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Jason
I am unashamed. What about you?
Zach
Welcome back to unashamed. Jace. We were talking about your schedule.
Jason
You're kind of had an impromptu speech.
Zach
Yeah.
Alex
You had a little.
Jason
Last night.
Zach
Local speech.
Jason
I did.
Alex
Local action. Local, Local.
Jason
And I learned something this morning. The group I was with, they. Somebody classified them as Gen Z, which
Zach
prompted an entire discussion. We're trying to figure out. Maddie is the only one that's the outlier here of our little quartet. So we're trying to figure out what she was. She's a.
Alex
What y' all call her? Queen. The queen of the Queen of the Z or something.
Jason
She's an elder Gen Z.
Zach
Elder Gen Z. She's on the top end of it.
Jason
I don't know why people need to categorize.
Zach
Well, we're trying to figure out who does the categorization because someone somewhere is figuring this out, and they. They put the letter to.
Jason
Who are these people?
Zach
Who are they? I don't know. But then we all just go along with it. We're like, yeah, they're.
Jason
Yeah, we like to label groups, however.
Zach
They call me a baby Buster because I was the first year after the baby boomers. Do you remember a baby Buster next? Nope. I'm baby Buster.
Jason
I don't even want to know what I am, so.
Zach
Because the baby boomers were the first one, I guess the greatest generation was the first somebody, which I'm all for that because that was an amazing group of people that lived through the Depression, the world wars, all that well.
Jason
So I showed up. It was a unique request. A group of people at a local church here. Who in that age bracket, Their Gen Z. The younger individual, I'm saying, I'm guessing here, 18 to 22.
Zach
Yeah. Definitely need guidance.
Jason
Couple dozen of them said they went to one of the pastors. Not. Not like a preaching pastor, but just one of the. One of the overseers, and said, will you help us because we want to share Jesus with our friends.
Zach
Yep. And by the way, started off just
Jason
three or four, but then now it's grown to a couple dozen.
Zach
Apparently, this new, newest generation of the age bracket you're talking about, according to things I've been seeing out here on just in terms of polling and all that, are some of the most fired up for Jesus people going right now?
Jason
Well, I think it's a.
Zach
It's a movement.
Jason
I gave you a stat a few podcasts ago. It's the leading group of attendees on Sunday morning, which is fascinating. Yeah, so it was kind of. Because where I'm at In my stage, I have a lot of Bible studies on a daily basis and through the phone and emails and because I used to just kind of work in the small group environment, which is what this is.
Zach
Right.
Jason
You know, we had a house church for years. So many small groups I can't count. But then all of a sudden, you know, our lives change. When we became famous, we kind of
Zach
got thrust into a bigger stage.
Jason
So it went into a different role because you're kind of mass marketing Jesus through this podcast, through speeches. Of course, you know, I've maintained, because I really believe as one of the things I learned as a theme of even one John revisiting, that whoever walks, whoever claims to live in him, must walk as Jesus did. Well, when you look at what Jesus did, he had about three times. I believe I looked this up before. Now this is going off the top of my head, so I don't document this. But I think about three times he defended himself as far as being sinless. I do remember in John 8 he said, can any of you prove me guilty of sin? But now, other than those three times that were just random conversation, he wasn't about because he never sinned. And I would argue, I think most Christian oriented people think that, that living a Christian life is not sinning. Yeah, that, that's like the goal.
Zach
Right.
Jason
Well, that's impossible. Number one, that's what First John's been all about. I mean, he does view you as sinless.
Zach
Right.
Jason
But he, and we've talked about this, but he's like, if you claim to be without sin, you make him out to be a liar.
Zach
But I like the way you put that because in essence, you think about it from Jesus perspective. What if you were sinless and yet completely humble? Then you wouldn't be talking about it all the time. You just be doing it. See what I'm saying? Like he, he was sinless, but with humility, no pride there. Which is a sin, by the way. So if a person thought they were that way, they would be probably prideful until letting you know on a regular basis how sinless they actually, it's like the, the line from the movie that said, what do you do when your life exceeds your dreams? Because he was just hitting every. It seemed like he was getting every break. And this other guy who was getting no break said, keep it to yourself.
Jason
Yeah.
Zach
So that's, that's the idea.
Jason
But what he did do, when you just start thinking. Because that was one of the questions I asked them. I said, when you, when you think Of Jesus. What? What? What do you think?
Zach
Yeah.
Jason
Which. It was crickets. You know, young people, they're scared to say anything at first.
Zach
They don't want to say the wrong
Jason
thing, like, come on out there with it. I mean, he's your Lord. He's how God is communicating to the world by becoming a man. I read the Hebrews, one passage, because what was interesting about this little gathering, you know, I didn't have any notes, but I said, they want to learn how to share Jesus. And what's interesting is they had an old. A little pamphlet from Bill Smith, who is the guy who shared Jesus with our dad. And I said, look, I've used this thing the first 10 or 12 years. This is basically what I went. I thumbed through it, and I was like, yep, yep, yep. I said, I don't do that anymore. Not that I think this is bad, wrong, or I think it's fine. I said, but it tends to be kind of a formula. And my whole point, which maybe came from the Holy Spirit, because I just thought about. Well, because our buddy, the pastor, he said, you have a unique way. Somehow hearing me speak, he had come to the conclusion you have a unique way of presenting the gospel. Which I didn't know what that meant, so I just analyzed it, and I thought, what you're doing is introducing a person. And especially at this time when we're studying first, John is so zeroed in on the fellowship that you have with this being that we call God, who is in essence, a father, a son, and a spirit working as one. And we have this fellowship with that. So I kind of went through the normal thing I do about John. I love the book of John because it just seems like the easiest way to get to know who Jesus is. And so I kind of went through the Book of John. I mean, that's where we started. But it was in contrast to this, how we live our life, as far as behavior versus having conversations like Jesus did with, like, Zacchaeus. I mean, why is that in there?
