The Confession and Call of Isaiah
In his sermon on Isaiah 1–6, Stephen Davey explains that Isaiah ministers as God’s covenant spokesman, warning Judah of coming judgment while extending God’s gracious invitation to repent and be cleansed. Isaiah exposes a nation calling evil good and trusting in itself, yet God promises forgiveness as white as snow and reveals a future kingdom centered in Jerusalem under the Messiah’s reign. Davey highlights how Isaiah’s prophecies span both near judgment and distant end-times restoration, showing God’s sovereign control of history. The lesson climaxes in Isaiah 6, where Isaiah encounters God’s holiness, confesses his sin, receives cleansing, and responds willingly to God’s call despite knowing the people will resist his message. Davey concludes that success in serving God is measured not by visible results but by faithful obedience to the Lord who still asks, “Whom shall I send?”
What to Do When the Honeymoon Is Over
In his sermon on Song of Solomon 5:2–8:14, Stephen Davey explains that lasting marriage is not sustained by romance alone but by deliberate, Christlike love after the honeymoon ends. As emotional distance and indifference surface between Solomon and his bride, the relationship is rebuilt through renewed appreciation, exclusivity, and commitment. Davey illustrates that couples daily choose either to build walls or pathways toward one another, especially when misunderstandings arise. The closing chapters emphasize three essential “stepping stones” for enduring love: permanence, perseverance through trials, and the priceless nature of covenant commitment. Davey concludes that marriage flourishes when love matures beyond feelings into faithful devotion that mirrors God’s enduring love for His people.
The Wedding Day is Here!
In his sermon on Song of Solomon 3:6–5:1, Stephen Davey explains how the wedding day of Solomon and his bride celebrates God’s design for marriage, intimacy, and covenant love. The groom’s joyful arrival, poetic praise, and careful honor of his bride highlight dignity, commitment, and delight rather than lust or vulgarity. Davey notes that the marriage consummation is described with beauty and restraint, affirming that physical intimacy within marriage is holy, protected, and intended by God. He then broadens the picture to show how marital love reflects Christ’s sacrificial love for His bride, the church. Davey concludes that lasting love—whether in marriage or singleness—flows from loving the Lord first, because Jesus alone makes true love both possible and permanent.
A Love Song For the Ages
In his sermon on Song of Solomon 1:1–3:5, Stephen Davey explains that this poetic book celebrates God’s design for love, attraction, and intimacy within the covenant of marriage. Solomon’s love song traces a courtship marked by desire, affirmation, and anticipation, while repeatedly warning against awakening sexual intimacy before God’s appointed time. Davey addresses the church’s discomfort with the book, noting that God Himself created marriage and physical intimacy and placed loving boundaries around it for protection and joy. The repeated refrain—“do not awaken love until it pleases”—serves as a call to patience, self-control, and trust in God’s timing. Davey concludes that the Song of Solomon honors God by showing that true intimacy flourishes best when desire is governed by obedience, reverence, and devotion to the Lord.
Living for Today and that Final Day
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 12:9–14, Stephen Davey explains that Solomon closes his journal by pointing readers to the only true purpose of life: fearing God and obeying His Word. Solomon reflects on his role as a teacher of God’s truth, reminding readers that Scripture is both painfully honest and firmly anchored, given by the one true Shepherd. Davey emphasizes that wisdom from God is meant to prod, correct, and nail truth securely into the heart—not entertain or impress. Solomon then distills life into three priorities: worship God, obey His commands, and live in preparation for final judgment. Davey concludes that meaning is found not in living “under the sun,” but in walking daily with the Son, knowing that every life will ultimately stand before God.
When Common Sense Is No Longer Common
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 10–12, Stephen Davey explains Solomon’s warning that even small acts of foolishness can destroy a godly reputation, like a single fly ruining costly perfume. Solomon exposes how a lack of common sense—living apart from God—leads to careless decisions, rebellion, and long-term regret. Writing as a repentant king, Solomon urges the young to enjoy life with joy and gratitude while remembering that freedom always carries accountability before God. He reminds readers that sin must be confronted early, because delayed obedience leads to empty living and sorrow later in life. Davey concludes that the most sensible decision at any age is to remember and commit to the Creator, walking with Him before the “evil days” arrive.
Living with Purpose and Joy
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 6–9, Stephen Davey explains Solomon’s warning against chasing fulfillment apart from God, comparing it to a donkey endlessly pursuing a carrot on a stick. Solomon exposes three dangers: a life that appears full while the heart remains empty, the false assumption that promotion equals success, and the misery of fixating on what we do not have instead of enjoying God’s gifts. Davey shows that religious appearances and public praise cannot satisfy the soul or impress heaven if the heart is hollow. Solomon also wrestles honestly with delayed justice and hypocrisy, reminding believers that God’s judgment may seem slow but is always certain. Davey concludes that true purpose and joy come from walking with the Lord, living gratefully, and enjoying life as God’s approved and redeemed people.
Making the Most of Our Time
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 2–5, Stephen Davey explains how Solomon chronicles his failed pursuit of happiness through pleasure, laughter, alcohol, achievement, and self-indulgence, only to conclude that life without God is empty and exhausting. Solomon’s repeated use of “I” reveals a self-focused experiment that ends in frustration, teaching that entertainment and success cannot satisfy the soul. Davey highlights Solomon’s reminder that God has appointed seasons for everything, fitting all events together according to His sovereign purposes—even when they do not appear beautiful at the moment. Humanity is wired for eternity, yet cannot fully understand God’s plans, which fuels longing for heaven and ultimate meaning beyond life “under the sun.” Davey concludes that true contentment comes from being God-focused—accepting His gifts, valuing relationships, worshiping reverently, and entrusting the brief “dash” of life entirely into His hands.
How to Live a Meaningless Life
In his sermon on Ecclesiastes 1, Stephen Davey explains that Solomon writes as a repentant king, warning readers what life becomes when lived without God’s truth as the guiding “instrument panel.” Drawing from his own experience, Solomon declares that life pursued merely “under the sun” is empty, repetitive, and ultimately meaningless. Human wisdom, achievement, and exploration cannot satisfy the soul or straighten what sin has made crooked. Davey emphasizes that Solomon’s boredom and despair expose the futility of chasing fulfillment apart from God. He concludes that Ecclesiastes begins with grace-filled warning: abandoning God leads to spiritual disorientation, but returning to Him restores meaning, direction, and hope.
The Profile of a Godly Woman
In his sermon on Proverbs 31, Stephen Davey explains that this chapter records a mother’s godly counsel—likely Bathsheba’s—to her son, King Lemuel, urging wisdom in leadership, purity, and self-control. She first warns against sexual compromise and alcohol, drawing from her own painful history and its consequences. Davey then highlights the famous acrostic poem describing a virtuous woman, emphasizing that it presents a goal of godliness, not a demand for perfection. This woman is marked by reverence for the Lord, diligent work, wise stewardship, compassion for the needy, and character that blesses her family and strengthens her husband’s reputation. Davey concludes that true beauty is rooted not in charm or appearance, but in fearing the Lord and living for what will last eternally.