Dancing Before the Grim Reaper
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 9:1–10, Stephen Davey explains Solomon’s wisdom about facing life and death with realism, humility, and joyful gratitude. Solomon first reminds his readers that all our deeds are in God’s hands—not meaning we are puppets, but that the sovereign Lord lovingly weaves every choice and circumstance into His purposes. Next, Solomon confronts the certainty of death: the righteous and the wicked, the religious and the irreligious—all meet the same appointment, proving humanity’s universal sinfulness and need for a Savior. Davey notes that unbelievers avoid thinking about death because deep down they lack confidence about the afterlife and know they will soon be forgotten by the world. Instead of despair, Solomon calls believers to embrace life with joyful intentionality. He urges them to enjoy simple gifts—a good meal, festive clothing, meaningful relationships—and especially to delight in marriage and family. Finally, Solomon commands God’s people to work wholeheartedly, seizing every task with enthusiasm, knowing that earthly opportunities do not last forever. Davey concludes that the wise believer does not fear the “grim reaper,” but “dances before him”—enjoying God’s everyday blessings, savoring relationships, pursuing excellence, and living today as a preview of the eternal joy to come.
The Missing Piece
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 8:9–17, Stephen Davey explains how Solomon exposes four “missing pieces” of life—puzzling injustices that make the world feel incomplete unless viewed through God’s sovereignty. First, Solomon observes that people in power often misuse their authority (v. 9), reminding us that corruption is not a modern invention and that bitterness develops when we forget that God ultimately oversees authority. Second, he notes that hypocrites often receive the loudest praise (v. 10), describing individuals who appear religious yet live wickedly—people celebrated publicly while hiding lives of deception. Davey illustrates this danger through Solomon’s warning that outward religiosity is no substitute for a regenerated heart. Third, Solomon laments that the wheels of justice often turn slowly—or not at all (vv. 11–13). Though evil people may repeat their crimes “a hundred times” and seem to prolong their lives, judgment is inevitable; God will expose every sin, and only those who fear Him will ultimately find it “well” with their souls. Fourth, Solomon observes that life is not always fair (v. 14), as righteous people sometimes suffer what the wicked deserve and vice versa. Davey explains that God still holds pieces of the puzzle, and believers must wait for Him to reveal how it fits together. Solomon therefore offers two conclusions: thank God for the blessings you can see (v. 15)—the simple gifts of food, work, and daily joy that many overlook—and trust God with the mysteries you cannot see (vv. 16–17), since no amount of effort or wisdom can uncover everything God is doing. Davey closes with the reminder that the “missing pieces” are in God’s hand, not lost; He alone will complete the picture in His time, bringing justice, clarity, and peace to all who trust Him.
Bringing Wisdom to Work
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 8:2–8, Stephen Davey explains Solomon’s counsel on how godly wisdom operates in workplaces, governments, and every environment shaped by authority. Solomon begins with obedience to authority, teaching that earthly leaders—whether kings, supervisors, teachers, or officials—possess delegated authority from God. Davey reminds believers that obeying rightful authority is ultimately an act of obedience to God Himself, unless such commands require disobedience to Scripture. Solomon then urges patience in the process, advising people not to react impulsively toward authority but to slow down, respond carefully, and guard against anger-driven decisions. Next comes loyalty to the office, as Solomon warns against joining “evil causes,” retaliating, or undermining leaders—even when they act unfairly—because doing wrong never defeats wrongdoing. Davey highlights Solomon’s instruction to speak with discernment, knowing when and how to speak, and recognizing that only God sees the future and understands how He may use even painful events—like the “bombshell blessings” in Davey’s opening illustration—to bring about good. Solomon concludes by exposing the limitations of human power: no one can control the wind, no one can determine their death, no one can escape life’s battles, and no one can avoid the consequences of sin. Davey closes by urging believers to seek the wisdom God freely gives—to work with integrity, follow authority without compromise, respond to hardship with trust, and believe that even life’s “bomb moments” may be mercies in disguise.
The Balance and Behavior of Wisdom
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 7:15–8:1, Stephen Davey explains Solomon’s counsel on how godly wisdom brings balance to a life that often feels unfair, confusing, or unpredictable. Solomon observes that righteous people sometimes die young while the wicked seem to live long, reminding listeners that life doesn’t always “play by the rules” and must be viewed through God’s sovereignty. Davey shows how Solomon warns against two self-centered extremes—self-righteous pride and self-destructive wickedness—and urges a humble walk with God instead. Wisdom, Solomon teaches, is stronger than political power and shapes behavior in four ways: it rejects perfectionism by acknowledging that no one is sinless; it refuses to be paralyzed by criticism, remembering both our limitations and our own faults; it recognizes the limits of human intellect, since even the wisest people “paddle in the shallows” of God’s vast knowledge; and it resists hedonism, exposing the emptiness of pursuing pleasure rather than holiness. Davey notes that Solomon himself sought satisfaction in a thousand relationships but found none of them capable of giving what only God could provide. As Solomon concludes, godly wisdom makes a person unique, equips them to make discerning decisions, and softens their attitude and demeanor—changing even the hardness of their face. Davey closes by urging believers to seek true wisdom from God, who alone is perfect, all-knowing, gracious, and able to satisfy the searching heart.
Following the Best Advice
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.
