The Waking up to Grace Podcast

Leaving church can create a strange tension. You may recognize that the structure you have known is no longer helping you participate meaningfully in the body of Christ, yet still feel as though walking away means you are doing something wrong.In this conversation, Lenny, Melissa, Jack, and Len talk openly about leaving religious obligation behind, the isolation that can follow, and why the answer is not abandoning Christian fellowship. They reflect on church becoming something we watch rather than something every member participates in, the fear that can come with freedom, and the need for open doors where believers can gather, ask honest questions, share life, and grow together in grace.Leaving church does not mean leaving Christ or His body. Sometimes it means beginning to rediscover what belonging to one another can actually look like.Read the companion reflection:https://wakinguptograce.com/leaving-church-without-leaving-the-body-of-christ/Join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/join-the-conversation/

Are spiritual gifts for today? Paul wrote that prophecy would pass away, tongues would cease, and knowledge would pass away, but that faith, hope, and love would remain.In this episode, we work through 1 Corinthians 12–13 and Ephesians 4 to consider why miraculous spiritual gifts were given to the first-century church and what Paul meant by moving from partial knowledge and childhood toward maturity. We explore the view that signs, wonders, prophecy, healing, and tongues belonged to the period in which the body of Christ was being established and brought to maturity.We also examine modern claims about spiritual gifts, why Scripture describes the gifts as manifestations of the Spirit rather than personality types or natural talents, and why experiences should be tested against Scripture rather than becoming the standard by which Scripture is interpreted.The discussion ultimately brings us back to what Paul says remains: faith, hope, and love, with love being the greatest. The mature body of Christ is not left empty-handed. Every member has a place, every member matters, and the life of the church is expressed through believers caring for and building up one another in love.Read the companion Bible study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/are-spiritual-gifts-for-today-1-corinthians-13-8-13/

How did the early church worship? When Christians gathered in the New Testament, was the meeting centered around a worship service led from the front, or around believers participating together for the building up of the body?In this conversation, we look at 1 Corinthians 14:26–40, where Paul describes a gathering in which each person could bring a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation, with everything governed by one purpose: building one another up. We also consider Colossians 3, Acts 2, the churches that met in homes, the role of gifted teachers, and why mutual participation does not mean disorder or the absence of leadership.Along the way, we ask a larger question: what is the purpose of church when believers gather together?Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/how-did-the-early-church-worship/

What does the New Testament actually show about church leadership roles and responsibilities? Did the first-century church gather under one ruling pastor, or did elders share the work of oversight, shepherding, teaching, and care?In this conversation, we examine Acts 20 and several supporting passages to consider elders, overseers, shepherds, deacons, apostles, and the participation of the whole body. The biblical picture is not leadership without order. It is leadership shaped by service, example, protection, generosity, and Christ as the Chief Shepherd.Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/church-leadership-roles-and-responsibilities/

What does a Christian look like? Is there a visible standard that proves someone is a genuine believer, or have we confused Christian identity with religious performance?In this conversation, we examine the impossible picture of the “perfect Christian,” the pride and fear produced by comparison, and the difference between asking what we must do next and understanding who we are now in Christ. Grace gives us a settled standing with our Father, and the Christian life grows from that identity instead of striving to earn it.Read the companion reflection and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/what-does-a-christian-look-like/

Sometimes life reaches a place where our feelings can no longer reassure us that God is near. In this conversation, Melissa speaks honestly about suffering, and Jack Eldridge shares how grace held him through a sixty-day hospitalization, time on a ventilator, and a moment when a doctor told him he would likely die.Together, we reflect on trusting who God is when emotions fail, why hardship is not evidence of His abandonment, and the unforgettable assurance that God is always below the bottom.Read the companion reflection and join the conversation: https://wakinguptograce.com/god-is-always-below-the-bottom/Music from Jack Eldridge: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4R9fSByHAgqkdsbcJSYraEMessages from Dr. Bruce Morgan: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdbXwHy7GM4gNEmt51GWF-w/videos

