Best Pastor Rick and Josh Plantholt Podcasts (2025)

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Monday B-Side 24:01

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3d ago24:01

24:01

Here, Jesus explains what is meant when Mark calls him the Christ in Mark 1:1: he's going to suffer, die, and rise again. Regarding the deutero-canonical books included in Catholic Bibles, 1 and 2 Maccabees for example were in the septuagint, used as a source for Bible translation. The works are mostly historical. Jesus contradicts the assertion ma…

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The Real Mission of the Messiah - Mark 8:31-33 and Hebrews 12:1-3 45:33

4d ago45:33

45:33

In the book of Mark so far, Everyone has misunderstood who Jesus is. In chapters 1-8, faith is scarce. The main source for people's beliefs were intertestamental writings, nonbiblical sources such as the Psalms Of Solomon... which speak of the Messiah as a great military leader. They missed that he'd be the suffering servant spoken of in Isaiah! Ve…

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Monday B-Side 28:53

10d ago28:53

28:53

The Pharisees were looking for a sign... so Jesus didn't want to heal the blind man publicly. He at first says the people look like trees... 1. He wasn't always blind 2. It was as if he was briefly seeing people as "trees" in another dimension. If anyone would follow Jesus, he must carry a tree (cross). 3. 1 Enoch was popular, quoted in Scripture. …

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Walking Trees - Mark 8:22-30 51:06

11d ago51:06

51:06

Peter's confession begins the passion narrative, the road to the cross. v22-24... The people asked him to heal their friend, he touched his hand and spit on him and he was partially healed. Then he laid his hands on the man's eyes and he was healed completely. Why the delay? A miracle in two stages. He didn't have to do it this way. He chose to... …

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B-Side - Matthew 8:11-21 23:13

17d ago23:13

23:13

Why doesn't Jesus give the Pharisees a sign? He knew they'd still view him as a deceiver, as he didn't follow the man-made traditions they consider on par with Scripture. In Mark 3:22, they already claimed he performs his miracles demonically. They've tried to create a no-win situation for him. No sign will be given... three thoughts: 1. Jesus is g…

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Leaven - Mark 8:11-21 48:44

18d ago48:44

48:44

In today's passage, Mark moves from a gentile-centric account to one focused on the Pharisees. Their demands for a sign from heaven come not from faith, but from a lack of it; they're trying to test Jesus (like Satan did), and he's having no part of it. We see the same story in Matthew 16:2... Here, we find that the Pharisees can read lots of thing…

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Extra Credit - 1 Samuel 1 - Part 2 (verses 19-28) 37:35

24d ago37:35

37:35

1 Sam 1:15-28 Hannah is barren; she represents Israel. Eli represents the high priests of Israel, with a bad eye, spiritually blind. He's a wicked father who has put his wicked sons in charge of the temple. Hannah is godly, but a woman of great anxiety... anxiety is a given in this world; everyone experiences it and it's not necessarily a sign of w…

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John 18 - Playing with Fire 41:01

25d ago41:01

41:01

Fire is more than a physical element in Scripture. It's the very essence of God's presence, his consuming love, and the transformative power that shapes us into his image. From the burning bush that wasn't consumed to the flames that danced on Pentecost, we see that God invites us to dwell in his glory without being destroyed. God designed the enti…

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B-Side - Mark 7:31-8_10 + Matthew 15:29-39 29:16

1M ago29:16

29:16

Jesus loves all people; he feeds Jew and Gentile. He provides for those who put their faith in him; he's the Good Shepherd who provides for his flock. So much of Jesus' work rendered him "unclean" by the Pharisees' standards; he completely rejected the oral tradition of the Pharisees. Jesus' journey was not direct through the region. It appears he …

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Compassion to the Lost - Mark 7:31-8:10, Matthew 15:29-39 45:12

1M ago45:12

45:12

Mark 7:31-8:10 Jesus healed a deaf man, and we know from elsewhere that the Pharisees are upset with his breach of cleanliness. He told people not to tell about the healing, but they did anyway, so the crowds became even more of a problem. Then Jesus feeds the 4000, primarily gentiles, around the Decapolis. He'd fed the 5000 (mostly Jews) before, a…

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B-Side - Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28 18:34

1M ago18:34

18:34

In this passage, we're being introduced to the fact, by and large, that the gentiles will be the ones who accept Jesus as Lord. Jesus withdrew from Tyre and Sidon because he felt he has to leave. In parallel with Elijah, he meets a Syrophoenician woman, then tests the woman (with the parable about bread), and he heals her child. Tyre and Sidon were…

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Great Faith - Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28 52:44

1M ago52:44

52:44

Jesus first came to the Jewish people... Feed the children (Jews) first, then the puppies/dogs (gentiles). This gentile woman from the region that gave us Jezebel was the first person outside the apostles to hear and understand a parable... and this is the only time in the gospels that Jesus concedes another person's point! And he heals her daughte…

