In Matthew 18:1–4, the disciples ask Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Their question reveals a worldly concern for status and position. Jesus answers by calling a child to Himself and teaching that unless they turn and become like children, they will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that Jesus redirects the disciples from the wrong question to the essential question. Before considering greatness in the kingdom, one must consider entrance into the kingdom. Jesus calls sinners to humble repentance, turning from sin and self to Christ.

This sermon shows that pride keeps sinners from salvation, but humility leads to repentance. Kingdom greatness is not found in worldly recognition, but in submission to the will of God through Christ.

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus commands, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This command comes in the context of Jesus’ teaching about worry and anxiety. Our fears over provision often reveal that our hearts are more focused on the temporary than the eternal.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that seeking first the kingdom requires a reordering of priorities. God’s people are called to seek His rule, pursue His righteousness, and trust His provision. Worry focuses on our needs and our inability to meet them; prayer turns our attention to the power, providence, and provision of God.

This message calls believers to reject the anxiety of self-rule and live with singular devotion to the kingdom of God.

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

In Matthew 5:17–20, Jesus teaches that He has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. His kingdom is not opposed to the testimony of God in the Old Testament. Rather, His life, death, and resurrection accomplish what the law required and what the prophets proclaimed.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that the kingdom of God is eternal, that greatness in the kingdom is tied to obedience to God’s Word, and that entrance into the kingdom requires a righteousness greater than the scribes and Pharisees could provide. The message presses home the impossibility of self-made righteousness and the sufficiency of Christ’s fulfilled righteousness.

The hope of heaven is not found in God ignoring sin, but in Jesus atoning for sin and making sinners righteous before God.

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

In Matthew 4:17, Jesus begins His public ministry with a clear and urgent message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This episode considers the meaning and necessity of repentance in light of the coming kingdom of God.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that repentance is a word of confrontation, action, and truth. It confronts the sinner’s direction, righteousness, and authority. It calls for more than regret or religious interest; it calls for submission to Christ. The kingdom has come in the arrival of Jesus, and the fullness of that kingdom will come when He returns.

This sermon helps listeners understand why repentance is essential to the gospel, why the call to repent cannot be separated from salvation, and why today remains the day to respond to the gracious warning of God.

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith preaches from 2 Kings 2:1–19 on the transition from Elijah to Elisha. Elijah’s ministry is coming to an end, but God’s work is not ending. Elisha is being prepared, affirmed, and entrusted with the prophetic ministry God has called him to fulfill.

This passage teaches three important principles for the life of the church. First, all men come to an end. Even the greatest servants of God are limited by the weakness of the flesh, but God is eternal and His kingdom continues. Second, each generation must invest in the next. Elijah’s relationship with Elisha reminds us that faithful ministry requires time, access, discipleship, and purpose. Third, the next generation must be affirmed in faithful calling, godly authority, and service to the Lord.

This sermon calls believers to think carefully about how they are preparing for endings and beginnings. The church must not labor merely to preserve institutions, methods, or personal legacies. The church must labor to proclaim the gospel, honor the Word of God, and prepare the next generation to serve faithfully in a difficult world.

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Ben Smith preaches from 1 Kings 21:17–29 in a message titled “Faithful in Every Season.”

After Naboth is murdered and Ahab takes possession of his vineyard, the Lord sends Elijah to confront the king with a word of judgment. Ahab had sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord, and Elijah’s message exposes the sin that Ahab may have tried to hide behind excuses.

This sermon considers the call for God’s people to speak truth faithfully in every season. Believers must be willing to confront sin, contend for righteousness, and declare the whole truth of God. Yet this passage also reminds us that God’s purpose in confronting sin is not merely retribution, but repentance and restoration.

Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 21:17–29
Series: The Story of Elijah
Key Themes: Elijah, Ahab, Naboth’s vineyard, repentance, judgment, restoration, faithfulness, speaking truth, biblical preaching

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

After the spiritual triumph of Mount Carmel, Elijah faced fierce opposition and overwhelming fear. In 1 Kings 19, Scripture reveals how even faithful servants of God can become discouraged when the hostility of the world becomes personal and intense.

This sermon explores:

• Why the world does not rejoice over revival

• The spiritual hostility behind opposition to God’s work

• How fear causes us to lose sight of God’s power

• God’s unchanging presence in moments of weakness and despair

• Why God’s purposes are greater than our limited perspective

Though Elijah feared Jezebel’s threats, God had neither abandoned His prophet nor lost control of history. The Lord who sent fire on Carmel also met Elijah in the wilderness and reminded him that His power and purposes remain unchanged.

Scripture: 1 Kings 19

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

Forever Faithful, Genesis 11:10–32

Genesis 11:10–32 may appear at first to be a simple genealogy, but this passage is a profound testimony to the faithfulness of God. After Babel, the biblical narrative moves from the nations to the line of Shem leading to Abram, showing how God is preserving His word and advancing His redemptive plan.

In this sermon, Ben Smith preaches from Genesis 11:10–32 and shows three encouragements for the church:

God is faithful throughout history.
God is faithful regardless of man’s corruption.
God is faithful forever to His word.

This passage reminds us that nations rise and fall, the faithful may drift, and truth may be polluted and confused, but God remains faithful to remember His covenants and accomplish His will through His power.

Scripture Passage: Genesis 11:10–32
Series: Genesis
Sermon Title: Forever Faithful

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.