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Steve Lenart hosts Guardians of Grace in a focused Bible study on John the Baptist's confrontation with the Pharisees, unpacking the new covenant language behind baptism, repentance, wheat and chaff, and what it means to bear lasting fruit. The episode contrasts human effort with Spirit-led life, explains the spiritual meaning of baptism and circumcision in Christ, and previews a deeper look at the new covenant's judicial system in the next episode.

Host Steve Lennart examines John the Baptist's confrontation with the Pharisees in Matthew 3, highlighting that they came to be baptized and introducing the new covenant meanings behind repentance, baptism, and judgment. Referencing Hebrews 6, Romans 7, and Colossians 2, the episode explains key "terms of art"—dead works, the axe at the root, and the baptism of fire and the Spirit—to reveal how the new covenant's judicial system works. This episode begins a series that reframes familiar gospel passages by teaching the distinct language and legal framework of the new covenant.

Steve Lenart examines John the Baptist’s rebuke of the Pharisees in Matthew 3, explaining new-covenant terms like wrath, repentance, fruit, and the fire and Spirit of baptism. He argues that John’s call was not about avoiding hell but about receiving the Spirit so believers can bear lasting spiritual fruit. Throughout, Lenart connects Matthew 3 to Romans and the New Covenant to reveal how these terms reshape how we read Scripture.

Hosts Bill and Steve explore what it truly means to be a disciple: experiencing the truth of Christ—"the I Am"—so the Spirit can live through us. They contrast human effort and law-based righteousness with relying on God’s Spirit, showing how acknowledging Jesus in all our ways turns off sin and brings freedom, rest, and the power of resurrection life.

The host opens a new study connecting 1 John with the rest of the Bible, focusing on Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7 about judgment. The episode distinguishes judgments we must avoid (condemnation) from righteous discernment — knowing people by the fruit they bear and watching for false prophets and antichrists. Practical guidance is given on fellowship: minister to the lost but do not closely fellowship with those living in the flesh, and give credit to Christ in you to store up treasures in heaven. The episode closes with a prayer asking God to help listeners live by the Spirit and grow in discernment and fellowship that pleases the Lord.

Steve Lennart walks through Romans 9–10 to reveal a fresh perspective on the new covenant: salvation from shame and daily disappointment rather than only eternal deliverance. He contrasts Israel’s attempt to earn righteousness by the law with the Gentiles’ reception of righteousness by faith, explaining how the Spirit in us fulfills the law’s righteous requirements and enables Christ-centered living. The episode emphasizes confessing Jesus as Lord, relying on the Spirit for transformed behavior, and giving Christ credit for the good in our lives so we won’t be ashamed. It points listeners to practical new-covenant living in family, community, and ministry.

Steve Lenart explores the heart of the Christian life: not human imitation of Christ but Christ living inside believers by the Holy Spirit. He traces the theme from Genesis and Old Testament sacrifice through the prophets to Jesus' fulfillment and the birth of the new covenant. Using passages like John 15, John 17, Romans, and Galatians, the episode emphasizes abiding in Jesus, Spirit-empowered obedience, and Jesus' prayer for unity so the world may believe.

Host Steve Lenart opens with gratitude and a personal testimony about his 2016 stroke and humility, emphasizing that the insights shared are from God through him, not from him alone. The episode recaps 1 John chapters 1–4, highlighting the central theme of fellowship with the Father and the Son, the difference between spirit and human nature, the new covenant, and the visible fruit of God’s love in believers. Steve admits he finds 1 John 5 challenging and prays for clarity, inviting listeners to receive revelation and discern how to fellowship in spirit rather than in the flesh.

In this episode the host walks through 1 John to show how the new covenant teaches Christians to experience God and build joy-filled fellowship. He emphasizes that true love is God's love flowing through us—not human effort—and explains how to recognize and manifest that spirit in everyday relationships. Practical encouragement and biblical insight on waiting for God, becoming His instrument, and finding confidence and joy in authentic Christian fellowship.

This episode walks through 1 John and unveils its single life-changing message: learn to fellowship with the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit, not human nature. It reassures listeners about assurance of salvation and explains how to discern when someone is manifesting the Spirit versus the flesh. Practical and encouraging, the talk urges listeners to abide in God, let His power work through them in daily life, choose healthy fellowship, and experience deeper joy and confidence in their Christian walk.

In this episode the host begins a study of 1 John, explaining that the letter is about the new covenant and spirit-to-spirit fellowship rather than proving or maintaining salvation. He clarifies key themes like discerning the Spirit versus human nature, abiding in Jesus, and how the Holy Spirit’s anointing makes Christian relationships joyful and life-giving. Listeners will learn practical insight for recognizing when fellowship is led by the Spirit, how Christ’s life works through believers, and why this understanding transforms everyday Christian relationships.

This episode is an overview of the book of James, explaining its central thesis: trials test for manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and those manifestations produce spiritual maturity and reward. It covers practical application — asking God for wisdom, being doers of the word, controlling the tongue, patience and prayer of faith, and turning others back to the truth — all framed as living under the new covenant where God works through us.

Host Steve (Guardians of Grace) walks listeners through James 5:8–20, explaining the new-covenant reality where God’s Spirit manifests through believers rather than human effort. The episode emphasizes patience in trials, faith as a manifestation of the Spirit, the power of prayer and anointing for healing, and restoring those who stray from this truth. Practical illustrations (Abraham, Rahab, Job, Elijah) are used to show how waiting on the Lord brings God’s life and wisdom into ordinary fellowship and struggles.

Host introduces the Guardians of Grace podcast, prays for a friend harmed by internet fraud, and shares a passionate study of the letter of James. The episode explains James’s central theme: tests reveal manifestations of the Spirit under the new covenant, where God’s work through us earns heavenly rewards while our self-made prideful deeds burn away. Key passages from 1 Corinthians, Colossians, and Revelation are used to illustrate Christ’s spiritual circumcision, the refining fire that consumes the flesh, and the call to patiently depend on God rather than human effort.

Steve Lenart recounts personal moments of being unexpectedly used by the Holy Spirit and explains his lifelong practice of letting Scripture answer questions. He emphasizes that true faith and righteous words come from the Spirit, not human effort. Using James chapter 4, he contrasts active commands (resist the devil, draw near to God) with the passive work of the Spirit (submit, mourn, humble), urging listeners to depend on the Spirit, give God credit for every good work, and live with humility under God’s guidance.