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B-Side - Mark 7:14-23 21:22

1M ago21:22

21:22

Nothing outside a man can come in and defile him. Jesus explains this to the apostles from inside a house; the Pharisees want him dead, but it's not yet his time, so he often meets indoors, in secret. The disciples ask Jesus to explain the parable because they need God to open their eyes. 1Cor1:21-25... the wisdom of men is foolishness to God. Only…

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Traditions and Total Depravity - Mark 7:14-23 52:56

2M ago52:56

52:56

When the traditions of men become law, they can divide and devastate the people of God. The Hebrew oral traditions strayed from the main point of the Law, and ended up dishonoring what God actually requires. This is why we adhere to Scripture alone as the final authority! It's not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out (evil thou…

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Extra Credit - 1 Samuel 1 - Part 1 (verses 1-18) 43:07

2M ago43:07

43:07

1 and 2 Samuel (two parts of one work) and 1 and 2 Kings (also two parts of one work) are sequential, and should be read together. There's been a great apostasy in Israel as we start 1 Samuel. Samuel was born to become a lifeline for Israel, a precursor looking ahead to Jesus. Polygamy is described here, not endorsed. Hannah is the favored one, des…

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B-Side - Mark 6:53-7:13 31:47

2M ago31:47

31:47

When you follow God's leading, sometimes you later look back and it looks completely different from what you thought he was calling you to. But if we're following his will, he is with us! Jesus touches the unclean to heal them, and the Pharisees challenge him for his uncleanliness. Jesus prioritized the unclean and reached out to them, and the Phar…

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The Traditions of Men and the Word of God - Mark 6:53-7:13 57:02

2M ago57:02

57:02

Let's not be nitpickers and fault finders! Some good marriage advice: don't major in the minors. Satan likes to take those little irksome things and amplify them. We are to genuinely love one another, not just give them our words but give them our hearts. Don't follow the commandments of men over the holy scriptures! When man's teaching disagrees w…

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B-Side - Mark 6:45-52 20:17

2M ago20:17

20:17

We need to trust and prioritize the authority of Christ above our own feelings, and learn to depend entirely upon his will. In walking on water, Jesus is demonstrating he is God; he also identifies himself as the "I Am" of the scriptures. Mark seems to have been a scribe for Peter; Peter taught (mainly to a Roman audience) and Mark recorded it. The…

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God of the Waters - Mark 6:45-52 52:33

2M ago52:33

52:33

After feeding the 5,0000, Jesus sends the apostles away and deals with the crowd himself. He didn't want the apostles to get swept up in what the crowd wanted from him (a political / military savior). He is our King, not a puppet of the people's agendas! As Jesus walks on water to rescue the apostles, we see that the only reason we make it through …

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B-Side - Psalm 3 25:09

2M ago25:09

25:09

The focal point of Psalm 3 is David's confidence and trust in the Lord. He's on the run, likely from Absalom in this case. He's accused of not being a believer; his enemies are trying to discredit him. This forces them to discredit the prophet Nathan and the very office of prophet, discredit David's Psalms and the miracles God worked through him. T…

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Satanic Societies and the Death of Charlie Kirk - Matthew 11:12, Ezekiel 25 49:31

2M ago49:31

49:31

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is indicative of growing hostility towards Christians today. This conflict is not primarily political but spiritual, a battle between good and evil. We must respond to hatred and violence with Christ-like love, patience, and steadfastness, while also warning of God's judgment on those who rejoice in evil. The only …

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A Transformed Life - Acts 8:26-39 33:25

2M ago33:25

33:25

God's timing is perfect, and we must always be ready to share our faith. When we're willing to step out in faith, he can use us, ordinary people, to accomplish the extraordinary! Philip's obedience to the Holy Spirit led to a divine appointment. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch shows us how God orchestrates encounters, bringing together those seek…

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B-Side - Psalm 4:5-8 24:54

3M ago24:54

24:54

If someone has betrayed you or deeply wronged you, there cannot be no real restoration until there's true repentance. verse 5: we must offer right sacrifices... Romans 12:1: we are as living sacrifices; we die to self and live for Christ. verses 6-7: David has more joy than that of the wicked when their grain and wine are plentiful. Deuteronomy 28.…

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Joy and Peace - Psalm 4:4-8 51:36

3M ago51:36

51:36

If you've accepted Jesus as the atonement for your sins, God's grace is with you, and his face shines upon you! We will glow in heaven because we'll be covered with the light of God's face. Those who have trusted in Jesus as their only hope will worship him face to face, in his presence! His face will shine on us for eternity. The New Jerusalem wil…

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B-Side - Psalm 4 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

