Ordinary Saints
In Extravagant Grace, Part 7 (Philippians 4:21–23), Stephen Davey concludes his study of Philippians by reminding believers of their true identity and belonging. Using a moving story of an unidentified man rediscovering his name, he parallels how Christians often forget who they are in Christ. Paul’s closing greetings emphasize that every believer is a saint—not because of achievements or miracles, but because of being set apart in Christ. Davey highlights the unity of the family of God—brothers and sisters joined by grace, not status—and notes that even “those of Caesar’s household” had come to faith, proving the gospel’s unstoppable reach. He defines grace as receiving what we do not deserve and points to Christ as its perfect expression. The letter that began with grace ends with grace, showing that everything believers are and have flows from the Lord Jesus Christ, whose lavish grace will continue to amaze His people for all eternity.
The Most Famous Thank-You Letter in Church History
In Extravagant Grace, Part 6 (Philippians 4:15–20), Stephen Davey calls Paul’s message “the most famous thank-you letter in church history.” Writing from prison, Paul thanks the Philippians for their faithful partnership and generosity, reminding them that their gifts were not mere money but spiritual investments that multiplied eternal reward. Their sacrificial giving stood out when other churches had forgotten Paul, and he assures them that their generosity was “a fragrant offering, acceptable and pleasing to God.” Davey emphasizes that God notices every act of giving and promises to meet believers’ needs “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Through illustrations and examples of missionary faithfulness, he shows that giving to gospel work is not loss but participation in God’s eternal economy. Paul’s doxology concludes the letter in worship: gratitude for God’s extravagant grace naturally overflows into glory “forever and ever—Amen.”
Enough
In Extravagant Grace, Part 5 (Philippians 4:10–14), Stephen Davey teaches that true contentment is learned through gratitude, responsibility, acceptance, and dependence on Christ. Using humor, history, and contrast with modern discontent, he shows that society’s craving for “more” began in Eden when Adam and Eve believed they didn’t have enough. Paul, in contrast, rejoiced even in chains because his joy was rooted in Christ, not circumstances. Davey explains that contentment is not automatic—it must be learned and applied daily through experience. Believers grow as they accept both lack and abundance as God’s assignments, trusting that Christ provides strength for every situation. Through Paul’s example, Davey reveals that contentment isn’t found in possessions but in the indwelling presence of Christ, who is Himself enough.
What's On Your Mind?
In Extravagant Grace, Part 4 (Philippians 4:8–9), Stephen Davey explains that a transformed life begins with a transformed mind. He contrasts the believer’s renewed thinking with the unbeliever’s darkened mind and challenges Christians to discipline their thought life through eight biblical filters—whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. These qualities shape godly attitudes and actions. Davey warns that mental purity requires constant guarding and rejection of worldly influences, especially in a culture saturated with impurity. He urges believers to not only ponder these virtues but to practice them daily, promising that “the God of peace will be with you.” When believers fill their minds with truth and holiness, Christ’s character “shows through” their lives, reflecting His peace and presence to the world.
Killing Anxiety
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.
Ladies and Gentlemen
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.
Reconcilable Differences
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.
Finding the Fountain of Youth
This message beautifully explores humanity’s age-old search for longevity and the true “Fountain of Youth” found only in Jesus Christ. Using humor and vivid imagination, Stephen Davey contrasts society’s endless quest to stay young with the believer’s discovery of eternal life in Christ—the Living Water. Just as Andrew joyfully told Peter, “We have found the Messiah,” Christians are called to share the gospel—the true Fountain of Life—with the same enthusiasm. Through examples like D. L. Moody’s compassion for the poor and Clara Williams’s hymn “Jesus Satisfies,” the sermon urges believers to proclaim that eternal life is freely offered through Christ alone, who forever quenches the soul’s deepest thirst.
What the Cross of Christ Destroys
This sermon, Sola Fide: Justification by Faith Alone – Part VI (Romans 3:29–31), explores how the cross of Christ not only builds faith but destroys pride, prejudice, and presumption. Stephen Davey illustrates the nature of true faith through vivid stories that highlight trust in the right object—Christ alone. He teaches that the cross destroys personal pride by excluding all boasting in human effort, personal prejudice by leveling Jew and Gentile before God, and personal presumption by upholding and fulfilling the Law through Christ’s sacrifice. The message concludes that salvation is entirely by grace through faith, exalting not faith itself but its perfect object—Jesus Christ, the Lamb who died and reigns.
The Gospel War: Paul vs. James
In this sermon, Stephen Davey examines the great “gospel war” between Paul and James, showing that their teachings on justification perfectly complement rather than contradict each other. Paul insists that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works, while James argues that true faith will inevitably produce good works. Paul defines justification before God—being declared righteous through faith—whereas James illustrates justification before people, where faith is evidenced by action. Davey explains that Paul fought against the false gospel of “faith plus works,” while James confronted the counterfeit of “faith that does not work.” Using the historical backdrop of the Reformation, he reminds listeners that the same debate over faith and works has existed since the first century and continues today. Ultimately, the message is clear: we are justified by faith alone, but the faith that justifies is never alone—it bears the fruit of obedience and service to Christ.