Ben Smith, Sr.

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Ben Smith Sr.

Ben Smith Sr.

Originally from Columbus, GA, pastor Ben Smith has served churches in Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia. Ben and his wife, Dana, make their home in Waycross, GA. Ben and Dana met while students at Shorter University. After completing his undergraduate studies, Ben earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Pastor Ben’s weekly sermons are available through his podcast, Ben Smith: All for the Kingdom.

All For the Kingdom

Podcast

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Ben Smith All for the Kingdom Podcast
God of All Nations, Genesis 10
God of All Nations, Genesis 10

Genesis 10 may seem like a chapter that can be passed over quickly, but it bears profound witness to the sovereignty of God. The nations of the earth are neither random nor outside His rule. Behind every family line, every people group, and every generation stands the God who created all things and governs history according to His will.

In “God of All Nations,” we are reminded that human power is fleeting, but God’s purposes never fail. The same God who governed the nations in Genesis is still accomplishing His redemptive will today, and in Christ He has made salvation known to people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

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Knowing Truth From Lies, 1 Kings 18:20-46
Knowing Truth From Lies, 1 Kings 18:20-46

We live in a world where truth is often overshadowed by personal belief and cultural pressure. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah confronts that confusion head-on, calling God’s people to stop wavering and to recognize the one true God.

Through the dramatic events on Mount Carmel, this sermon reminds us that sincerity cannot make lies true, and that when God reveals Himself, we are called to respond with repentance, obedience, and faithful worship.

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Saved by His Resurrection, 1 Peter 3:18–22
Saved by His Resurrection, 1 Peter 3:18–22

When the world appears strong and the church appears weak, it can be difficult to see how God is working. Yet Scripture reminds us that what looks like defeat is often the very place of God’s victory.

In this message from 1 Peter 3:18–22, we are called to fix our eyes on the risen Christ. His suffering accomplished our salvation, His proclamation declared His triumph, and His resurrection assures us that He reigns now and forever.

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More Sermons
More Sermons

Sermon Notes

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Genesis Volumes 1 and 2 : Chapters 1-11 Sermon Manuscript Collection (PDF download)
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Genesis Volumes 1 and 2 : Chapters 1-11 Sermon Manuscript Collection (PDF download)

A Comprehensive Study Through the Foundation of Scripture

Dive deep into the opening chapters of Genesis with this collection of 22 expository sermon manuscripts by Ben Smith, Sr. Volume 1 provides both profound theological insight and practical application as it explores God's creation, man's nature, the curse of sin, and the foundation of redemption. Volume 2 traces the spread of sin through the generations, God's grief over man’s wickedness, the judgment of the flood, the grace shown to Noah, God's covenant faithfulness, the Table of Nations, the prideful rebellion at Babel, and the unfailing faithfulness of God in preserving His redemptive promise.

What's Inside

Two PDF Files.

Volume 1

This 291-page volume contains complete sermon manuscripts and study materials covering:

  • God Created (Genesis 1) - Exploring God as creator, sovereign, and good

  • The Nature of Man (Genesis 1:26-31) - Understanding humanity as God's image bearers

  • Goodness of Work and Rest (Genesis 2:1-3) - Biblical foundations for labor and Sabbath

  • Breath of Life (Genesis 2:4-17) - Man's unique creation and purpose

  • Blessing of Marriage (Genesis 2:18-25) - God's design for the union of husband and wife

  • Fall of Man (Genesis 2:25-3:7) - How sin entered the world through deception

  • Curse of Sin (Genesis 3:8-19) - The devastating consequences of rebellion

  • Death for Life (Genesis 3:20-24) - The first glimpse of redemption through sacrifice

  • Right with God (Genesis 4:1-7) - What makes us acceptable before God

  • Sin's Ruinous Rule (Genesis 4:8-16) - The progression of sin without repentance

  • Purposeless Prosperity (Genesis 4:17-24) - The emptiness of worldly success without God

Volume 2

This 294-page sermon manuscript collection includes eleven expository sermons from Genesis 4:25–11:32, each written to help believers understand the text, trust God’s promises, and live faithfully in a world marked by sin and rebellion.

  • Call On The Name of The Lord (Genesis 4:25–5:32) - Encouragement that God preserves His will and knows those who are His.

  • The Depravity of Man (Genesis 6:1–8) - Exposing the total corruption of man and the grace of God shown to Noah.

  • Trust and Obey (Genesis 6:9–22) - Considering Noah’s righteous obedience in response to the word of God.

  • Repent and Be Saved (Genesis 7) - Warning of God’s judgment and the only refuge found in salvation.

  • Great is Thy Faithfulness (Genesis 8:1–19) - Rejoicing that God remembers, preserves, and delivers His people.

  • Holy Worship (Genesis 8:20–22) - Examining Noah’s worship after the flood and the faithfulness of God’s promise.

  • Amazing Grace (Genesis 9:1–17) - Seeing God’s gracious covenant with Noah and His mercy toward the world.

