Podcast Summary: Jack Hibbs Podcast – "Does Your Love Get Dirty?"

Date: January 23, 2025
Host: Jack Hibbs (JackHibbs.com)
Episode Theme:
Jack Hibbs challenges listeners to move beyond a life of “amusement” and surface-level engagement with faith, urging them to respond actively and compassionately to the suffering around them—particularly in the wake of the devastating Southern California fires. He explores what it means for Christian love to "get dirty," calling for tangible, self-sacrificial service and a return to biblical reality amidst an entertainment-driven culture.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. The Call to Reality in an Amused Culture

• Contrast between Musing and Amusing:

  • Jack describes witnessing the devastating aftermath of the Southern California fires firsthand—juxtaposed against SoCal’s culture of amusement and escapism (e.g., surfing, skiing, Disneyland).
  • Quote: “We are so incredibly amused here by both things made by God and things made by man that I can go to the Pacific Ocean and enjoy the spectacular beauty of it…If I don’t find God in that, then I’m just going to be entertained.” (17:31)

• Warning Against Detachment:

  • He urges believers to resist the temptation to detach from harsh realities and instead “muse”—meditate and truly process what’s happening around them.
  • Quote: “To amuse is to detach from reality. Don’t tell me about reality. I don’t want to hear it…Amuse me.” (14:50)

2. The Fires’ Spiritual Wake-up Call

• Personal Observations:

  • Jack recounts moving from standing amid fire-ravaged homes in Malibu to a day at Disneyland—a stark illustration of California’s unique blend of beauty, tragedy, and escapism. (09:20-11:18)
  • He reflects on the loss and suffering of fire victims, emphasizing the need to move past indifference and engage with tangible compassion.

• Call to Engage in Suffering:

  • “All of a sudden, half the state’s been baptized into reality…We need to all grow up, take a wake up pill, a dose of reality, and realize it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves…” (20:35)

3. The True Test of Christian Love

• Biblical Mandate:

  • Hibbs directly references 1 John 3:17: “But whoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother or sister…in need and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”
  • He insists that true Christian faith cannot be separated from active, sometimes messy involvement in others’ suffering.
  • Quote: “You cannot really be a real believer… and not get involved… If you say, I’m not going to get involved because it makes me sad, then how dwells the love of God in you? In other words, it doesn’t.” (24:07)

• Examples of Love in Action:

  • Citing the church’s response to COVID and past crises (e.g., sending food during Hurricane Katrina, supporting Maui and the Carolinas after disasters).
  • Telling stories of rough-edged, “tatted-up” Southern California Christians selflessly distributing relief supplies—breaking stereotypes about what believers look like. (28:45)

4. Mobilizing for Compassion and Assistance

• Practically Meeting Needs:

  • The church’s direct involvement includes feeding first responders, providing massive logistical support, and mobilizing donations (even addressing controversies, such as donating Monster Energy drinks).
  • Quote: “We went and bought about—I don’t know how many—thousands of cans of Monster Drink because that’s what the first responders wanted…if a Christian can take a monster drink, how about this: we’ll circumcise it from all its evil and hand it over to the National Guard or the LA County Fire Department.” (32:45)

• Appeal to Listeners:

  • Jack invites listeners nationwide to come “on mission” to Southern California—to serve fire victims and be part of rebuilding efforts: “Instead of going on a mission trip to Ghana or to Brazil, I encourage you to come take a missions trip to Southern California…” (22:12)
  • Emphasizes that 100% of donations to their church’s relief efforts go directly to those in need, with no administrative deduction. (33:45)

5. Overcoming Cynicism and Criticism

• Addressing the Pharisee Spirit:
  • Jack addresses critics who ask why the church doesn’t help in other places, recounting wide-ranging aid efforts organized by the church, and challenging them to also mobilize locally.
  • Stresses a biblical order: help your immediate community (Jerusalem), then extend outward (Judea, Samaria, ends of the earth). (35:00)

6. Looking Ahead: Hope and Transformation

• Redemptive Outlook:
  • Jack closes by comparing the region’s situation to the story of Job—prophesying that, like Job, California may be restored better than before through God’s grace and the obedience of his people.
  • Quote: “I believe God is going to do a remarkable, awesome thing in California that has never been seen before. And I for one will not miss it by his grace.” (36:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker/Context | |-----------|-------|-----------------| | 09:20 | “How is it that you are standing on the slab of what once was a house on the beach…Nothing but steel girders and a Porsche, melted to the ground…” | Jack Hibbs describing real loss and devastation | | 13:45 | “We need to divorce ourselves from avoiding to think things through. On Monday I was…reality was being assimilated into my total being.” | On the need to embrace hard truths | | 17:31 | “If I don’t [find God in beauty] then I’m just going to be entertained. But it is beautiful and there’s nothing wrong with that unless I start to worship that.” | On proper perspective in appreciating God’s creation | | 24:07 | “You cannot really be a real believer… and not get involved… If you say, I’m not going to get involved because it makes me sad, then how dwells the love of God in you?” | On biblical love requiring action | | 28:45 | “These guys pulled up… these tatted up guys… if I saw them in any other situation I’d say, stay away, that’s a gang… And then the guys, the guy’s giving people stuff and he’s crying, and then you ask him, ‘How are you doing?’—‘I’m doing fine, man, Jesus is awesome, God is great.’” | On breaking stereotypes/about who follows Jesus | | 33:45 | “100% of it will go to those in need. We don’t take 5% off for administration costs. We don’t do that here…God is our witness and we promise you that.” | Transparency in relief efforts | | 36:00 | “I believe that God is going to do a remarkable, awesome thing in California that has never been seen before. And I for one will not miss it by his grace.” | Hopeful closing vision |

Actionable Takeaways

• Move from Spectator to Participant: Resist the “veneer” of news soundbites and amusement—choose to confront and respond to reality.
• Embrace Messy Love: Christian love means showing up, serving, giving—even when it’s hard, complicated, or unglamorous.
• Find a Gospel-Centered Community: Now is the time to join and support biblically faithful churches actively engaged in serving others.
• Start Where You Are: Whether in California or elsewhere, look for needs in your own “Jerusalem.” Mobilize your community for both practical help and gospel proclamation.

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Opening Call to Action and Faith Amidst Crisis: [02:10–09:20]
• Amusement vs. Musing and Facing Reality: [13:45–17:31]
• The True Test of Christian Love & Biblical Exhortation: [24:07–28:45]
• Community Mobilization / Responding Practically: [28:00–33:45]
• Addressing Critics & Broader Mission: [35:00–36:00]
• Hope and Prophetic Encouragement for California: [36:00–End]

Tone & Language

Jack Hibbs is bold, passionate, authentic, and unafraid of discomfort—calling out both cultural escapism and religious complacency. His tone is exhortative rather than merely instructive, blending real-world examples, biblical teaching, and personal testimony to inspire action and reflection.

Recommended Next Steps

• Share this episode with anyone wishing to understand the spiritual and practical response to crisis.
• Visit JackHibbs.com/podcast for outlines and resources.
• Consider how your own “love can get dirty” in service—locally or by joining recovery efforts in Southern California.