Weekly expository sermons and biblical resources from Pastor Ben Smith. Additional podcasts, books, and downloadable PDFs of Pastor Ben’s sermon manuscripts are available at http://bensmithsr.org.
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In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Psalm 4, where David turns to the Lord while facing lies, slander, and attacks against his character. This message shows how the people of God can find their worth, value, and peace in being known by the Lord rather than defined by the opinions of others. Psalm 4 teaches believers to turn to the Lord, declare what is true, and trust God. The world may tell lies and believe lies, but God knows the truth perfectly. Because the Lord hears His people and will not abandon His own, the believer can lie down and sleep in peace. Ps
Psalm 3 sermon, Sovereign Through the Chaos, David and Absalom, God our shield, salvation belongs to the Lord, fear, enemies, peace, and expository preaching. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Psalm 3, written when David fled from Absalom his son. David faces real danger, personal betrayal, and demoralizing words from those who claim there is no deliverance for him in God. Psalm 3 teaches believers to turn their eyes to the Lord when enemies increase and chaos surrounds them. The Lord is our shield, our glory, and the One who lifts our head. Peace comes not
Psalm 2 sermon, The Enthroned King, King Jesus, Messiah, Anointed One, nations rage, sovereignty of God, kingdom of Christ, judgment, and expository preaching. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Psalm 2, where the nations rage and the rulers of the earth take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed. The world rebels against God’s authority, but God is not threatened. Psalm 2 declares that Jesus is the enthroned King. God has installed His King, the nations are His inheritance, and the ends of the earth are His possession. The right respons
Psalm 1 sermon, The Way of the Righteous, Psalms, blessed man, law of the Lord, righteousness, wickedness, judgment, meditation on Scripture, and expository preaching. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Psalm 1, where the righteous and the wicked are contrasted. The world offers counsel that seems wise, safe, and promising, but worldly wisdom will not stand before the judgment of God. Psalm 1 teaches that true blessedness is found in delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on His Word day and night. The righteous are like a tree planted by streams o
Luke 10:1–16 sermon, Kingdom Commands, harvest is plentiful, laborers are few, kingdom of God, missions, evangelism, gospel proclamation, serving Christ, and expository preaching. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Luke 10:1–16, where Jesus sends out the seventy to proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near. This message explains the command to preach the kingdom, the encouragement to endure hardship, and the call to serve the King. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. The faithful church still proclaims the same unchanging gospel: Jesus i
Mark 9:38–50 sermon, Kingdom Warnings, hell, sin, stumbling, salt of the earth, holiness, discipleship, testimony, and expository preaching. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Mark 9:38–50, where Jesus gives serious warnings about sin, stumbling, and hell. The disciples were concerned about who could work in Jesus’ name, but Jesus warns them not to hinder God’s work and not to cause little ones to stumble. This message explains the gravity of sin, the reality of judgment, and the call to live faithfully before others. Nothing in this world is worth forfeitin
Matthew 21:28–32 sermon, Obey the King, parable of the two sons, obedience, repentance, kingdom of God, Jesus’ authority, religious hypocrisy, and expository preaching. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Matthew 21:28–32, where Jesus tells the parable of the two sons. This message explains the danger of saying the right things without doing the will of the Father. Jesus exposes empty religion and calls sinners to true obedience. Outward declarations cannot replace internal devotion. The testimony of true faith is not merely what a person says, but whether th
Matthew 18:1–4 sermon, entering the kingdom, kingdom of heaven, humility, repentance, childlike faith, greatness, salvation, and expository preaching. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Matthew 18:1–4, where the disciples ask Jesus who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus responds by calling a child to Himself and teaching that unless a person turns and becomes like a child, he will never enter the kingdom. This message explains that the great issue is not rank in the kingdom, but entrance into the kingdom. Jesus confronts pride and calls sinners to h
Matthew 6:33 sermon, seek first the kingdom, kingdom of God, anxiety, worry, righteousness, trust God, Sermon on the Mount, and expository preaching. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Matthew 6:33, where Jesus commands His people to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This message explains how anxiety reveals a divided heart and how Christ calls His people to reorder their desires under the rule of God. Seeking first the kingdom means redirecting our attention, pursuing God’s righteousness, and trusting His provision. When worries mount, th
Matthew 5:17–20 sermon, the Law fulfilled, Sermon on the Mount, righteousness of Christ, kingdom of heaven, Law and Prophets, salvation, and expository preaching. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Matthew 5:17–20, where Jesus declares that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. This message explains the eternal nature of God’s kingdom, the continuing authority of God’s Word, and the perfection required to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus exposes the insufficiency of outward righteousness and shows that sinners cannot ente
Matthew 4:17 sermon, repentance, kingdom of heaven, gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ preaching, salvation, and the kingdom of God. In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from Matthew 4:17, where Jesus begins His public ministry with the words, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This message explains repentance as a confrontation of our sin, our righteousness, and our authority, and as a call to turn from sin and self to Jesus Christ. Repentance is not merely a change of words or feelings. It is a response to the truth of who Jesus is and the reality that God’s
