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

THE JOY OF SALVATION

John 1:14-18

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." — John 1:14

ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this powerful Christmas sermon, Pastor Ben Smith explores one of the most profound truths in all of Scripture: the eternal God became flesh to save sinful man. This exposition of John 1:14-18 challenges listeners to guard against familiarity with the gospel and to behold afresh the glorious wonder of the incarnation.

SERMON OUTLINE

I. The Word Became Flesh to Reveal God's Glory (vv. 14-15)

• Through His presence

• Through the truth

II. The Word Became Flesh to Show God's Grace (vv. 16-17)

• Fulfillment of the law

• Transformation to righteousness

III. The Word Became Flesh to Provide Salvation (v. 18)

• To know God

• To be at peace with God

KEY THEMES - The Incarnation of Christ - Glory of God revealed in Jesus - Grace upon grace - The once-for-all sacrifice - Peace with God through Christ's atonement - Victory over death

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED John 1:1-3, 14-18 | John 3:16 | John 14:7 | Genesis 3 | Exodus | Revelation 21:3 | 2 Corinthians 4:4 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 | Ephesians 1:3-5 | Romans 3:23 | Romans 5:10 | Romans 8:2 | Romans 10:9-10 | Hebrews 10:11-12 | Luke 2:14 | 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

ABOUT PASTOR BEN SMITH

Ben Smith, Sr. serves as the pastor of Central Baptist Church in Waycross, Georgia. He is committed to expository preaching and teaching that is rooted in Scripture and theologically sound.

CONNECT

Website: www.BenSmithSr.org Sermon Manuscripts: www.BenSmithSr.org/store

© 2025 Benjamin E. Smith Sr. All rights reserved.

Episode Description:

In this powerful exposition of John 1:6-13, Pastor Ben Smith unpacks the profound truth that salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ—a faith that is itself a gift from God. Continuing through the prologue of John's Gospel, this sermon reveals how God has graciously provided both the testimony to and the way of salvation.

In this message, you'll discover:

God Provides for Salvation Through a Preceding Witness (vv. 6-8) Pastor Ben examines the God-ordained ministry of John the Baptist, the final Old Testament prophet sent to bear witness to the coming light of Christ. This section traces the faithful line of witnesses God provided throughout redemptive history—from the promise given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, through Abraham, David, and the prophets—all testifying to the coming Messiah. The sermon emphasizes that these witnesses were both a gift of God and a ministry to mankind, graciously preparing hearts to believe in Jesus.

God Provides for Salvation Through the Revelation of Truth (vv. 9-11) This section reveals Jesus as the true light—not merely a reflection or testimony, but the full revelation of God Himself. Pastor Ben addresses the sobering reality that the world did not recognize or receive the light when He came. Drawing on 2 Corinthians 4:4 and Luke 4:17-18, the message explains spiritual blindness and why proximity to the light does not equal saving faith. Only in Jesus, the true light, is salvation and eternal life found.

God Provides for Salvation Through the Work of Jesus (vv. 12-13) The sermon reaches its climax with the glorious truth that God gives the right to become children of God to all who receive and believe in Jesus. Pastor Ben carefully unpacks verse 13's three negative statements—denying salvation by blood, by the will of the flesh, or by the will of man—followed by the definitive declaration: salvation is "of God" alone. This section powerfully demonstrates that regeneration and saving faith come by God's sovereign authority and power, not human effort or religious achievement.

Key Theological Themes:

- Salvation by grace alone through faith alone

- The role of John the Baptist as witness

- Jesus as the true light and full revelation of God

- Spiritual blindness and the need for divine intervention

- God's sovereignty in salvation and election

- The new birth as a work of God's power

- The danger of substituting human effort for genuine faith

Memorable Illustration: Pastor Ben concludes with a compelling historical illustration from Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia, where the French army's tin buttons—a cheap substitute for authentic materials—disintegrated in the brutal cold, leaving soldiers exposed to deadly temperatures. This vivid analogy powerfully demonstrates how substitutes for genuine, God-given faith may appear sufficient temporarily but will ultimately fail under the weight of eternity.

Who Should Listen: This sermon is essential for anyone seeking to understand the biblical doctrine of salvation, the nature of saving faith, and God's sovereign grace. It's particularly valuable for those struggling with assurance of salvation, anyone tempted to rely on religious performance or heritage, and believers who need to be reminded that salvation is God's work from beginning to end. Perfect for personal devotion, small group discussion, or theological study.

Scripture References Include: John 1:6-13, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 12, 2 Samuel 7, Luke 16:16, Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:17-18, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Isaiah 9:2, Ephesians 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9, John 6:37, Romans 3:23

Whether you're a new Christian or a seasoned believer, this message will deepen your understanding of God's gracious provision for salvation and strengthen your confidence that salvation rests entirely on God's faithful work, not your own efforts.

In this episode, pastor Ben Smith explains the biblical meaning of thanksgiving through Psalm 106. Unlike secular gratitude, which often focuses on personal blessings or accomplishments, true thanksgiving is a worshipful response to God’s character, mercy, and faithfulness.

The sermon unfolds in three parts:

A thankful heart is focused on who God is – God’s goodness, His inexhaustible praise, and faithful provision.

A thankful heart confesses the reality of sin – examining Israel’s unfaithfulness and the importance of personal confession.

A thankful heart rejoices in God’s faithfulness – celebrating His undeserved mercy and steadfast covenant love.

Listeners are encouraged to consider how a God-centered heart transforms gratitude into authentic, enduring worship.

Key Scripture: Psalm 106

Speaker: Pastor Ben Smith
Series: Thanksgiving
Format: Expository Sermon\

Find Out More:

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

Additional podcasts, books, and downloadable PDFs of Pastor Ben’s sermon outlines and manuscripts are available at http://bensmithsr.org.

You can find information about Central Baptist Church at cbcwaycross.org.

This sermon was originally preached on 11/23/2025.

In this episode, Pastor Ben Smith explores the story of Cain’s descendants and reveals how it’s possible to achieve success, build a legacy, and experience prosperity—yet remain entirely outside the presence and blessing of God. Genesis 4:17–24 presents a striking contrast between remarkable human advancement and deep spiritual emptiness, showing how worldly accomplishments can distract us from what truly matters.

Pastor Ben highlights two major warnings from the passage:
• The Busyness of Building for Nothing — how investing in things that cannot last leaves us empty.
• Foolish Confidence — how prosperity without God leads to pride, moral compromise, and a false sense of security.

This message challenges listeners to consider where their confidence, priorities, and pursuits truly lie. Are we chasing achievements that won’t endure, or seeking the lasting joy found only in a right relationship with God? Through the example of Cain’s line and the transformation of Zacchaeus, this episode reminds us that authentic purpose comes not from what we build, but from whom we belong to.

Listen and be encouraged to pursue what endures—and to guard your heart from the distractions of purposeless prosperity.

Key Scripture: Genesis 4:17-24

Speaker: Pastor Ben Smith
Series: Genesis
Format: Expository Sermon

Find Out More:

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

Additional podcasts, books, and downloadable PDFs of Pastor Ben’s sermon outlines and manuscripts are available at http://bensmithsr.org.

You can find information about Central Baptist Church at cbcwaycross.org.

This sermon was originally preached on 11/16/2025.