Sermon Shorts: Recent Episodes
Ben Smith
Short clips from sermons by Ben Smith, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA. To listen to full sermons, subscribe to the podcast Ben Smith: All for the Kingdom or visit BenSmithSr.org.
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 6:20-23
Listen 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 6:20-23
Listen 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 6:20-23
Listen 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 6:20-23
Listen 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 6:20-23
Listen 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 Way
Links to listen to the full sermon:
https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom/psalm-13
Sermon 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-13
Sermon 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-13
Sermon 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.
An ambassador does more than live in a foreign country – they actively represent and promote the will of their sending country. If you are in Christ, you are not called to just dwell in the world while waiting for the glory to come. You are not called to be isolated and insulated from the lost world around you. You are called to be an ambassador for Christ, engaging the world - actively representing and promoting the work and will of God.
The wrath of God is a terrible thing. It is the total separation from God. It is the unmitigated fury of God. It is the righteous punishment of God.
Everyone was born under the wrath of God. To be under the wrath of God is, by definition, not to be at peace with God. Only through the redemptive work of Jesus is God’s wrath satisfied. Either you are right with God through the saving blood of Jesus, or you are under the wrath of God because of your sin. Peace with God only comes through the cross of Jesus.
Perspective changes everything. Perspective, vision, and site give understanding to reality. A young man discovered this truth when he awoke to find an invading army had surrounded his town. Unconcerned, his boss prayed that God would open his eyes. When the young man's eyes were opened to see what God was doing, his fear was gone because his perspective had changed.
For those in Christ, there is coming a day when death will be no more, grief will be forgotten, the names of diseases will no longer be spoken, disabilities will be unknown, wickedness will be defeated, sin will have no victory, and suffering will be no more. For those in Christ, the sufferings of this world are preparing you for an eternal weight of glory that has no comparison. Knowing what is to come makes the difficulties of the present seem light and momentary.
What motivates runners to push through the pain and suffering of a race is the finish line. This is because the finish line transforms all the suffering required to arrive. Thus, to understand the pleasure of running, you must witness the joy of finishing.
After a race, runners stand around and talk about their run. Even while recounting the difficulties, these narratives are not complaintive. If any disappointment is expressed, it generally is over, not suffering more. The joy of the finish line diminishes the previous suffering. It even produces a desire that more should have been given.
The joy of the finish line makes the sufferings of the race light. Like runners recounting a race, I am confident that the saints will recount the sufferings of this world with joy. The hope of salvation and eternity with God makes all the sufferings of this world, no matter how great, light and transient.
God’s purpose in using the frailty of flesh to contain the glory of the gospel is to testify to Himself, not to man. Jars of clay testify that salvation comes by the power of God, not the power of man, by the work of God, not the work of man, by the will of God, not the will of man, by the purpose of God not the purpose of man, for the glory of God not the glory of man, because of the truth of God not because of the intellect of man.
Salvation comes not through the work or might of men. Salvation comes through the power of God alone. I am just a jar of clay!
Once you have seen the light of truth, you can never again believe the lie.
A few years ago, I was in my hometown visiting family. During my visit, the subject of people driving the wrong way through a well-known one-way alleyway. As we discussed this common vexation, it became apparent that there was disagreement on the correct direction for the alley. So the next day, we went to see for ourselves which way was the right way. To my great dismay, the direction I had believed was the right direction was the wrong way.
The right and wrong way had not changed. What changed was that I had come to know the truth. I could no longer arrogantly go the wrong way, confident that I was right and indignant at others going the other direction. I had seen the light and knew the truth; from that day forward, I have only driven the right way.
Jesus is the light of truth. He gives understanding to what is right and wrong, true and false, and life and death.
It is not that a Christian no longer struggles with sin and temptation, but those who are in Christ no longer welcome, make plans for, invite, or love sin. It is impossible to love Jesus, be transformed by grace, and willfully remain in sin.
From the sermon, Better: Jesus is Greater, 2 Corinthians 3
Over twenty years ago, I purchased a Maglite flashlight. At the time, I was impressed with its ability to put out 45 lumens. However, the 45 lumens of the incandescent bulb of my Maglite loses all its charm compared to the brilliance of modern flashlights. It is not that the Maglite lost its glory; rather, something better and more powerful has overshadowed and outshined its glory.
