Guardians of Grace

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.

In this episode Steve explores the book of James, contrasting legalism with the new covenant of grace. He explains how the Spirit of God dwells in believers to produce righteous fruit, especially during trials, and why humility and dependence on God—not human effort—are essential.

Listeners are encouraged to see everyday conflicts as tests that reveal either human nature or the Spirit, to submit to God’s power, and to manifest Christ through peaceful, Spirit-filled living.