Much of our celebration of Christmas is derived from those well-known facts about Jesus’ birth -- i.e. that He was born in a manger in Bethlehem, his mother was a virgin, and He was worshipped by onlooking shepherds. As a result, both our knowledge and worship sometimes ends there. But in this new series “Beyond Bethlehem,†Stephen takes us on an investigation of the boyhood of Jesus to broaden our understanding of His life and, consequently, increase our reasons to worship Him.
The Temple, the Old Testament Law, the priestly duties, the sacrifices, the showbread, the lampstands, the incense, the Holy of Holies; all of it finds meaning in Jesus. Without Him, we're just decorating empty space.
On the eve of the most significant birth in world history, a glorious song reverberated through the heavens. Two thousand years later, that song is reverberating still.
How is it that no man can see God’s face and yet people saw Christ? This is the paradox of the incarnation. Although we can perceive the mystery, it will take all of eternity for us to understand it.
How is it that no man can see God’s face and yet people saw Christ? This is the paradox of the incarnation. Although we can perceive the mystery, it will take all of eternity for us to understand it.
Genealogies are often a bore to sift through, but that isn't the case with Christ’s genealogy. The deeper we delve into the names which comprise that divinely orchestrated list, the more we understand the nature of God’s tremendous grace.
Genealogies are often a bore to sift through, but that isn't the case with Christ’s genealogy. The deeper we delve into the names which comprise that divinely orchestrated list, the more we understand the nature of God’s tremendous grace.
Is Jesus really God? Look at Isaiah 9:6. Is Jesus going to rule the world one day? Look at Isaiah 9:6. Will Jesus soon receive worship from every man? Look at Isaiah 9:6. Truly, this is the prophecy of all prophecies.
Jesus said that all the law and the prophets can be summed up in one law: that you love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the Law of Love. And in this message, Stephen shows us exactly what obedience to that law looks like in our respective churches.
Jesus said that all the law and the prophets can be summed up in one law: that you love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the Law of Love. And in this message, Stephen shows us exactly what obedience to that law looks like in our respective churches.
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.
