As these verses begin, Solomon seems to be taking to positive turn in his journal when he says that living wisely is better than foolishness. But then he falls into the previous pattern, claiming, "It doesn't really matter, because we're all going to die--and be forgotten--anyway." And he's mad about it. This will be our truth as well--unless we rise above it by embracing the Way, the Truth, and the Life--Jesus Christ--Who gives our lives meaning, purpose, and joy. Eternally.
King Solomon discovered that knowledge and wisdom didn't satisfy him or bring meaning to his life. So, he decided to pursue pleasure and entertainment; and when that didn't work, he turned to alcohol. Then, he turned to various obsessions and possessions. With it all--but without God--he was left empty time after time. Without God, these pursuits will only leave us bitter, bondage, and discontentment. We will all be restless until we find our rest in the Lord.
Solomon continues to write in his journal about the sad truths he's discovered as he searched the world under the sun. In these verses, he asserts that no matter how much we know, there will be problems, frustrations, and challenges we simply can't solve. Moreover, knowledge and information do not eliminate life's sorrows. Trusting in the world's wisdom is never the answer; we must trust in the wisdom and the word of God.
In our culture, there is a constant quest for more. But what is enough? King Solomon had, literally, everything. But he discovered through his life that even that wasn't enough to give life meaning. And through the thousands of years since then, this fact has been rediscovered time and time again. But, as Christians, we know the Source of true meaning and satisfaction, and we are able to live a life of purpose because of Jesus.
Have you chased after something only to find that once you "got" it, it wasn't actually satisfying? You felt duped by it all. For those living just for the things of this life (what Solomon deems as everything "under the sun"), life's pursuits are, in fact, ultimately unsatisfying and meaningless. Only with God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ can life have real significance. Here, Pastor Davey continues applying the timeless wisdom of King Solomon's Book of Ecclesiastes.
King Solomon uses the word "vanity" 37 times in Ecclesiastes, beginning with verse 2 where he uses it five times, emphasizing this original Hebrew word meaning vapor, futility, senselessness, and frustration. In other words, Solomon begins his journal by describing how human lives come and go as the world continues turning. And he warns us that if we keep our gaze "under the sun"--and don't look to God's purpose for us--life is indeed a futile vapor.
To this day, King Solomon is touted as the wisest man to ever live. Although he asked God for the wisdom he was given, he quickly turned away from following God, and his life became self-centered and destructive. Only in his last days did he remember the Truth and return to the Wisdom-giver. With urgency, Solomon tells us to learn from his mistakes--to remember our Creator God all our days, regardless of life's ups, downs, and uncertainties.
We don't learn much about Epaphroditus from Paul's letter to Philippi, but we learn enough to know how vital he was to Paul's ministry. Stephen introduces us to this unsung hero of the New Testament in this portion of his series, "Humility."
Paul planned to visit Rome, but was instead imprisoned by Felix for two years. When he was finally allowed to leave, his ship capsized in Malta. Paul learned early in his ministry that "the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9)."
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 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 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.
