First Things

Pastor Ben Mandrell teaches from 1 Samuel 18 about cultivating lifelong friendships. Through David and Jonathan, he explores what it looks like to open up to a friend, remain loyal through hardship, and celebrate someone else’s success.

Ben Mandrell preaches from Haggai chapter one, focusing on self-leadership and the dangers of delayed obedience to God. He illustrates three common excuses for postponing God's work—timing, confusing activity for accomplishment, and ignoring consequences—and closes with practical advice about maintaining balance in life through health, hobbies, family, and friendship.

Ben Mandrell teaches on the discipline of worship as the ultimate priority of the church, focusing on Jesus' establishment of the church through Peter in Matthew 16. He highlights the church as a people unified in worship, the expansion of the gospel through Peter's leadership in Acts, and challenges believers to prioritize worship in their lives.

Ben Mandrell teaches from Jonah Chapter Two and provides the listeners with three points to help them when they feel like they are in deep trouble. The first is to face their situation: God allowed it to happen, the second is to own it: they played a part in their situation, and lastly is to surrender it: they receive what happens next.

Ben Mandrell preaches a message from James 3:1-12 focusing on the discipline of the tongue. He emphasizes the power of words to direct, destroy, or delight, and illustrates the spiritual significance of controlling speech, concluding with practical applications and a call for repentance.

Graham Inman delivers a message focusing on the discipline of the mind using Ephesians 5:6-15 as his base passage. He highlights the transformation from darkness to light, the importance of walking wisely, and making the most of the present season by living in gratitude and obedience. The teaching challenges believers to pay careful attention to their spiritual walk as a response to God's grace and salvation.

In this sermon from the 'First Things' series, Ben Mandrell discusses the discipline of purity, focusing on 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8. He emphasizes God's will for sanctification through holiness and self-control over sexual desires, the impact of sexual choices on others, and the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to live pure lives.

September 17, 2026 | Ben Mandrell opens the fall session of First Things with Galatians 4:19 as the men begin Disciplines of a Godly Man. He explores the affection, agony, and aim of spiritual leadership, encouraging men to pursue Christlikeness without falling into pride or despair.