Zach
Yeah.
Jason
He's walking around, looks up. Here's some guy that nobody likes, makes a point that he's short, he's a tax collector, he's up in a tree. And then Jesus seeks him out, has a conversation, then he has a profound statement. This is why I came, to seek and save the lost.
Zach
Do you get the picture that he was someone nobody wanted to have anything to do with, but Jesus notices him.
Jason
Exactly.
Zach
For a reason that was different from what everybody else knows him. Yeah.
Jason
And when you kind of Analyze that story. It's like most people, if you have a movement and a church and you meet somebody who has a lot of money, well, the first thing you're going to do is like, we need a little support for what's going on. But did you. Have you ever noticed what Zacchaeus did? He didn't. He said, oh, I'm going to follow you. And once he had recognized who Jesus was, he's like, I'm going to go back and whoever I've cheated, I'm going to pay them whatever it was four times.
Zach
Four times what I stole.
Jason
But you know what hit me in analyzing that story, that's going to be a really good way to also share Jesus. Because they're like, well, why are you. Why are you giving me four times? He's like, because I did you wrong. It's like, why would you do that? Well, now he can then share about the encounter. I think that's fascinating.
Zach
It is fascinating. And Luke, when he records it in his book in his letter Gospel, he records it right after the rich young ruler, which to me is such a contrast of hearts. Remember the rich young ruler, Jesus told him what to do and he walked away. He's like, nope, go sell it all. Yeah, exactly.
Alex
I got my cozy earth socks in Jase. I was very impressed, I have to admit.
Jason
Well, here is what most impressive. They figured out a way not only to have comfortable sock, all that, but for people like me to try to figure out what sock goes with which sock. On the foot part that you don't see, one of them says cozy and the other says earth. So now you always know which sock matches with the other sock. I call that genius innovation.
Zach
So thank you.
Alex
I was just impressed with the, with the comfort. They are literally the most comfortable pair of socks I've ever put on Cozy Earth. It's all about making home the best part of life with products that are thoughtfully made comfortable and they're built to last. They got jogger sets that are designed to be your go to outfit you can relax in. You can run errands in them. They're lightweight, breathable and soft. They also have clogs that are made for everyday wear. I wear them around the house. You wear them out. They're easy to slip on, supportive and comfortable. We all have the cozy earth bamboo sheets. We got the pajamas.
Zach
Zach. My favorite are the pajamas. They're so comfortable, so cool. And then my. The sheets are my second favorite, but I love all their stuff.
Alex
We are a cozy earth family, all three of us. And this spring, you can give yourself the same kind of comfort that lives with you all day long. Not just the moment you get home. Head over to cozyearth.com use our code unashamed for an exclusive 20% off. And if you see a post purchase survey, please mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the unashamed podcast. That's cozyearth.com code unashamed comfort lives here.
Jason
So that was the vibe. Yeah, that was the vibe. I mean, I explained the Bible as in Jesus is coming. You know, you go to Matthew, Marluke and John, which is the he is here section, and then the Acts to the revelation. I asked him, you know, I did the first two. I just figured everyone knew this. Most time people get it right, they didn't get it right. I said, okay, if Genesis to Malachi is Jesus is coming to Earth. And I like threw in a couple of passages like Daniel 7, there was a prophecy that the son of man would come and set up this kingdom. And then Jesus referred to himself as the son of man, like 90 times in the Gospels. So that's prophesied. Then he's here. You have all the red letters. Then you have Acts, revelation. What segment would that be? And the first answer was the Gospel. I was like, what do you mean? All right, he's coming to earth. He's here on the earth. What's the next section? I thought they would say he's coming back. He's. Because he's at the right hand of God now. A lot of answers, but that wasn't one of them. So they weren't playing along with it. But my whole point was this is you're called to a person.
Zach
Yeah.
Jason
And now you're introducing this person who's Lord King, you're introducing that to another person who God is seeking.
Zach
Right.
Jason
So that. And he uses us as imaging the character of God by.
Zach
And it's an interesting way of looking at it because if, you know, you. We go places and there's usually somebody that's connected to us to event. And what they do is they'll have other people, maybe influencers in their church or maybe the pastor or somebody. And they'll say, here, I want to introduce you.
Jason
Yeah.
Zach
To this. To this guy we have here to. This is Jason from. Oh, yeah. You know, we know. And then they make the connection. But we do this all the time.
Jason
Yeah.
Zach
We introduce people to other people that we feel like are somebody that can
Alex
make your life better.
Zach
Maybe they're a famous person. Maybe they're whatever. So it really should be as natural as that. And if you're hosting, you're thinking, my job is to make sure this person gets introduced to the right people. Right. I mean, we do it all the time.
Jason
So what I did was I went through all these themes that we've been talking about over and over, like heaven and earth coming together. I went through that whole spiel, you know, I was like, most people think the theme of the Bible is heaven and hell. Really not even those things are addressed. Heaven and earth coming together. That is a fixture, hundreds of verses that you can go much more prominent. The temple. When Jesus. Because I basically kind of went through John at rapid pace. We are the temple. I read that verse, you know, all the different ways we're described as God's people. The kingdom went through that.
Zach
The resurrection. Did you talk about that?
Jason
Resurrection got to that John 21 and that whole setting, which look, you know what hit me? We were talking about how their culture was a shame and honor culture in a previous podcast. But even him having that meal with them on the bank, which is my most favorite story, I mean, that story single handedly pricked my heart to move to Jesus when I was 14.
Zach
But.
