Local Church St. Pete Podcast

It’s one thing to be told to believe. No dialogue, no questions, no explanation. It’s another to have something explained, ask questions and examine it for yourself. The story of Jesus has been explained for thousands of years with reason, proof and thoughtful dialogue. Now it’s our turn. Are we ready to listen, able to explain and willing to examine the Scriptures? In Acts 17 some are persuaded t...

A life of self-interest is not all it is cracked up to be. You would think that living a life where we focus on our comfort, our reputation, and our agenda would be satisfying, but truth be told...it’s not. Though it seems to be the default for us as humans, living out of self-interest is small-minded and narrow. It’s claustrophobic. God calls His people to something so much more. We are called to...

The world is full of controversy and conflict. Every headline seems to present a new debate inviting us to take up its cause. Acts 15 presents the most hotly debated issue of the early church, a controversy that had to be dealt with. The issue came down to what was necessary for salvation. Some believed (and were preaching) that faith in Jesus plus something else was necessary. Today, many live as...

All of us battle discouragement. What do you do when you feel like it’s winning? Where do you go? When condemnation meets depression meets anxiety? When you’re tempted to check out, write others off or believe lies? We’ve been given a place to find renewal and strength any time of the day or night and in a moment’s notice. It’s a place we were meant to go frequently. The question is will we go the...

Have you ever been lied about, misunderstood, falsely accused, maybe even physically attacked because you stood up for something you believed in or loved someone enough to tell them the truth? In Acts 14 we discover a door of faith has been pushed wide open when all the opposition I just mentioned was trying to keep it shut. Paul and Barnabas didn’t take the shortcut to avoid suffering. Instead th...

God has done something beautiful. He promised it a long time ago, and now it’s come to pass in the story of Jesus. First followers of Jesus knew it meant nothing would ever be the same again. They also knew we have to be careful not to miss it, dismiss it or take it lightly. What are these promises? What do they invite us into? How could we miss them? 

The church in the ancient city of Antioch was a diverse, sacrificial and mission-minded church. It’s been a model church for centuries and Acts 13 brings us behind the scenes to see what was central to this thriving community: a dependency on the Spirit of God – the very Helper Jesus sent for his followers to depend on. 

Some of the best movies are the ones you think will end a certain way but to everyone’s surprise leave you in shock. As the credits roll it takes a few minutes to process what just happened. Jesus’ life not only ended in a way that surprised everyone, it turned out to be the beginning of something new. Join us as we celebrate Jesus’ surprise ending and the new beginning it opened up for us all. 

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem to the sound of fanfare and celebration. Yet in five days there is a dramatic reversal, and Jesus experiences traumatic isolation on the cross. He rides in as a King, but this King will be betrayed, denied and abandoned. Why did Jesus experience all of this? And what does it mean for us? 

We’ve all read the headlines that cause our stomachs to drop. When you read the  ancient prophet Hosea it can feel a lot like that kind of headline. It’s one of heart-ache  and pain, of love betrayed and self-destruction. And it’s there, in the most severe  brokenness and rejection you can imagine that the God of the Bible answers with  compassion and love.

The anguish of a husband betrayed and his gut-wrenching journey to get his wife back – that is the picture the ancient prophet Hosea gives us of God’s relentless love. Will we allow that picture to correct our misconceptions about the God of the Bible? Will we allow it to lead us away from and out of anything that has taken God’s place in our lives? 

Local stories are stories of God's grace at work in the lives of those who are a part of Local Church St. Pete. We want to highlight his activity and celebrate his grace. 

His closest disciples were shocked, confused and embarrassed. They didn’t understand it in the moment but Jesus was giving them a picture that summed up the whole purpose of his life and mission. He was also giving them a pattern to follow. “Love like this !” is what Jesus was saying. It was culturally outrageous, personally humbling and unforgettable in every way. 

From faithful pastoring to personal preferences, from dealing with anxieties to resisting a real enemy – Peter makes clear that humility is the way forward. 

Your life is guided and prioritized by your vision of the future. What future is your life guided and  prioritized by? A future job, income, or relationship? Peter fixes our vision first and foremost on our  ultimate future; the return of Christ. It’s this future that sifts what we give ourselves to and how we  respond to suffering. 

Local stories are stories of God's grace at work in the lives of those who are a part of Local Church St. Pete. We want to highlight his activity and celebrate his grace. 

It seemed like he was defeated, as if suffering and the powers that put him on the cross had won the day. Then, in what will forever be the greatest reversal, Jesus accomplished total victory over every power. He did it through suffering and he did it for us. Jesus’ triumph is ours to celebrate. His thinking, in the midst of suffering, is ours to imitate. Are you facing temptation, opposition or s...

Have you ever seen something that is so out of the ordinary, that it stops you in your tracks? Or, have you ever tasted something that was so unique and different, that it shocks your senses? In 1 Peter 3, we see that followers of Jesus are called out of darkness to live in a way that is distinctively different.

Peter invites those who have found new life in Jesus to live as Jesus did. How did Jesus respond to government, corrupt systems, injustice and suffering? What does it look like to follow in his steps ?

Everyone is searching for meaning and happiness. We all long to find fulfillment and purpose in our lives. Peter writes about the identity and purpose found in a life centered on Jesus. He describes it as a life that is both called out and sent in. Called out of what? And sent in where?

Are you ready? There is a new future filled with favor beyond your wildest imagination that awaits you. A new identity filled with purpose and meaning that is yours to walk out. A new promise established by God himself that is yours to rest in and return to again and again. What difference should all of this make?

Local stories are stories of God's grace at work in the lives of those who are a part of Local Church St. Pete. We want to highlight his activity and celebrate his grace. 

Does it ever feel like your present experience of trials or suffering is beginning to define your life? Peter describes a living hope given to followers of Jesus through the resurrection of Jesus. It’s so sure and so vibrant, it recolors all of life – including the trials and suffering we face.