  • Righteous Response to Sin (Genesis 9:18–29) - Learning how righteousness responds to sin with truth, sobriety, and faithfulness.

  • God of All Nations (Genesis 10) - Tracing the nations from Noah’s sons and seeing God’s sovereign rule over all peoples.

  • The Deadly Pride of Man (Genesis 11:1–9) - Warning against the prideful attempt to make a name apart from God.

  • Forever Faithful (Genesis 11:10–31) - Seeing the faithfulness of God as He preserves His redemptive promise from Shem to Abram.

Forever Faithful, Genesis 11:10-32 - Sermon manuscript PDF
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Forever Faithful, Genesis 11:10-32 - Sermon manuscript PDF

In Genesis 11:10–32, the biblical record moves from the rebellion of Babel to the genealogy of Shem leading to Abram. At first glance, this passage may seem like little more than a list of names, but within this genealogy is a glorious testimony to the faithfulness of God. Even when nations rise and fall, truth is polluted, and the faithful drift away, God is still preserving His word and accomplishing His redemptive plan.

This sermon examines how God’s faithfulness is displayed throughout history, despite man’s corruption, and forever according to His word. From Shem to Abram, and ultimately from Abraham to Christ, Genesis 11:10–32 encourages believers to trust that God has been, is, and will forever be faithful to keep His promises and accomplish His saving purposes.

The Deadly Pride of Man, Genesis 11:1-9 - Sermon manuscript PDF
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The Deadly Pride of Man, Genesis 11:1-9 - Sermon manuscript PDF

Pride is one of the most deadly dangers of the human heart because it tempts us to believe that our ability, effort, intelligence, and strength can free us from dependence on God. In Genesis 11:1–9, the people of Babel sought to make a name for themselves, resist the command of God, and establish a city and tower devoted to their own glory.

This sermon manuscript examines the deadly pride of man through the rebellion at Babel, showing how pride corrupts God’s good gifts, elevates human preference over obedience, seeks self-sufficiency apart from God, and imagines mastery over life itself. Through careful exposition and pastoral application, this message calls believers to reject pride, humble themselves before the living God, and walk in faithful obedience to His Word.

VIEW FROM THE PULPIT

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Search “View From the Pulpit with Ben Smith” in your favorite podcast app

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View From the Pulpit
Episode 32: A Conversation with Dr. Jerry Vines

In this episode of “View From the Pulpit”, host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Jerry Vines, who is often credited with "literally writing the book on expository preaching". Dr. Vines recounts his personal journey from topical preaching in his early ministry to embracing expository preaching and how this shift transformed his approach to teaching God's Word. He shares his three-step sermon preparation process—investigation, interpretation, and application—and discusses the importance of "passion-driven preaching" where the preacher's emotion reflects the passage's pathos. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Vines offers profound wisdom for young and seasoned pastors alike, emphasizing the primacy of preaching and the necessity of a strong devotional life.

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Episode 30: A Conversation with Dr. Heath Lambert

Episode 30 of the "View from the Pulpit” podcast, hosted by Ben Smith, with guest Dr. Heath Lambert, pastor of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL. In this episode, Dr. Heath Lambert reflects on the unique experience of pastoring First Baptist Church, which boasts a remarkable, nearly 100-year history of strong, expository preaching. He shares how he navigates the significant legacy of his predecessors, embracing God's unique plan for his own ministry rather than attempting to replicate others.

Dr. Lambert delves into the intensely challenging period of leading his church through a major transition, which he also chronicled in his podcast "What Happened at First Baptist". He details his unwavering commitment to protecting the pulpit during this time, ensuring that sermons remained faithful to the biblical text despite immense personal and congregational pressures, including his own health crises. He shares powerful testimonies of God's grace and encouragement that sustained him and his family through these trials. The conversation touches on the distinction between faithfulness and fruitfulness in ministry, especially when dealing with declining attendance, and how God uses difficult seasons to refine and strengthen the church.

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Episode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith

In episode 25 of The View From the Pulpit, host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Robert Smith, Distinguished Professor of Divinity and preaching at Beeson Divinity School, in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Smith describes his approach as an "exegetical weaver," interweaving explanation and application throughout the sermon. A notable aspect of his delivery is preaching without notes, relying on "internalization not memorization," which allows for improvisational, Spirit-guided expression. Dr. Smith emphasizes that "what counts is content," not just style, and teaches a 10-step Christocentric method that heavily focuses on deep textual study, including reading the text "50 times". He advocates for the sermon's form to reflect the text's genre, distinguishing between deductive and inductive approaches. Dr. Smith stresses the importance of unity in diversity within the church, encouraging preachers to learn from various cultural preaching traditions and for congregations to value faithfulness to the text over performative dynamics, warning against "emotionalism" that overshadows exegesis.

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Episode 22: A Conversation with Dr. Mac Brunson

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Mac Brunson, Senior Pastor of Valleydale Church in Birmingham, AL, about his approach to Bible study, sermon preparation, and lifelong pursuit of learning.

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