Local Church St. Pete Podcast

Fasting is a spiritual discipline by which we deny ourselves food for a certain period of time so that we can grow in our dependence on God. Fasting is not about trying to impress God, manipulate him, or make ourselves more acceptable to God. Fasting has been described as, “an intensifier of spiritual desire.” Ultimately the purpose of fasting is to draw near to God. In this class we explore the B...

Jesus’ parables about the Kingdom of Heaven answer some of the deepest questions of the human heart. Ones like: “Why is the world so broken? Why does evil seem to be winning? God, do you care? Are you going to do anything about this mess?” And “Why do your purposes seem to move so slowly? How will you accomplish your will through what seems weak, hidden and insignificant?” In Matthew 13:24-43 when...

Have you ever had someone tell you something important but because you weren’t really listening you forgot what they told you? Yet when you contemplate a beautiful painting or read an epic novel you can’t forget its meaning. Jesus understood this dynamic; so he taught Truth like an artist. In Matthew 13 Jesus begins to teach in parables, ordinary stories that explain the kingdom of God. His first...

Their way of life was at stake. If they admit Jesus’ ability to cast demons out is the work of the Spirit, it will mean his message and ministry might actually be the work of God. Instead, in Matthew 12:22-50 the religious leaders of Jesus’ day intentionally write him off, rebrand him as some kind of sorcerer, in league with the Devil. Between deliberate rejection and humble obedience we find a wa...

What happens when man-made traditions, originally intended to honor God, end up missing his heart entirely? They have to be broken apart. In Matthew 12:1-21 the true rest we’re intended to find in Jesus is overshadowed by exhausting religious practices – and Jesus isn’t having it. His words and actions bring both controversy and comfort as he breaks it all apart and identifies himself as the one w...

Are you tired and worn down? Going through the trials of life, it is easy to find ourselves exhausted. For so many of us there lies a tiredness that we can't shake, no matter how much sleep or downtime we get. There are so many things that seem to promise life but in the end leave us empty, longing for more. In Matthew 11:25-30 we see that in the midst of these burdens, Jesus invites us to co...

We all wrestle with things not going the way we expect them to go - with God not doing for us what we think is best, and on our timetable. It’s in that kind of hardship that doubts can rise up and overwhelm us. In Matthew 11:1-24, John the Baptist, one of the greatest men on earth in Jesus’ opinion, is wrestling with doubt. It’s a place where honest questions find honest answers, personal expectat...

Imagine standing before the love of your life on your wedding day and hearing vows like, “I’m all in, so long as I don’t ever get my feelings hurt. I’ll give you my devotion, except when I get bored. I’m committed to you, but not on the weekends.” Hopefully no one would be ok with those vows. In Matthew 10:34-42 Jesus is clear that if you want to follow him you have to be “all in.” He says it in a...

The Kingdom of God is breaking into this world. Jesus sent his disciples to share this message and warned them that persecution is coming as they share this good news. We too are called to share this same message, but often fear of what could happen stops us from sharing who Jesus is. In Matthew 10:1-33, Jesus challenges our fears of sharing the gospel by reminding us of God’s intimate involvement...

Do you see the harvest? It’s all around you. So many people longing for answers, hungry for truth, ready for the beauty and authenticity of Jesus’ message to disrupt and heal their lives. So many, caught up in a whirlwind of anxiety, ready for Jesus’ compassion to move towards them. But where do you begin? In Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus tells his followers to begin with earnest prayer for more hands – f...

It was brand new in every way. Jesus’ message and behavior didn’t fit into the religious categories or systems of his day and it doesn’t fit into ours either. It didn’t kneel to man- made traditions and it most definitely couldn’t be contained by them. Matthew 9:14-34 describes the brand-new day Jesus brings with colorful metaphors and extraordinary healings. It leaves you to wrestle with whether...

Theirs was a life of isolation, shame and fear. One man was paralyzed and labeled as having done something to deserve it; the other was wealthy but written off as a sell-out and traitor. Matthew 9:1-13 is the story of how Jesus meets both of them in their desperation and provides a way out it. By doing this, Jesus reveals the depth of his authority to meet you in your greatest need and call you to...

Word was spreading about Jesus, a man who taught with authority and was able to heal illness and disease. Crowds begin to form around him, his popularity growing and influence rising. Amidst this growing enthusiasm, Jesus decides to leave town. While traveling Jesus makes clear that following him is difficult. In Matthew 8:18-34, Jesus brings peace amidst the chaos in our world. Although it is costl...

It’s as if you can still hear the applause. Jesus has been on a mountainside teaching in a way that demonstrates authority like no other and the crowds are amazed. Now, in Matthew 8:1-17, as he comes down from that mountain, huge crowds still following him, he does the unthinkable – he does what no one would dare to do - he restores an outcast, commends an outsider and meets people in their deepes...

We all have events in our lives that are so monumental, they change everything. Nothing is more central to Christianity than the resurrection of Jesus – it is the event that changed everything. If that’s true, what exactly does it change for you? We’ll explore what was accomplished through it, why it matters for your life, and how, like a final puzzle piece, it brings God’s story of love and redem...

On Good Friday, we remember and reflect on why the cross is central to our faith. The cross was always God’s plan, foretold long before Jesus’ death. On the cross, Jesus bore our sin and the weight of our separation so that our relationship with God could be fully restored. Now, the cross invites a response: will you receive trust in Jesus and follow Him?

A heavenly vision that brings clarity and strength. A heavenly reality meant to shape our present experience – especially when facing circumstances and trials. Revelation 4-5 pulls back the curtain to answer some of the deepest questions of the human heart: Is God really in control? Is there any hope for justice and redemption? How do I face the chaos and evil coming at me right now? Like a pair o...

Have you ever had a friend call you out on something? Out of love, they refused to stay quiet. It wasn’t easy to hear in the moment but it brought you to a place of healthy reassessment - seeing things about yourself you hadn’t seen before - and necessary course correction. That’s what Jesus does in Revelation 3:14-22. In love, he confronts our complacency and invites us into an intimacy with him...

Jesus wants you to overcome; to stand firm in the call he’s given you. He wants you to persevere in the face of obstacles and opposition. Revelation 3:1-13 is proof of it. Written in letter form, his words are personal and prophetic. They cut through all the religious formalities, frenzied activity and cultural accommodation of our lives. It’s a call to wake up to what we’ve received and hold fast...

House Groups typically meet in homes two to three times a month across the county, where we spend time together, often sharing food, discussing the Scriptures, praying, and looking for opportunities to serve one another and the city. They are vital to the health of Local Church St. Pete – providing space for connection, care and conversation around God’s Word and more. We had a conversation with K...