Sermon Shorts

In this sermon short from “The Nature of Man” (Genesis 1:26–31), Pastor Ben Smith draws a powerful connection between Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness and man’s true nature. When Isaiah saw the Lord “high and lifted up,” he was undone—not proud or self-assured, but humbled before God’s glory. In the same way, we must see ourselves rightly before God. Man is not autonomous or self-defined, but an image bearer of God, created to serve His purposes and steward His creation according to His sovereign will.Resources:Listen to the full sermon at: https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/genesis1-26-31Listen to more Sermon Shorts at bensmithsr.org/shortspod

In this Sermon Short from the sermon “God Created, Genesis 1”, Ben Smith reminds us that believing God created all things from nothing is not only a matter of faith but also foundational to Christianity itself. From the early church’s Apostles’ Creed to the Nicene Creed, Christians throughout history have affirmed God as “Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.”This truth shapes how you view the world: God is the Creator, God is sovereign, and His creation is good. The hymn This Is My Father’s World echoes this conviction, calling us to rest in God’s power and goodness even when wrong seems strong—because Christ has already won the victory.Key Takeaways Creation is central to Christian faith. Every heresy begins with denying God’s sovereignty as Creator.Historic creeds affirm this truth. Both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed begin with the confession of God as Creator.God’s sovereignty is our rest. Despite evil and brokenness, God rules over His world, and Christ will bring all things to completion.Hymn Highlight: This Is My Father’s WorldThe episode closes with the beloved hymn, celebrating God’s presence and power in creation, and reminding us that:“This is my Father’s world, The battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, And earth and heaven be one.” ResourcesListen to more Sermon Shorts at bensmithsr.org/shortspodHymn: This Is My Father’s World (public domain)

From the sermon: Stand Firm, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 preached at Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA on June 8, 2025. Pastor Ben Smith teaches how salvation and sanctification are inseparable works of God. When God saves, He also sanctifies. And if one is not being sanctified, then neither have they been saved.

From the sermon: Do Not Be Alarmed, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 preached at Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA on June 1, 2025. Pastor Ben Smith encourages sinners to trust in Christ alone for salvation and the church to trust in the sovereignty, authority, and power of God.

I am excited to announce a new podcast project titled View from the Pulpit. Each episode will feature interviews with pastors and church members exploring the role of preaching, the labor of preparing to preach, the effectiveness of how one preaches, and so much more. This podcast is about preaching, but it is not just for preachers. So whether each Sunday you are behind the pulpit or in the pew, I hope you will tune in for engaging conversations that will help you better understand why preaching is vital to the church’s health. The podcast is available in Apple Podcast, Spotify, and many other podcast apps. Subscribe today so that you will not miss an episode.

Is your life worthy of imitation? If new believers imitated your walk with God, would it be to their benefit? If fellow members of the church imitated your holiness, would they walk in righteousness? If the younger members imitated your worship attendance practices, would they be pleasing to God? The answer to these questions for Christians must be "Yes."

A life transformed does not un-transform. It is possible to fake transformation for a while. It is possible to imitate transformation for a while. However, the transformation of God does not lose power, wear out, or grow old. What God begins, he always finishes (Philippians 1:6). Those who have been truly saved by God will remain steadfast in hope until the Lord returns.

There is no sin that the blood of Jesus cannot cover, and this includes abortion. Dear friends, you must work with all your might to defend life and stop legalized abortion, but in your zeal to protect life, you must also declare that the only thing that forfeits the hope of the gospel is rejecting the salvation of Jesus. From the sermon: Sanctity of Life, Romans 6:20-23Listen to the full sermon: https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/romans-6-20-26

Abortion is a shameful thing, but God’s grace is greater. Some of you have actively participated in the shamefulness of abortion. You have had abortions. You have encouraged someone to have an abortion. You have supported the legalization of abortion. Some of you have passively participated in the shamefulness of abortion. You have been unconcerned with abortion because it has not directly affected you or your family. You have turned a deft ear to the pleas of those contending for life. You have believed the lies of politicians and activists who advocated for abortion.Dear Christian, you should recognize the shame of sin and plead for the grace of God. From the sermon: Sanctity of Life, Romans 6:20-23Listen to the full sermon: https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/romans-6-20-26