How could David commit such grievous acts and still be remembered as a man after God’s own heart?In this episode, we walk through Nathan’s confrontation with David in 2 Samuel 12. We consider David’s repentance, the Lord’s remarkable declaration that his sin had been put away, and the important difference between punishment and consequences. David’s story ultimately points us beyond his failure to the grace of God revealed in Christ.Read the companion Bible study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/how-could-david-be-a-man-after-gods-own-heart/

Grace is not about following religious rules or checking spiritual boxes. In this episode, we discuss children, faith, baptism, and the joy of knowing Christ apart from fear-based religion.Read the companion study and join the conversation in the comments:https://wakinguptograce.com/knowing-christ-or-checking-boxes/

This Bible study explores whether infants and young children who die are automatically saved, working through several key passages. Starting with 1 Corinthians 7:14, the group concludes that a child’s “holiness” describes the covenant environment a believing parent provides, not a guarantee of salvation.They apply the same logic to circumcision: it set Israel apart outwardly, but that never meant every Israelite was individually redeemed. Looking at Jesus’s own infancy, the discussion contrasts dedication (an act of parental faith and commitment) with baptism, arguing that Jesus’s baptism symbolized His inauguration into a Melchizedekian priesthood rather than modeling infant baptism. Since biblical baptism is consistently tied to conscious repentance, the group finds infant baptism doesn’t fit.The strongest case examined is Matthew 19:13–15, where Jesus blesses children brought to Him. While this beautifully illustrates salvation by grace, the study pushes back on using it to establish a fixed “age of accountability,” noting the theological and practical problems that creates (like an arbitrary cutoff age). The post lands on humility rather than a firm doctrine, resting the unanswered questions on trust in God’s character.Read the companion Bible study and join the conversation: https://wakinguptograce.com/are-children-holy-1-corinthians-7-14/

This episode presents a full preterist interpretation of biblical prophecy, arguing that Christ's Second Coming, the final judgment, and the establishment of God's kingdom were fulfilled in the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The discussion examines passages from Revelation, Thessalonians, Hebrews, and the Gospels to support the view that these prophecies describe spiritual realities rather than future physical events. The conversation concludes by addressing common objections, emphasizing that believers already live in the fully established kingdom of God and challenging traditional expectations of a future Second Coming.Episode Page: https://wakinguptograce.com/097-thy-kingdom-come-thy-will-be-done-part-2/

This episode explores the meaning of “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” in the Lord’s Prayer, arguing that Jesus was speaking prophetically about the coming New Covenant and the establishment of God’s kingdom. The discussion examines Matthew 24, Luke 21, Revelation 21, and Galatians 4, presenting the view that many end-times prophecies were fulfilled in the first century through the destruction of Jerusalem and the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant age. The conversation emphasizes understanding biblical prophecy through its original Hebrew context and encourages believers to live as citizens of God’s kingdom today.Episode Page: https://wakinguptograce.com/096-thy-kingdom-come-thy-will-be-done-part-1/

This episode explores the difficult theological question of the eternal destiny of infants and those unable to consciously believe the gospel. The discussion examines biblical passages about resurrection, original sin, faith, and predestination, emphasizing that Scripture clearly teaches salvation through faith in Christ while offering no definitive answer regarding infants. The speakers argue that God's sovereignty, goodness, and mercy provide the strongest basis for hope, suggesting that believers should trust God's righteous judgment rather than speculate beyond what Scripture reveals. The conversation also contrasts predestination, free will, universalism, and the role of faith, ultimately concluding that salvation rests in God's hands and that Christians can find peace in His character even when some questions remain unanswered.Episode Page: https://wakinguptograce.com/095-are-babies-saved-part-2/

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/

How do you pray to God without wondering whether you are doing it the right way? Prayer can easily become another spiritual performance measured by posture, length, technique, or the right words.In this conversation, we look at prayer through the freedom of grace and reconciliation. Because of Christ, we can approach our Father honestly and confidently. Prayer does not have to be a formula. It can become an ongoing conversation with the God who already knows us, loves us, and invites us to trust Him.Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/093-prayer-grace-and-living-the-reconciled-life/

