If you asked people around you to describe the Christian Church, what would they say? Sadly, the perception held by unbelievers in our culture is not always a positive one. Our behavior as Christ-followers dictates how others see us ... and how effectively we can lead others to Jesus. From these verses in 1 Thessalonians, Pastor Davey expounds upon the behavioral commandments written by Paul to that church--a wonderful example for individuals and churches today.
If you asked people around you to describe the Christian Church, what would they say? Sadly, the perception held by unbelievers in our culture is not always a positive one. Our behavior as Christ-followers dictates how others see us ... and how effectively we can lead others to Jesus. From these verses in 1 Thessalonians, Pastor Davey expounds upon the behavioral commandments written by Paul to that church--a wonderful example for individuals and churches today.
Why are we here? That's a huge philosophical question for the human race. But for Christians, our purpose on earth is made very clear in the God's Word. This lesson from Pastor Davey exhorts us to live with Biblical purpose--right where the Lord has placed us. Whether you are a doctor, homemaker, student, or mechanic, every believer is to be a witness, a light in the dark world, exposing evil and expanding the glory the God.
Why are we here? That's a huge philosophical question for the human race. But for Christians, our purpose on earth is made very clear in the God's Word. This lesson from Pastor Davey exhorts us to live with Biblical purpose--right where the Lord has placed us. Whether you are a doctor, homemaker, student, or mechanic, every believer is to be a witness, a light in the dark world, exposing evil and expanding the glory the God.
Every believer is part of the universal church, united in faith with our brothers and sisters around the globe. And, although it may be against our radical individualistic culture, we are also called to belong to a local church family. In this lesson, Pastor Davey elaborates upon five reasons why it's vital that we commit to a local body, emphasizing our need to engage with one another and demonstrate our faith to those watching.
Every believer is part of the universal church, united in faith with our brothers and sisters around the globe. And, although it may be against our radical individualistic culture, we are also called to belong to a local church family. In this lesson, Pastor Davey elaborates upon five reasons why it's vital that we commit to a local body, emphasizing our need to engage with one another and demonstrate our faith to those watching.
As we look around our nation today, it's evident that the culture is shifting ever farther from the foundation of God's Word. But instead of hiding away in fear or stewing in anger about our dark world, we have a great opportunity to be a lighthouse of Truth. To stand firm, however, we first need to clearly define who we are as Christians--and as the true Church. In this teaching, Pastor Davey establishes our underpinning identity: We are followers of an unrivaled Master and messengers of an unchanging manifesto.
As we look around our nation today, it's evident that the culture is shifting ever farther from the foundation of God's Word. But instead of hiding away in fear or stewing in anger about our dark world, we have a great opportunity to be a lighthouse of Truth. To stand firm, however, we first need to clearly define who we are as Christians--and as the true Church. In this teaching, Pastor Davey establishes our underpinning identity: We are followers of an unrivaled Master and messengers of an unchanging manifesto.
Stephen and Scott discuss questions phoned in by listeners. Please note that there is NO transcript available for this program. And, due to timing issues with the studio, this is a repeat of QA36 which aired November 2017.
What made Paul so fervent in evangelism and faithful in suffering? Jesus wasn't merely the best ideological option for him; He was the only option. Paul didn't just believe Christ's promises; he was convinced of them. Are you?
In Extravagant Grace, Part 3 (Philippians 4:6–7), Stephen Davey teaches believers how to conquer anxiety through prayer and trust in God. He compares worry to a deadly anaconda that strangles faith, urging Christians to “be anxious for nothing.” Instead of allowing fear to consume them, they are to replace worry with prayer—bringing every concern to God with gratitude. Davey explains that worry pulls believers apart, while thankful prayer realigns their hearts toward God’s power and presence. The result is a supernatural peace that “guards hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,” a peace flowing directly from God’s own character. This peace doesn’t come from understanding circumstances but from trusting the God who controls them all. Through continual, thankful prayer, believers display the extravagant grace of God by living free from fear and full of peace.
In Extravagant Grace, Part 2 (Philippians 4:4–5), Stephen Davey teaches that believers are called to display grace in a disappointed and self-centered world through two qualities—a resolution to be joyful and a reputation for gentleness. Joy, he explains, is not dependent on circumstances but flows from the Holy Spirit, the gospel, and trust in God’s sovereignty—even in suffering. Gentleness, often misunderstood as weakness, is strength under control—a willingness to yield, be courteous, and respond to hostility with grace. Using vivid examples from history, culture, and personal experience, Davey challenges believers to demonstrate joy and gentleness as living testimonies of Christ’s presence. Because “the Lord is near,” Christians can embody supernatural calm and kindness, showing a frustrated world the reality of God’s transforming grace.
In Father Abraham, Part I (Romans 4:1–3), Stephen Davey introduces Abraham as Paul’s prime example of justification by faith, not works. He explains that Abraham lived 2,000 years before Paul, proving that salvation by faith is not new but has always been God’s plan. Abraham, the forefather of Israel and “friend of God,” was revered for righteousness, yet Scripture reveals his flaws—fear, deceit, and unbelief—showing that his justification came by faith alone. Davey warns against relying on human reasoning or cultural religion, urging believers to ask, “What does the Bible say?” Like Abraham, sinners are declared righteous not by merit but by trusting God’s promise of redemption through Christ. God credited righteousness to Abraham’s account by grace, illustrating the same salvation available to every believer today.
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 7:1–14, Stephen Davey explains how Solomon shifts from raising life’s troubling questions to offering God-given wisdom for living well. Davey highlights four truths Solomon teaches: contemplate your mortality, because facing death cultivates serious thinking and a life of purpose rather than pretense; choose wise companions, since the rebuke of the godly is far more valuable than the shallow laughter of fools; cultivate godly character, resisting the pull of anger, corruption, impatience, and nostalgic fantasies about “the good old days”; and consider your Creator with humility, recognizing that God ordains both prosperity and adversity, the straight paths and the crooked ones, to deepen trust in Him. Davey concludes that Solomon’s inspired counsel urges believers to live with sober perspective, intentional relationships, steadfast integrity, and humble dependence on the God who shapes every season of life.
Stephen Davey’s sermon “Reconcilable Differences” (Philippians 4:2–3) explains that real church and family life are messy, which is exactly where extravagant grace must be practiced. Using humorous and honest stories, he shows that grace is more than a doctrine we receive from God—it’s a costly, deliberate way of stooping low in attitude and action toward difficult people. Paul’s appeal to Euodia and Syntyche models gracious confrontation: he names them, refuses to take sides, reminds them of their shared labor in the gospel, and urges them to “live in harmony in the Lord,” enlisting a trusted “true companion” to help them reconcile. Stephen Davey draws out principles that disagreements are inevitable, even mature believers don’t always disagree agreeably, and small conflicts—if unchecked—can damage an entire church. Instead of taking sides, spiritually mature believers should step in to untangle issues and protect the unity of the body, remembering that everyone’s name is written in the book of life. He concludes with the example of a Christian bus driver whose daily, practical kindness creates a community of grace, urging believers to let that same grace characterize their relationships in the church.
