Episode Summary: "The Choice That Changes Everything"

Podcast: City Light Church Las Vegas | Jabin Chavez
Guest Speaker: Jay Hubbard
Date: December 15, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode, featuring guest speaker Jay Hubbard at City Light Church Las Vegas, centers around the most famous Bible verse—John 3:16. Jay discusses the profound nature of God’s love and the call for personal response: the essential choice that “changes everything” is to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Using vivid storytelling, biblical exposition, and personal conviction, Jay encourages listeners to recognize that God has already chosen them and now invites their response.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Honoring Leadership & Setting the Stage (00:00–02:15)

• Jay begins by expressing gratitude and honoring Pastors Jabin and Shannon Chavez for their leadership and trust.
• He sets his intention: “My mission today is to preach the gospel to you and that a whole lot of people will get saved. Amen.” (00:06, Jay)
• Jay introduces the message’s title: "The Choice That Changes Everything."

2. John 3:16—God’s Initiative (02:15–07:40)

• Jay highlights John 3:16 as the central theme:
  • “Before you could ever choose God, he already chose you.” (03:28, Jay)
• He recalls the context of John 3:16—a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, where Jesus explains the nature of His spiritual kingdom.
• Jay emphasizes the incarnational aspect of Christmas: “That God so desired a relationship with you and I that he sent his Son to this earth to don flesh and blood. Not just to observe us, but to walk with us…to heal us, to save us.” (06:00–06:30, Jay)

3. God Uses Unlikely People and Situations (07:40–14:40)

• By recounting the nativity story (Luke 2:1-7), Jay makes the point that God orchestrates details far in advance for His purpose.
• He notes Joseph was not just a carpenter, but likely a stoneworker, relating to the probable stone construction of the manger:
  • “So we could take the chief cornerstone and we could set him in the stone. God knew all along that he would place that baby in that stone…if you need living water, he is the living water.” (12:25, Jay)
• Jay reassures listeners who feel “overlooked” or “forgotten” that God uses all kinds of people for His plans.

4. The Second Essential Choice: Responding to God (14:40–22:30)

• Moving to practical application, Jay uses a vivid gift analogy:
  • “A gift, no matter how beautiful or valuable, has zero impact if it stays unopened…What good is the gift of salvation if you choose to leave it unopened?” (15:17–17:47, Jay)
• He humorously describes two types of birthday parties to illustrate the importance of receiving (not just admiring) a gift.

5. Free Will, Joy, and Salvation (17:47–22:30)

• Jay quotes C.S. Lewis to explain the importance and beauty of free will:
  • “The beauty of Christianity—free will—though it makes evil possible…it is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.” (19:47, quoting C.S. Lewis)
• Key point: God’s love waits for a response; the act of choosing to receive Christ changes past, present, and future.

6. A Personal and Urgent Call to Respond (22:30–end)

• Jay passionately assures all listeners of God’s love and intentionality for their being present:
  • “God’s not mad at you. He’s madly in love with you.” (24:10, Jay)
• He lists common struggles—addiction, broken relationships, confusion—and reaffirms God’s ongoing plan:
  • “You might have stumbled in here today from the nightclub or the rodeo. God has a plan for you.” (25:00, Jay)
  • “Our marriage is in shambles. God’s got a plan for you. There’s so much unknown in our life. God’s got a plan for you. He’s already working it out.” (25:35–25:50, Jay)
• The episode ends with an invitation for the audience to accept the gift of salvation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Before you could ever choose God, he already chose you.” (03:28, Jay)
• “My kingdom is where hearts are reborn, where lives are remade, and people are changed.” (05:12, Jay)
• “If you feel overlooked today, God can still use you.” (11:00, Jay)
• “What good is the gift of salvation if you choose to leave it unopened?” (17:47, Jay)
• “God’s not mad at you. He’s madly in love with you.” (24:10, Jay)
• “This is a hospital for the broken. And Jesus loves you.” (24:37, Jay)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–02:15 — Introduction and honoring church leaders
• 02:15–07:40 — Exposition on John 3:16 and “God chose you”
• 07:40–14:40 — Christmas story, Joseph’s role, and God’s providence
• 14:40–17:47 — Gift analogy and illustration
• 17:47–19:47 — C.S. Lewis quote and free will discussion
• 19:47–25:50 — Application: God’s personal call, audience invitation

Conclusion

Jay Hubbard’s message, delivered with warmth, humor, and urgency, centers on the core gospel invitation: acknowledge that God has already chosen you and respond by accepting His gift of salvation. Through exploration of Scripture and everyday analogies, he makes his case personal and relatable, culminating in a heartfelt call for anyone “far or near” to make the “choice that changes everything.”