All for the Kingdom

Sermon Podcast

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Advent Ben Smith Advent Ben Smith

Above Every Name: Everlasting Father Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

The last two names listed in Isaiah 9:6 for the Messiah are Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. These two names point to the eternal nature of the Messiah and the work of redemption he has accomplished.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul teaches that the resurrection of Jesus is fundamental to the work of redemption and celebrates the victory over sin and death that Jesus' resurrection has brought. The redemption of Jesus provides eternal salvation and eternal peace to those who believe in faith in Jesus.

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Salvation Ben Smith Salvation Ben Smith

He is Faithful, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian church, he knew he had to confront some serious issues of sin. There was trouble in the church. Some members were guilty of sexual sin, others of drunkenness, and others were attempting to justify their worldly living with a perverted understanding of the grace of God. The city of Corinth was well known as a place of debauchery, and the church struggled to live holy in such a perverse context.

Paul would be unflinching in his confrontation of sin in the church. However, before he does, he begins with an encouraging word to remind the church who they are and the blessings they have received.

We, too, live in a cultural context of unrestrained debauchery. Likewise, the church today often struggles with living holy. Thus, it is good to hear again that those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus are saints of God, under the grace of God, and sustained by the faithfulness of God.

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Sin Ben Smith Sin Ben Smith

Reset: Making a Fresh Start, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

In this passage, Paul encourages the church to rid itself of sinful rebellious members. I think this passage is instructive to us as individuals as well. Each of us must constantly work to rid our lives of the corruption of sin. As we begin 2022 let us consider how we can make a fresh start towards righteousness.

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Grace Ben Smith Grace Ben Smith

Introduction to new channel - Sermon Shorts

Sometimes all you have is a few minutes. With this in mind I am excited to announce that I am working on 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.” I hope you enjoy.

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Sacrifice Ben Smith Sacrifice Ben Smith

The Gospel:Worthy of Sacrifice, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

We could certainly find much to point to in our current cultural context that would testify to the dysfunctional and delusional elevation of personal autonomy over truth. However, all of us have a natural inclination to preference our desires and autonomy over others. Thus, what Paul teaches in this passage is certainly radical in contrast to our present-day, but truthfully it has always been counter-culturally radical. The gospel compels us to sacrifice many things, but the first of which is our very lives.

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Spiritual Maturity Ben Smith Spiritual Maturity Ben Smith

Reset: Grow in Spiritual Maturity, 1 Corinthians 6:12

The question of “lawfulness” is not the only question faithful Christians must ask. Certainly, this is important – and if something is unlawful then no Christian should even consider it. But lawfulness is only the basic question – for one to grow in spiritual maturity and faithfulness you must ask is it helpful and dose it distract from faithful obedience.

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