Jason
But he caught the fish. It's exciting. But then having that meal was in their culture. They had all just ran out on him. And now he's back. And it was, look, I'm here to bring you back in now that you realize I'm alive. But one thing I wish I would have brought up last night because after it was over, then I was reading 1 John 5 what we the last section, I don't know if we talked about this, But First John 5:18, when it says, we know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin. The one who was born of God keeps him safe. Well, if you look that up in the original language, you have a generic group of people for anyone who's born of God. Born again. The reason I'm bringing this up is because when I got finished, they said, well, what about the response to the gospel to Jesus, if you're interested. But what about how they respond? I'm like, well, we'll address that. If they don't fall in love with Jesus, they don't at some point realize who Jesus is. That's not going to matter. But if they do, that's going to be a lot easier conversation on how do I respond. You got plenty of verses for that. But who Jesus is and people ingesting that, that's the more important Matter. And so I briefly, in two minutes, we talked about baptism, we talked about surrendering to Jesus. All the different phrases we use. But that verse, if you look it up in original, it has a general view of what it means to be born again. Right. The reason in a lot of translations that second time, the one is capitalized.
Zach
Yeah.
Jason
Is because. And you don't realize this until you look at the original language. It's a phrase meaning a one time event. So you get it. That's why they capitalized it. Because it's like. But think about that. It was my whole point that this leads you to a person and that one moment in time where he entered the earth, did what he did, died on a cross, was resurrected, goes to the right hand, opening up the portal to God for us. Because of that, anyone can be born again.
Zach
Yeah. It's probably derivative of the John one. Was it 17 that says the one and only?
Jason
Yeah.
Zach
That concept of, you know, at the end of that whole section where Jesus is introduced by John at the beginning of the Gospel.
Jason
Well, it made me think of a cool little phrase. Anyone? Because of the One.
Zach
Yeah.
Jason
Which was my whole point.
Zach
Right.
Jason
It's like I went to the John 5, you know, where he goes back to the scriptures, the Old Testament. He's coming, saying those scriptures were about me.
Zach
Yeah.
Jason
So. And I felt like they were because about five minutes into it I said, you're going to need to write this down. Nobody was.
Zach
They were just looking.
Jason
Everybody went and got paper, you know, I was like, because I'm fixing to sum this up. And it was a one hour.
Zach
Yeah.
Jason
Of why Jesus is the center and the communication that we should give through the Bible lens.
Zach
It's kind of funny, Zach, because it reminds me of that, that, that video that time somebody put together about the One.
Alex
Who.
Zach
Who's your One, I think was the name of it. And your mom was in there and dad was in there. And it was all about kind of a chain connection of people who had been introduced by Jesus across now two or three gener. Four generations. Because Bill Smith's in there. And of course now half that video of people are gone, have crossed over for the resurrection. But the One keeps going because it spreads, it flattens out into more and more people as you have the One.
Jason
Well, one of the questions they asked was, well, how do you get into the conversation? Now that's when I got into the humanity stuff because deep down, the formula you're using, the reason they're using that is like everybody has a sin problem. Everybody has a physical death problem. I was like, but look, you don't have to convince somebody of that. You just state that as factual.
Alex
Right?
Jason
You know, our dad was a master at that. He's like, I know what you've been doing. I mean, he'd just meet a person. He's like, you've been doing a lot of cutting up. Well, everybody's like, yep. Well, how did he know that?
Zach
Because he understand human beings.
Jason
Hey, I know another thing. You're scared to die. Guess what? And if somebody says they're not, well, now you've figured out their, their sin problem, which is lying and denial.
Zach
Well, remember the f. Remember the story he loved to tell about the one guy, he said, I will not die. And then like, what, three months later he gets word that the guy got knifed at a bar or something. I mean, it was like, you know, dad always took that to heart because it was like the one man that told me, oh, no, I'm not going to die within three months.
Alex
I tried to tell you.
Zach
I tried to tell you, I told you so.
Alex
I hate, I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. So there's a lot of things that we use every day without really thinking about them. One of those things is toothpaste. I can't even pronounce most of the ingredients on the label, so I started looking for some alternatives. That's when I came across Van Man's Miracle tooth powder. It's a tooth powder made with natural ingredients that match the structure of your teeth. It's made with naturally sourced minerals, including one derived from grass fed cattle. Van Man's has no fluoride, no foaming agents, or none of those chemicals. Your teeth feel cleaner, there's less buildup and you don't get that heavy filmy feeling. To me, the toothpaste, yeah, you know it's not natural, right, when you put your mouth. So for me, I feel like this is a cleaner, a cleaner way to clean your teeth.
Zach
Look, I've been on this diet, which is high protein and it's in a lot of powder form. And so I've noticed it builds up on my teeth quite a bit. And regular toothpaste is not taking it off. I have to have it done by a dental hygienist. So I'm excited to try this product just to keep that, you know, my teeth in a better shape.
Alex
Make the switch to real oral care. Go to Vanman, shop unashamed and use code unashamed for 15% off your first order, that's Vanman. Shop unashamed and use code unashamed for 15% off your first order. Van Man. Real ingredients, no exceptions.
Jason
I had one study where a guy, I was like, you have a, you know you're going to die. And he's like, no, no, because the Lord, he said, had revealed to him that he wasn't going to die. And he was using. Who was that? Enoch who didn't die?
Alex
He's like, no, I'm Enoch.
Zach
He's going to be Enoch or Elijah or one of the ones. Yeah.
Jason
I said, I don't, I don't think so, but we'll see. Well, he was dead a year later. And I thought never put the Lord God to the test is, is my point.
Zach
Well, I think the good thing about what you did, I mean, I'm glad they asked you because you want to try to impress upon the younger generation a sense of urgency because it's like anything else. I mean, I look at it now, we just, last night we had a little birthday celebration for my 10 year old grandson. And you look at their lives and they're just going year to year and I'm 10, they're so excited to get older. And you look at it now, I'm 61, I'm looking, I'm thinking, man, I can barely remember being 10. But the 50 years went by really quick. And so you want the sense of urgency to hit as soon as possible to impact, because you only get a certain amount of days on the earth and you're not even guaranteed that. You know, Moses said in Psalm 90 that, you know, 70 years, if you, if you have the, you know, strength, 80 maybe. But for the most part, you know, we're not here that long, Zach. I mean, the idea is it goes quick and we need an urgency.