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/

What is the church according to the Bible? Many Christians instinctively think of church as a building, an organization, or a Sunday morning service. But the biblical picture begins with people: believers joined together in Christ and sharing life in genuine community.In this conversation, we explore what it means to be the church rather than simply go to church. We talk about Christ being revealed through Christian community, why Scripture and biblical knowledge remain essential, and what happens when knowledge begins pointing to ourselves instead of Jesus. We also consider how grace, the new heart, and the Spirit of God shape a living community centered on Christ rather than programs, performance, or religious status.Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/091-grace-knowledge-and-the-living-church/

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/

This episode explores Peter's second epistle as a template for Christian living, emphasizing grace and faith as foundational gifts from God, not earned by personal merit. Peter teaches that believers have received "a faith of equal standing" through Christ's righteousness, and that grace and peace multiply through a growing knowledge of Jesus. The Christian life, according to Peter, is not about managing or focusing on sin, but about building upon faith with a sequence of values: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Each quality builds on the previous, resulting in a fruitful, effective Christian life that reflects Christ's nature. Sin is to be put away and not dwelled upon; instead, believers are called to focus on the transformative power of the gospel and their identity in Christ. Peter's instructions align with Jesus' vine and branches analogy, highlighting dependency on Christ as the source of life and fruitfulness. The ultimate goal is inner transformation—living out the love and grace received from God, resulting in a life marked by growth, endurance, and genuine love for others.Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/089-peters-template-for-grace-living-2-peter-1-3-10/

This episode explores the meaning of "divine nature" as described in 2 Peter 1:3-4. It explains that believers are granted faith as a gift, placing them on equal footing with the apostles, and that true godliness and spiritual growth come through deeper knowledge of Jesus and the gospel—not through outward works or religious effort. The "divine nature" means sharing in God's character, which is expressed through faith, forgiveness, and the transformative power of Christ within. The content warns against relying on behavior for assurance and highlights the importance of understanding forgiveness and living in the confidence that Christ's work is complete. Ultimately, partaking in the divine nature leads to a life marked by grace, peace, and spiritual fruit, empowered by the Holy Spirit.Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/088-what-does-divine-nature-mean-2-peter-1-3-4/

This is a biblical reflection on 2 Peter 1:3-4, teaching that believers already have everything they need for life and godliness through Christ. Drawing on scripture, personal stories, and figures like Peter and Abraham, the episode encourages Christians to walk by faith rather than sight, actively build on their faith with virtue and love, and trust in God's provision even through hardship — because present suffering is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory.Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/087-everything-pertaining-to-life-and-godliness-is-yours-2-peter-1-3/

This episode explores the question of whether God wants us to be happy, using Paul's life and writings as the central case study. It argues that God's goal is not our temporal happiness or comfort, but our growth, faithfulness, and deep reliance on Him through every circumstance. Paul's suffering — beatings, imprisonment, anxiety — shows that hardship is normal even for the faithful, and that the proper response is not to suppress emotions but to bring them honestly to God in humble, thankful prayer. True contentment, Paul teaches, is a learned secret: not the absence of hardship, but unwavering trust in a God who delivers at just the right time.Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/086-does-god-want-us-to-be-happy/

Discussing Paul’s thorn in the flesh and why God’s answer “My grace is sufficient” reframes weakness as the place where Christ’s power becomes clear. We connect Paul’s suffering, Satan’s limited role, and the call to endure so we stop relying on ourselves and start building on Christ with lasting strength. • questioning whether we are spiritually hungry and what grace means in daily life • unpacking the “thorn in the flesh” in 2 Corinthians 12 and why it stays • seeing weakness as the stage for God’s power rather than a spiritual failure • applying Paul’s thorn to our own hardships and personal limits • clarifying how God could use Satan’s actions without authoring evil • tracing the theme of suffering in Paul’s calling from Acts 9:15 • learning from the church discipline story where restoration follows repentance • responding to fear and anxiety with prayer, memory, and God’s promises • rethinking “the way of escape” as endurance in Christ, not avoidance • warning against self-reliance with the building and fire imagery in 1 Corinthians 3 • resting in God’s faithfulness even when we falter from 2 Timothy 2:13 Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/085-what-was-pauls-thorn-in-the-flesh-2-corinthians-12-7/

