Psalm 5 is a morning prayer of David. He begins the day by ordering his prayer before the Lord and eagerly watching. As he prays, he contrasts the blessing of being received by God with the wickedness of those who rebel against Him.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that Psalm 5 teaches believers to stand in God’s presence and live under His shelter. God hears the prayers of His children, but He takes no pleasure in wickedness. David does not enter God’s house by his own goodness, but by the abundant lovingkindness and mercy of the Lord.

This sermon calls Christians to resist the temptation to envy the world or imitate the world. Living righteously is not a favor we do for God; it is a response to knowing His grace. The world may rebel against the Lord, but the righteous are called to walk in His way and trust His protection.

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Psalm 4 is an evening prayer of trust in God. David is under attack, but the threat in this psalm appears to be the threat of slander, lies, and reproach rather than physical violence. In that distress, David turns to the Lord and remembers that the only judge of his worth and character who finally matters is God.

Pastor Ben Smith explains Psalm 4 through three movements: turn to the Lord, declare truth, and trust in God. David’s confidence does not rest in his own righteousness, reputation, achievements, or the approval of men. His hope rests in the grace of God and in the truth that the Lord hears when His people call.

This sermon calls believers to find their value in the Lord alone, fear the Lord, trust His deliverance, and rest in the peace that comes from God’s protection. The enemies may remain, but God’s people do not face them alone.

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Psalm 3 is a morning prayer of trust in God, written when David fled from Absalom his son. David’s enemies had increased, many were rising against him, and many were saying there was no deliverance for him in God.

Pastor Ben Smith explains how David responds to danger, discouragement, and demoralizing words. He does not pretend the threats are imaginary. They are real, painful, and dangerous. Yet David turns from the size of his enemies to the greatness of God. The Lord is his shield, his glory, and the One who lifts his head.

This sermon calls believers to trust the Lord in the midst of chaos. God is present, God hears, God sustains, and God saves. Salvation belongs to the Lord, and His blessing is upon His people.

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Psalm 2 shows the rebellion of the nations against the Lord and against His Anointed. The rulers of the earth seek to cast off God’s authority, but their rebellion is vain. God is not threatened by the rage of the nations or the plots of men.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that Psalm 2 points us to King Jesus. The world hates His rule, but God has installed His King upon Zion. The nations belong to Him, the ends of the earth are His possession, and every enemy will be brought under His authority.

This sermon calls listeners to honor the Lord, submit to the kingship of Jesus, worship with reverence, rejoice with trembling, and take refuge in the Son. The world may rage, but the King is enthroned.

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Psalm 1 sets before us two ways: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. The world promises happiness through its counsel, its approval, and its well-traveled path, but the psalmist shows that true blessedness is found only in the Lord.

Pastor Ben Smith explains the danger of worldly wisdom, the blessing of righteousness, and the certainty of true judgment. The righteous delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. They are firmly planted, supplied by God’s provision, and fruitful in season. The wicked, however, are like chaff that the wind drives away.

This sermon calls listeners to examine which way they are walking. The counsel of the wicked leads to death, but delighting in the Lord leads to eternal blessing in His presence.

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In Luke 10:1–16, Jesus appoints seventy others and sends them out ahead of Him. They are sent to proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near. Jesus tells them that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that the mission of the kingdom is to preach the kingdom, endure hardship, and serve the King. The gospel does not need updating, revising, modernizing, or reinterpreting. The faithful church preaches the same message proclaimed by John the Baptist, Jesus, the apostles, and the church throughout the centuries.

This sermon calls believers to let go of personal pride and personal privilege, trust the Lord of the harvest, and surrender all for the sake of Christ and His kingdom.

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In Mark 9:38–50, Jesus gives His disciples sobering warnings about sin, stumbling, and hell. John complains that someone outside their group was casting out demons in Jesus’ name, but Jesus teaches that God is not limited to those we expect Him to use.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that the people of God must guard their relationship to others and their own pursuit of holiness. Jesus warns against causing others to stumble and then uses shocking language to show the seriousness of sin. It is better to suffer loss in this world than to cling to sin and face eternal condemnation.

This sermon calls believers to take sin seriously, guard their testimony, and live as salt in the world.

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In Matthew 21:28–32, Jesus tells the parable of two sons. One son refuses his father’s command but later regrets it and obeys. The other son says the right words but does not obey. Jesus tells this parable in response to religious leaders who challenged His authority while rejecting the message God had sent through John.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that outward declarations, religious appearance, and pleasing the right people cannot substitute for true obedience. The issue is not merely whether a person knows what to say, but whether the heart is devoted to God.

This sermon calls listeners to examine the difference between saying Jesus is Lord and living in submission to His lordship. True obedience bears witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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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.