Alex
Yeah, I think so. I think too the, every generation hears the gospel in kind of their native context and the gospel doesn't change but the way that we interpret it and we do have different emphasis. Right. So like I think when Bill Smith and those guys that obviously mentored us, your dad being one of them, when, you know, when they were in the heyday, the, you know. Well, first of all, like you did kind of have a cultural context of even what sin was back in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, you know, now that's, you gotta, Tim Keller said this, he said, used to, you had to connect the dots for people. He said, now you got to explain the dots. And I think that's a fair statement. And I think if you go in with just these formulas. Like, you can't formulize the gospel because it's living and breathing. You know, the word of God is active.
Jason
Well, see, I'd say it's a person, you know, that's.
Alex
Well, that's why. Well, the word is a person. That's why it's breathing and active. Like, it's because the word is Jesus. And so
Zach
what.
Alex
But what's interesting about our moment is this is anecdotal, but I think it's interesting. I find this very interesting that one of our pastors at our church met with a spiritual director at a Christian university in the area and was asking this director, what is. Like, what are you guys dealing with on campus? Like, what's the. You know what? Where can we help? Where can we. Because we got students at our church that go to your school. And this particular person said, we did it. We interviewed 16 students at our school who proclaimed to be Christians. They claim Jesus. They say, Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I'm a Christian. And none of them had an understanding or knew that there was going to be a bodily resurrection one day. Just think about that. They did not know about the bodily resurrection. And some of them didn't even really realize that Jesus had raised from the dead. I mean, this is like, basic stuff. And she said, our students today, probably the biggest concern that I'm seeing in the church is, is just spiritual Gnosticism that just. They're just. They've inherited this Gnostic worldview and they don't even have a concept of the physical resurrection. And so I think the way we're preaching the gospel on this podcast is it's very physical, it's very tangible. We talk a whole lot about the new heavens and the new earth. You don't hear us talking about we're going to somehow float up somewhere and then into some other place where we're going to be like, floating around almost like a.
Zach
A ghost.
Alex
That ain't. That's not how we talk about it. As you said, it's heaven and earth coming back together again.
Jason
And.
Alex
And I think that's why when you read passages like you were mentioning about Jesus having a meal, I mean, that's why the meal is so important, I think, because I agree that's like that. That it's like in there, like this little.
Zach
It's. It's.
Alex
You can just read past it and not realize what. What's happening here. That the physical or the resurrected body is so physical that it will still eat meals. I mean, let that sink in. That's not an out there floating idea. That is the full embodiment. And I think it goes back to the Garden of Eden where you have, you know, a meal is kind of the center of the whole thing. You can have any tree from this garden to eat of. You can have a meal from any tree in the garden, except for one. Don't go over there to that tree.
Jason
Even the idea of the Lord's Supper, which is a meal. And you even see in the book of John, I think I said this last night. It starts off in John 1, which is where I start. I explain John 1 to people because I think another thing people don't realize in the world is that God came to earth in human form. You think everybody knows that. I'm telling you, half the studies I've had from the last couple months, they were like, God came to earth. They got Jesus as just a dude, but not God in human form. It's like, oh, they're connected. So John one really gets into that. What I find fascinating is then later, like John, who wrote it, here he is at that meal after he washed your feet and all. And I forget the exact phrase, but he basically, it's the idea that he had his head on his chest or whatever. And he would say, I was the one that Jesus loved.
Zach
That was the way I described it.
Jason
But it's like you see that go from God becoming a man in this relationship that they have, which is almost beyond our understanding. I mean, it's hard to wrap your head around. And then now you see that facilitated to humans right through this intimate connection. And now he's writing these letters. It's like, oh, he. And it takes me back to that prayer in John 17 where Jesus says that exact thing, this glory and love that we experience. He talking about his father, who he is, this that we had before the creation of the world. My prayer is that it's passed on to these humans.
Alex
Yeah, that's such a key point. And I think that when you think about when we are, when we're talking about the gospel, it's super embodied. This is what the next generation needs to know. It's super embodied. It centers around the meal. It's very intimate. It's the gathering. Super important. And I just sent Maddie. I wanted her to show you all this clip from Ben Sass, because he basically is saying the same thing. This guy Ben Sass was a United States senator. Jace probably doesn't know who he is, but are you familiar with.
Zach
I am.
Alex
Tell me.
Jason
I Like to meet with people.
Alex
This guy, I've never met him, but I will tell you, like, because I was in politics and I would probably say this is one of the last statesmen that ever served in the United States Senate. This guy is a. I just have so much respect for the way he conducted himself over the years. And so I followed his work quite a bit and. And then he wound up at the University of Florida.
Zach
Yeah.
Alex
As the president. So, you know, go Gators. So I definitely was excited to see that. Then he gets pancreatic cancer.
Zach
Now this. I didn't know. I didn't know he had cancer to.
Alex
You told us this morning, pancreatic cancer. He's on an experimental treatment, I think is doing well. But I mean, you know, pancreatic cancer is a death sentence.
Zach
Yeah. And usually. And usually quick, quickly, quick.
Alex
And so he's been doing these interviews that there's. Did one with 60 minutes that. I mean, I. I would highly recommend anybody out there, you got to go watch it. I'm telling you. Because it's like if you just want to window into when everything is stripped away and you are filled with the Holy Spirit and you are facing death and you have several kids that are. You're leaving behind and why. Loving wife you're leaving behind. What would a man. What. What kind of advice would you give? And I want y' all to hear this because I think it ties in to. To the God. It is the gospel. But I want y' all to hear it and I want to get yalls reaction. This has been sass. I sent it to Maddie. Can you play that? Maddie, is there advice that you would
Zach
give to someone who is, you know, the Ben sasse father of three at age 40 or age 35, when the kids are young and everything's stressful and chaotic in light of where you are now.
