiet sacrament behind the loaves, the meaning of distribution, and how a desolate place becomes a table. Then, in the wind and waves, we trace the anatomy of faith: bold step, darting eyes, rising fear, honest cry, steady hand. The rebuke is real, but so is the rescue—and both are mercy.
Finally, we head into a Gentile region primed by a former demoniac’s testimony and watch how stories make room for healing where unbelief once closed doors. Along the way, we name truths worth carrying: God multiplies what we entrust to him, meets us in fear, and saves those who call. We also face our patterns: rejecting inconvenient truth, rushing to fear, and underestimating what God can do with small offerings. If you’ve ever felt outmatched by the need in front of you or the storm beneath you, this chapter—and this conversation—will help you see the hand that still holds.
If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a quick review to help others find it.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
Send us Fan Mail
Pastor Plek reads Matthew 14.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
Send us Fan Mail
What if understanding grows only after trust? We walk through Matthew 13 with open Bibles and honest questions, tracing how Jesus’ parables reveal and conceal at the same time—inviting the hungry while humbling the proud. Along the way, we wrestle with the weight of Jesus’ words on judgment and hell, the comfort of his patience, and the startling claim that he himself sends the harvesters. It’s a sober conversation that still leaves room for joy, because the same Judge is also our Advocate.
From there, we move into the sower’s four soils and swap real-life stories: hearts where the word is snatched, excitement that withers under pressure, and faith slowly strangled by the cares of life and the deceitfulness of riches. The antidotes are old and fresh—contentment, generosity, and a rooted life that doesn’t bow to wealth’s false security. We also celebrate the fertile soil and its varied yield, reframing success as faithfulness to the measure of faith God has given. Some will be “thirtyfold,” some “hundredfold,” and none of it is wasted. Tucked inside is a reminder that small beginnings can have world-changing ripples.
The treasure and the pearl bring the theme home: the kingdom is a free gift that still costs everything, and joy makes the math make sense. We don’t “add” Jesus to a curated life; we reorder our loves and find freedom. We close with the sting of familiarity in Nazareth—why those who know you best may hear you least—and a simple call to action: sow the word and trust God with the growth. If you’re craving a thoughtful, pastor-led walk through parables, judgment, faith, wealth, and fruitfulness, pull up a chair and press play.
If this conversation encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
Send us Fan Mail
Pastor Plek reads Matthew 13.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
Send us Fan Mail
Mercy doesn’t bend the rules—it reveals their point. We walk through Matthew 12 and watch Jesus confront legalism, reclaim the Sabbath as a gift, and invite us into a family defined not by bloodlines but by doing the will of God. From plucking grain to healing on a holy day, He shows why the Lord of the Sabbath has authority to say what truly honors God: doing good, giving rest, and lifting burdens. That lens challenges modern church culture, where preferences can masquerade as commands and control can eclipse compassion.
We also face the sober warning about spiritual emptiness. Moral cleanup without the presence of Jesus can leave a life tidy, proud, and dangerously vacant. The story of the returning unclean spirit isn’t an ancient oddity; it’s a mirror for self-help spirituality that fixes habits but ignores the heart. Real freedom is not just vice removal; it’s a house filled with Christ—His Spirit making holiness warm, humble, and alive.
The conversation turns tender as we wrestle with belonging. When Jesus names His disciples as mother and brothers, He doesn’t dismiss family—He widens it. For listeners in communal cultures counting the cost of faith, this is both challenge and comfort: the path may be costly, but you are not alone. For individualists drifting through church as an event, it’s an invitation to a household where rest is practiced, mercy is normal, and love has weight. Join us as we explore Sabbath rest, the danger of religious pride, the unseen spiritual battle, and the hope of a family that will not cast you out. If this encouraged you or made you think, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
Send us Fan Mail
Pastor Plek reads Matthew 12.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
Send us Fan Mail
What happens when the greatest prophet who ever lived begins to doubt? Matthew chapter 11 takes us on a rollercoaster journey through some of the most profound theological tensions in scripture—doubt and faith, judgment and mercy, revelation and concealment.
We begin with John the Baptist, languishing in prison and questioning everything he thought he knew about Jesus. The same John who boldly proclaimed Jesus as "the Lamb of God" now sends disciples to ask, "Are you really the one?" Jesus responds not with simple reassurance but by pointing to fulfilled prophecy—while subtly omitting the part about freeing captives. The message is clear: John, you're right about who I am, but your suffering will continue. This poignant exchange reminds us that faith can coexist with honest questioning, and God's plan may include suffering for even his most faithful servants.
The chapter then pivots dramatically as Jesus unleashes scathing condemnation on unrepentant cities. This isn't the sanitized, always-gentle Jesus of greeting cards but the righteous judge who holds accountable those who witness divine power yet refuse to change. Most provocatively, Jesus thanks his Father for deliberately hiding truth from "the wise and understanding" while revealing it to "little children." He celebrates that salvation comes not through human intelligence or effort but through divine revelation—a profound truth that has fueled theological debate for centuries. The chapter concludes with Jesus's tender invitation to find rest in him, a beautiful contrast to his earlier words of judgment.
Whether you're wrestling with doubt, curious about Jesus's full character beyond popular stereotypes, or simply seeking spiritual rest, this exploration of Matthew 11 offers challenging insights and comforting truths. Join us as we discover that Jesus is both more demanding and more compassionate than we often assume.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
Send us Fan Mail
Pastor Plek reads Matthew 11.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
Send us Fan Mail
Fear, family division, and divine protection converge in this deep dive into Matthew 10. What happens when following Jesus costs you everything? Pastor Plack and Jordan Smith tackle this challenging chapter that outlines Jesus' commissioning of the twelve disciples, His stark warnings about persecution, and the ultimate price of discipleship.
The conversation takes a profound turn when examining Jesus' instructions about fearing God rather than people who can only harm the body. "Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" presents a sobering reminder of eternal consequences. Yet alongside these warnings comes extraordinary comfort: God knows the number of hairs on your head and values you more than many sparrows. This paradox of discipleship—extreme cost alongside intimate divine care—forms the heart of the discussion.
Perhaps most challenging is Jesus' warning that following Him might divide families. Jordan vulnerably shares his struggle with addressing sin in the lives of loved ones, particularly regarding same-sex relationships. The hosts wrestle with applying Scripture's bold commands while recognizing the need for wisdom in timing and approach. They remind listeners that God promises to give words to speak when facing opposition, whether in courtrooms or conversations.
The episode concludes with the encouraging truth that even small acts of faithfulness—like offering a cup of cold water in Jesus' name—carry eternal significance. Ready to explore what it truly means to follow Jesus, no matter the cost? Listen now and discover why the kingdom of heaven being "at hand" changes everything about how we live today.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
Send us Fan Mail
Pastor Plek reads Matthew 10.
Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.
From the publisher's feed
Pastor Chris Plekenpol and his guests explore the Bible together one chapter at a time. They offer practical insights, theological depth, and real-life applications. Dive in for engaging…