Like Father Like Son
In his sermon on Romans 4:22–25, Stephen Davey explains that Paul presents Abraham not only as the pattern of saving faith but also as the proof that salvation has always been by believing in God’s promise rather than by human effort. Abraham was declared righteous because he believed God—and Paul says this was written “not for his sake only,” but for ours, so that we would imitate his faith. Davey identifies seven lessons to learn from Abraham: salvation depends not on who you are but on who you know—the resurrected Christ; believers can trust God’s promises even when they seem impossible; obedience is required even without full explanation; people of great faith are not perfect but grow through failure; stepping out in faith often brings hardship, not ease; faithfulness is not one grand decision but thousands of small obediences; and being remembered for courage and faith requires actually taking courageous, faithful steps. Through vivid illustrations—from a boy trying to “buy” the Washington Monument to the elderly woman whose simple tea invitation launched a ministry—Davey urges believers to live lives worth imitating. He concludes that just as Abraham believed God about a coming Redeemer, Christians believe in the One Paul describes here: Jesus, “delivered over for our transgressions and raised for our justification,” the Lord whom every knee will one day confess.
Abraham and Islam
In his sermon on Romans 4:20–21, Stephen Davey shows how Paul presents Abraham as the model of unwavering faith—faith that refuses to collapse even when God’s promise appears humanly impossible. While Abraham’s body was “as good as dead” and Sarah long barren, he did not waver but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God by thanking Him in advance for what He had promised. Before unpacking that faith, Davey addresses Islam’s claim that Abraham was the first Muslim, explaining the historical development of Islam, its use of Abraham as a spiritual figurehead, and its significant contradictions with the Old and New Testaments. He demonstrates that Islam’s portrayal of biblical events and of Jesus Himself dismantles the gospel and that the Qur’an’s teachings differ sharply from Scripture. Returning to Paul’s argument, Davey emphasizes that the true promise given to Abraham—confirmed in Galatians 3:16—pointed specifically to Christ, the singular “Seed” through whom all nations would be blessed. Abraham’s great responses were twofold: he grew in daily faith and gave glory to God, trusting God’s character above visible evidence. Davey concludes by urging believers to respond to Islam—and all other belief systems—with respect for individuals, recognition of doctrinal differences, and rededication to wholehearted Christian living, challenging Christians to match the zeal, prayerfulness, and devotion often displayed by Muslims. Ultimately, Abraham belongs not to any single nation or religion but to all who, like him, place their faith in God’s promised Redeemer—Jesus Christ.
The Hopeless Case
In his sermon on Romans 4:18–19, Stephen Davey explains how Paul uses Abraham as the prime example of hope that looks past impossibility and clings to God’s character instead of circumstances. Abraham appeared to be a hopeless case—about one hundred years old, his body “as good as dead,” and Sarah long past childbearing—yet God spoke of his future descendants in the past tense, as though the promise were already fulfilled. Davey shows that Abraham’s hope rested on two ingredients: the resolution to believe without clearly seeing and the choice to trust without corresponding evidence. Though Abraham stumbled at times—most notably through the birth of Ishmael—God viewed him through the lens of grace and ultimately commended his faith. Davey contrasts this with the hopelessness that marks people who look only at unmet needs, unwanted circumstances, and unfulfilled expectations. But like Abraham, believers discover hope when they calculate life not by visible evidence but by God’s promises, trusting Him even when the odds mock their faith. Davey concludes that the God who gave life to Abraham’s “dead” situation is the same God who gives hope to His people today, filling them with joy and peace as they trust in Him.
Origins
In his sermon on Romans 4:17, Stephen Davey explains Paul’s declaration that the God Abraham believed is the God “who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.” Davey shows that this verse is Paul’s sweeping affirmation of God as both Creator and Life-giver, grounding the believer’s faith in God’s revealed power rather than human speculation. He contrasts this with mankind’s endless search for origins—Darwinian evolution, modern theories, and scientific guesswork—none of which can explain how life began. Only revelation, Davey argues, provides that answer. Turning to Genesis 1, he notes that Scripture introduces the origins of time, cause, space, matter, humanity, marriage, morality, nations, and language—all created instantly and intentionally by God. Paul’s statement also affirms mankind’s unique dignity as God’s image-bearer, a truth rejected by evolutionary thinking that reduces humans to mere animals and strips life of meaning. Davey illustrates how such a worldview leads to moral confusion, loss of human worth, and a culture where animal rights overshadow human life. By contrast, Paul’s theology of creation upholds human value and anchors the gospel: the God who first created life is the only One who can give new life through Christ. Davey concludes that because God is the Creator of all life, He alone can guarantee eternal life—an assurance rooted not in scientific theory, but in divine revelation and Christ’s saving work.
Ruling Out the Law
In his sermon on Romans 4:13–16, Stephen Davey explains Paul’s argument that salvation and the promise of inheriting God’s kingdom come not through law-keeping, but through faith grounded in God’s grace. Davey shows how Paul dismantles three false hopes—earning righteousness by good deeds, religious rituals, or rule-keeping—and focuses here on the final illusion: believing heaven can be gained by keeping the right rules. Using Abraham as Paul does, Davey notes that God’s promise was never tied to law, since Abraham received it centuries before the law existed. If salvation depended on rule-keeping, Paul argues, then faith would be emptied of meaning and God’s promise canceled. Davey illustrates that trusting the law actually brings condemnation, because law can only expose guilt—like a mirror revealing dirt but unable to cleanse it. The law serves as a tutor leading sinners to Christ, not a savior that can rescue them. Davey highlights Paul’s summary in verse 16: salvation rests on three beautiful words—faith, trusting what Christ has done; grace, receiving what we do not deserve; and promise, relying on what God guarantees. Because God’s promise is unconditional—an epaggelia, not a negotiated contract—it rests entirely on His character, not human performance. Davey concludes that those who try to earn salvation only nullify the gift and condemn themselves by the very law they trust, but those who receive God’s unconditional promise by faith in Christ are forgiven, enriched, and eternally secure.