Pleasing God Podcast

Send a text What is faith? In our culture, faith can mean many different things. It can refer to optimism, sincerity, strong feelings, or simply believing in something. But what does the Bible actually mean when it speaks about faith? In this first episode of a new series, What Does the Bible Say About? , we slow down and look carefully at Scripture to understand what true, saving faith really is....

Send a text Most Christians believe they should share the gospel — but when the moment comes, anxiety, pressure, and a fear of saying the wrong thing often get in the way. In this episode, we tackle one of the most common struggles in the Christian life: how to talk about Jesus naturally and faithfully without it feeling forced or awkward. We dig into what the Bible actually says about evangelism...

Send a text In today’s polarized cultural moment, many Christians feel caught in a tension:  If we speak clearly, we’re labeled as harsh. If we speak gently, we’re accused of compromise. So how do followers of Jesus hold firm convictions without losing Christlike character? In this episode of The Pleasing God Podcast , we explore what Scripture teaches about truth, gentleness, and courage, and why...

Send a text What kind of faith truly lasts? In a culture shaped by distraction, instability, and constant change, many Christians feel pressure to pursue visible growth, spiritual intensity, or quick transformation. Scripture, however, directs our attention deeper to the unseen roots that sustain a lasting Christian faith. In this episode of The Pleasing God Podcast , we explore what it means to b...

Send a text If Christians are saved by grace alone, why does obedience still matter? In this episode of The Pleasing God Podcast , we explore the biblical relationship between grace and obedience, and why the gospel does not weaken obedience but produces it. Drawing on passages such as Titus 2:11–14, Ephesians 2:8–10, and John 14:15, this episode unpacks the difference between legalistic obedience...

Send a text In a world shaped by constant visibility and comparison, contentment has become increasingly elusive. From social media to ministry metrics, we are regularly tempted to measure our lives against others rather than live faithfully before God. In this episode, we explore what Scripture teaches about contentment in an age of comparison. Drawing from Philippians 4, Galatians 6, and 2 Corin...

Send a text Work occupies much of our lives, yet many Christians give little theological attention to it. Is work merely a necessity, a burden of the fall, or something to endure until “real ministry” begins? In this episode, we explore a biblical theology of work and vocation, rooted in creation, marked by the fall, and reoriented through redemption in Christ. Beginning in Genesis and moving thro...

Send a text As we begin 2026, it’s helpful to pause and ask not simply what we plan to do, but how we are walking before the Lord. In this episode, we turn to Colossians 1:9-10 to consider what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and fully pleasing to Him. From that biblical foundation, Jonathan shares the heart and direction of Pleasing God Ministries for the year ahead and how the Pl...

Send a text We explore why clarity about Jesus in the Gospel of Mark is the key to steady discipleship and how a sermon-shaped book, Behold the Christ , can help believers behold him rather than blur him. We share the pastoral burden, structure, and practical ways churches and groups can use it well. • Why the question “Who do you say Jesus is?” matters most • Why sequential exposition through Mar...

Send a text Feeling stretched thin and spiritually tired, we turned to the Psalms—not to skim, but to slow down. What we found is both practical and profound: these ancient songs give honest words to modern emotions and lead us straight to Jesus. From the cross to the empty tomb, Christ stands at the center of the Psalter, and reading with that lens changes how we pray, how we hope, and how we fac...

Send a text What if better theology could actually make your church kinder, calmer, and more unified? We sit down with Dr. Matthew Haste of Southern Seminary to explore how loving God with our minds translates into healthier congregations, steadier leaders, and clearer discipleship. From the joy of “light bulb” moments to the hard work of guarding against drift, we unpack why training pastors isn’...

Send a text What if the life you want can only be found on the other side of surrender? We open Luke 9:23 and sit with Jesus’ words to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him—then we trace what that actually looks like when comfort collides with calling. Jonathan walks through the stark paradox at the heart of discipleship: losing life to find it, dying to truly live. We contrast t...

