Local Church St. Pete Podcast

Sometimes what we think will lead to freedom actually has the opposite effect. It can be hard to see things as they are, but Galatians 4 brings clarity when it comes to our relationship with God and others. God is calling us to real freedom in Christ, not the illusion of the world.

Galatians 4 reveals King Jesus went to great lengths to make us legitimate, full-fledged children of God, granting us an unshakeable inheritance—a secure birthright to be enjoyed now and one that no one can take away.

An update on Local Church St. Pete's partnership with Next Stepp.

Oftentimes we find ourselves judging how we compare with others. We silently and even subconsciously create a ranking of people’s status. This is a problem that has plagued every society in various ways. Galatians 3 shows us that there is a different way. The social and cultural walls that bring division come crashing down when we are one in Christ.

Our self-reliance has its limits. We can't solve everything or answer our deepest longings on our own. But Galatians 3 reveals a powerful truth: Jesus can. Trusting in Him alone brings freedom.

Galatians 2 reminds us of the beauty and power of the Gospel—that we are justified by faith, transformed by grace, and made alive in Christ. Paul declares that his identity is no longer in his own performance, but in Christ who lives in him. That’s the Gospel: not self-effort, but Christ in us, the hope of glory.

There are moments so pivotal, that they change the entire trajectory of our life. Paul’s story in Galatians 1-2 is a beautiful example of how the good news of Jesus can take us by surprise, bringing freedom to our relationship with God and others.

Perfection doesn’t seem attainable in our world. Not long after we find something that seems perfect, we begin to see its flaws. This often drives us to improve what we can and innovate upon what already exists. But what if we found something that is truly perfect? Would we respond by trying to make it better? In Galatians 1:1-10, the Apostle Paul makes clear that the Gospel is flawless and not something to be improved upon.

Between the certainty of death and a false narrative spoken out of fear is the story of Jesus’ resurrection. It’s a story of assurance and love that meets us right where we are. The last two chapters of Matthew hold it up as a testimony to what Jesus accomplished and an invitation to believe what he promised.

Everyone desires to be treated with respect and love, and we also hope to treat others well. In Matthew 7, Jesus gives us a simple formula for doing right by others. It’s a golden rule, often learned as a child, that requires God’s grace to apply to our relationships.

What’s your relationship with money like? Is your peace tied to your bank balance? Do you keep striving, believing the good life is just one more financial milestone away? In Matthew 6:19-34, Jesus warns of money’s deceptive pull and calls us to a new way—generosity over accumulation, trust over anxiety, and seeking His kingdom over building our own.

Our city is filled with entertainment, pleasure, and the best food and drink. If we are not careful we can allow the pursuit of these things to become the main focus in life. Jesus wants his followers to prioritize their relationship with God over the amusements of our city. In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus calls his followers to fasting, an often neglected practice that intensifies our desires for more of God. 

There is an aching inside of us because things aren’t as they should be, an awareness that earth is not heaven. In Matthew 6, we find a prayer that gives words to our heart’s longings. It’s a recognition that we cannot repair this world, so we pray to God who is bringing heaven to earth, starting with us.

There’s a longing in all of us for the applause of others. Social media heightens the issue as our desire for “likes” is embedded in our day to day lives. In Matthew 6:1-6 Jesus calls us to a “behind the scenes” lifestyle; a whole-hearted devotion to God done not for the intoxicating praise of those around us, but for an audience of one.

When faced with opposition, how do you respond? When wronged, how do you react? In Matthew 5:38-48, Jesus turns our instincts upside down, calling us to answer hate with love and vengeance with grace. In choosing this path, we mirror God’s heart and reveal His kingdom.

“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. 

Getting to the heart of something means to uncover or understand the most important part of it. In Matthew 5:17-37, Jesus gets to the heart of his purpose by making the daring claim that he came to fulfill the entire storyline of the Bible; to bring it to completion. He goes further still by calling his followers to a way of life that reflects an inner transformation of the heart – the very thing he came to bring.