089. Peter's Template for Grace Living (2 Peter 1:3-10)

094. Are Babies Saved? (Part 1)

The conversation examines whether the Bible teaches that infants who die are saved, arguing that the answer is not explicit in Scripture and that David's words about his deceased child should be understood within the ancient Hebrew expectation of resurrection rather than an immediate entrance into heaven.  The problem which is revealed in the argument is that in shaping the scripture to fit our desires we often lose the value in what the scriptures are actually teaching. Episode Page: https://wakinguptograce.com/094-are-babies-saved-part-1/ [https://wakinguptograce.com/094-are-babies-saved-part-1/]

093. Prayer, Grace, and Living the Reconciled Life

This conversation explores prayer, grace, and the believer's relationship with God from a New Covenant perspective. The speakers emphasize that prayer is not about following formulas, postures, or religious performance but about honest, authentic communication with a loving Father. They discuss how understanding God's acceptance and pleasure toward believers removes fear, guilt, and striving, allowing Christians to approach Him with confidence. The discussion also highlights living with a renewed mind, focusing on the unseen reality of Christ's presence rather than being consumed by worldly pressures. Growth in the Christian life is described not as self-effort or accumulating knowledge, but as remaining connected to Christ, the source of life and transformation. The episode concludes with an encouraging picture of faith as joyful expectation—living each day with confidence that God has already provided everything needed and is continually revealing His goodness. Episode Page: https://wakinguptograce.com/093-prayer-grace-and-living-the-reconciled-life/ [https://wakinguptograce.com/093-prayer-grace-and-living-the-reconciled-life/]

092. Faith Through Identity in Christ

The episode explores a grace-centered view of Christianity focused on identity in Christ rather than fear, guilt, or performance. The speakers discuss how believers are loved and accepted by God as “new creations,” and argue that spiritual struggles often come from forgetting that identity. They emphasize renewing the mind, trusting God’s love, and living by faith instead of shame or self-condemnation. Episode Page: https://wakinguptograce.com/092-faith-through-identity-in-christ/ [https://wakinguptograce.com/092-faith-through-identity-in-christ/]

091. Grace, Knowledge, and the Living Church

This episode explores the concept of authentic Christian community and the true meaning of the church. Lenny and Jack discuss how Christ is revealed and experienced within genuine community, emphasizing that the church is not a building or a program, but the fellowship of believers living out grace together. They highlight the importance of organic relationships over religious formalities and challenge the notion that spirituality is equated with education or knowledge alone. The conversation delves into the historical context of the early church, noting how early Christians often met as subgroups within synagogues and relied on Jewish scriptures for their understanding of Christ. While knowledge of scripture is valued as foundational, the discussion cautions against prideful knowledge that points to oneself rather than to grace and Christ. Instead, the context of the conversation calls for a humble pursuit of knowledge that deepens faith and community, guided by the Spirit and grounded in the new heart given by God. Episode Page: https://wakinguptograce.com/091-grace-knowledge-and-the-living-church/ [https://wakinguptograce.com/091-grace-knowledge-and-the-living-church/]

090. Ending the "Sin, Repent, Repeat" Struggle

In this episode, the speakers reflect on their experiences within traditional church denominations and the eventual paradigm shift that led them away from legalism and toward an understanding of grace. The conversation centers on "institutional" Christianity, which they describe as a burdensome cycle of sin, repentance, and self-effort—a system that often leaves congregants feeling guilty, disconnected from the Gospel, and dependent on religious leadership. They contrast this with their discovery of the "simplicity of the Gospel," where they transitioned from trying to earn favor through religious performance to resting in the finished work of Jesus.  The group concludes by discussing the teachings of Peter, emphasizing that true Christian growth comes from focusing on Christ’s love and dependency on Him, rather than focusing on one's own failures. Episode Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/090-ending-the-sin-repent-repeat-struggle/ [https://wakinguptograce.com/090-ending-the-sin-repent-repeat-struggle/]