A Grounded Faith

Summary

Jack Hibbs Podcast: "A Grounded Faith"

Host: Jack Hibbs
Date: February 16, 2026

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

Transcript

[A]

Hey everybody.

[B]

Pastor Jack here and I want to encourage you to get a great book.

[A]

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[B]

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[C]

Real Life presents the Jack Hibbs Podcast. With intention and boldness to proclaim truth, equip the saints and impact our culture.

[B]

I've told you for years, 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.

[C]

You can get the outlines of this podcast by going to jackibbs.com podcast today. If this podcast lifts you up and encourages you to live a more fulfilled life in Christ, then make sure you leave us one of those five star ratings. To us, that's like saying amen or yes. Then that rating will encourage others to listen. Now open your hearts to what God's word has to say to you. Here is Jack Hibbs.

[B]

So let me ask you, how are you doing in these descriptions of having a grounded or maturing faith? As a Christ follower, we all need to grow.

[A]

And I'm so grateful that God is patient.

[B]

But look at verse four. He goes on to say, and he will be made to stand. You and I will be made to stand. Stand. For God is able to make him stand.

[A]

You and I.

[B]

Listen, I love this. God is able. Oh, I. I never do enough. I never pray enough. I never give enough. I never, I never was. Calm down. God is able to do this in your life. I've told you for years, 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. And he takes over. Philippians, chapter 2, verse 13 says, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to do for his good pleasure. Are you enjoying your Christian life? You should be. You should be enjoying. Even in this crazy world, you should be enjoying the dynamic of your Christian life. And if you're not, you're doing it wrong. Stop trying to push a block up a hill.

[A]

Just take a walk with God, will ya?

[B]

The Bible also says, listen. In 2nd Chronicles 16, verse 9, the Bible says, for the eyes of the Lord run to and Fro throughout the whole earth to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to him. Notice it says, loyal to him. Are you guys with me? It doesn't say, whose hearts are perfect.

[A]

Whose hearts are loyal. In other words, what's your pursuit?

[B]

Do you pursue God? Do you want to pursue God? Does it sound attractive to you that you can get closer to God? Absolutely.

[A]

God says, I love that my eyes are on you. Don't you love that? I remember years ago, forever ago. Phil and Peggy, you guys might remember this, where Pastor Chuck was telling us when he was raising up their family, one of his sons looked all nervous and all this kind of stuff. And this. His son comes to him and says.

[B]

I heard in Sunday school today, dad, that God is always watching me.

[A]

And he says, that's right, son. And he saw the terror in his son's face. Oh, some people feel like.

[B]

Some of you feel like that God's watching me.

[A]

And so his son was just mortified. Clearly he had crossed the line somewhere in Sunday school class.

[B]

And the teacher said, God's watching you. So, dad, is it true he's watching me?

[A]

And Pastor Chuck said, oh, absolutely true.

[B]

At all times, he's watching you.

[A]

And he could see the spirit of his. The will just kind of. The kid started to wither. And Chuck said, it's because God loves you so much, he can't take his eyes off of you. And that's good. And that is correct. That's a beautiful thing. God will make you able to stand.

[B]

God will take care of you. He'll prop you up and strengthen you.

[A]

I heard a song the other day, and I just wanted to work it into the message based upon that Second Chronicles verse. God's always watching. So I heard. I forget who sings this, but every.

[B]

Breath you take, every move you make.

[A]

I'll be watching you every moon.

[B]

I don't know. I wasn't asking for it. I mean, I was. Okay.

[A]

The fact is this is that the love of God for you, the scripture.

[B]

Says it's the goodness of God that.

[A]

Leads a man to repentance.

[B]

God's goodness should cause you to run from the evil and run to his arms. And even though you might be laden.

[A]

With sin.

[B]

You come in repentful, tearful. You're convicted. You're mortified. I've been found out. And my sin, as the scripture says David says, is ever before me. I can see it. And God says in his word, bring it to me. Our tendency is to go run and hide and bury it somewhere in the garden and then mingle among the bushes and hope he doesn't walk in and say, jack, where are you?

[A]

I am convinced.

[B]

If Adam and Eve would have walked out of that garden and said, God, we blew it. Please forgive us, I think God would.

