When James makes the bold statement that we are not only justified by faith but by works as well, how can we reconcile that with the Apostle Paul's message that salvation is through faith alone and not of works? In this message, Stephen clears up the confusion.
In today's portion of our study of James, James reminds us that demons have more faith in God than many religious people today! And that's why it's not enough to just believe in God . . . we must surrender our lives to Him.
In today's portion of our study of James, James reminds us that demons have more faith in God than many religious people today! And that's why it's not enough to just believe in God . . . we must surrender our lives to Him.
In this message Stephen begins his study of one of the most convicting books in the whole Bible: the book of James. This book reminds us that faith without works . . . is a faith that doesn't work.
In this message Stephen begins his study of one of the most convicting books in the whole Bible: the book of James. This book reminds us that faith without works . . . is a faith that doesn't work.
If you have kids, you know full well that there's no such thing as a perfect parent. But you also know that there's no such thing as a perfect child! Mistakes are made all along the way - on both sides - and that's just part of being human. But that wasn't true for Mary and Joseph. Their child never sinned, never disobeyed, and never stole from the cookie jar. Did that mean that Joseph and Mary had it easy? Did that mean that parenting for them was a walk in the park? Not quite. In this message, Stephen reminds us that as hard as it is for us to raise an imperfect child, it was even harder for them to raise a perfect one.
If you have kids, you know full well that there's no such thing as a perfect parent. But you also know that there's no such thing as a perfect child! Mistakes are made all along the way - on both sides - and that's just part of being human. But that wasn't true for Mary and Joseph. Their child never sinned, never disobeyed, and never stole from the cookie jar. Did that mean that Joseph and Mary had it easy? Did that mean that parenting for them was a walk in the park? Not quite. In this message, Stephen reminds us that as hard as it is for us to raise an imperfect child, it was even harder for them to raise a perfect one.
If you've ever lost a child before - even for a moment - you know a little of how Joseph and Mary felt upon realizing they had left young Jesus in Jerusalem. But as Stephen pulls back the curtain of this well-known event in Luke 2:41-51, he shows us that it is far more than a sentimental lost-and-found story . . . it is an early Messianic demonstration as pivotal to the Gospel as Jesus' miracles, His crucifixion, and His resurrection! Join Stephen now as he tells us why.
It's easy for us to look back with a smile upon the events surrounding the Christmas drama because we are looking back from the perspective of the cross and the empty tomb. But imagine what Mary and Joseph must have been experiencing during the drama! For them the nativity was a scene of confusion, insecurity, and fear as they literally found themselves running for their lives. Here is the Christmas story through their eyes.Â
It's easy for us to look back with a smile upon the events surrounding the Christmas drama because we are looking back from the perspective of the cross and the empty tomb. But imagine what Mary and Joseph must have been experiencing during the drama! For them the nativity was a scene of confusion, insecurity, and fear as they literally found themselves running for their lives. Here is the Christmas story through their eyes.Â
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.
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.
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.