Modern churches misdefine fellowship as something broken and restored through repeated confession and repentance — scripture does not support this.The Holy Spirit permanently perfected fellowship between believers and God; seeking ongoing reconciliation is no longer necessary.Fellowship is not earned through good behavior; it is about walking by the Spirit in daily trust and dependence on God.Suffering is a gift God uses to mature believers and conform them to Christ's image — not a sign of broken fellowship or God's punishment.The prosperity gospel contradicts apostolic teaching; Paul and Peter both modeled rejoicing in suffering, not avoiding it.Suffering takes many forms — persecution, loneliness, loss, illness, doubt — all of which invite deeper dependence on God.Christians can fall away from grace (Galatians 5:4) by turning to rules, worldly distractions, or self-reliance, but this is not a loss of eternal salvation.Eternal life is a once-for-all gift received by faith; the Holy Spirit remains with believers forever (John 14:16).Fellowship with God is ultimately about present-day salvation — daily deliverance from the destruction caused by turning away from God's guidance.Believers are called to endure through all circumstances, lean on one another, and trust God as their deliverer (Romans 5:3-5).Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/084-what-is-fellowship-with-god/

We challenge the modern end-times script by testing rapture language, second coming claims, and “watch the news” theology against Jesus’ own timeline in Luke 21. We argue that AD 70 and the destruction of Jerusalem sit at the centre of the prophecy many believers keep pushing into the future, and we call for a return to the finished work of Christ and our identity under the new covenant. • spiritual hunger created by rhetoric and double talk • asking whether beliefs come from Scripture or hearsay • a personal trigger moment that exposes rapture assumptions • comparing Moody Bible Institute claims with biblical timelines • Jesus’ sign of Jerusalem surrounded by armies • “this generation” as a first-century time marker • AD 70 history and parallels drawn with Revelation • questioning third-temple expectations and modern Israel narratives • challenging dispensational claims that recast the cross as accidental • returning to grace, finality, and believers as God’s temple Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/083-is-jesus-coming-back/

We take on the hardest form of the question “Did God create good and evil?” and refuse to settle for rhetoric that leaves us doubting God’s goodness. We read Isaiah alongside Paul, Jesus, and Martin Luther to find a sober, grace-filled way to trust God’s sovereignty without making him the author of sin.• why Isaiah 45:7 and Isaiah 53:10 sound jarring at first read• the difference between God revealed in the Word and God’s hidden will in Luther’s Bondage of the Will• how the free will debate changes when you ask who is actually in control• what Romans 8:28 means when suffering is real• Paul’s “not rely on ourselves” lens in 2 Corinthians 1• why Jesus and Stephen forgive their killers instead of blaming God• how God brings good out of evil without evil ruling himBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/082-did-god-create-good-and-evil/

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21–23 are some of the most frightening in Scripture: “I never knew you; depart from me.” But who was Jesus speaking about, and should believers today fear that they could one day hear those same words?In this episode, we follow the context of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ warning about false prophets, His first-century Jewish audience, and the religious leaders who claimed God while rejecting the Messiah He sent. We also examine the appeal to prophecy, mighty works, and casting out demons, and why religious works cannot substitute for faith in Christ.When Jesus’ words are allowed to explain one another, Matthew 7 becomes a warning against trusting religious performance rather than a reason for those who belong to Christ to live in fear.Read the companion Bible study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/081-i-never-knew-you-matthew-7-21-23/

What does Paul mean when he says, “Christ lives in me”?Galatians 2:20 describes something far deeper than trying harder to live a Christian life. The believer has been crucified with Christ, given new life, and joined to the Lord. Christianity is not about manufacturing spiritual life through human effort. It is about learning to live from the life Christ has already given us.In this episode, we look at what it means for Christ to live in us, why religious striving can obscure that reality, how the Holy Spirit relates to our new identity, and why remembering what Christ has already accomplished changes the way we approach obedience, struggle, and spiritual growth.Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/080-christ-lives-in-me-galatians-2-20/