[A]

Have made an offering and you and I would be walking around now in a garden. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know this is God speaking. I know the thoughts that I think toward you. Can you imagine that? God says, I know what I think about you. And you go, really? Yep, says the Lord. Thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you a future and a hope.

[B]

Then you will call upon me and.

[A]

Go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

[B]

And you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. That's a loyal heart, not a perfect heart. We don't have it.

[A]

But do you want him?

[B]

Do you want Christ to forgive you? You want God to erase away? Listen, God will erase by the blood of Christ all of your sin. That's why.

[A]

Listen.

[B]

Because Christ lives. Because God is real. That's how you and I know sin. You know the stuff you don't bring up, the stuff that only you remember, the stuff that you hope nobody else remembers, or the stuff that you hope nobody finds out.

[A]

God says, I'll wash that away if you come to me. Come to me.

[B]

That stuff will kill you. Come to me. That's how much he loves you. Is that how love works?

[A]

Anyway.

[B]

I'm going to read you a compounding of scripture here. It's John chapter four and John chapter seven.

[A]

You can follow on the screens.

[B]

The Bible says, Jesus is speaking. Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him notice.

[A]

When you drink water, folks, it goes inside of you. But ask yourself, is this you?

[B]

We'll never thirst, but the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. That's what God wants for us. Coupled with John chapter 7. On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will will flow rivers of living water. But this he spoke concerning the Spirit or the Holy Spirit, whom those believing in him would receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified. In other words, the Holy Spirit was not yet given to indwell the believer because Christ had not yet been crucified and resurrected up until the day of Pentecost, folks. The Holy Spirit from the day of creation could only come upon you and, and he would leave you. That's why David said, take not your Holy Spirit from me. Why did he say that? Because that's how the Spirit of God worked. In the Old Testament economy, Jesus comes and brings us a complete fulfillment of God's promises as he wrote in the Old Testament, I will write my law in your heart. I will come into your very being and live inside of you. You will be mine and I will be your God. That's an Old Testament promise describing the born again opportunity that you and I live in today, where the Spirit of God now lives in us.

[A]

Listen, a private faith, sure.

[B]

Personal faith, absolutely.

[A]

But it's impossible to hide it.

[B]

God is working in some of your lives. You might even be shy and you love God, but you're starting to almost percolate on the inside. It's like you were starting to bubble.

[A]

And it's just like, oh man.

[B]

Every time I read my Bible, every time I go to a sermon, I just feel like I'm going to explode. Why? Because God has put his word in you personally and privately to possess you that God's truth might come out of you and splash, as it were, onto others. Get them all wet, as it were.

[A]

And so listen, I wrote this down. I know this is a big statement, but it may be the single most important verse in the Bible. Well, that's a big statement. Yes, it is.

[B]

But listen, John 3.

[A]

3. Jesus answered and said, that's to Nicodemus, most assuredly. I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus says to Nicodemus, let me tell you, Nicodemus, righteousness far out exceeds us completely. And Jesus says, you're not going. You have to be born anew. You have to be born again. So when was the first account of somebody being born again?

[B]

Can we qualify this? Can it be tested?

[A]

Who? Oh yeah.

[B]

John, chapter 20. This is awesome. John, chapter 20, verse 19. Then the same day, at evening, being the first day of the week, this is post resurrection. When the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, peace be with you. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side, that would be his right side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord, verse 21. So Jesus said to them again, peace to you. As the Father sent me, I also send you. And when he had said this. This is Jesus breathed on them and he said to them, receive the Holy Spirit. The word means receive the Holy Spirit within you. That's the born again. When was the if. If being born again is such a big deal to God and Pastor, you just said it's the most important verse in the Bible.

[A]

When Jesus in John 20 says, Receive the Spirit and he blows on them, the word is the Spirit of God went inside of them.

[B]

They were born again. In that moment, they would not receive the power of the Holy Spirit until the day of Pentecost, where the Spirit of God didn't come inside of them.

[A]

Very specific Greek word is used the.

[B]

Spirit of God came upon them for ministry and for power.

[A]

Remarkable.

[B]

The Bible tells us in First Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 12. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one spirit, we were all baptized into one body. That is the body of Christ the church. Whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves are free and have all been made to drink in one Spirit. Verse 14. For in fact, the body is not one member, but many. This is us, the church. You are who you are. Can I put it this way? Jesus Christ died for your sins and my sins.

