Guardians of Grace

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), u...

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 t...

This episode explores the Book of James, focusing on the idea of manifesting the Holy Spirit under the new covenant. It explains how daily trials reveal either the flesh or the Spirit and shows how Christians live by depending on Gods Spirit to produce righteous deeds and fruit. Key themes include faith and works (Abraham and Rahab), wisdom from above versus earthly ambition, the power of the tong...

In this episode Steve walks through James 2:13 onward, reframing "faith without works is dead" as "dormant" and explaining how daily trials test for manifestations of the Holy Spirit. He contrasts the inactive faith of Abraham with the immediate action of Rahab to show how true faith is activated by works. The episode emphasizes the new covenant: Christ’s Spirit living in us does what we cannot, a...

Host Steve walks through James chapter 2, emphasizing James 2:12: "Speak and act as those who will be judged by the perfect law that gives freedom." He explains the new covenant judicial system, the need to give God credit for good works, and how depending on the Holy Spirit—rather than human effort—stores up eternal rewards. The episode challenges listeners to change their daily speech and action...

This episode explores James 1:22–25 alongside Romans 7–8, explaining the difference between being a forgetful hearer and an effectual doer. The host shows how the Spirit — not human effort — empowers true Christian living, setting believers free from the law of sin and producing perseverance and genuine fruit. Practical parallels to Jesus’ teachings and the New Covenant highlight why abiding in Ch...

Steve unpacks the opening of James, showing that trials test for manifestations of the Spirit, produce perseverance, and lead to spiritual maturity. He connects James with Paul (Romans and 1 Corinthians) to explain the new-covenant reality of being "in Christ" rather than relying on human effort. Practical takeaways include asking God for wisdom, humility over self-reliance, being quick to listen...

In this episode Steve explains James chapter 1, teaching that trials are not random punishments but tests designed to reveal the Holy Spirits work in us. He contrasts the old-law performance mindset with the new-covenant reality: God puts His Spirit in believers so we can manifest love, patience, perseverance and other fruits during daily trials. Steve shows how humility, serving others, and relyi...

In this episode the host unpacks James 1:2–4, arguing that trials are not merely punishments but tests that reveal whether the Holy Spirit will manifest through us. He emphasizes that in the new covenant, faith is a manifestation of the Spirit and that these daily tests expose either our human (Adamic) nature or the life of Christ within us. The episode links James to Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthi...

In this episode Steve introduces a series on the book of James and explains James’ central thesis: trials test for manifestations of the Holy Spirit. He unpacks the new covenant idea that Christians are vessels through which God’s Spirit produces faith, patience, wisdom, and good works, and shows why life’s trials are opportunities to experience and display God’s power rather than mere punishment...

In this episode, Steve opens the book of James to explain how the New Covenant redefines faith as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. He contrasts old covenant legalism with the Spirit-led life, showing how trials test our faith and produce perseverance so we can become complete, lacking nothing. Steve also shares personal reflections, encouragement to seek wisdom from God, and the hope that the S...

In this episode Steve explores 2 Corinthians and related New Testament passages to explain that spiritual victory comes from divine power, not human willpower. He emphasizes the Holy Spirit as our "divine weapon" that brings thoughts into obedience, produces the fruit of the Spirit, and enables believers to experience righteousness, peace, and joy—"heaven on earth." Through reflections on Romans,...

This episode explores Genesis 15 and the promise God made to Abraham: “I am your shield, I am your very great reward.” Hosts Bill and Steve unpack how God’s covenant—sworn by Himself—rests on God’s faithfulness, not human perfection. They trace the theme through the Old and New Testaments, showing how Abraham’s credited righteousness points to Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, offering liste...

Hosts Steve and Bill discuss production struggles and invite listeners into the heart of the Guardians of Grace message: relying on the Holy Spirit’s anointing rather than human effort. They unpack 1 John and John 16 to explain how the Spirit convicts of sin, declares righteousness through Christ’s work, and assures believers of judgment’s outcome while warning against taking credit for the Spirit...

Bill and Guard Dog Steve unpack Romans 8, explaining how God prepares us as vessels for the Spirit to dwell (akoya), the meaning of “no condemnation,” and the contrast between the mind controlled by the flesh and the mind controlled by the Spirit. They show how grace and the Spirit bring life, peace, freedom from striving, and practical transformation for daily Christian living.

Bill and Steve unpack Jesus’ parables of the lost sheep and lost coin, contrasting the Good Shepherd’s relentless love with the Pharisees’ self‑righteous judgment. They explain the new covenant, warn against fear‑mongering about the rapture, and call listeners to rely on the Spirit’s power to produce love, peace, and joy instead of legalism and condemnation.

Steve and Bill unpack Jesus’ parables about the lost sheep, coin, and prodigal son to challenge legalism and self-righteousness, emphasizing the new covenant of "Christ in you." They argue true Christian living comes by the Holy Spirit’s power, not human effort, and call the church to welcome and love outcasts while inviting listeners to repent by trusting God’s transforming power.

Steve goes solo to unpack the “mystery” Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 2: the new covenant reality that Christ lives in believers, made possible through Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. He explains how sin dwells in our human nature (Romans 7), how God views the old self as crucified and the believer as a new creation, and why this hidden wisdom...

In this episode Bill and Steve unpack Romans 6 to reveal the radical truth of our identity in Christ. They explain corporate identity, explain how believers were baptized into Christ’s death, and show how knowing we’re "dead to sin but alive to God" — not relying on willpower — unlocks real freedom. Through grounded examples and clear teaching, they invite listeners to embrace hyper-grace and live...

Hosts Bill and Steve unpack Romans and the phrase "hyper-abounding grace," explaining sin as "missing the mark" and how the law actually increases the trespass. They trace the idea from Adam to Moses and show how grace is the power that frees us from the dominance of sin. The episode clarifies that grace is not a license to sin but the Spirit-enabled power to sin less, warns against relying on hum...

Hosts Bill and Steve reflect on Psalm 1 and Watchman Nee's Sit, Walk, Stand to contrast living under the law with resting in Christ's finished work. They explore how the New Covenant begins with being seated in heavenly places, not striving for righteousness. The episode emphasizes God’s eternal love, the gift of resurrection life, and being filled with the Spirit so that love — not performance —...

Steve explores a provocative question: if God already knows our needs, why pray? Drawing on Scripture (John 11, Hebrews 4, 1 Peter, Ephesians) he argues prayer is a public teaching act that models dependence on the Holy Spirit and reveals the new-covenant life. This episode explains how prayer trains the church and even the heavenly rulers to rely on God’s Spirit to accomplish what human effort ca...

Welcome to the Guardians of Grace podcast! Join Steve and Bill as they delve deep into understanding the profound differences between grace and legalism as depicted in the Bible. In this enlightening episode, discover how the new covenant provides us with a Spirit-led life, empowering Christians to overcome the 'cares of the world.' Steve and Bill also share personal testimonies and explore the dy...

Welcome to another Soul-stirring edition of the Guardians of Grace podcast with your hosts Bill and Steve. This episode delves into the journey from human effort to divine grace, exploring the true essence of revival. Join us as we share stories of personal transformation, emphasizing the power of the Spirit over human striving. Learn about Bob's inspiring musical journey, rooted in the grace of G...

In this episode of the Guardians of Grace podcast, Steve embarks on a solo journey through scripture, examining the profound paradigm shift from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Delving into the challenges faced by Israel in keeping the old covenant, Steve unravels the lessons that lead to the introduction of a transformative new covenant. This covenant, empowered by the spirit, promises be...