Local Church St. Pete Podcast

Have you ever wondered what Jesus would say to the church? In Revelation 2:12-29, Jesus pastors his people with words that carry both warmth and weight. His message gives encouragement that inspires faithfulness, correction where compromise has crept in, and promises that strengthen us under pressure. The spiritual direction that Jesus offers is not only for the early church. His words continue to...

When was the last time your love for Jesus felt alive? Are trials wearing you down? Is your faith feeling routine? In Revelation 2:1–11, Jesus calls us back to wholehearted love and shows how his grace can rekindle devotion and give the endurance to keep going.

Are you ever tempted to despair? It could be due to opposition, persecution or oppression – it just seems like darkness is winning. Do you ever wonder, “God, where are you? What are you doing? What’s going on?” Revelation 1 answers those questions with a breathtaking encounter with Jesus. This encounter has brought comfort, assurance and strength to the church for centuries. It not only pulls back...

Christians often say God is “all-powerful,” but what do we really mean by that? In the deep ache of suffering and loss, God’s omnipotence can feel confusing or even troubling. If God is good and all-powerful, why is there death, pain, and evil? In Luke 7:11–17, we see Jesus arrive in a town whose name means pleasant—only to encounter the most unpleasant reality imaginable: death. A widow has lost...

What is powerful enough to cause us to walk away from what once defined us? To give up what brought comfort, success or control? Acts 19 is the story of individuals caught up in magical, spiritual, sexual and cultural powers, who come face to face with the power of Jesus. Between unavoidable conflict and fierce protest is a beautiful surrender to the transforming power of the Spirit. The revival t...

The church in the ancient city of Antioch was diverse, sacrificial and mission-minded. For centuries, they have been an example of what it looks like to be a Spirit dependent church. Acts 13:1-12 brings us behind the scenes to not only show us how the Spirit was speaking, sending and empowering that local church, but to invite this local church to listen to the Spirit’s voice, surrender to the Spi...

What does a life fully yielded to God actually look like? Not in theory—but in real life, when it costs something. Acts 6–7 introduces us to Stephen, a man shaped by the presence of God. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Stephen’s life reads like an echo of Jesus Himself—marked by wisdom, courage, and grace. In just a few short scenes, we see what God can do through a surrendered life, offering the ea...

The early church is often described as being “filled with the Spirit.” Whether after opposition or before a big decision, the result is almost always an unusual courage and joy. That’s what we see happening in Acts 4:23-31. It’s a story of overwhelming circumstances that lead to honest prayer, and Spirit-empowered boldness. This unusual boldness is exactly what the Spirit has been producing in fol...

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.

Maybe you’ve heard or used the phrase “in the name of Jesus” at the close of a prayer. Like anything we get used to, it’s easy to forget the significance of what we’re saying. When you do something in someone else’s name, you act in their authority and as their representative. In Acts chapters 3-4 we learn that a Spirit-empowered life includes speaking and living in the name of Jesus - in his stre...

Jesus never expected you to do it alone, to somehow find the strength within yourself to obey his call on your life. He never intended you to share his love and grace or make disciples without the promised Spirit. Acts chapters 1 and 2 is the story of the early church receiving the empowerment Jesus promised - an empowerment that has been on repeat ever since.

Local Church receives an update on Ekklessia Jax from Cedric Lauchner.

Ever watch a potter center a lump of clay on the potter’s wheel? It’s crucial for the clay to be centered or the entire vessel will be lopsided or fall apart. In one of the most beautiful poems written about Jesus, Colossians 1:15-23 has a centering effect on all who read it. We need to be centered again and again so we will treasure Jesus more and more. We’re all tempted to try and earn, add to o...

Why did Jesus come into the world? Who did he come for? Luke 2 answers with an unexpected announcement to the despised of society – to lowly shepherds just trying to make it through the night. And with an anticipated gift to the forgotten of society - to a dying man and elderly widow holding onto old promises and refusing to let go. What does a story involving the despised and forgotten have to do...

Do you ever feel spiritually exhausted? Like you’re living in a desert wasteland? It could be due to devastating news, unexpected conflict, unrelenting sorrow or just the weightiness of life’s circumstances. It’s from that place of weariness that Psalm 63 was written. The heartbeat of this song isn’t a change of circumstances but a declaration of confidence in God’s extravagant, self-giving love....

In this life, trouble is unavoidable. Challenges come that wear us down and situations arise that can frustrate us endlessly. If we aren’t careful, these struggles can steal our joy and leave us bitter. That’s why we must intentionally choose to delight in God. Psalm 16 is both a prayer and a declaration of confidence, reminding us that God faithfully preserves us in both life and death.

Pastor Daryn shares an exciting update on the Pastoral Residency.

What do you do when your whole world is caving in, when circumstances are spiraling out of control and some of your worst fears are beginning to come true? Where do you go when you feel alone, scared and unsure about the way forward? That is where Psalm 46 meets us. It’s a song of peace in the chaos, reminding us what is true about God and inviting us to take hold of it – especially when life is f...

Have you ever felt spiritually dry - prayer feels hollow, worship becomes noise, and God seems distant? Psalm 42 and 43 give voice to that feeling. These two chapters form one song that expresses a heart divided, a voice singing of sorrow and hope. This song teaches us what to do when our heart aches for God and we can’t seem to find Him.

One expression of disciple making is to walk with someone “ONE to ONE” through part of the Bible. But where do you begin? What if you don’t know all the answers to their questions? These are just a few of the questions we discussed as we walked through a passage of scripture in real time, breaking down what it might look like to do the same with someone else. 

Are you feeling alone, forgotten, judged or misunderstood? Maybe someone who once stood by your side isn’t around anymore and you feel abandoned? 2 Timothy 4:9-22 is a refreshingly honest picture of the apostle Paul, at the end of his life, going through all of that and more. It’s in the chaos of circumstances he can’t control that he celebrates his deepest confidence - the presence and power of J...

What motivates you to keep doing what God has called you to do? What compels you, especially when the journey is hard? 2 Timothy 4:1-8 is the apostle Paul’s final charge to his young apprentice Timothy essentially saying, “Are you ready? Are you prepared? It’s your turn now. Take the baton in your hand and keep running! Keep announcing the message about Jesus.” Paul knows he’s going to die so he s...

We’re in the last days. “You thought times were hard before, get ready because they’re going to get even more difficult in the days ahead.” That’s essentially how 2 Timothy 3 begins. It’s a startling warning about the rise of false teachers, tricksters, imposters and people with ulterior motives who will lead many astray. It’s held in stark contrast to the steadfast way of life followers of Jesus...

“This Time Tomorrow” highlights the intersection of faith and work in those who are a part of Local Church St. Pete.  It’s our hope that conversations like these would encourage us to walk out our faith in Jesus Monday through Saturday, seeing our vocation (whether paid or unpaid) as one of the primary ways we image God and love others. 

Endless debates, controversies and heresies have plagued the church for generations. Teachings that swerve away from the truth about Jesus continue to wreak havoc today. It’s led to cynicism, resentment and to many abandoning the faith altogether. How should we respond? There’s a temptation to allow fear, anger, the desire to win an argument or gain the approval of others to drive us, but 2 Timoth...