Guest Speaker
Happy to go fire hose on this one. Number one, honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. Man. I wish I'd treated the Lord's day differently over the course of my life. You know, we've. We've been at Sunday worship every morning forever. But man, am I tempted by 12:45 or 1:30 in the afternoon to. To get back to work or to an addictive level work about the NFL. Dinner time is precious, man. Lock up your devices and keep them away from the table and. And prioritize that time. There is a limit to how many trips a month are really worth it. I lived a road warrior life for a long time and I kind of had a rule of thumb that seven nights a month in a hotel was the ceiling. But boy, there's a difference between seven and nine. And there's a difference between seven and five. And I took way, way, way, way too many trips.
Zach
That might be convicting for the man
Alex
interviewing you, but go on.
Guest Speaker
You know, family compounds like man have more cousins and figure out how to live thick with them. There's so many times when we optimize around things that are not nearly as important as more family thickness. Boy, I wish we lived down the block from my folks.
Zach
Yeah, that's. I mean, that's exactly what we were talking about earlier, Zach. And it's interesting that, you know, we're all terminal in the sense we all know we're going to die, you know, in spite of some. We've said that. Said they didn't and then did. Um, but when you, when you feel like, you know that the, the. The alarm clock is actually set when you. Something like this, like he's obviously going through the urgency of it, that. That's exactly what I was talking about with, with Jace earlier and, and I like it that we've talked about that. It's so relational, which is what he was just talking about. I mean, he framed it in that clip inside the family. But that's the idea. The relationships are what matter.
Alex
So if you've been to the grocery store lately, you don't need me to tell you this. Inflation's the real deal. Everything costs more. Food, housing, everyday living. The dollar just does not stretch as far as it used to. So it raises a real question, which is this the money you work so hard to save over the last few decades, the retirement that you guys have been building, even the legacy that you want to leave your family, what's that actually going to value 20 years from now? It's a real question. It's one of the reasons why a lot of folks are looking at ways to diversify their savings with real assets like gold and silver. And that's where our friends at Freedom Gold USA come in. For generations, people have looked at physical gold and silver as a real way to help preserve value, especially during times of inflation, currency changes or economic uncertainty. And Freedom Gold USA helps people understand how physical precious metals might fit into your long term retirement strategy. Look, their motto is really simple. Get more metal for your money. Competitive pricing, no gimmicks, and specialists who focus on education, not pressure. These are hard assets that hold their value and increase increase in value over time. A great hedge against inflation. So right Now, Freedom Gold USA is offering a free 2026 gold and silver guide and a no obligation consultation. All you have to do is call 888-411-1845 or visit unashamedgold.com that's triple 841-11-1845 or visit unashamedgold.com learn how diversification may help protect your retirement savings.
Zach
It's like when we started this podcast. We started it with Romans 1:16 being unashamed the gospel and Paul's introducing what he's about to share, which is probably the most in depth breakdown of what the good news story really is to the Roman church. But that's not even possible without Hebrews 2:11. The one who makes us holy, who is holy, makes us holy, is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. That's what makes it possible. Or, or even Hebrews 12:11, which is in the context of some of the ancients where the Bible says, therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. And again, so you say, oh yeah, city way off somewhere. No, we're the city. The city is made clear at the end of Hebrews 11 and 12. That's us. That's together with us, made perfect in Christ.
Alex
You know, we're the family compound. We're like. The reason why I love what Ben Sass did there was because think about how, how we preach the gospel, right, is we've preached it. Basically give your life to Jesus, get freed from your sin, you're not guilty anymore. And then one day you get to go to heaven.
Zach
We're just like in a big waiting
Alex
room here, just a waiting room and. But here you have a man who is on, like he's, he's knocking on the door and so what, what advice do you have? He doesn't say, oh, it doesn't matter, guys, it's all work. I'm going to, I'm going to heaven. He doesn't say that. He goes, he, he looks back at his life and the things that he says he wishes that he would have done better. And his advice to those he's leaving behind is basically go, go do Genesis 1:28. Go do that. Now. I don't put that off. Yeah, be fruitful, multiply, Subdue the earth, fill the earth. Go, go, do, go do that. Like build the family compound. Have dinner around a table. Like have a meal with, lots of meals with your family and your loved ones. Don't forsake the assembly. Like go to church. You know, take the communion. Take like it's so simple. But I think that's how we would all feel when we look back at our life. It's like, I wish I would have embodied the kingdom of heaven more than I did. And we're all good. No one's going to get to the end of this thing on this side and look back and say, man, I nailed that perfectly. We're always going to look back with some degree of regret, I think, because we live in a broken world. But the fact that the ideal that we're all stretching and reaching toward is embodiment now, that's. That's a much fuller gospel than a gospel that says, I'm trying to get out of here. I'm trying to get to heaven. A better gospel is heaven getting into me as opposed to me getting to heaven.
Zach
Yeah. And it's the relational idea. Zach, was it you that one time said on. On the podcast, I want to attribute it to you when you tell the story about one of the architects of the Holocaust, when he finally. He was brought to justice at the end of the war, and they asked him if he had regrets. And here was a man that oversaw the death of millions of people, and his regret was he didn't spend more time with his family.
Alex
That was Rudolf Hoss. He was the commander of Auschwitz. And there's a. There's actually a movie that came out recently. I haven't watched it yet, but it's a. It was about his family life essentially. Right outside the camp.
Zach
Yeah.
Alex
So they're living. They're living like a family life outside the camp. That's completely normal by any estimate. But inside the camp, he's injured, engineered a death factory that killed nearly 2 million people. And it was that strange dichotomy that was just like, this is so bizarre. How can you live in two different worlds? And I think the. The point was that, is that even the. The most wicked among us. Even the most wicked among us can never fully escape what God has put. He's put eternity in the hearts of men.
