Why the Christian Life Feels Like a Battle | Living by the Spirit (Galatians 5)

Running From God? The Surprising Truth from Jonah

What happens when God calls you… and you run the other direction? In today’s episode of the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack (joined by Kevin) dives deeper into his Sunday message from our Lessons from the Legends series, focusing on the powerful and sometimes misunderstood story of Jonah. We explore: * Why Jonah ran from God * The role of fear and hatred in disobedience * How God still works—even through our mistakes * The unexpected transformation of the sailors * The truth that God teaches us while He uses us This conversation is real, relatable, and packed with insight you can apply to your own walk with Christ. 👉 Missed the sermon? Catch up at: https://shepnaz.org/media 📍 Learn more about Shepherd Church: https://shepnaz.org 🎧 Find more Shepnaz Podcast episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast 💬 We’d love to hear from you! Email us at: podcast@shepnaz.org 👍 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share to encourage others! ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Welcome & why this episode is “different” 02:44 Lessons from the Legends series overview 03:33 Jonah vs. Gideon – contrasting “origin stories” 05:14 God uses us while He teaches us 06:11 The challenge of preaching to kids + adults 07:20 What is a prophet? 08:04 Jonah’s assignment to Nineveh 10:05 Jonah runs from God 10:35 Why Jonah ran: hate & fear 12:30 Jonah’s escape plan (Tarshish) 14:23 The sailors & spiritual chaos on the ship 16:00 The storm hits 17:13 “Pray to your god!” – desperation on deck 18:15 Casting lots reveals Jonah 18:57 Jonah’s revealing statement 20:04 The sailors’ fear grows 21:13 Jonah’s “solution” – throw me overboard 22:11 The sailors cry out to God 22:32 The storm stops & transformation begins 23:28 God works even through disobedience 24:38 Faith isn’t invalidated by flawed messengers 25:17 The great fish cliffhanger 25:37 Final encouragement & preview of Part 2

Stop Living Divided | The Choice That Changes Everything

Today on the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack continues Pastor Nick’s message from our Lessons from the Legends series, focusing on Elijah in 1 Kings 18. After the dramatic victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah asks a powerful question that still speaks to us today: “How long will you waver between two opinions?” This episode challenges us to examine our hearts and ask: 👉 Are we fully following Jesus—or trying to live with divided loyalty? We’re reminded that partial allegiance isn’t true allegiance… it’s compromise. God doesn’t want part of your heart—He wants all of it. And when we go all in, we discover that He alone provides life, hope, and purpose. 🙌 Whether you’ve followed Jesus for years or you’re still exploring faith, this message is an invitation to choose today—and choose fully. 📍 About Shepherd Church Shepherd Church of the Nazarene is located in Ohio and is passionate about helping people follow Jesus fully. 🌐 Learn more: https://shepnaz.org 🎧 More episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast 💬 Let’s ConnectHave questions or want prayer? Email us at podcast@shepnaz.org We’d love to hear your story. 👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to encourage others! ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Welcome & Weekend Invitation 00:23 Recap: Elijah on Mount Carmel 00:47 Scripture Reading – 1 Kings 18 01:45 Fire from Heaven: God Reveals Himself 02:44 The Big Question: “How Long Will You Waver?” 03:40 Why Partial Allegiance Doesn’t Work 04:40 Illustration: Following Two Leaders 06:32 You Can’t Serve Two Masters (Matthew 6:24) 07:33 Modern “Baal”: Money, Security, and Control 08:23 The Danger of Half-Hearted Faith 09:03 The Call to Go All In 10:06 God’s Faithfulness in Elijah’s Life 10:59 Elijah’s Lowest Moment (1 Kings 19) 12:39 Why We Go All In for Jesus 13:57 God Wants Your Whole Heart 14:27 Invitation: Choose Today 16:15 What Are You Really Following? 16:47 Prayer: Returning Fully to God 19:14 Final Reflection & Challenge

How Long Will You Waver? | Elijah’s Showdown Begins (Lessons from the Legends)