We question whether heavenly rewards are wages for effort or the present fruits of abiding in Christ, using Scripture and a Wizard of Oz parable to rethink crowns, timing, and Paul’s race. We land on a simple call: stop striving for what grace already gave and live from union with Jesus.• the five crowns as facets of salvation in Christ• Paul’s race as focused dependence, not merit• Hebrews on Jesus’ perfected obedience through suffering• abiding as the source of true fruit, not activity• rethinking timing and urgency language in the New Testament• Revelation’s crowns as worship, not status• practical shift from earning to receiving and stewardingBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/079-heavenly-rewards-and-crowns-oh-my/

What is a pastor in the Bible? Modern church tradition often pictures a pastor as the single leader of a congregation, but is that the picture we find in Scripture?In this episode, Lenny examines Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 5, Acts 20, and the qualifications given in Timothy and Titus to explore the biblical relationship between pastors, shepherds, elders, and overseers. We also consider what pastoral leadership is meant to accomplish, how authority should function among believers, and why Christ remains the Chief Shepherd of His church.Read the Companion Bible Study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/078-what-is-a-pastor/

Will a man rob God? Malachi 3:8–10 is often used to teach Christians that they are required to give ten percent of their income to the church or risk withholding something that belongs to God.But who was Malachi speaking to, what was the biblical tithe, and does that command carry over into the New Covenant?In this episode, we look at tithing in its Old Covenant context, the purpose of the storehouse, Jesus’ words about tithing, and the difference between giving under the Law of Moses and giving freely under grace. We also consider what the New Testament actually shows about generosity, supporting others, and giving without compulsion.Read the companion Bible study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/077-will-a-man-rob-god-malachi-3-8/

We challenge comfortable assumptions and ask listeners to test church teachings against Scripture in context. We walk through ten common doctrines, contrast law and grace, and call believers to Berean-style courage, clarity, and confidence in Christ’s finished work.why “we teach the Bible” can still miss contextfear and comfort as barriers to discernmentBerean nobility as a model for testing claimshalf-truths and dependence on professional authoritylaw-based tithing versus grace-led generositybaptism as celebration, not a salvation requirementforgiveness as finished, not a daily re-earningfellowship with God secured by the Spiritwalking by the Spirit before behavior changediscipleship as identity rooted in beliefdiscipline versus punishment under the new covenantchurch buildings versus living fellowship in truthrethinking rapture assumptions in contextpractical steps to clear the slate and search ScriptureRead the companion study and join the conversation: https://wakinguptograce.com/076-astonishing-list-of-false-teachings-in-the-church/

We challenge performance-driven “holy living” and show why it breeds fear, double standards, and burnout. We point to trust in Christ as the path to peace, assurance, and daily fellowship grounded in grace, not effort.• how conditional fellowship teaching creates anxiety and confusion• Jesus’ heart-level standard that exposes self-reliance• the repent-repeat treadmill versus union with Christ• Israel’s wilderness as a warning against doing right in our own eyes• faith as trust that yields peace and practical surrender• grace versus hypocrisy contrasted across daily life• casting anxiety on Christ as the mark of dependence• moving from behavior management to Spirit-produced fruitBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/075-holy-living-hypocrisy/

We trace a straight line from the words of Jesus about tribulation to Paul’s lived dependence, showing how surrender to Christ reframes suffering, heals legalistic striving, and restores peace. We call listeners to trade self-effort for Spirit-filled guidance and to anchor daily life in love.• why God does not promise a pain-free life• Jesus as the pattern for overcoming through suffering• Paul’s despair turned to reliance on resurrection power• the difference between asking for help and seeking guidance• surrender, rest, and counting the cost with Jesus• guarding the mind, abiding in truth, and praying for love• Spirit-filled living versus legalism and self-effort• suffering for sin versus suffering for Christ and the fruit produced• unbreakable assurance in the love of God through ChristBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/074-why-does-god-allow-us-to-suffer/