Zach
Yeah.
Alex
Yeah. Even on his. Like, he's about to be sentenced. He's sentenced to death, and they're about to execute him. And you think, well, if anyone didn't believe that family matters, if anyone would say, I'm going to deny Genesis 1:28. We. We don't believe that, like, we killed all these Jewish people. I mean, I. I have no value. I don't value human life. You would think it would be Rudolph Haas.
Zach
Yeah.
Alex
And. But even him, when it came to his own family, he was like, yeah, I wish I'd have spent more time with my kids. Which is.
Jason
That's.
Alex
That's a very strange point that he made, that the difference between him and Sass is. Sass has an actual context for that.
Zach
Yeah.
Alex
Because his is. His whole context is in the sovereign King. And so we have. We have a reason for that. And so that's why we can speak into that with confidence. Not a personal regret. I say it wasn't a personal regret, but he's saying, this is the mandate. Go, go. This is the mandate. Go out, be fruitful, multiply, create families, expand the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Zach
Yeah. Which is so good.
Jason
Well, I got asked yesterday by a sister who's friends with my wife, and we have a. Because she listens to the podcast, and she asked me one time if I ever have any questions, can I. Can I ask you? Sure. Not that I know the answer, but we'll look into it. But she brought up this idea when Jesus was raised, that other people were raised. I forgot the exact reference of that. I can look it up in the text. You remember that?
Zach
Yeah, yeah.
Jason
She was like, nobody ever talks about this. I was like, actually, I haven't taken a deep dive into that, but I will. And I haven't sense. But I wanted to bring it up because it makes sense when you start looking at what Jesus did post resurrection, having a meal with these disciples who had abandoned him. Now, it does say one about how deep God's love is because he's willing to do that. Despite their rejection, Peter's denial, everybody's scrambling. I guess only John kind of went through the whole process, but it was, look, I want to use you. I'm back. But to have that experience, it's not shocking to me that other people came back bodily. Now, in my opinion, which I told her this, they probably were like Lazarus who was raised, but he died later. But I do think it was a glimpse and it was validation that they just didn't make all this up. And it was a picture. It goes along with the picture that we're projecting here, is that at the resurrection, when you get your body back. And Romans 8 is real specific. It says, we groan for that redemption of our bodies. That body is coming back. And if it's like Jesus, body first John 2, 3 there, where he gets into that. Philippians 3 also says that he'll transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. It's an experience with what really matters, which is your relationship with God and people and doing Stuff. That's why I'm just so against people thinking that we're going to. It's almost like they view the Star Trek line that space is the final frontier, so we're going to fly through space. Like somehow or another he made that at the creation of his fingertips. That's nothing. What matters is who you're with, whatever you're doing. And to him to call back to something he had done before, which is tell them they hadn't caught anything. He had done that before, before he died. Why is he doing that again? Why is he having a meal? Why is he eating? It's now post resurrection. He wasn't giving them directions about, you know, where he's going to go. Remember when Thomas asked him, well, where are you going to go? And he's like, don't worry about that. He didn't answer the question. He was basically saying, you'll be connected with me because I'm going to give you the spirit.
Zach
Well, when I taught that text years ago, the one you mentioned, because it is just almost like a random thing thrown in there. Like, wait a minute, other people came back. I mean, a bunch of people. So my supposition, and it's just strictly my thinking I could be wrong, was that, you know, the Bible tells us in John 5 there's going to be the resurrection of everybody. Everybody's going to be resurrected. So regenerative. Regenerative power unleashed at some point is going to be so much so that everybody that's ever lived will be raised. I mean, you're talking about a power surge.
Jason
Yeah.
Zach
And so my thought was whatever he unleashed to raise Jesus from the dead that day, it was so powerful that everybody in the little surrounding area, the few little tombs that were somewhere in the vicinity of where Jesus was, were also raised. That was my supposition. It's always hard to see our poochies getting old. Sort of like us, right? Things get a little slower. They don't quite get around as much as they used to. Do you see that with your two?
Jason
Oh, yeah. They're just downright grumpy. And so anything I can do to keep them happy, I'm on a day.
Zach
So Alex's dog, Meatball is a part of our compound. As she's getting older and to watch her, you know, not quite those joints responding the way they're supposed to has led us to rough greens. And their mission is to keep our dogs as healthy as possible. Most of us don't realize that our dog's food may be missing. Live Nutrients that they actually need to stay healthy and active. Ruff Greens is all natural, made right here in the US you sprinkle it right on their dog food. Ruff Greens is America's number one dog supplement. Here's why. It's got probiotics, it's got enzymes, omega oils, and over 20 live vitamins and minerals to help with digestion, energy, and their overall health. Thousands of people are seeing their dogs act more like themselves again, and you could be one of them. Alex told me that meatball since she started her own rough greens, now I was able to jump back up on the bed, which she hadn't been able to do for a few months. And so it's brought some of that life back to her, which is a blessing. I've noticed our dogs have better demeanor, higher energy, and better coats. Check them out. Get a free Jump Start trial bag for your dog. You just cover the shipping. Go to ruffgreens.com, use the discount code. Unashamed. That's Ruffgreens discount code. Unashamed. Rough greens. We make any dog food better?
Jason
To me, Al. Here, here. That maybe I could have put my point. You helped me understand my own point. Even better. If. If we're not going to be raised in a body that we can do stuff like eat fish and catch fish, why are these other people being raised?
Zach
Exactly. For whatever reason, however it happened, and
Jason
for whatever reason, this legitimizes what we're saying.
Zach
Yes.
Jason
To make this perfectly clear, because I think people will say, oh, well, that was Jesus. He was the son of God. That's why he came back. But, I mean, I'm not. When the whole rest of the New Testament is like, if the Spirit is living in you. Romans 8, 11. He who gave life to Jesus, mortal body will give life to your mortal body. Well, isn't that the same thing?
