When, where and how did the Church begin? What was the first church like? Did they have Pastors and Deacons like we have? Did they meet in Church buildings or houses? In this message Luke gives us a Church History lesson you won't want to miss.
Have you ever been to a revival meeting or a seminar where the worship music blew you away? Maybe you stood amongst hundreds or thousands of individuals singing at the top of their lungs to Jesus, and felt it was like a glimpse of Heaven? It was. Revelation 5:11-14 takes us into a heavenly worship service where thousands of Angels, men and animals are all singing praise to God! This is worship at its finest!
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. When He came to earth 2,000 years ago, He set His omnipotence and splendor aside to wear the garb of humanity. He lived in meekness and died in meekness. But here in Revelation 5:8-10, Jesus reveals that He is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah. All Heaven bows down before Him. Earth will soon follow...
There is a secret scroll in heaven and it is sealed with seven seals. An angel calls out, "Who is worthy to open the scroll?" No one comes forth. Abraham, Moses, and David are there but they aren't worthy to open it. Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon are there, but they aren't worthy either. The tension is rising. Is anyone in heaven or on earth or under the earth worthy to open the scroll?
The vision of heaven that John gives us in Revelation 4 is nothing like those we see on television or perhaps imagine in our own minds. His poetic imagery is peculiar and almost fantastical at first sight. But as Stephen helps us envision this heavenly scene, our eyes will be opened to the incredible reality of it.
Books keep being written by people who have supposedly been to Heaven and back through near-death experiences. Are their accounts real? Do they agree with the Apostle John's account of his tour through the heavenly city? John is the only Divinely inspired witness we have . . . so let's put away the best sellers and see what John has to say about Heaven.
There are two kinds of prayers that will have dramatic effects on your walk of faith. The first is "God, make whatever You will of me." The second is, "God, take whatever you will out of me." Neither prayer comes easy.
In this sermon, Stephen Davey recounts how Katharina Luther’s courageous escape from a convent and marriage to Martin Luther helped reshape the church’s view of marriage during the Reformation. Transformed by the truth of justification by faith alone in Romans 1:17, she entered a union that modeled commitment over compatibility, humility over self-interest, and ministry partnership over isolation. Despite public slander, hardship, and relentless labor, Katharina managed their home, finances, hospitality, and farm, enabling Luther’s preaching and teaching ministry to flourish. Their marriage demonstrated that the home could serve as a living testimony of the gospel and an extension of ministry. Davey concludes that Katharina’s quiet perseverance and sacrificial faithfulness became a revolutionary legacy of light for generations to follow.
In this sermon, Stephen Davey recounts how God sustained William Cowper through lifelong battles with severe depression and despair while using him to leave a lasting legacy of gospel truth. Though Cowper repeatedly wrestled with feelings of abandonment and even attempted suicide, God anchored his soul in the doctrine of Christ’s propitiation, especially through Romans 3:24–25. Davey explains that Cowper’s suffering did not signal God’s rejection but became the soil from which some of the church’s richest hymns of grace were written. Through faithful friends, Scripture, service, and God’s providence, Cowper continued to testify of salvation by grace alone. Davey concludes that powerful faith does not eliminate suffering, but it carries believers safely through it, proving that God’s mercy shines brightest in the darkest valleys.
In this sermon, Stephen Davey traces how God used Amy Carmichael’s strong will, suffering, and obedience to build a lasting legacy of eternal impact. From childhood determination to missionary service in India, Amy chose costly sacrifice over comfort, guided by her life verse about building with gold, silver, and precious stones. God redirected her ministry to rescue children trapped in temple prostitution, leading her to found the Dohnavur Fellowship, where hundreds of children found physical safety and spiritual life. Though misunderstood, criticized, and bedridden for her final twenty years, Amy continued to serve through writing and prayer. Davey concludes that God values the quality of faithful obedience over public success, and a life surrendered to Christ will shine long after it ends.
In this sermon, Stephen Davey traces how God used Hudson Taylor’s deep trust in the finished work of Christ to shape a life of radical faith, humility, and endurance. Converted as a teenager through meditating on Jesus’ words “It is finished,” Taylor learned early to rely on God alone for provision, direction, and strength. Davey highlights Taylor’s willingness to suffer loss, poverty, misunderstanding, and criticism in order to reach China’s interior with the gospel. By identifying with Chinese culture and trusting God through relentless trials, Taylor helped establish hundreds of mission stations and the China Inland Mission, which transformed an entire nation for Christ. Davey concludes that Taylor’s enduring legacy was not strategy or success, but childlike faith in an illustrious Master who accomplishes His work through willing, surrendered servants.
In this sermon, Stephen Davey traces how God used Oswald Chambers’ surrendered life to leave a lasting spiritual legacy far beyond his brief lifetime. Converted as a teenager, Chambers pursued ministry marked by humility, doctrinal depth, joyful faith, and an unwavering dependence on the Holy Spirit rather than methods or popularity. Serving as a YMCA chaplain during World War I, his Bible teaching and prayer ministry brought revival among soldiers facing death and despair. Though Chambers died at just forty-three, God multiplied his influence through the faithful work of his wife, Biddy, whose preservation of his sermons led to writings that continue to shape millions of believers worldwide. Davey concludes that a life fully surrendered to God may appear obscure for a time, but faithfulness empowered by the Spirit produces eternal fruit beyond imagination.