Such it is with the law of God. When the law was given to Moses, it was glorious, but compared to the glory of Christ and the salvation He brings, it cannot compare. The glory of Christ never dims, never fades, and never ends. The glory of Christ is brighter and more glorious than anything else.
If you have been saved by the blood of Jesus, you are the aroma of Christ Jesus in this world. And being the aroma of Christ, you will bring joy to those who know Him and condemnation to those who have rejected Him.
From the sermon: Delight in God’s Word, Psalm 119:9-16,
There was recent news coverage of the promised lottery jackpot of $1.28 billion. Thinking about how you would spend a large amount of money is easy to contemplate because money is such a dominant force in our lives. We often delight in riches and the things that riches bring. And yet, the riches of this world are fading. The gold and silver of this world will one day lose their value, but the word of God will never return void.
Discover the truth of God’s word. Find your delight in knowing God’s word. And be forever transformed by God’s word.
What motivates you to obey Jesus? Are you motivated by love for Jesus, or are you motivated by legal obligation? The freedom from the law that salvation provides sets you free to obey out of joy and not obligation.
What motivates you to obey Jesus? Are you motivated by love for Jesus, or are you motivated by legal obligation? The freedom from the law that salvation provides sets you free to obey out of joy and not obligation.
Everything is for God's glory. The last statement of Isaiah 61:3 testifies to the unifying motivation of all that God does, that is, that He may be glorified.
One of the unique items that the Queen of England always travels with is mourning clothes. Knowing that the news of a death can come at any time, she is always prepared to wear the appropriate attire. The gospel promises that one-day mourning clothes will no longer be needed. By the saving grace of Jesus, we will one day trade in our mourning clothes and put on the garments of praise.
Pastor Ben compares the yoke of sin with the yoke of Christ from Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus invites sinners who are heavy-laden to come to Him and find rest in His yoke. The invitation is to exchange the yoke of sin for the yoke of Christ. One condemns and destroys the other redeems and gives life.
A clip from a sermon Pastor Ben Smith preached from Hebrews 12:1-6.
The work of the cross is complete and a testimony to the power of God. The work of sanctification continues in the hearts and lives of every believer. Our confidence is not in our ability or the ability of someone to help us. Our confidence is in Jesus, who completed the work of redemption on the cross and will perfectly complete the work of our faith in us.
Pastor Ben discusses the difference between joyfully obeying God’s commands in grace and meeting the demands of the law. Joyful obedience is different from obligated compliance. When you are bound to the law, you are obligated to obey its demands and suffer its judgment. When you are free in Jesus, you are free from the law, free to enjoy the righteousness of Jesus, and free to obey His commands willfully.
Before you can be obedient to the commands of Jesus, you must have faith that Jesus can accomplish His purpose and His will. When Christians have faith, they obey. Experiencing the power of God comes in the context of obeying God.
This week's sermon short is from the archives. It is from a sermon I preached in 2016 from Psalm 1 titled The Way of Righteousness.
What does it mean to delight in the Lord?
Psalm 1 teaches that the righteous take pleasure in the law of God. This is the truth that gives understanding to the second part of verse 2; "but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:2 ESV)
What we find pleasure in attracts our attention. Whatever has our attention, we will seek out. The one who delights in the law of God does not approach the law of God with dread but with joy. This pleasure is better than the world's pleasures because it satisfies, fulfills, and is never-ending.
Where the hopes and desires of the wicked are lost to the wind, the delight of the righteous is satisfied and fulfilled in the Lord. The way of sinners leads to rejecting God and scoffing. The way of righteousness leads to delighting in the Lord and meditating day and night on His word.
The work of atonement could only be accomplished by Jesus and has been accomplished by Jesus. The work is done. It is finished. You must decide to receive the gift of His atoning work by believing faith or to reject the cross. You cannot add more to what Jesus has done. You either must receive the gift or reject it.
The work of redemption is finished and offered to you today. Receive the free gift of the atonement and be saved today.
It is easy to recognize and condemn the sin we see in others. But all sin demands the sacrifice of the lamb of God. All sin is just as wicked, just as shameful, and just as costly as the vilest of sinner's sin. All sin is just as shameful as the sin of those who cried "crucify Him."
