Guardians of Grace

Baptized with Fire: John the Baptist’s Warning to the Pharisees

In this episode, Steve Lennart examines John the Baptist’s confrontation with the Pharisees at the Jordan, explaining key "terms of art" in the New Covenant—baptism, repentance, and being baptized with fire. Using passages from Matthew 3, John 3, 1 Corinthians 3, and Revelation, he shows how works done in human strength (the chaff) are burned up, while Spirit-led works (the wheat) are stored as heavenly treasure.

Steve emphasizes that repentance means changing one’s mind about who is the source of good deeds, urging listeners to rely on the Holy Spirit so their deeds bear fruit and receive reward in God’s judicial system.

Baptized in Fire: John the Baptist and the New Covenant Revealed

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.

Axe at the Root: John the Baptist and the New Covenant

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.

Repentance Beyond Rules: John the Baptist’s New Covenant Call

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.

Guardians of Grace: Knowing the I Am

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.

Judge the Fruit, Not the Flesh

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.

The Remnant Revealed: Salvation from Shame in Romans 9-10

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.

Christ in You: The New Covenant Life

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.

Fellowship, Faith, and 1 John: A Deep Dive with Guardians of Grace

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.

Manifesting God's Love: Unlock Joyful Fellowship (1 John Unpacked)

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.