We challenge performance-driven faith and show how Jesus’ words to the healed man in John 5 point to a life of belief and dependence, not fear and striving. We walk through abiding in Christ, the end of wrath for believers, and how love fulfills the law when it flows from the vine.• John 5 and the healed man as a picture of grace • “Sin no more” reframed as continuing belief • Abiding in Christ versus self-effort and metrics • Propitiation and the end of wrath for believers • Love as Christ’s life in us, not a standard • Exposing standards-based discipleship and hypocrisy • Depend like Jesus: the Son does nothing alone • Narrow gate faith in a world of sight • Practical steps to pray, abide, and trustBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/073-love-like-jesus/

Tune in for a Waking up to Grace update, in the name of Jesus, and hear how meditating on grace will transform our lives in the new year.• using the name Jesus vs Yeshua• the assurance “It is Finished” • suffering endured through Christ in us• dependence vs self-effort in daily walk• language choices that remove barriers• renewed focus on Romans through grace• knowledge that serves life, not pride• new post pages and resource guides• grace over legalism and fearBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/072-an-update-in-the-name-of-jesus/

We explore how salvation is both eternal and present, why zeal fades without abiding belief, and how grace—not performance—does the heavy lifting. Scripture guides us to work out what God worked in so we live as lights with courage, clarity, and rest.• salvation as present power and eternal security• working out salvation with awe and reverence• truth over emotion in defining love• shining without grumbling in a twisted age• freedom from works-based fellowship anxiety• grace-led repentance and peace in suffering• abiding belief as the engine of growth• practical rest: letting Christ do the heavy liftingBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/071-is-there-a-benefit-of-salvation-now/

We probe how to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance by anchoring decisions in Scripture rather than feelings, entertainment, or cultural approval. We challenge fear-driven living, critique church habits that confuse comfort for growth, and call for courageous love rooted in Jesus’ words.• Spirit leads into truth, not mere feelings• Triune guidance clarified through Jesus’ teaching• Study Scripture first, test impressions by Christ• Cultural “Christmas spirit” vs holy living all year• Entertainment, fear, and passive Grace Living• Perfect love casts out fear as motive• People pleasing contrasted with pleasing God• AI’s subjectivity vs biblical objectivity• Peter in Antioch as a warning about fear of fitting in• Practical texts for courage and trust• Asking for God’s will in the present momentBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/070-is-jesus-working-in-my-life/

We trace how abiding in Christ reframes suffering, drawing on John 15–16, Hebrews 12, and stories from the early church to show why endurance is rooted in grace, not grit. We show how God turns what the world calls a curse into lasting fruit and how peace holds in real pain.• abide in Christ as the source of strength• stand firm, hold fast, endure across Scripture• reconcile suffering with God’s love and purpose• Jesus foretells persecution and promises peace• the cross as curse turned blessing• Stephen’s courage as a model of fruit that remains• Romans 8:28 and an eternal perspective• Hebrews 12 warnings against bitterness• spiritual ways to strengthen weak knees and lift tired hearts• comforted by God in order to comfort othersBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/069-stand-firm-john-15-1-6/

We challenge the fear that hardship equals punishment and show how John 15 reframes trials as pruning for more fruit. We press into abiding as believing, freedom from guilt through the finished work of Christ, and a humble dependence that endures.• abiding as active belief and dependence• pruning as spiritual growth, not punishment• lessons from gardening applied to John 15• fruit that remains into eternity• weakness as the place God’s power is strong• freedom from guilt through the finished work of Christ• different yields from the same faithful vine• praying for pruning over seeking more forgivenessBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/068-pruning-for-fruit-bearing-john-15-1-6/

We trace how abiding in Christ clarifies what we ask for and why some prayers are answered with confidence. Through John 15, 1 John, and Paul’s thorn, we show how dependence on the Spirit shapes desires, grows fruit, and keeps us from falling away.• abiding defined as continuing in belief• fruit as evidence of dependence on Christ• prayer aligned to God’s will, not wishlists• John 15 and 1 John on confident asking• Paul’s thorn redefining strength and grace• the Holy Spirit as counselor and teacher• love, assurance, and perseverance through the Spirit• chosen to bear fruit that remains• guidance, patience, and joy under trialBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/067-ask-and-it-will-be-done-john-15-1-6/