To the one who rejects Jesus, the cross remains offensive and ugly. But to the one who has been made clean by the blood of Jesus – the cross is beautiful and glorious! Come to Jesus. Bow before the King of kings. Believe in faith and be saved.
Direction is more important than location. We tend to give more importance to location, but where you are heading matters more than where you are. You may be far away from the Lord today, but God beckons you to draw near (direction language). And the beautiful promise is that no matter where you are - when your direction changes from chasing after the world to drawing near to God, God meets you where you are and exalts you to a right relationship with Him.
Babies are cute, and we find them adorable. Even though they are not potty trained, they often spit up, drool when teething, incessantly cry when hungry, have no patience, and have a very low tolerance to any discomfort we do not think ill of them because they are babies. However, if a teenager behaved like a baby, we would recognize it as a lack of proper development and needing treatment or discipline. If an adult acted like a baby, we would judge the person as mentally ill. It is ok to be immature in the faith. It is not ok to remain immature in the faith. It is ok to be a babe in Christ. It is not ok to remain a babe in Christ.
Have you heard about deepfakes? The technology is terrifying when you think about all the implications of how it could be used to destroy someone’s reputation or even cause havoc with the stability of governments.
The church has been countering deepfakes since the very beginning. There have always been some who claim to preach the word but actually weaken, manipulate, and twist the word to suit their desires and agendas. Such people are spiritual deepfakes. They look like they are preaching the word, they say they are preaching the word, but they are not.
The way these are confronted and countered is by knowing the word so that counterfeits are recognized, by preaching the word faithfully so that others can recognize such counterfeits, and by keeping close to the word so that when such fakes come along, they are quickly identified.
This is the mission of the church – to preach the word. In every season with all faithfulness, until Jesus returns – preach the word.
From the sermon The Church’s Worship, Ephesians 5:15-21
In Acts 16, the Bible records that Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for preaching the gospel and casting out a demon from a slave girl. They were ordered to be imprisoned and their feet fastened in the stocks. The next verse gives a simple description:
Acts 16:25 (ESV) — 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Paul and Silas were doing what Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:15-21. They were being abused by the government. They were in the unsanitary, uncomfortable, and unpleasant confines of a 1st-century jail. They were surrounded by others who did not know Jesus. But what do they do?
They do not complain. They do not scream and cry. They do not even demand justice.
They worship. They prayed and sang hymns to God. They were worshiping with integrity. They were worshiping in faithfulness. And they were worshiping for the glory of God.
From the sermon The Church’s Testimony, Matthew 18:15-20
The worthiness of fighting for something is not from the outcome but the value of what could be lost. It is worth the risk to contend for a brother’s restoration and lose than surrender him to the devil without a fight. Do not give up on your brothers and sisters without a fight. Speak truth into their lives, Contend for their restoration. Honor the testimony of the church.
From the sermon, Every Life Sacred Job 31:13-25, pastor Ben shares three things you should do in response to the sanctity of life.
From the sermon Gather Together, Hebrews 10:24:25.
Have you ever noticed that when you have unconfessed sin that you also have a greater temptation to skip church? When you gather with other believers, God uses the experience to draw you to faithfulness and expose anything that is keeping you from faithfulness.
From the sermon Gather Together, Hebrews 10:24:25.
For all the advantages and conveniences of technology, some things cannot be done virtually. Sermons can be heard through many technological avenues, but the church can only be who we have been called to be when we gather together.
We need to reform the old phrase “I’m just a sinner saved by grace with a new phrase. “I was a sinner, but now I am saved by grace!”
To listen to the full sermon subscribe to the All for the Kingdom podcast or click here
To listen to the full sermon subscribe to the All for the Kingdom podcast or click here
To listen to the full sermon subscribe to the All for the Kingdom podcast or click here
Sometimes all you have is a few minutes. With this in mind I am excited to announce a new podcast channel called “Sermon Shorts”. I will be posting 5 min or less clips from recent sermons. I hope you will subscribe and listen. The channel is already available on Apple podcast and will be coming to Google podcast, and other podcast sites very soon.
The following is an example of what each sermon short will be like.
It is from a sermon I preached from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 titled “Our Identity is in Christ alone.”
Get more information at www.BenSmithsr.org