Episode Title: Satisfied in God | Psalm 17

Episode Description:
True peace and safety are not found in wealth, power, or human approval—they are found in God. In this episode, Ben Smith explores Psalm 17 and teaches how to keep your attention on God when enemies rise, false accusations are made, or trials press in.

Drawing from David’s prayer, Ben highlights three principles for moments of crisis:

1. Be ruled by God’s righteousness – Trust God to know your heart and live in obedience to His law.

2. Seek refuge in God alone – Pray with confidence and rest in His steadfast love and protection.

3. Rejoice in God’s provision – Do not fear or envy the world; be satisfied in God’s presence and care.

Ben also reflects on the life of Michael Sattler, a 16th-century Anabaptist martyr, who faced persecution and death yet trusted fully in God’s judgment. This episode encourages believers to remain steadfast in faith, discovering lasting peace and satisfaction in God alone, even in the midst of trials.

Key Takeaways:

- True security is found only in God.

- Prayer and obedience keep our focus on Him.

- Worldly threats are fleeting; satisfaction in God is eternal.

Listen and be encouraged to fix your eyes on the Lord, even when the world seems against you.

In this year-end episode of All for the Kingdom, host Ben Smith is joined by Dana Smith and his father, Ben Smith, for a reflective conversation on expository preaching and the sermons preached throughout 2025. Together, they discuss why allowing Scripture to shape the message of the sermon is essential for the health of the church and the spiritual growth of God’s people.

The conversation explores how each guest was introduced to expository preaching, what they find most helpful about verse-by-verse, Scripture-driven teaching, and the challenges that come with faithfully preaching the whole counsel of God—including difficult or uncomfortable passages. They also reflect on changes they have observed in the church’s preaching ministry and the growing pressure on pastors to prioritize relevance, comfort, or performance over faithfulness to the biblical text.

Looking back on the year, the episode highlights sermon series from 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Genesis 1–4, and John 1 during Advent, emphasizing the unity of Scripture and God’s redemptive plan from creation to Christ. The discussion concludes with a reaffirmation of the central conviction behind the podcast: the church must bend itself to Scripture rather than bending Scripture to fit personal or cultural preferences.

Host

Ben Smith

Guests

- Dana Smith

- Ben Smith (Ben’s dad)

Topics Covered

- What expository preaching is and why it matters

- Benefits and challenges of verse-by-verse preaching

- Changes in preaching within the modern church

- The role of preaching in discipleship and family life

- Reflections on 2025 sermon series

John the Baptist had one message for the crowds: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" In this sermon on John 1:19-34, Pastor Ben Smith examines John's testimony of who Jesus is. John pointed to Jesus and declared two essential truths: Jesus is the Lamb of God, and Jesus takes away your sin.

From Adam and Eve to the cross, an unbroken chain of animal sacrifices reminded God's people that earthly offerings could never permanently satisfy the law's demands. Only God Himself could provide lasting redemption. The wait is over. The promise has been fulfilled. Behold the Lamb of God.

SCRIPTURE: John 1:19-34

SERIES: Advent 2025

OUTLINE:

I. Jesus is the Lamb of God (vv. 19-34)

II. Jesus takes away your sin (v. 29b; 3:34-36)

RESOURCES: Sermon manuscript and outline handout available at https://www.bensmithsr.org/store

https://www.bensmithsr.org