When Faith Meets Suffering and Grief // Sermon Conversations

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 what it looks like to stay faithful in seasons of waiting.Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

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 explores the danger of a critical spirit, the value of mentors, the balance of experienced leaders and young leaders on a team, and why patience, accountability, and community shape healthier leadership over time.Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

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, it invites listeners to examine whether they are walking in God’s ways and living a life the Lord longs to watch over and bless.Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

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: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

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 noticesWebsite: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

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 power is still at work in fragile people.Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

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 Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

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 doctrine or secondary issue eclipse the centrality of the cross. Together, we unpack what it means to keep the gospel pure, stay faithful under pressure, and experience the fullness of grace in everyday obedience.Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

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: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV

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 restores and how the church can reflect the heart of Jesus.Resources:Access 7&7 discipleship resource:churchprojectnetwork.com/resourcesStart 1:1 Discipleship:churchproject.org/discipleshipchurchproject.org/appWebsite: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org“A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV