This episode covers why joy is so often misunderstood and why the gospel announces joy in the middle of difficult, uncontrollable, and disappointing circumstances. Using the Christmas story and the context of the incarnation, we confront the false beliefs that joy depends on government, control, ease, timing, possessions, recognition, or certainty of outcomes. By looking closely at how joy entered the world at Christmas — not into comfort, but into hardship — this conversation reframes joy as...
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This episode covers why joy is so often misunderstood and why the gospel announces joy in the middle of difficult, uncontrollable, and disappointing circumstances. Using the Christmas story and the context of the incarnation, we confront the false beliefs that joy depends on government, control, ease, timing, possessions, recognition, or certainty of outcomes. By looking closely at how joy entered the world at Christmas — not into comfort, but into hardship — this conversation reframes joy as...
This episode covers why joy is so often misunderstood and why the gospel announces joy in the middle of difficult, uncontrollable, and disappointing circumstances. Using the Christmas story and the context of the incarnation, we confront the false beliefs that joy depends on government, control, ease, timing, possessions, recognition, or certainty of outcomes. By looking closely at how joy entered the world at Christmas — not into comfort, but into hardship — this conversation reframes joy as...
This episode covers the process of preparing a sermon, from sitting with the text to standing before a room of people. The conversation focuses on how sermons are actually formed over time, why preparation is more than outlining points, and how pastors learn to move a message from the page to the heart. This episode explores developing a personal process, trusting the work of Scripture and the Spirit, and preparing in a way that serves real people rather than performance or pressure. Website:...
This episode covers how the Christmas story reveals God’s larger plan colliding with ordinary human lives. We explore the incarnation as more than a holiday tradition how God enters real stories, carries the weight of the work Himself, and invites us to trust Him when His plans disrupt our own. Through Mary’s response, we examine favor, fear, surrender, and what it truly means to live inside God’s story instead of trying to build our own. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwi...
This episode covers the foundational principles and perspectives on preaching, focusing on the journey from insecurity to confidence in delivering God's message. You’ll hear an honest conversation about the importance of expository preaching, the balance between exegetical, apologetic, and prophetic elements, and how to steward the gift of preaching with humility and authenticity. The discussion delves into the challenges of comparing oneself to other preachers, the significance of preaching ...
This episode covers how the story of Zechariah reveals the deeper theology of Christmas, the subtle sovereignty of God in ordinary moments, and how faith can grow even when life feels confusing or disappointing. You’ll hear a conversation about trusting God when prayers seem unanswered, how to keep your heart soft, and why miracles are real but not regular. This episode also explores the difference between belief and unbelief, how God works through both natural and supernatural means, and wha...
This episode covers what it means to “lead with a limp” — the kind of humility, steadiness, and wisdom that only comes through real life pain and ministry wounds. You’ll hear an honest conversation about the difference between pre-limp and post-limp leadership, why humility matters more than talent, what younger leaders often miss, how seasoned leaders can carry the weight in tough seasons, and how to develop people without rescuing them from the very growth they need. This episode also explo...
This episode includes a deep conversation on cultivating an enduring devotional life rooted in Psalm 1. It unpacks how God’s goodness shapes the blessed life, how the righteous walk in a distinct way defined by Scripture, and why delighting in God’s Word forms the foundation of spiritual consistency through every season. Through vivid biblical imagery—like trees planted by streams of water—the episode explores how rootedness in God produces strength, stability, and fruitfulness. Ultimately, i...
This episode covers how the gospel helps us see grief clearly. We look at Hebrews 11 to understand why suffering doesn’t mean God is absent, how faith carries us through seasons of loss, and why this world will never feel like home. If you’re hurting or walking with someone who is, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and a gospel lens for grief. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: ch...
This episode covers what it actually looks like when God is moving among His people. Drawing from Acts 11:19–30, we see that revival rarely happens in perfect conditions—it happens in difficulty, through evangelism, community, generosity, and deep devotion to the Word. This message reminds us that our difficult seasons don’t disqualify us; they often position us for God’s greatest work. When the gospel is pure and the Spirit is powerful, people change, generosity flows, and a watching world ...