In Psalm 4, David is on the run, fleeing from his rebellious son Absalom. It's nighttime, and his mind is flooded with worries. He cries out to God for help. He's in a tight space (similar to Ps23, in the valley of the shadow of death), and God enlarges it for him, leads him through. The trap is to think our situation will never get better... we sh…

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Righteous Anger - Psalm 4 1:01:01

3M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

We should be training in spiritual disciplines the way athletes train for their sport. Self-control, hospitality, uprightness. To pursue living righteously, we need the Holy Spirit. Be angry and don't sin. Anger is inevitable, but you can control how you respond. Wait before lashing out. As we're conformed to the son, our anger will lead less and l…

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B-Side - Mark 6:30-44 30:59

3M ago30:59

30:59

Zeal for Christ can quickly become zeal for works and legalism, leading to a lack of joy, and ultimately disconnection from God. Joy must be part of the Christian life! John 15, "...that your joy may be full." Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy." In Galatians 5:22, joy is a fruit of the spirit. The ones objecting to Jesus' joy…

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Feeding of the 5K Part 2 - Mark 6:30-44 45:36

3M ago45:36

45:36

Like the child who offered five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a starving crowd of 5000, we can offer our meager gifts to God and trust in his provision, because he provides abundantly for his people! As we work for his Kingdom, we must keep a balance between zealous service and restful celebration. There's significance to the numbers recorde…

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B-Side - Mark 6:14-29 21:43

3M ago21:43

21:43

This B-Side returns to the death of John the Baptist, taught in Sunday service on July 6th (linked here: subspla.sh/xxq2qhc )... We're sent out into the world to be known, so God's mighty works can be known. Not so everyone can see how great we are, but to point them to the goodness of God! Herod arrested John because his wife hated him, but also f…

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Feeding of the 5K - Mark 6:30-44 54:14

3M ago54:14

54:14

The good shepherd referred to back in Psalm 23 is Jesus... he is our Shepherd and King! We were designed to need a shepherd, to worship something, so we all follow some religion, be it politics, self-reliance, atheism. But the only worthy object of our worship is Jesus! The Good Shepherd lays down his own life for his sheep. He's always kind, faith…

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John 18 35:27

4M ago35:27

35:27

When Jesus confronts his arresters in the Garden of Gethsemane, we see his power and his sacrificial love. He is the 'I Am,' able to knock an entire army to the ground with just a glimpse of His divine glory. He's the Good Shepherd, stepping forward to protect his flock, willingly offering himself in place of his disciples. Like the olive in an oli…

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B-Side - Hebrews 5:11-6:3 32:08

4M ago32:08

32:08

Hebrews was a sermon, probably by Paul, but its authorship is uncertain; could be Barnabas, Apollos or others. It's likely a transcription of a sermon written to a Messianic church. Here the writer simplifies the gospel, as if for children. Know your audience! Adults need meat, but babies need milk; the simple, basic things bear repeating for them.…

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ABCs - Hebrews 5:11-6:3 53:25

4M ago53:25

53:25

Christians are to be always learning, growing, and desiring to grow. Come as you are! But don't stay as you are. We must grow daily in our faith, and in our skill in the scriptures. Christian maturity teaches us the balance in moral issues. We should be moving toward purity, toward Christ, but we must avoid the temptation of legalism, creating rule…

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Infinite Beauty - Genesis 1, John 17 31:47

4M ago31:47

31:47

Our God is the God who speaks to us, the God who sings to us, and the God who marries us. He's artistic and communicative by nature: he speaks creation into existence, and his communication continues with humanity. His creation is an artistic expression of his character and wisdom. Though mankind fell in Eden, he continues to pursue us, and redeems…

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Cascading Sin - Mark 6:14-29 1:00:59

5M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Sin begets sin: one sin leads to another and they compound. John the Baptist spoke truth to Herod and Herodias, which impressed Herod, but angered Herodias; some people are attracted to the Holy Spirit, but some are repelled. When Herod, weakened by fleshly desire for Herodias' daughter, offered her anything she wanted, Herodias used the opportunit…

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B-Side - Mark 6:7-13 30:09

5M ago30:09

30:09

The term "apostle" is a special designation for someone to whom Jesus gave authority to teach on his behalf, even to write Scripture itself. Today we have bishops, presbyters, pastors, deacons and other offices, but the apostolic age ended with the twelve apostles. When the apostles stayed in a home, regardless of its comfort level, they were to st…

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Messengers of Repentance - Mark 6:7-13 48:15

5M ago48:15

48:15

God called the apostles, and he equipped them; he will equip you for your calling as well. He brings us through the valleys to teach us not to fear. He sent his son to save the world, and that requires not acceptance of the world's sin, but repentance from it. So we must tell the truth in love, remaining faithful to God's message!…

