Satan is our adversary, our accuser. He accuses us to God and accuses God to us. In this lesson, Stephen highlights some of Satan's favorite tactics to destroy us, and also reminds us that Satan's power is Providentially delegated and limited. We also learn from 1 Peter 5:9 how we can resist the enemy's attacks. But, above all, we must remember that our only hope for triumph is by standing in the Victory already won for us by Jesus Christ.
Satan is our adversary, our accuser. He accuses us to God and accuses God to us. In this lesson, Stephen highlights some of Satan's favorite tactics to destroy us, and also reminds us that Satan's power is Providentially delegated and limited. We also learn from 1 Peter 5:9 how we can resist the enemy's attacks. But, above all, we must remember that our only hope for triumph is by standing in the Victory already won for us by Jesus Christ.
Although as Christians we are eternally secure in the Lord, the enemy--Satan--is on the hunt to devour us. He and his minions have studied humanity since Adam and Eve. They have studied you--your words, actions and even the subtlest responses of your eyes. So even though he cannot read your mind, Satan knows what you're thinking through his observations ... and his attacks are custom designed to trip you up, steal your joy, and doubt your security in Jesus.
Satan is real. And he hates you, desiring nothing less than your destruction. In this teaching, Pastor Davey unveils the very real and constant battle every believer is fighting against the enemy of our souls. But to prepare for victory, we must first understand just who our adversary really is and be able to recognize his masterful schemes to destroy our testimony, our integrity, our joy, and our fruit.
Throughout history, humans have struggled with worry. And becoming a Christian does not, as some would teach, eliminate anxiety or the troubles that cause it. But in God's Word, the believer is given instruction on how to deal with inevitable worry. Here, we are commanded to surrender not just our cares, but also our circumstances, ourselves, and our lives to the One Who knows, loves, and cares for us.
After having encouraged the Church to stand strong in faith during difficult times, the Apostle Peter turns to Church leaders--the shepherds--to describe three attitude principles of how they are to care for the flock. Like the Good Shepherd, Jesus, they are to serve willingly, enthusiastically, and selflessly. And what is the incentive to shepherd well? Anticipation of the Chief Shepherd's return ... and the awaiting reward for leading the sheep safely to His feet.
After having encouraged the Church to stand strong in faith during difficult times, the Apostle Peter turns to Church leaders--the shepherds--to describe three attitude principles of how they are to care for the flock. Like the Good Shepherd, Jesus, they are to serve willingly, enthusiastically, and selflessly. And what is the incentive to shepherd well? Anticipation of the Chief Shepherd's return and the awaiting reward for leading the sheep safely to His feet.
The theme of shepherding is common throughout the Bible, but it's not really an analogy our culture can relate to like people in Biblical times. It is, however, the perfect illustration of Church leadership. In these verses from 1 Peter, the Apostle defines this divine calling of leadership, reminding Church shepherds to guard, guide, feed and love the flock. But whether a shepherd or a sheep, we must all follow the ultimate Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
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.
