Rethink & Return with Jason Shepperd

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 something co-mingled with salvation itself, not something we earn when life improves.If the Christmas season has ever felt heavy, disappointing, or disconnected from joy, this episode invites you to rethink what Christmas actually promises and return to where true joy is found.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 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: 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 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: 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 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 to the people in front of you, and the unique dynamics of being a local church pastor versus an itinerant speaker.This episode also explores the necessity of loving the congregation, the role of body language in communication, and the importance of owning your calling in the moment. It highlights the value of consistency in ministry, the impact of knowing your audience, and the difference between preaching at home and on the road. Through these insights, the episode aims to equip both seasoned and aspiring preachers with the tools to faithfully deliver God's Word and connect deeply with their audience.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 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