Welcome to the Shepnaz Podcast! 🎙️ Hosted by Pastor Zack, today’s episode features a powerful message from Pastor Nick Shaner (Johnstown Campus) as we kick off our brand-new series: Lessons from the Legends. In this episode, we step into the story of the prophet Elijah and King Ahab in 1 Kings 18—a moment leading up to one of the most dramatic showdowns in Scripture. But before the fire falls, Elijah asks a question that still challenges us today: 👉 “How long will you waver between two opinions?” This message explores: * What happens when we try to follow God AND something else * The danger of compromise and “syncretism” * Why we often chase the “good life” apart from God * How Elijah points us back to full devotion 🔥 This is just Part 1—don’t miss what comes next! 📖 Scripture: 1 Kings 18:16–21 🏡 Learn more about Shepherd Church: 👉 https://www.shepnaz.org 🎧 Watch more episodes: 👉 https://www.shepnaz.org/podcast 💬 We’d love to hear from you! Email: podcast@shepnaz.org 👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to encourage others! ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Welcome from Pastor Zack00:30 Introduction to the series: Lessons from the Legends01:20 Elijah: A legend who never died02:50 Scripture reading (1 Kings 18:16–21)04:10 Why Elijah was called a "troubler of Israel"05:00 Judges vs. Kings explained07:10 Israel rejects God as King08:30 The role of prophets09:30 King Ahab: one of the worst kings11:00 Understanding Baal worship12:20 What is syncretism?13:00 The “good life” idol13:40 Elijah brings drought15:00 The real conflict: Yahweh vs Baal16:00 The Mount Carmel showdown setup17:00 Prophets of Baal cry out18:10 Elijah’s challenge and preparation19:30 Part 2 teaser: The real question for us

From Performance to Pastoring: A Worship Leader’s Turning Point with Brian Redman

On this Worship Wednesday episode of the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack sits down with longtime worship pastor Brian Redman from Newark Church of the Nazarene. Brian shares his powerful journey from focusing on music excellence and production to realizing that true worship ministry is about people first. From church transitions and leading through change, to balancing excellence with grace, this conversation dives deep into what it really means to lead in today’s church. 💬 Key topics include: * Navigating change in worship styles * Reaching people who don’t go to church * Balancing excellence and authenticity * The shift from performance to pastoring * Why relationships matter more than production Whether you’re on a worship team, serving in ministry, or simply seeking a real and authentic faith community—this episode is for you. 👉 Learn more about Shepherd Church: https://shepnaz.org 🎧 Watch more episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast 📩 Share feedback or suggest topics: podcast@shepnaz.org👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help grow the Kingdom! Chapters 0:00 Welcome to Worship Wednesday0:25 Introducing Brian Redman2:12 Brian’s Worship Ministry Journey6:24 A Church Transformed by Mission8:30 Creativity, Excellence, and Weekly Worship Design10:34 Church Culture Shift & Reaching the Lost14:27 Authentic Church vs “Church Personality”17:19 Loving People While Calling Them Higher19:13 When Worship Becomes About People22:19 Excellence vs Relationship in Worship Ministry25:45 Advice to Younger Leaders26:12 “Listen More, Love More”28:20 God Uses Imperfect People29:17 Building Team Through Prayer31:25 Final Thoughts + Church Invitation

Why God Chooses the Unlikely (Gideon’s Story Will Surprise You)

Today on the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack is joined by Pastor Kevin to continue unpacking Sunday’s message on Gideon—a story that reminds us God doesn’t call the most qualified… He calls the willing. Gideon was hiding when God called him a “mighty warrior.” Sound familiar? So often we feel unqualified, overlooked, or unsure—but this episode dives into the truth that God specializes in using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, questioned where God is, or felt like you’re not “enough,” this conversation will challenge and encourage you to make room for God to work through you. 👉 Key takeaway: God doesn’t call the strongest—He empowers the ones He calls. 🙏 Connect with us: * Learn more about Shepherd Church: https://shepnaz.org * Watch more episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast * Email us your story: podcast@shepnaz.org 👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if this encouraged you! 💬 Comment below: Where is God calling you to step out in faith? Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Introducing Pastor Kevin 00:45 – What Makes a “Legend” in God’s Kingdom? 02:20 – Gideon’s Doubt: “Why Is This Happening?” 04:00 – God Is Present… Even in Chaos 06:00 – “Am I Sending You?” – The Turning Point 07:50 – God Empowers the Called (Not the Strongest) 10:00 – Real-Life Struggles & Feeling Unqualified 11:30 – Why God Uses the “Unexpected” 13:20 – Boasting in God Alone (Paul’s Example) 15:00 – God Specializes in the Impossible 16:25 – What If YOU Are the Answer? 18:00 – Make Room for God 19:30 – Final Challenge & Call to Respond