Alienation, guilt and death. Everyone has experienced these things. We all know this world is broken. It’s one of our common experiences as humans. But how did things become so broken? Christianity answers that question with an ancient story – the historic, poetic and unforgettable tragedy of Genesis 3.

Local Church St. Pete Podcast

Unforgettable Tragedy | Genesis 3

We all have questions about the meaning of life, our purpose and existence in the universe, who God is, what God is like and what it means for our lives today. The opening chapters of the book of Genesis begin to answer those questions by setting the stage for the entire storyline of the Bible. Here we come face to face with the artistic genius of our Creator and the divine value and purpose he’s given us. It’s absolutely stunning and remarkably succinct, a work of art itself.

Artistic Genius | Genesis 1-2

Everyone is deeply influenced. Sometimes we know it, other times we don’t, but it always comes out in the decisions we make and the lifestyles we choose. Ephesians 5 instructs us to be filled with the Spirit; to come under the influence of God’s presence and power and form habits of expressed dependency on the Spirit that will strengthen and shape us.

Under the Influence | Ephesians 5:14-21

At the start of 2022, it’s important for us to hit the pause button and ask a very important question: what is this about? What are we doing here? Why does Local Church St. Pete exist? Simply put, we are disciples who make disciples; followers of Jesus inviting others to follow him. Let’s lift the veil of mystery over what it means to be disciples who make disciples. Let’s reject perfectionism and call out consumerism. We don’t need another celebrity pastor; we don’t need another polished event. We need communities of real people humbled by grace and compelled by love; willing to step out with faith and courage.

Disciples Who Make Disciples | Matthew 28:16-20

Local stories are stories of God&apos;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. 

Local Story | Susie Marcin

A new year is upon us. How will we follow what God wants for us in 2022? Whatever resolutions we may have drafted, our greatest resolve is to be a community that knows and does God’s will together. For this to happen, we must stay in step with the Holy Spirit, and we must stay together.

Step by Step | Galatians 5:25-6:5

The end of the year is a time of reassessment. Often times we discover things we should be paying attention to have been neglected or ignored. No one is exempt from falling prey to that slow drift away from what is most important as a follower of Jesus. Distractions, temptations, indifference, the busyness of life, heartache and pain. Add to that the many voices coming at us from every angle. This is why Hebrews 2 urges us to pay closer attention than ever before.

Pay Closer Attention | Hebrews 2

In the middle of everyday life, to a young girl planning her wedding. In the middle of heartache and pain, to a man who found his wife-to-be is pregnant. In the middle of the night, to a group considered outcasts of society. A divine announcement came, “Don’t be afraid, you can put your fears to rest now, God’s promises have come true at last!” This is the story of Christmas; this is the announcement that changes everything.

The Announcement that Changes Everything | Luke 1-2; Matthew 1

At Christmas, it seems that love is in the air. It’s a time of gift-giving, mistletoe, and predictable romances on the Hallmark channel. And yet, with all this focus on love, we can still lose sight of its real meaning. In Isaiah 55, God’s love is on display, and it is compared to a feast or a party, and the invitations have been sent out far and wide. The real question is, will you and I partake? Some will spend their whole life searching for what has already been given as a gift. Love has come, and it is here for the taking.

Love | Isaiah 55:1-9

When was the last time you heard something that brought great joy? The kind of joy that produced a physical response (shouting, dancing, clapping)? The kind that caused you to share the news with everyone around you? That’s the joy Isaiah invites us into. It involves feelings and emotions but isn’t controlled by our circumstances. Instead it’s rooted in the promise that our greatest obstacles have been overcome and our greatest sorrows taken. This joy is ours to enter.

Joy | Isaiah 52:7-10

We all long to experience peace. Something to not only quiet the noise and calm our thoughts – but to go beyond that. To make right what we know is wrong, to restore what we know is broken. The prophet Isaiah saw a day when broken things would be made whole and wrongs would be made right, a day when true peace would be available for everyone. With poetic imagery Isaiah describes the arrival of a promised King who will restore what is broken and become the way for all people to experience this restoration themselves.

Peace | Isaiah 11:1-10

Maybe you’ve been living without hope or struggling to find it in the midst of the relentless pain and brokenness of life. Biblical Hope isn’t a subjective, feelings driven expression or desire. It isn’t wishful thinking or speculation. It describes the assurance of rest in the midst of chaos, rescue out of darkness and restoration no matter the brokenness. Hope is a word of promise, rooted in the unwavering character of God. It’s what the season of advent is all about.

Hope | Isaiah 6; 9:2-7

Have the claims of Christianity ever seemed unbelievable to you? Have you ever had the cloud of uncertainty and skepticism hang over you leading you to doubt your faith? Are you currently walking through the desert of cynicism and uncertainty? In John 20:24-31 we see that Jesus isn’t intimidated by our questions and doubts. He is willing to meet us right in the midst of them and walk with us through the desert of doubt to a deeper and more robust faith. Are you willing to invite Jesus into your doubts to help guide you?

Doubt | Seeking God in the Midst of Uncertainty | John 20:24-31

How do you face difficulties and troubles? How do you cope with the dramatic ups and downs of life? Where will you find the strength to face whatever is coming next? Popular culture and modern philosophy says, “Look within! All you have to do is look within yourself!” Self-sufficiency, self-reliance and autonomy is the air we breathe. Philippians 4:10-23 tells us the secret of contentment is found somewhere else, outside of us, and it’s available for anyone and everyone.

The Secret of Contentment | Philippians 4:10-23

Anxiety affects us all. Whether we are currently wrestling with it, or we love someone who is, what do we do when anxiety attacks? In Philippians 4, we have parting words from Paul which give us tremendous hope that we can maintain sanity of mind, and even rejoice, when we wrestle with anxiety. It is not enough to just “will” it away, and positive thinking or Christian platitudes will only get us so far. Fighting anxiety means fighting for the authentic joy and peace that only God can give. The best news is that we have a God who fights for us.

Fighting Anxiety | Philippians 4:4-9

This podcast features talks given at Local Church St. Pete. We are a community of people humbled by the grace and love of Jesus located in the heart of St. Pete, FL - a diverse, eclectic, artistic and active city. Our hope is for Local Church St. Pete to be a place where you can grow in faith, ask hard questions and take time to explore the truths of who Jesus is and what it means for your life today. Visit us online at www.localchurchstpete.com.

hubhopper

Local Church St. Pete Podcast

hubhopper