Francis (Fanny) Jane Crosby
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John 9:3
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Adoniram Judson | Part 2
In this sermon, Stephen Davey traces how God used Adoniram Judson’s life of profound surrender, suffering, and perseverance to produce extraordinary spiritual fruit. Though Judson endured unbelief, imprisonment, the deaths of multiple wives and children, years of loneliness, and decades of slow progress, he remained faithful to Christ’s call to “die” like a grain of wheat. After years of obscurity and hardship in Burma, God brought a sweeping harvest through Judson’s gospel preaching and Burmese Bible translation. By the time of his death, hundreds of thousands had come to Christ, and his translation work became foundational for generations. Davey concludes that a life fully surrendered to Christ—even one buried in suffering—will bear lasting fruit for God’s glory.
Adoniram Judson
In this sermon, Stephen Davey traces how God used Adoniram Judson’s life of profound surrender, suffering, and perseverance to produce extraordinary spiritual fruit. Though Judson endured unbelief, imprisonment, the deaths of multiple wives and children, years of loneliness, and decades of slow progress, he remained faithful to Christ’s call to “die” like a grain of wheat. After years of obscurity and hardship in Burma, God brought a sweeping harvest through Judson’s gospel preaching and Burmese Bible translation. By the time of his death, hundreds of thousands had come to Christ, and his translation work became foundational for generations. Davey concludes that a life fully surrendered to Christ—even one buried in suffering—will bear lasting fruit for God’s glory.
Oswald Chambers
In this sermon, Stephen Davey traces how God used Oswald Chambers’ surrendered life to leave a lasting spiritual legacy far beyond his brief lifetime. Converted as a teenager, Chambers pursued ministry marked by humility, doctrinal depth, joyful faith, and an unwavering dependence on the Holy Spirit rather than methods or popularity. Serving as a YMCA chaplain during World War I, his Bible teaching and prayer ministry brought revival among soldiers facing death and despair. Though Chambers died at just forty-three, God multiplied his influence through the faithful work of his wife, Biddy, whose preservation of his sermons led to writings that continue to shape millions of believers worldwide. Davey concludes that a life fully surrendered to God may appear obscure for a time, but faithfulness empowered by the Spirit produces eternal fruit beyond imagination.
Susanna Wesley
In this sermon, Stephen Davey highlights how Susanna Wesley shaped history not from a pulpit, but from her home through faithful teaching, discipline, and prayer grounded in Proverbs 1:8–9. Living amid poverty, persecution, marital hardship, and the loss of many children, Susanna devoted herself to the spiritual formation of her family with remarkable structure and perseverance. She believed that reverence for God, disciplined habits, and biblical instruction were essential foundations for life, even when results were unseen or painful. Though many of her children struggled or wandered, God used her faithful influence to shape John and Charles Wesley, leaders of a spiritual awakening that transformed England. Davey concludes that God often builds the brightest legacies through quiet, unseen obedience that values faithfulness over recognition.
A.W. Tozer
In this sermon, Stephen Davey traces how God used A.W. Tozer to call the church back to a high, exalted view of God in an age drifting toward spiritual shallowness. Converted as a teenager through a street preacher’s call to repentance, Tozer became a prophetic voice who valued holiness, biblical preaching, and reverent worship over popularity or comfort. Davey highlights Tozer’s passion for Scripture, doctrinally rich hymns, and preaching that demanded moral action rather than mere knowledge. Though deeply devoted to Christ, Tozer’s life also revealed personal blind spots and costly sacrifices that affected his family, reminding listeners that no servant of God is without weakness. Davey concludes that Tozer’s enduring legacy is his relentless pursuit of God’s glory and his challenge for believers to set their minds on Christ above all else.
Amy Carmichael
In this sermon, Stephen Davey traces how God used Amy Carmichael’s strong will, suffering, and obedience to build a lasting legacy of eternal impact. From childhood determination to missionary service in India, Amy chose costly sacrifice over comfort, guided by her life verse about building with gold, silver, and precious stones. God redirected her ministry to rescue children trapped in temple prostitution, leading her to found the Dohnavur Fellowship, where hundreds of children found physical safety and spiritual life. Though misunderstood, criticized, and bedridden for her final twenty years, Amy continued to serve through writing and prayer. Davey concludes that God values the quality of faithful obedience over public success, and a life surrendered to Christ will shine long after it ends.
David & Svea Flood
In this sermon, Stephen Davey illustrates Psalm 126:5 by tracing how God uses unseen faithfulness and painful sacrifice to produce eternal fruit. Through the story of missionaries David and Svea Flood, Davey shows how obedience that appears wasted can, in God’s timing, lead to widespread spiritual harvest. Though Svea died young and David abandoned the mission field in bitterness, God used one converted boy to bring an entire village to Christ. Decades later, God redeemed David’s despair by revealing the fruit of their labor and restoring him to faith before his death. Davey concludes that God never wastes tears, and every seed sown in faith will one day reap joy in ways only eternity can fully reveal.
The Blessing
In his sermon on Luke 3:19–38, Stephen Davey explains that Jesus’ baptism marks the transition from His private life to public ministry and is accompanied by the most significant blessing ever spoken. As Jesus prays, the Father audibly declares His acceptance, love, and approval, affirming the Son before He performs miracles or begins preaching. Davey emphasizes that this blessing strengthened Jesus for temptation, suffering, and obedience, modeling the power of spoken affirmation. Luke then records Jesus’ genealogy to confirm His full humanity and rightful lineage through David and Adam. Davey concludes that just as Jesus received words of acceptance, love, and encouragement, believers today both need and are called to pass along the blessing of God to others.
A Baptism of Spirit and Fire
In his sermon on Luke 3:15–18, Stephen Davey explains that John the Baptist humbly redirects messianic expectations away from himself and toward Jesus Christ, the only true Savior. John contrasts his temporary water baptism with Christ’s greater work: baptizing believers with the Holy Spirit and unbelievers with fire, symbolizing final judgment. Davey clarifies that the baptism of the Spirit occurs at salvation, uniting every believer permanently to Christ and His church. The baptism of fire, however, refers to future divine judgment for those who reject the gospel, a truth Scripture presents consistently and soberly. Davey concludes that the gospel includes both urgent warning and gracious invitation, calling every listener to decide whether Christ will be their Savior or their Judge.
Evidence of Repentance
In his sermon on Luke 3:6–14, Stephen Davey explains that genuine repentance is not proven by religious claims, heritage, or moral notebooks, but by a visibly changed life. John the Baptist confronts superficial religion and calls people to produce “fruit in keeping with repentance,” warning that God is not impressed by ancestry or appearances. When the crowds ask what repentance looks like, John gives practical, ethical answers: share with those in need, stop stealing, stop abusing power, and be content with what God provides. Davey emphasizes that repentance does not mean quitting one’s job, but bringing God into everyday work, relationships, and attitudes. He concludes that true repentance exposes self-deception, transforms daily behavior, and provides unmistakable evidence that a heart has been changed by God.