What do the vine and branches in John 15 represent, and who are the branches Jesus said would be thrown into the fire and burned?John 15:6 is often used to teach that Christians can lose their salvation, face punishment from God, or be cast away for failing to produce enough fruit. But Jesus did not introduce the imagery of a vine and its branches without context. Israel had already been described as a vine throughout Scripture, and that background helps us understand what Jesus meant when He called Himself the true vine.In this episode, we trace the vine imagery through the prophets, consider the connection between John 15 and Romans 11, and examine what belief, unbelief, the faithful remnant, and the warning of the burned branches reveal about this difficult passage.Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/066-thrown-into-the-fire-and-burned-john-15-1-6/

What does abiding in Christ really mean? In John 15, Jesus describes Himself as the vine and His people as the branches. But what does it actually mean for a Christian to abide in Him?In this episode, we look at John 15 in light of the cross, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and John’s later explanation in his first epistle. We explore the connection between abiding, believing, eternal life, prayer, love, and spiritual fruit, and why abiding in Christ should lead us toward confidence in Him rather than fear that we are constantly falling out of fellowship with God.The heart of the discussion is wonderfully simple: abiding is rooted in believing Christ, and the Holy Spirit given to us provides assurance that He truly abides in us.Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/065-what-is-abiding-in-christ-john-15-1-6/

What does Romans 14 mean when Paul speaks about food, stumbling blocks, and those who are weak? Many readers assume Paul had left Jewish practice behind and was teaching others to do the same. But when we follow Paul through Acts and his letters, that assumption becomes much harder to maintain.That raises an important question for Romans 14: if Paul did not simply reject the Law of Moses or Jewish practice, who exactly are the “weak” he is describing, and what is really dividing these believers?In this episode, we follow Paul through Acts 21, Acts 28, Galatians 2, and Romans 14 to examine his relationship to the Law of Moses and the first-century relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul defended justification by faith apart from works of the Law while also denying that he taught Jewish believers to abandon their customs.That background changes the way we approach Romans 14 and the identity of the “weak.” It also helps explain Paul’s concern for table fellowship, the relationship between Jew and Gentile, and what grace meant during the transition into the New Covenant age.Read the companion study and continue the conversation: https://wakinguptograce.com/064-paul-rebukes-peter-part-2-galatians-2-11/

Why did Paul rebuke Peter in Antioch? Was Peter preaching a different gospel, falling back into legalism, or was something else happening when he withdrew from the Gentile believers?In this conversation, we examine Galatians 2 alongside Peter’s encounter with Cornelius in Acts 10 and Paul’s teaching in Romans 14. Peter’s actions are described as hypocrisy, not apostasy, raising an important question about what was really at stake in Antioch. Was the conflict primarily about what Peter was eating, or did his separation from the Gentiles communicate that Jewish believers occupied an inner circle of fellowship and salvation?We follow the relationship between Jews and Gentiles, the circumcision party, table fellowship, and the truth of the gospel as we work toward a clearer understanding of why Paul confronted Peter publicly.Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/063-paul-rebukes-peter-part-1-galatians-2-11/

God shows no favoritism. In Romans 2:11, Paul gives us a simple statement that opens the door to a much larger question: What did God's impartiality mean for Jews and Gentiles living together in the first-century church?In this conversation, we look at Paul's argument in Romans, Israel's calling to be a light to the nations, the relationship between the Law and the gospel, and Paul's desire to win both Jews and Gentiles to Christ without showing partiality. We also consider the Jerusalem Council, Timothy's circumcision, and Paul's words that he became “all things to all people” so that he might save some.Romans 2:11 helps establish the ground beneath Paul's argument: neither Jew nor Gentile could claim a privileged standing before God. God shows no favoritism, and Paul sought to live and preach the gospel with that same concern for both.Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/062-god-shows-no-partiality-romans-2-11/