[A]

He did not die for my personality or your personality.

[B]

You and I have a different opinion on this. But God loves the variation of our personalities. We would rather have people be more like the way we want them to be.

[A]

And God says, nope, that's why I've made you the church. This person's really hard to like over here. Jesus. And Jesus says, yeah, ain't he though? So get on over there and love on him.

[B]

Oh, God, can't you send someone else to love on him? Did you know how bad you and.

[A]

I need one another? We don't even realize it. So I don't know about that. Listen, if there's anybody in under this.

[B]

Roof or soon to be out in.

[A]

The parking lot and.

[B]

And it's like, hey, wait a minute, my bumper was further out than yours was.

[A]

God is teaching you to love one another and to grow. It's quite remarkable.

[B]

So in Acts, chapter one, I mentioned the power coming upon. So I guess I should begin to.

[A]

Wrap it up this way. When the moment you say Lord Jesus, I. I understand now. I see that you died on the cross for my sins. The Bible says this.

[B]

And even though I wasn't there 2,000 years ago, I know that I'm a sinner. I have bad thoughts, lustful thoughts, angry thoughts or temperament or whatever it is. That's not good. And I have a past. Oh, God. You would say, please forgive me. I'm sorry for my sins. The Bible says, in that moment, you're born again.

[A]

The Holy Spirit moves inside of you. Now, can somebody tell me what that feels like when you're like, oh, please forgive me. And the Holy Spirit moves inside of.

[B]

You and you, oh, wow. I don't know about you, but I've never felt anything. The night I got saved, all I knew was that message was true. I was convicted of my sins, and God knew everything about me. And what I just heard a moment ago gives my mind reason and hope. I want Jesus. I need Jesus. And I went forward, and there are people crying around me. I'm looking at people on that Monday night. They're all crying, oh, God, forgive me, God. And I'm like, here's me, here's me. I'm like this. I had enough. I had no feeling. And I began to think, oh, oh.

[A]

It must not be working for me. And then when you pray the prayer and you go back to the prayer.

[B]

Room afterward, they give you new material.

[A]

And I told the guy, hey, everybody around me is crying. I didn't cry. What's the deal? He said something that I've used a thousand times since. He said, listen, do you understand the gospel? Can you tell me the gospel that you just heard? I told him. He goes, yeah, you got it. You got it. Nowhere does it say, feeling goosebumps, tingle down the spine. Feel this and you're saved. Listen, I'm grateful that I listened. Kind of did the spiritual math figured out, and this puts me bankrupt. Jack is hopeless without Jesus.

[B]

And so.

[A]

That young man in that counseling, that new believers room said, nowhere in the Bible does it say it's based on your feelings. The Bible says it's based on faith. Did you come to Jesus? Yeah. Do you want him? Yep. And he said this. Why don't you.

[B]

Why don't you tell me right now.

[A]

You don't want Jesus, you're gonna give the Bible back to me and you're.

[B]

Gonna walk out of here and never.

[A]

Step foot in this place again.

[B]

I said, why would I do that? I don't wanna do that.

[A]

And he goes, exactly.

[B]

Pretty clever, right? Pretty clever, right?

[A]

Now, my friends, listen. For those of us, our pursuit now today is this. Jesus said in Acts, chapter 1, verse 8, you shall receive power when the.

[B]

Holy Spirit comes not in you, upon you. And you shall be witnesses to me.

[A]

In Jerusalem and in all of Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

[B]

Church, family.

[A]

When God saves you, please listen.

[B]

You can close your Bible. Doesn't mean leave, just close your Bible.

[A]

We're done.

[B]

When God saves you, he begins his.

[A]

Work of maturing you.

[B]

When a baby's born, the mother begins.

[A]

Her work nursing that baby. And dad begins the work of changing diapers.

[B]

But the baby doesn't grow by having its diaper changed. The baby grows.

[A]

Nursing energy from Mom.

[B]

And with that investment, the baby grows.

[A]

Jesus says you must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. You must be born from above. The word means born a second time.

[B]

And God will nurse you.

[A]

And he's nursing us always.

[B]

With every Bible verse, every sermon, every song of praise, every time we get together and fellowship. We are nursing the strength of Almighty God that He desires for you and I to have. And we are growing up in Christ. It's a relationship. It's alive, it's real.

[C]

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