Learn to Reach Your World - Episode 8
This episode of Learning to Reach Your World Podcast revolves around the theme of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and calling people to a moment of decision about their faith. The podcast aims to encourage Christians to boldly and clearly spread the good news of salvation through Christ, emphasizing both the sense of urgency and the transformation that faith brings.
What is the Gospel?
Host Josh Combs begins by defining the gospel, explaining it as the good news that God created humanity, but we have sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Despite this, God, in His mercy, sent Jesus to die for our sins, was buried, and triumphantly rose from the dead, providing salvation for those who choose to repent and believe. Josh quotes Romans 10:9, emphasizing the necessity of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection to receive salvation. He elaborates that every person must face "the moment of decision" where they respond to who Christ is—a choice that cannot be ignored, as indecision is itself a decision.
The Moment of Decision
Josh highlights pivotal moments in the scripture, such as Peter’s sermon in Acts 2, where 3,000 people turned to Christ after being convicted of their sins. He also points to Matthew 16:15, where Jesus directly asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" These instances reflect the personal and crucial decision every believer must make to accept or reject Christ.
The podcast transitions to an interview with guest Anthony Jasso, who shares his powerful testimony of hitting rock bottom and encountering Christ in a life-changing moment of decision. His story exemplifies the transformative power of the gospel and underscores personal evangelism in everyday life.
Anthony Jasso’s Life Story
Anthony, a former Catholic, grew up attending both Catholic services and a small Bible church. Although he encountered the gospel as a child, it did not take root until years later. By his teenage years, Anthony faced challenges such as bullying, family conflicts, and eventually being forced out of his home. This turbulent journey led him to live on the streets in Florida and later California, engaging in a tumultuous lifestyle of survival.
Returning to Michigan in his early twenties, Anthony began working in the concrete business, achieving financial success but spiraling into a deep sense of despair. On December 17, 1996, feeling profoundly hopeless, Anthony contemplated ending his life. He sought help from Catholic priests, but their responses left him seeking something deeper. Desperate, Anthony remembered Bill Stamper, a former concrete truck driver who had frequently prayed for him years earlier. Miraculously, Bill answered Anthony's call late that night and invited him over to read scripture. This encounter led Anthony to commit his life to Christ in what he describes as an unexplainable and transformative moment.
Gospel Transformation
From that day forward, Anthony’s life radically changed. His speech, attitude, and priorities were renewed through Christ’s power. Anthony became passionate about sharing the gospel with others, planting seeds of faith wherever he went. His boldness in evangelism stems from his profound gratitude and love for God’s sacrifice, which he connects to the message of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” Seeing the transformative power of the gospel first-hand, even his wife and others close to him were drawn to salvation through witnessing his radical change.
Encouraging Bold Evangelism
Josh and Anthony discuss the importance of calling people to a decision about Christ. They stress that sharing the gospel means confronting others lovingly but boldly. Anthony shares how his work in prisons and with others in dire situations reinforces the universal need for Christ, urging listeners not to shy away from these hard conversations. He recounts prison ministry stories where hardened individuals became humble when confronted with the love of God and eternity. Drawing inspiration from Romans 1 and Ecclesiastes 3:11 (which speaks of eternity in the human heart), Anthony advocates for prompting decisions about Jesus as an act of love and recognition of God's sovereignty.
Anthony also shares deeply personal stories, such as bringing the gospel to Bill Stamper's funeral and ongoing moments where God uses him to pray and share with others. He concludes that the love of God compels Christians to carry out the Great Commission boldly and passionately, knowing it is life-transforming.
Josh wraps up the podcast with an encouragement for listeners to be bold witnesses of Christ, trusting God to use them in everyday situations to plant seeds of faith and guide others to their moment of decision.