This episode covers what it means to not lose heart when leadership feels heavy. It walks through 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul reminds us that ministry is both a mercy and a battle. The conversation explores how to keep going when you’ve lost passion, how to rest without quitting, and why God’s strength often shows up most clearly in our weakness. This episode is for anyone feeling pressed, tired, or close to walking away — a reminder that the call is a gift, the struggle is real, and God’s po...
This episode covers what keeps leaders from burning out and walking away when ministry gets hard. Brian Howard, president of Acts 29, joins the conversation to talk about the essential practices that lead to longevity in leadership. From mastering your craft to staying personally healthy and grounded in your calling, this conversation explores how leaders can build endurance that lasts decades, not just seasons. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations...
This episode covers the closing of Galatians and what it means to live out the gospel with scars, humility, and grace. The conversation reflects on Paul’s final words and how they call believers to serve Jesus even while suffering, to depend on the Spirit in both preparation and presentation, and to resist impressing others with religion instead of resting in the gospel. It explores the tension between God’s promises to Israel and the covenant fulfilled in Christ, warning against letting any ...
This episode covers Paul’s sobering warning in Galatians 6 — “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.” It explores how deception creeps in quietly, how every action plants a seed that grows, and how living by the Spirit allows us to experience eternal life now. A conversation about discernment, endurance, and the long game of faith. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetw...
This episode covers what it really means to restore people with grace. Centered on Galatians 6:1–6, we talk about how to gently bring others back, carry each other’s burdens, and build a culture of accountability without becoming judgmental. The conversation digs into confession, repentance, and what it looks like to live out restoration in real community. Whether you’re walking through your own struggles or helping someone else back to health, this episode offers a grounded look at how grace...
This episode covers the lonely cost of leading like a pioneer. We dig into what it means to lead with conviction, stay true to biblical values, and build a church culture that lasts. The conversation explores the challenges of leadership without compromise, the reality of isolation in pioneering roles, and practical ways to maintain clarity and courage in the face of disappointment. If you’re in ministry or leading a team, this episode offers encouragement and actionable insights for protecti...
This episode covers why the fruit of the Spirit cannot be understood apart from its source, the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5 contrasts the destructive works of the flesh with the transforming power of the Spirit, reminding us that if there is no Spirit, there is no fruit. We unpack how this passage has often been sanitized, reducing love, joy, peace, and kindness to surface-level niceness, instead of seeing them defined by the life of Jesus Himself. The conversation presses into the grit of Paul’...
This episode covers the leadership mandate in a time of cultural upheaval. The conversation explores why this moment is different, how to lament well, and what it means to care for your city, yourself, and your church community. It highlights four key signposts and three essentials for every leader: give clarity, offer courage, and create context. This is a call to step boldly into God’s mandate and pray for an obvious move of God in our day. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: sta...
This episode covers what Paul teaches in Galatians 5 about true freedom and how it is always tied to God’s order. Discover why freedom without God’s order is chaos, why sin always leads to addiction, and how walking by the Spirit is the only way to live free. If you’ve ever wondered how to walk in the Spirit and live out your freedom in Christ without drifting into chaos, this episode will give you clarity, conviction, and encouragement to keep moving forward. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audi...
This episode covers Paul’s warning to the Galatians, reminding us that salvation rests in Christ alone. We examine the difference between living through the Spirit and striving by works, how subtle distortions creep into the gospel, and why misplaced values leave us enslaved. The conversation unpacks how suffering, success, and tradition can all pull us off course—and how the Spirit calls us back to run the race with endurance, rooted in faith and love. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devot...
This episode covers the freedom found only in Christ. The gospel is not Jesus plus our works—it’s Jesus alone. When we add to it, we carry burdens we were never meant to carry. When we abuse it, we trade freedom for slavery. This conversation looks at how God’s nature is freedom, why grace is not a license to sin, and why standing firm in the gospel keeps us from drifting back into old patterns. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation...
This episode covers why joy is so often misunderstood and why the gospel announces joy in the middle of difficult, uncontrollable, and disappointing circumstances. Using the Christmas story and the context of the incarnation, we confront the false beliefs that joy depends on government, control, ease, timing, possessions, recognition, or certainty of outcomes. By looking closely at how joy entered the world at Christmas — not into comfort, but into hardship — this conversation reframes joy as...