2 Kings 2:1–19, Elijah and Elisha, biblical succession, discipleship, next generation ministry, and faithful gospel witness. In this sermon from 2 Kings 2:1–19, Pastor Ben Smith examines the transition from Elijah’s ministry to Elisha’s ministry. As Elijah is taken up into heaven and Elisha receives his mantle, God teaches His people that all men come to an end, each generation must invest in the next, and faithful calling must be affirmed among God’s people. The kingdom of God is not built around one man, one generation, or one ministry. God is eternal, His Word remains unchanged, and the gos
1 Kings 21:17–29 sermon on Elijah, Ahab, repentance, judgment, and faithfulness to speak biblical truth. In this message, Ben Smith preaches from the account of Elijah confronting Ahab after the murder of Naboth and the seizure of his vineyard. Ahab’s sin had been hidden behind excuses, but God sent Elijah to expose the truth and declare judgment. This sermon shows why believers must be faithful to confront sin, contend for righteousness, and speak the whole truth of God with love and compassion. The passage also reveals God’s mercy when Ahab humbles himself. God’s judgment is real, but His ca
1 Kings 19, Elijah, fear, spiritual warfare, revival, God’s sovereignty, and Christian courage come together in this sermon, “When the Threats of this World Shake Us.” After the great victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah is shaken by Jezebel’s threats and flees in fear. This message explores why the world does not rejoice over revival, how fear causes believers to lose sight of God’s power, and why God’s purposes are greater than our limited perspective. From Elijah’s despair to God’s gentle voice at Horeb, this sermon offers biblical encouragement for Christians facing hostility, discouragement, o
Genesis 11:10–32 records the genealogy from Shem to Abram and shows the faithfulness of God in redemptive history. After the rebellion at Babel, Scripture narrows its focus from the nations of the earth to the chosen line through whom God would fulfill His covenant promises. In this sermon, Ben Smith teaches that God is faithful throughout history, faithful despite man’s corruption, and faithful forever to His word. Though nations rise and fall, people drift into idolatry, and truth is polluted by sin, God continues to preserve His word and accomplish His redemptive plan. This message encourag
Genesis 11:1–9, the Tower of Babel, and the deadly pride of man are the focus of this sermon from pastor Ben Smith. In Babel, some of Noah's descendants sought to build a city and make a name for themselves, rebelling against God’s command and trusting in human ability, self-sufficiency, and mastery. This message examines how pride leads us to misuse God’s gifts, elevate personal preference over obedience, seek freedom from dependence on God, and imagine that we are masters of our own lives. Genesis 11 reminds us that God will not share His glory with another, and that the only faithful respon
In this sermon, Ben Smith Sr. preaches through Genesis 10 to show that this often-overlooked chapter reveals the sovereign rule of God over every nation, every people group, and every generation. This message highlights three truths from the passage: God is sovereign over all people, God is sovereign over human efforts, and God is sovereign over the fulfillment of His will. Along the way, the sermon addresses the authority of Scripture, the error of universalism, the fleeting power of man, and the certainty of God’s redemptive plan in Christ.
1 Kings 18, Elijah, Mount Carmel, truth vs lies. In this sermon, Elijah confronts Israel’s spiritual confusion and calls them to choose between the Lord and Baal. God answers by fire, proving that sincerity and passion cannot make falsehood true. This message emphasizes that true worship seeks God’s glory and that when truth is revealed, it demands a response of repentance, obedience, and faith.
1 Peter 3:18–22, resurrection of Jesus Christ, victory over sin and death, Christian suffering, encouragement in persecution. In this sermon, we explore how the resurrection of Jesus is God’s declaration of victory over every enemy. Believers facing suffering are reminded that Christ’s death was not defeat, His proclamation was victorious, and His present reign secures our hope and salvation.
1 Peter 1:17–21 teaches that believers are ransomed by the precious blood of Christ and called to live in holiness. This sermon explores redemption, the eternal will of God, and the believer’s hope in the resurrection. Learn how confidence in Christ’s finished work transforms how Christians live, think, and hope in a world that cannot offer lasting security.
Genesis 9:18–29, Noah, sin, grace, holiness. This sermon explains how Christians should respond to sin by examining the failure of Noah and the contrasting responses of his sons. Learn the danger of sin, the shame it brings, and the sustaining grace of God. This message calls believers to vigilance, repentance, and a deeper understanding of grace that leads to holiness.
Genesis 9:1–17 reveals how God’s grace operates in a fallen world. After the flood, God reaffirms His purpose for humanity, establishes laws to restrain sin, and makes a covenant with Noah that includes the rainbow as its sign. This sermon explores how believers experience God’s grace through His eternal will, His righteous law, and His patient covenant promise.
In this sermon from 1 Kings 18:1–21, we examine the difference between those troubled by God’s truth and those who faithfully stand for it. Through the contrast between Ahab and Elijah, this message exposes the danger of resisting God and calls believers to stand firmly on His Word. Faithfulness to God often brings opposition, but true peace is found in obedience, not compromise.
Genesis 8:20–22 reveals Noah’s first act after the flood: holy worship. This sermon explores how worship flows from remembering God, recognizing our sin, and resting in His sustaining grace. A pastoral, expository look at God’s sovereignty, mercy, and patience.
In this sermon from Genesis 8:1–19, we explore how God shows His faithfulness during seasons of waiting. Noah’s long months in the ark reveal a God who remembers His people, encourages them in discouraging moments, and speaks His word to declare new beginnings. This message offers assurance to believers who need to be reminded that God is faithful in every season.