Zach
Exactly.
Jason
And then we have a little sign or shadow of that happening. When Jesus was raised, it was validation that, look, it's not just me. Here's. And I think God knew their hearts through faith. They had trusted him, and they came back and they got to tell some stories.
Zach
Oh, they tell some stories.
Jason
You know when you say, well, what if I could come back from the dead? Well, that happened one day.
Zach
Yep.
Jason
And they. They told you all about it. And I don't think it was like the shows they're running today. They all start off with a saw, light a tunnel. They're like, I'm back. And I would say, because the Bible doesn't say a whole lot about what paradise is or the next life. But it always is in the context that you're with the Lord.
Zach
Yeah. Which is exactly what he told the thief today. You'll be with me.
Jason
That's the point. Yeah. That is the point of the whole thing. And I think when you add in all these moments when people were in some way spiritually intense moments, whether it was sleep or being persecuted like Stephen, they had these visions of this alternate reality where that kind of the curtain between heaven and earth is peel back. All of a sudden it makes our view of thinking the Earth and space and we're going to go somewhere out there and these. You know, you see all these pictures everywhere. This Borg is going to come by and pick us up and the cube
Zach
is going to land on top of the.
Jason
Look, I'm trying not to make fun of this. This is. People really believe this is going to happen and it's. We're going to go off as. As spacious mess into whatever some unchartered territory when you're missing the whole special part of life here on Earth already. These experiences we're having. That's why last night we had a meal with a group of young people who were fired up for Jesus. There was no difference to me in any other great experience I've had. I go back in my life all the times we've gathered and just spontaneously sung songs to God. You get kind of teared up after you've had a meal and you talk about all the adventures you did during the day. And there's no doubt that's why our little duck show took off, because that basically showed you what matters.
Zach
Yeah.
Jason
No matter what happened during the day, it was an experience with other people. Mistakes were made, but love was offered. Yeah. And we're going to pray to God and go do it again tomorrow.
Zach
Yeah. Which is why I just told the group last week I was speaking to. I showed that picture of or family gathered around a table is like the prayer is what really resonated the most with everybody out. That's the one they always mentioned to me. You know, y' all prayed at the end of the. Every episode. It was interesting. Just that one little spiritual insertion into that moment of a show is what resonated with so many people across the pale. They knew something was different about us. One of the things I was going to mention, we're almost out of time. But that was a rather shocking. I assume it's because of whatever probably trial that Ben Sassez is on with his physical appearance, with his face. And it looked like it's whatever's going on there. But it makes it more impactful to me because it reminded me when I was watching the video of the picture we see in the book of Job, where most of the book is him sitting on a pile of ashes, looking something like what we just saw from this physical touch that the evil one had put on his physical body. And yet through the whole process, he's still giving glory to God, you know, not sure what's going to happen. He lost everything he had, everything he loved, everything he was, his strength. And yet at the end of the day, he's still proclaiming about who God is. Restoration, the idea of the resurrection, the idea of family, the idea that goes beyond that. And so there is something powerful about that when we go through things on this earth that we're unsure about, and even death itself, I mean, man, that's where faith comes in, right? Is in those moments.
Alex
I want to go out like that. I mean, I watch those videos. I've watched a bunch of these interviews with Sass lately, or at least that one that I shared with you guys in the 60 Minute interview. Like, man, I. I just. I would hope that I would have that type of conviction and integrity. Because you. Because you. You know, that's got to be devastating, you know, in a lot of ways. One of the interviews, I said, well, how do you feel about the fact that you're not gonna probably be there for your kids? He's like, yeah, I'm bummed about it. Like, I mean, it's like telling. He's. I'm bummed about it. But, you know, he, He. He didn't pivot. Pivots right back to the kingdom. And I think that it's not.
Jason
We don't mourn.
Alex
And we see like, you know, his face and stuff like that. We. We mourn in a way that says that this is horrible, right? Death is the enemy. But we also have a hope that there will be a bodily resurrection. There will be a real reunification of heaven and earth. There will be a new heaven, a new earth. And that is, I think, the groaning that we're in right now. The creation is also groaning, waiting for those sons of God, which will include Ben Sasse, to be revealed. So, yeah, keep that guy in your prayers, though. And his family. I mean, that just. I don't know, I bet that. That just hit me hard this week. I said, I want to show. I wanted to show it to you today anyway, so I'm glad it kind of worked in to what we were already kind of talking.
Zach
Yeah. And it's in to me, not only is it the hope we have, it's the only hope we have. Because, you know, we go through a lot of difficult things. I think about people that lose children, just, you know, really difficult, hard paths that so many out there have experienced. I know that listening for sure, have experienced. The only hope you have is in the resurrection.
Jason
Yeah.
Zach
I mean, otherwise this is it. Like this is the end of it. And then you just.
Jason
Well, I found this nugget in the same passage I read earlier when it says, anyone who's born of God does not continue to sin because the one who was born of God, this one time event that Jesus did, it says, keeps him safe. And I think the problem is when you're diagnosed with a disease which we all realize we're going to die at some point, but you say, well, how do I deal with that, with the fear of that. But when you think, what does it mean that he keeps him safe? Well, it echoes what he had said in chapter four in verse 18, when it says, there's no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. And our Savior, he embodies perfect love.
Zach
Yeah.
Jason
And so I really think that's, that's at the crux of this. And he had echoed that in John 14:30. It's a real profound verse that we really didn't dive deep in when we went through the Book of John. But it echoes the same verses I just read. It says, I will not speak with you much longer, for the Prince of this world is coming. Speaking of the evil one, because Jesus knew he was going to die. But watch what he says. He has no hold on me. But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do. Exactly. My Father has commanded. So what is the evil one all about? Sin and death and controlling people through the fear of death. But you have multiple passages there saying, he's going to keep you safe. There's no fear in love. And Jesus himself said, he has no hold on me. I haven't given him that power since he was sinless. We talked about that earlier. And so he is able to keep those who follow him secure, safe and fearless, no matter what happens. I just think it's powerful.
