Jack Hibbs Podcast: "A Grounded Faith"

Host: Jack Hibbs
Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode titled "A Grounded Faith," Pastor Jack Hibbs addresses what it means to have genuine, maturing faith in Jesus Christ. He explores how a believer's relationship with God is grounded not in personal effort, but in God’s transformative work within and through them. Hibbs shares biblical insights, personal anecdotes, and practical encouragement, focusing on the vital doctrine of being "born again," the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and how the church body is designed for mutual growth. The tone is bold, passionate, and pastoral, urging listeners to pursue authentic faith and spiritual maturity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Foundation of Christian Faith Is Yielding, Not Striving

• Hibbs reiterates that Christianity is fundamentally about surrendering to God’s work, not performing religious tasks.
  • Quote: "Christianity is not what you do, it's what God does in you and through you. The greatest description of a Christian life is yield. Just yield." (00:39, 01:55)
• Encourages listeners not to stress over inadequacy in prayer or good works but to trust God’s sufficiency.
  • "Calm down. God is able to do this in your life." (01:55)

2. God’s Gaze Is a Comfort, Not a Threat

• Discusses the concept that God is always watching, rooted in 2nd Chronicles 16:9.
• Shares a story about Pastor Chuck Smith’s son fearing God’s watchfulness, reframed as proof of God’s love.
  • Quote: "It's because God loves you so much, he can't take his eyes off of you." (04:35)
• God seeks loyalty rather than perfection in the hearts of believers.
  • "It doesn't say, whose hearts are perfect. Whose hearts are loyal... What's your pursuit?" (03:27)

3. Repentance Flows From God’s Kindness, Not Fear

• Stresses that the goodness of God draws people to repentance, not condemnation.
  • "God's goodness should cause you to run from the evil and run to his arms." (05:55)
  • References King David’s repentance in the Psalms and our human tendency to hide from God.

4. Pursuing Relationship, Not Religion

• Cites Jeremiah 29:11-13 to underline that God is approachable and desires intimate connection.
  • Quote: "Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (06:48–07:19)

5. The Necessity and Experience of Being ‘Born Again’

• Declares John 3:3 as possibly the most important verse, emphasizing the need for spiritual rebirth.
  • "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (11:18–11:22)
• Explains the biblical moment of "spiritual birth":
  • References John 20, where Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into his disciples (the first instance of believers being "born again").
  • Explains the difference between the Holy Spirit "within" (salvation) and "upon" (empowerment for service, as seen at Pentecost).

6. Faith Over Feelings: Assurance in Salvation

• Hibbs candidly shares his own salvation story, noting he felt no emotional rush but understood the truth and embraced it by faith.
  • Memorable exchange:
    • “I didn’t cry. What’s the deal?”
    • Counselor: “Nowhere does it say, feeling goosebumps... It’s based on faith.” (16:48–17:55)
• Reiterates that assurance comes through understanding and believing the gospel, not emotional experience.
  • "Did you come to Jesus? Yeah. Do you want him? Yep." (17:55–18:12)

7. The Holy Spirit’s Role: Indwelling and Empowerment

• Explains two roles of the Holy Spirit:
  • Within: At salvation, the Spirit indwells and regenerates (John 20).
  • Upon: At Pentecost and ongoing, the Spirit empowers for ministry (Acts 1:8).
• "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes not in you, upon you. And you shall be witnesses..." (18:46)

8. Life in the Body: Growth and Mutual Need

• Illustrates how believers, as diverse members of Christ’s body, are interdependent and called to love one another, even in messiness.
  • "You and I have a different opinion... But God loves the variation of our personalities... that's why I've made you the church." (14:18–14:49)
• Uses the analogy of a newborn: "The baby doesn't grow by having its diaper changed. The baby grows nursing energy from mom." (19:34–19:49)

9. Spiritual Growth as an Ongoing, Nurtured Relationship

• God actively nurtures and grows believers through scripture, worship, and fellowship.
  • "With every Bible verse, every sermon, every song of praise... we are nursing the strength of Almighty God." (20:05–20:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Stop trying to push a block up a hill. Just take a walk with God, will ya?" (03:00)
• On God’s watchful care (with humor):
  "Every breath you take, every move you make, I'll be watching you..." (05:18–05:22)
  (playfully adapts pop lyrics to biblical truth)
• "Our tendency is to run and hide and bury [sin] somewhere...and hope he doesn't walk in and say, 'Jack, where are you?'" (06:05–06:40)
• "Jesus Christ died for your sins and my sins. He did not die for my personality or your personality." (14:18–14:23)
• "It's based on faith, not feelings...Nowhere in the Bible does it say it’s based on your feelings." (17:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:28 – Introduction to "grounded or maturing faith"
• 03:00 – Encouragement to rest in God rather than strive
• 04:00 – Story about God's watchfulness and love (Pastor Chuck anecdote)
• 05:51 – The goodness of God leads to repentance
• 07:17–07:31 – Pursuing God with loyalty, not perfection (Jeremiah 29:11)
• 11:15–11:22 – John 3:3 and the necessity of being born again
• 12:57–13:22 – Jesus breathes the Spirit into the disciples (John 20)
• 14:18–14:49 – The church as a diverse, interdependent body
• 16:48–17:55 – Hibbs’s testimony: salvation by faith, not by feelings
• 18:46 – Empowerment by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
• 19:34–20:05 – Nurture and growth compared to nursing a child

Conclusion

Jack Hibbs passionately calls listeners to recognize that rooted, maturing faith flows from God’s work in and among believers, not from external religiosity. Through biblical teaching and real-life illustration, he reinforces the need to trust God’s sufficiency, rest in the assurance of salvation by faith, and embrace both the personal and communal aspects of a life in Christ—the bedrock of a truly grounded faith.