What if the second coming of Christ is not an event Christians should still be waiting for? Futurist theology moves Christ’s coming, judgment, the rapture, and many of the New Testament’s prophetic promises into our future. But what happens when those passages are read according to their original audiences and the time statements Jesus and the apostles actually gave?In this episode, we work through ten ways futurism can affect Christian faith and life. We look at repeated end-times predictions, fear surrounding the return of Christ, rapture expectations, the temptation to make life decisions around a supposedly imminent end, and the loss of hope or action that can follow. We also examine how futurist theology has shaped Christian beliefs about modern national Israel, Zionism, a future Jewish temple, and the idea that present-day political events are fulfilling biblical prophecy.At the center of the conversation is a simple question: if Jesus and the apostles spoke of the second coming of Christ as something their first-century generation would witness, why are Christians still waiting for it today?Read the companion Bible study and join the conversation: https://wakinguptograce.com/061-ten-reasons-futurism-is-destructive/

What did Paul mean when he wrote that those who seek “glory and honor and immortality” would receive eternal life?In Romans 2:7, Paul was writing to people who were still looking forward to resurrection, redemption, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. In this episode, we explore what those words meant to Paul’s first-century audience, how they connect with the resurrection of the dead and the return of Christ, and why the distinction between promise and possession matters.The apostles had received the Spirit and the promise of redemption, but they were still waiting for what God had promised to complete. The good news for believers today is that we are not still standing on the other side of that promise. In Christ, redemption, eternal life, and the finished work of God are ours.Read the companion Bible study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/060-glory-and-honor-and-immortality-romans-2-7/

The second coming of Christ must have already happened in AD 70, coinciding with Jerusalem's destruction, as evidenced by the Day of Yahweh prophecies in Scripture.• The Day of the Lord brought tribulation "to the Jew first, and also the Greek" as prophesied in Romans 2:9-11• Jesus directly connected His return to the destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24• 2 Thessalonians 2 links Christ's return with the destruction of "the man of lawlessness" in the temple• When Jesus told His accusers they would see Him "coming on the clouds" He was indicating judgment would come in their lifetime• There's no 2,000-year gap between Christian resurrection and final judgment in Scripture• Salvation was consistently described as future throughout the New Testament until Christ's return• The resurrection produces spiritual bodies, not physical ones as many assume• Christians today must be living in what Scripture calls "the new heaven and new earth"• The New Covenant age began at Pentecost but was fully established at Christ's return in AD 70Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/059-the-jew-first-and-also-the-greek-romans-2-9-11/

Paul's pronouncement that glory, honor, peace, tribulation and distress would come "to the Jew first" has profound implications for understanding biblical prophecy about the final judgment of national Israel.• The concept of "to the Jew first" applies to both salvation and judgment, as Christ came first to Israel before the Gentiles• Old Testament prophecies throughout Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Amos, Malachi etc. repeatedly warned Israel of a coming "Day of Yahweh"• First-century Jews rejected their Messiah despite prophecies predicting his arrival and the consequences of rejecting him• The "Great Tribulation" described in Matthew 24 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD• John the Baptist fulfilled Malachi's prophecy as the "Elijah" who would come before the day of judgment• The destruction of Jerusalem marked the complete end of the Old Covenant system, with genealogical records destroyed• Prophetic language about darkened sun and falling stars represented the fall of governing authorities, not literal cosmic events• The "Day of Yahweh" fulfilled all written prophecies, closing the biblical canon with the destruction of JerusalemBlog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/058-tribulation-for-the-jew-first-romans-2-9-11/

What is preterism, and how does it change the way we understand biblical prophecy?In this episode, we explore the difference between full and partial preterism and examine the case that many passages commonly placed in our future were speaking about events that would be fulfilled in the first century, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.We look closely at Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, along with other passages concerning His coming, judgment, the kingdom, and the repeated New Testament expectation that these events were near. Instead of beginning with a modern end-times system, we ask a more basic question: What did these prophecies mean to the people who first heard them?Read the companion study and join the conversation:https://wakinguptograce.com/057-what-is-preterism/