All for the Kingdom with Ben Smith

Ruth 4:13–22 concludes the story of Ruth and Naomi. Ruth and Boaz welcome a son named Obed, Naomi rejoices in the child, and the final genealogy identifies Obed as the grandfather of King David. What began in loss ends with praise for the Lord’s faithfulness.

This sermon considers God’s restoration and His willingness to use people the world may overlook. Ruth could not have seen the generations ahead when she chose to remain with Naomi. Yet God was working through her faith and obedience in the family line that would lead to Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Ruth 4:13–22
Themes: God’s faithfulness, restoration, Ruth, Naomi, Obed, King David, the genealogy of Jesus

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

In Ruth 4:1–12, Boaz meets the closer relative at the city gate. The man declines the responsibility of redemption, and Boaz publicly commits himself to redeem the property and marry Ruth. The witnesses respond with blessing.

This sermon follows three themes: redemption is costly, redemption is settled, and God’s people should celebrate faithfulness. Boaz’s willingness to bear the cost points to Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to redeem sinners. His finished work is the hope of our forgiveness and assurance.

Scripture: Ruth 4:1–12
Themes: Boaz, family redemption, the cost of redemption, Jesus Christ, forgiveness, assurance, faithfulness

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

If you’ve listened to my sermons on All for the Kingdom, I’d like to invite you to another resource I hope will encourage you.

Ponderings is the audio companion to my Ponderings blog. In each episode, I read one of my articles, with small changes for natural spoken delivery. The reflections consider Scripture, faith, culture, the local church, and everyday Christian life.

Some begin with a Bible passage. Others begin with an ordinary experience or a question worth considering in light of God’s Word.

Start with the first episode, “Play for the Coach, Not the Crowd,” explore the written articles, and follow Ponderings on Apple Podcasts or Spotify using the links on its podcast page. Ponderings has its own feed, so follow it separately to receive the readings.

Each reading links to the original article and related sermons or Bible study resources when available.

Listen and follow Ponderings

Find episode one: Play for the Coach, Not the Crowd

Follow Ponderings on Spotify

Read the Ponderings articles

Explore sermons and Bible study resources

Hosted and read by Ben Smith, Sr.

Ponderings with Ben Smith, Sr. — Thinking out loud about faith, culture, and life.

In Ruth 3, Naomi encourages Ruth to ask Boaz to act as their kinsman redeemer. Boaz receives her request with kindness, but another relative must be consulted first. Ruth returns home with his promise, and Naomi tells her to wait.

This sermon considers what it means to prepare, submit, and wait with hope. Ruth and Naomi cannot settle the matter themselves. Their patience rests on the word of someone willing to act for them. Their story points us to the greater redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ and calls us to trust His promises while we wait.

Scripture: Ruth 3
Themes: Waiting on God, patience, hope, humility, obedience, Boaz, redemption, the promises of God

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

What does a servant’s heart look like? In Ruth 2:17–23, Ruth finishes her work in Boaz’s field and brings food home to Naomi. When Naomi hears that Boaz has shown Ruth kindness, she speaks a blessing and recognizes hope in his relationship to their family.

This sermon considers three marks of a servant’s heart: a willingness to serve, honor for rightful authority, and a desire to bless others. Ruth’s care for Naomi takes work and sacrifice. God uses that care to provide for both women and advance a purpose they cannot yet see.

Scripture: Ruth 2:17–23
Themes: A servant’s heart, Ruth and Naomi, Boaz, serving others, obedience, God’s grace, providence, redemption

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

In this sermon from Ruth 2:1–16, Ruth goes to glean so that she and Naomi can eat. She enters the field of Boaz, whose kindness gives her food, protection, and encouragement. Through these ordinary events, God is graciously providing for their needs.

The passage teaches us to recognize God’s provision, depend on Him when our resources are insufficient, and obey Him without waiting to see how every need will be met. God is also preparing for a purpose Ruth cannot yet see: through her family line will come Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Ruth 2:1–16
Themes: God’s provision, providence, grace, obedience, trust, Boaz, gleaning

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

Ruth 1 is a story of suffering, loyalty, sovereignty, and redemption. After losing her husband and sons in Moab, Naomi returns to Bethlehem convinced that she has come home empty. Ruth chooses to remain with her, entrusting herself to Naomi’s people and to the living God.

In this episode of All for the Kingdom, Pastor Ben Smith explains that we cannot see the fullness of God’s plan. God’s will does not depend upon our understanding, and trusting His sovereignty means obeying before we know how our circumstances will turn out.

Sermon Outline:

You cannot know the fullness of God’s plan

Let suffering drive you toward God

Be faithful

Key Themes:

The sovereignty and faithfulness of God

Trusting God during suffering

Faithfulness in disappointment

Obedience before understanding

God’s power to restore

God’s redemptive purpose through Ruth

Scripture: Ruth 1

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

Psalm 7 is a prayer for believers facing false accusations, slander, persecution, and the temptation to live for human approval. When David’s reputation is attacked, he takes refuge in God and entrusts his case to the righteous Judge who searches every heart and knows every hidden truth.

In this expository sermon, Ben Smith explains how Psalm 7 gives Christians courage when they are misunderstood, falsely accused, or pressured to compromise.

In this episode:

• Why David can claim innocence without claiming sinlessness
• Why God’s approval matters more than the verdict of people
• How God’s knowledge of the heart brings both comfort and warning
• Why repentance is the proper response to God’s present judgment
• How the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ provide eternal peace
• Why believers can remain fearless, knowing God will establish righteousness

Scripture: Psalm 7
Sermon: Fearless
Speaker: Ben Smith
Main idea: Be concerned only with true judgment. Rest in God’s righteousness.

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

Psalm 6 is a prayer for mercy in a time of trouble. David is weary with sighing, overwhelmed with grief, and troubled in both body and soul. This psalm gives honest words for moments when suffering, sorrow, and spiritual distress feel overwhelming.

Pastor Ben Smith explains that Psalm 6 moves from moments of distress to assurance of hope. David feels the weight of God’s discipline, the pain of feeling abandoned, and the fatigue that comes from prolonged sorrow. Yet he does not run away from God. He calls on the Lord, pleads for mercy, and trusts that God will answer.

This sermon encourages believers to preach truth to themselves in seasons of despair. When it feels like prayer goes no further than the ceiling, the people of God must remember: the Lord has heard the voice of our weeping, the Lord receives our prayer, and hope comes from the mercy of God.

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

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.

To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.