One of the easiest choices to overlook in the Christmas story is the choice made by Joseph. But his choice to wed Mary despite the scandalous allegations leveled against her is one of the most incredible and self-sacrificing choices of all. It was a decision that changed his life, reputation, and social standing forever. Matthew might not tell us much about Joseph in his inspired Gospel account, but what he does reveal is invaluable to the Gospel story. So let's join Stephen as he unfolds it in this message.
This is Christmas from the perspective of the Father. We hear it in the joy of the Father's announcement about the Son; We sense it in the satisfaction in the Father's affirmation of the Son; We understand it in the love in the Father's address through the Son. Christmas is about a Father's gift to a prodigal world!
In Philippians 2 the Apostle Paul talks about the humility of Christ. He says that Christ set His Kingly attributes aside to wear the garb of lowly humanity. But He didn't just stoop low enough to become a man . . . He stooped low enough to become a poor man. So this holiday season, as you look at nativity scenes everywhere, remember that Christ didn't have to be born in a stable . . . He chose to.
After 400 years of silence, the Word of God finally broke through the heavens. This time it was in a way so miraculous that many today still deny it. God didn't send a messenger or a prophet or a priest like He had in the past. He sent His own Son!
At this time of year, it's natural for our attention to turn to the Babe in the manger, but let's not forget his earthly parents in the process. Mary and Joseph showed remarkable faith in God during the first Christmas story and we can learn a lot from their example.
If you had been Mary, would you have struggled with pride at times, knowing that of all the people God could have chosen to give birth to His Messiah, He had chosen you? I think most of us would have. But in Luke 1:26-56, we discover the astonishing truth that instead of boasting in herself, Mary spends thirty verses reveling in the fact that the Redeemer--her Redeemer--had come at last! So let's join Stephen now as he gives us a fresh look at the legacy of a woman who truly was unlike any other.
In his series "Prelude to Bethlehem," Stephen introduces us to some of the earliest and greatest Christmas carols ever written -- carols that burst forth from the mouths of Old Testament men and women who were overjoyed by the thought of Christ's coming. Let's listen as he leads us in the song of a faithful old saint named Zacharias--a man who refused to die until he saw the promised Messiah!
Jesus Christ is the subject of more than 300 Old Testament prophecies. His birth and life were foretold by many individual prophets over a period of 1,500 years. History confirms that even the smallest details of those prophecies came true. That means that the proof for Christ's Messiahship is undeniable. People don't disbelieve in Him for lack of evidence . . . they disbelieve in Him for lack of conviction.
To many people, Christmas is just another day off from work or a reason to party and exchange gifts. But this day is so much more than that. In this message Stephen asks, "What is Christmas to you?"
It's a little crazy to think that all of the natural disasters in the world, all the diseases, and all the sin is the result of two people eating a piece of fruit, isn't it? I mean, you can understand why some people roll their eyes at such a suggestion! But in this message Stephen reminds us that what transpired in the Garden of Eden was far more serious than a stolen apple. It was treachery of the basest kind, it was idolatry, and it was the curse of sin on the human race. And until we understand the magnitude of what happened in Genesis 3, we'll never understand why there's so much evil in the world today. So let's join Stephen now as he gives us a deeper understanding of that event we call "The Fall."
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.
