Ponderings with Ben Smith, Sr.

Whose approval are we seeking?

At our children’s athletic events, spectators often shouted instructions from the sidelines. But the players understood whose direction mattered: they were playing for the coach.

In this episode of Ponderings, I read “Play for the Coach, Not the Crowd,” a reflection on pleasing God and remaining faithful to the gospel when the world demands compromise.

Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 2:4, we consider the church’s responsibility to speak faithfully as those entrusted with the gospel. The pressure to gain the world’s approval is real, but its intensity does not give it authority.

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Play for the Coach, Not the Crowd

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For a fuller exposition of 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8:

Listen to “Please God, Not Man”

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Scripture referenced: 1 Thessalonians 2:4; Jude 3.

The written article was originally published October 9, 2026. Read by Ben Smith, Sr.

Discover more sermons, articles, and Bible study resources at BenSmithSr.org.

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

Welcome to Ponderings, the audio companion to my Ponderings blog. I’m Ben Smith, Sr., a pastor, writer, and Bible teacher.

In this introductory episode, I share what you can expect: readings of my articles with biblical reflections on Scripture, faith, culture, pastoral ministry, the local church, and everyday Christian life.

Each reading stays close to the written article, with small changes for natural spoken delivery. Episode notes will link to the original article and related resources when available.

Whether you’re driving, walking, or taking a quiet moment, I hope you’ll join me as we think carefully about what we believe and how we live.

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