The shame of sin is not erased by ignoring it. The shame of sin is overcome by confessing and repenting of sin. Dear Christian, there is forgiveness and restoration in Christ alone.From the sermon: Sanctity of Life, Romans 6:20-23Listen to the full sermon: https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/romans-6-20-26

Anything that denies the sanctity of life is motivated by a desire to elevate personal freedom over God's authority. Abortion promises sexual freedom, economic freedom, and freedom to attain gender equality. However, these false freedoms do not deliver what they promise. The fruit of sin is enslavement to more sin, shame and guilt before God, and death. Dear friends, there is no true freedom in rebellion against God. Freedom is only found in righteousness before God.From the sermon: Sanctity of Life, Romans 6:20-23Listen to the full sermon: https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/romans-6-20-26

The absurdity of Satan’s lies is that such theft, death, and destruction are preferable to righteousness in Christ. The end result of every sin is personal destruction, relational destruction, destruction of others, and community destruction. Dear friends, see abortion for what it is – a lie that brings death and destruction.From the sermon: Sanctity of Life, Romans 6:20-23Listen to the full sermon: https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/romans-6-20-26

A clip from the sermon, Sing to the Lord, Psalm 13. Pastor Ben Smith tells the story of Willams Cowper, who greatly struggled with depression and mental health issues. Cowper also wrote the hymn God Moves in a Mysterious WayLinks to listen to the full sermon:https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/psalm-13Sermon notes: https://www.bensmithsr.org/store/p/psalm-13

A clip from the sermon, Sing to the Lord, Psalm 13. Pastor Ben Smith encourages you to rejoice in the hope of the gospel.Links to listen to the full sermon:https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/psalm-13Sermon notes: https://www.bensmithsr.org/store/p/psalm-13

A clip from the sermon, Sing to the Lord, Psalm 13. Pastor Ben Smith encourages you not to be ruled by emotions but to seek to understand all things according to the truth of God.Links to listen to the full sermon:https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/psalm-13Sermon notes: https://www.bensmithsr.org/store/p/psalm-13

During the Christmas season, there is much gift-giving. You may receive heartfelt gifts that speak to the sweetness and goodness of a friendship. You may also receive impersonal obligatory gifts that feel more transactional than relational. The greatest gift ever given or received is the gift and offering of Jesus for the redemption of sinners. It is a gift given to the undeserving. It is a gift that cannot be repaid. It is a gift that flows from the will of God, who loved you before the foundation of the world.

The battle at the Alamo and the cry “Remember the Alamo” coalesced a people for a political cause.But Christians have a greater cry.  “Remember Jesus Christ” is not a political statement; it is not a defiant cry against a tyrant, nor a celebration of a historical event. “Remember Jesus Christ” is the heart cry of a people living in a sin-corrupted world rejoicing that Jesus has already won the victory over sin and death. “Remember Jesus Christ” is the heart cry of a people who have counted the cost and are giving everything they have to make Christ known. “Remember Jesus Christ” is the heart cry of those who may be tempted with discouragement but have placed their hope in the promises of the gospel and the faithfulness of God.

What is holding you back from Jesus? What do you fear? What of the world do you love? What temporary pursuits are you chasing after? What worthless pride are you holding on to? What is it that you love more than the gospel of Jesus?I know this - whatever keeps you from Jesus today is not worth it.

The image of a train leaving the station has long been a helpful image for a present opportunity. When the train arrives, you have the opportunity to get on. However, this opportunity will not last. The train will leave, and when it does, you will lose the opportunity to travel.How many will miss the opportunity to get on board because they are too tied to the luggage on the loading dock? Weighed down by concerns and worldly affection other than the departing train, they will miss the opportunity. Likewise, how many will miss the opportunity of salvation? Clinging tight to the affections and concerns of this world, many will miss the gift of salvation.Now is the day of salvation.

In late December 2004, over a quarter of a million people went about their routine without the slightest concern that a massive destructive wave of water was moving toward them. They surely would have hastily evacuated to higher ground if they had known that a wall of water was rushing toward them that would destroy whole cities and kill all in its path. But without warning, they went about their day's activities without concern for the approaching danger.The gospel is the good word that wicked sinners can be reconciled to God through the redemption of Jesus. God's judgment is coming. His wrath is great and terrible. Yet as an act of grace, God has commissioned the saints to be His ambassadors to proclaim to the world – salvation is in Jesus who, for our sake, God made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.