Zach
And he actually closes the book of First John by saying, we know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding. So what we're talking about today, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true even in his son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Jason
In him decodes the whole plan of God. When you're in Christ, there you find peace, safety, security, purpose, hope, understanding, understanding.
Zach
Very powerful. But thanks for bringing that to our attention, Zach. That was really good. And Jason, thanks for sharing with those young people because we want that sense of urgency to begin. I feel like, I feel since dad has crossed over in me being the oldest son especially, it has ignited a fire of, you know, we only have a certain amount of days, but man, that's what we want to live for. We want to know which we can. Don't waste them. He's like, he said, you set the number at seven, but five is better. I love that. That's so good. We'll see you next time on Unashamed. Thanks for listening to the Unashamed podcast. Help us out by leaving a rating and review on Apple podcast. And don't miss an episode by subscribing on YouTube. And be sure to click the little bell and choose all notifications to watch every episode.
Episode 1328 | The Easiest Way to Start Talking About Jesus in Real Life
Date: May 7, 2026
This episode centers on practical, authentic ways to begin conversations about Jesus, especially with the younger "Gen Z" generation. Using real-life stories, biblical insights, and current cultural observations, the Robertsons discuss how to move beyond formulaic approaches to sharing the gospel, and instead prioritize relational, embodied, and urgent ways of communicating faith. The episode also touches on the resurrection, the embodied hope of Christianity, generational faith transmission, and the power of relationship, using personal anecdotes and the moving perspective of public figures facing mortality.
[00:18–02:15]
The episode opens with a discussion about "Gen Z" and labels, with some humor about generational categories.
The discussion turns to the importance of older Christians helping guide the younger generation and retaining urgency in faith-sharing, given life's brevity.
[03:10–07:48]
Jason reflects that evangelism often gets reduced to formulas or pamphlets, referencing a Bill Smith tract he and his family once used.
As the group studies the book of John and 1 John, Jason highlights:
He stresses that true gospel-sharing is “introducing a person” and fostering friendship and fellowship with God (Father, Son, Spirit).
Quote:
"You’re called to a person. And now you’re introducing this person, who’s Lord King, you’re introducing that to another person who God is seeking." – Jason [12:39]
[07:48–09:10]
Jason tells the story of Zacchaeus, highlighting Jesus’ personal, relational approach:
This contrasts formulaic “sin management” approaches with the importance of relationship, honesty, and living witness.
[14:18–17:52]
Resurrection isn’t simply an abstract doctrine. It’s central to Christian hope.
Alex shares a story from a local Christian university, where students lacked basic understanding of bodily resurrection.
The Robertsons stress teaching a “full gospel” emphasizing Jesus’ physical resurrection and the embodied hope for believers.
Meals and physical gatherings are highlighted as central to Jesus’ ministry, the early church, and the coming new creation.
Quote:
"I think the way we're preaching the gospel on this podcast is it's very physical, it's very tangible. We talk a whole lot about the new heavens and the new earth." – Alex [25:16]
[29:31–33:07]
Alex introduces a moving interview clip with Ben Sasse (former U.S. Senator and current university president battling cancer). Sasse’s advice for living in light of eternity is simple and relational:
The hosts connect Sasse’s advice to core gospel themes: community, embodiment, relational richness.
Quote:
"Man, I wish I'd treated the Lord's day differently over the course of my life. ...Dinner time is precious, man. Lock up your devices and keep them away from the table and prioritize that time." – Ben Sasse (via clip, [31:10])
Reflection: Facing mortality sharpens what truly matters—relationships and faith—not accomplishments.
[39:24–54:23]
The episode returns to the urgency of life in light of death, echoing Sasse’s interview and biblical teaching.
The Robertsons discuss frequently overlooked verses suggesting that, at Jesus’ resurrection, others were resurrected too—a glimpse of what is to come for all believers (Matt 27:52-53).
They affirm:
Quote:
"I think people will say, 'Oh, well, that was Jesus. ...But, I mean, I'm not—when the whole rest of the New Testament is like, if the Spirit is living in you... He who gave life to Jesus, mortal body will give life to your mortal body. Well, isn't that the same thing?'" – Jason [45:47]
They stress: The “best way” to talk about Jesus is to live out embodied hope and invite others, naturally, into the relational network that points to him.
On gospel-sharing:
“You have a unique way of presenting the gospel... You're introducing a person.” – Jason [05:37]
On old methods:
“I don’t do [the pamphlet] anymore. ...Not that I think this is bad, wrong… but it tends to be kind of a formula.” – Jason [06:31]
On resurrection hope:
“A better gospel is heaven getting into me as opposed to me getting to heaven.” – Alex [37:10]
Ben Sasse’s advice:
“Honor the Sabbath... Dinner time is precious, man. Lock up your devices... more family thickness.” – Ben Sasse [31:10]
On bodily resurrection:
“Why are these other people being raised?... For whatever reason, this legitimizes what we're saying.” – Jason [45:39]
On physical, embodied faith:
“It’s super embodied. It centers around the meal. It’s very intimate. It’s the gathering — super important.” – Alex [28:58]
On relational evangelism:
“We introduce people to other people that we feel like… can make your life better… so it really should be as natural as that.” – Zach [13:27]
On faith after loss:
“The only hope you have is in the resurrection… otherwise this is it. Like, this is the end of it.” – Zach [52:14]
The episode's tone is warm, honest, and practical, blending humor, deep biblical reflection, real-life stories, and an approachable challenge to live out the gospel. There’s a consistent call:
For anyone seeking to share Jesus or rediscover the roots of daily Christian hope, this episode offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and a reminder: Jesus is not an idea to memorize, but a Living Person to introduce.