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B-Side - Mark 6:1-6 31:42

5M ago31:42

31:42

The people of Nazareth grew up with Jesus, so he was familiar to them; they didn't see him as any big deal. In our lives, we may know people who grew up knowing about Jesus and are very familiar with him, but who've never fully handed their lives over to him. Being near Jesus and knowing some things about him is not the same as believing in him. It…

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Honor - Mark 6:1-6 51:34

5M ago51:34

51:34

When Jesus returned to his hometown, he was not valued as he should have been. He made no great outpouring of mighty works there, as the Holy Spirit hadn't opened the hearts of the people. As believers with discernment, we are to honor and glorify, value and acknowledge our God. Praise him and make him known! You were bought with a price: the blood…

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Word, Life, Light - John 1:1-5 40:24

5M ago40:24

40:24

Jesus is the source of light and life; he chases away the darkness of sin. He is the physical embodiment of God's Word, present from creation, bringing light and life to believers. We're called to live confidently as children of the light of Christ!By Mike Baker

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B-Side - Genesis 43-45 23:52

5M ago23:52

23:52

Joseph's brothers were jealous of their father's favoritism toward him, and left him to die, causing him to be sold into Egyptian slavery. After correctly interpreting Pharaoh's dream, he rose to second in command of Egypt. Years later, Joseph invited his estranged brothers for dinner and concocted a scenario that ultimately proved to him that his …

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Effective Prayer - 1 Peter 46:27

5M ago46:27

46:27

Effective prayer begins with a life of walking the path of Christ. The prayer itself must be real, from your heart, not just giving lip service, or repeating canned prayers without meaning. With the Holy Spirit's leading, and because of the work of the Son, we pray with confidence directly to God the Father, in fear and awe of his holiness and auth…

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B-Side - Psalm 24 38:23

6M ago38:23

38:23

There are many "hills of the Lord," both in the Old and New Testaments. Even in the very beginning, the Garden of Eden was atop a hill. Jacob met God at Mt. Bethel, Moses met him at Mt. Sinai; even Joshua was only allowed in its lower parts. David had Mt. Zion, a foreshadowing of the New Jerusalem, where God's people will live with him for all eter…

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The Ascension - Psalm 24:7-10 42:15

6M ago42:15

42:15

Jesus is the conquering King of Glory, mighty in battle, who has defeated sin, death, and Satan! As the ark was returned to Mount Zion in victory, Christ ascended into heaven in victory! He's the conquering warrior we need in spiritual warfare, and our key to heaven. If you don't yet believe, seek him now, while you still can!…

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Who Shall Ascend the Mountain? - Psalm 24:1-6 49:24

6M ago49:24

49:24

Who can approach the living God? One with clean hands, who neither plans nor does evil, whose soul isn't lifted up to the pursuit of false things or idols, and who is transparent, without deceit. David is describing the character of the godly! The reverential awe of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Once we've come to Jesus, we are called to fol…

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B-Side - Mark 5:25-34 27:16

6M ago27:16

27:16

The four miracles in Mark 4-5 all have this in common: God brings hope to hopeless situations. Jesus reveals himself as God, as creator. He is our refuge in times of trouble. In all the miracles, death was threatening, and Jesus brings life. He is the atoner! Structurally, the center of today's passage is the woman being healed, and power going out…

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The Atoner - Mark 5:25-34 49:25

6M ago49:25

49:25

Jesus is one with the Father, so the Old Testament laws of uncleanliness do not apply to him. The woman with the issue of blood simply put her faith in him to heal her, and Jesus not only healed her, but made her pure! Our Lord is the ultimate purifier; the unclean doesn't render him unclean, but is rather purified by his sheer holiness. As followe…

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B-Side - Mark 5:21-43 25:03

6M ago25:03

25:03

The stories of Jairus's daughter and the woman with the issue of blood are told together, and intertwined. The girl was 12 years old, and the woman's issue of blood had lasted 12 years. The girl experienced death, and due to Levitical laws, the woman was associated with death for 12 years. Both the woman and Jairus were desperate for healing, and J…

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Resurrection Power - Mark 5:21-43 46:48

6M ago46:48

46:48

When Jesus resurrects Jairus's daughter, he shows he is Lord even over death. He says she wasn't dead, "only sleeping"... Does that mean when we die, we go into soul sleep until the resurrection of the dead? The Bible says no in multiple places. Jesus says "sleeping" as a way of describing our eternity; it's more accurate than saying "dead". Becaus…

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The Lost Bride - Genesis 1-2 28:19

7M ago28:19

28:19

God's love for his lost bride (humanity) is profound. We can trace it through history: creation, the fall, Abraham and Isaac, the tabernacle and priestly garments, the Song of Solomon, and our redemption through Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection. God is committed to rescuing and restoring his people despite their unfaithfulness. His ultimat…

Pastor Rick And Josh Plantholt Podcasts