In this message from Psalm 106, learn how confession, reflection on God’s faithfulness, and a God-centered perspective shape genuine, lasting thanksgiving.

Cain’s descendants built cities, developed culture, advanced technology, and prospered in ways the world would applaud—yet they lived every moment outside the presence of God. Their story reminds us that success without God is not success at all. Prosperity apart from Him may look impressive, but it cannot satisfy, it cannot save, and it cannot endure. In this episode, we explore how the busyness of building for nothing and the foolish confidence of worldly achievement can silently pull our hearts away from what matters most—and why true purpose is found only in a relationship with Christ.

In “Sin’s Ruinous Rule” (Genesis 4:8–16), Pastor Ben Smith examines Cain’s tragic story to reveal three warning signs of sin’s growing destruction—its mastery, its blindness, and its judgment—while calling believers to repentance and the redeeming grace found only in Jesus Christ.

Being great is a desire that is common to every generation and every culture. In Matthew 18:1-4 the disciples revealed that their concern about the kingdom Jesus promised to establish was who among them would be the greatest. The disciples were not immune to this desire to convert their relationship with Jesus into positions of importance in the kingdom He was establishing. They hoped to enjoy the highest and most important positions in His kingdom.

Their desire for greatness led them to ask Jesus who among them would be the greatest in the kingdom. However, the answer He gave was not what they expected. Jesus taught them to seek what matters and find greatness through repentance.

This passage follows a very significant moment in the life of Peter. Jesus had asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied with the powerful confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In verses 18-19 Jesus responds to Peter’s confession. Jesus declares that on this confession of Peter, Jesus will build His church. In this passage, we see that the church is founded on Jesus, sustained by Jesus, and is the testimony of the gospel.