Send a text Ever wonder why so many sincere believers still feel unmoored—attending services, sampling sermons, but never truly belonging? We explore how Scripture paints a richer, sturdier vision of the local church and why being counted and known is essential to a healthy Christian life. With Pastor Jim at the table, we walk through Acts 2’s immersive community, where teaching, prayer, generosit...

Send a text The most important conversations in a church rarely happen behind a desk; they start in pews, hallways, and kitchens. We sat down with Pastor Seth to explore how counseling can move from a specialized silo to a normal rhythm of discipleship, where Scripture, the Spirit, and the local church work together to bring hope, clarity, and change. Instead of outsourcing every struggle, we outl...

Send a text What if the strongest marriages are built on simple, steady friendship? We dive into how liking your spouse—laughing together, choosing small moments of care, and protecting time that isn’t about the kids—creates a marriage that feels safe, joyful, and resilient. From a spur-of-the-moment golf date to “sushi Sundays” after bedtime, we share real rhythms that keep us connected in the mi...

Send a text What if the whole Bible is one story with Jesus at the center? We open the text with that question and follow the thread from Genesis to Revelation, letting the Emmaus Road guide how we read, interpret, and apply Scripture. Rather than treating the Bible as a grab bag of inspirational lines or moral tales, we explore how Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms bear witness to Christ—and wh...

Send a text What if the church’s health could be seen in the air—balanced, steady, and lifting—because evangelism and discipleship finally fly on two wings? That image frames a rich conversation with Pastor Jim about a calling forged in the Navy, nineteen years of waiting that taught presence over programs, and a pastoral philosophy where outreach grows from love of souls and discipleship is built...

Send a text What sustains a pastor through decades of ministry in one church? In this deeply personal conversation, Jonathan Sole interviews his father, Pastor Jim Sole, about his remarkable 23-year journey leading Quinnessett Baptist Church. The conversation traces Pastor Jim's unlikely path from Navy sailor to church leader, beginning with his conversion at age 21 aboard a destroyer in the...

Send a text What does it truly mean to follow Jesus? In a world where Christianity is often reduced to Sunday attendance and general morality, we need to rediscover the radical nature of discipleship that Jesus actually calls us to. The call to follow Jesus is fundamentally personal. When Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee calling his first disciples, he wasn't inviting them to join a reli...

Send a text Jonathan and Katelyn return with a fresh start in Season 4, sharing life updates and discussing the challenges and blessings of remaining faithful to God during difficult seasons. • Season 4 begins with personal updates, including the addition of twin boys to their family of seven children • Biblical perspective on faithfulness from James 1:2-4 - counting trials as joy because they pro...

Send a text What does it truly mean to have a biblical worldview? This question strikes at the heart of authentic Christian living in a world filled with competing perspectives. The framework through which we interpret reality—our worldview—shapes everything from our daily decisions to our deepest beliefs. Yet many believers unknowingly view life through lenses tainted by secular humanism, materia...

Send a text The distinction between spiritual formation and legalism might seem subtle, but it fundamentally transforms how we approach our relationship with God. Join host Pastor Jonathan Sole and Pastor Mike Woodward as they unpack this life-changing difference that many Christians struggle to understand. At the heart of this conversation lies a powerful truth: spiritual formation flows from who...

Send a text Feeling anxious about sharing your faith? You're not alone. That flutter of nervousness when evangelism comes up is something many Christians experience—even those who deeply desire to share Christ with others. The good news? Effective evangelism doesn't require theological degrees or extraordinary speaking skills. In this episode, we explore how to integrate gospel conversat...

Send a text When criticism arrives (and it will), how should followers of Christ respond? Pastor Mike Woodward joins host Jonathan Sole for a powerful conversation about navigating the thorny territory of criticism with biblical wisdom and grace. Drawing from decades of pastoral experience, Mike reveals his proven framework for understanding critics: controllers seeking power, complainers expressi...

Send a text What would change in your life if you truly lived for eternity? Most of us get caught up in the immediate concerns of daily existence—work deadlines, family worries, health issues, and material possessions. These horizontal aspects of life quickly consume our attention while the vertical dimension—our relationship with God and eternal realities—fades into the background. The transforma...