All for the Kingdom
Sermon Podcast
Curse of Sin, Genesis 3:8-19
Genesis 3:8–19 reveals the far-reaching consequences of sin. Pastor Ben Smith explains how sin breaks fellowship, disrupts cooperation, and distorts purpose, bringing guilt, pain, and death. Yet even in this dark moment, God gives a promise of hope through Christ, who conquers sin and restores what was lost.
Fall of Man, Genesis 2:25-3:7
Genesis 3 is a pivotal moment in Scripture when Adam and Eve chose to believe the lies of Satan rather than trust the will of God. Satan's work has always been to draw us away from God—through doubt, half-truths, and deception. Adam and Eve's choice in the garden was not just their story; it's ours too. As Romans 3:23 reminds us, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
To understand our own sin, we must first understand the first sin. What does their rebellion teach us about the danger of Satan's lies? At the heart of every temptation is an invitation to reject God and trust the deceiver instead of the Creator. This text teaches three vital lessons: the need to trust God's wisdom, trust His word, and trust His design.
Blessing of Marriage, Genesis 2:18-25
Today, marriage is under attack. It is under attack by those who hate God. It is under attack by those who are living in rebellious sin. And it has even suffered friendly fire from those in the church who do not fully grasp the significance and biblical foundation of marriage.
Genesis 2:18-25 is the most fundamental scripture for understanding the Bible’s view of marriage. The Bible will say much more about what marriage is and how Christians are to function as husbands and wives; however, all these other scriptures rest on the foundation of Genesis 2:18-25.
Because marriage is so familiar, you may be tempted to think that having a biblical view of marriage is automatic and assumed, but the truth is that for many today, their view of marriage is more informed by Hollywood, secular pragmatism, and politics.
How then are you to understand marriage from a biblical worldview? This testimony of God’s creation of Eve and ordaining marriage teaches three elements of a biblical worldview of marriage: that it is a good union (18-23), an exclusive union (24a), and a holy union (24b-25).
Breath of Life, Genesis 2:4-17
God made man, unique among creation, to glorify Him, dwell with Him, and enjoy Him forever.
After describing the six days of creation followed by a day of rest, verse 4 of chapter two returns to the sixth day to provide greater details and insights into the purpose and nature of man’s creation. Though at first read it may seem that what is described here is simple, you will discover, with careful study, that these verses flow from deep theological waters.
All of creation is designed to glorify God; however, unique among the creation, man is made to be in a relationship with God. This uniqueness sets man apart from every other part of creation in purpose and responsibility.
This passage’s testimony of God’s creation and provision for man reveals that man was created for God’s glory (4-7), to dwell with God (8-14), and to love God (15-17).
Goodness of Work and Rest, Genesis 2:1-3
Work and rest are both good and part of God’s created order. Rest is inseparably related to work, as is work to rest, and must be understood and enjoyed according to God’s design.
Work is often perceived negatively as a requirement, and not something good, desirable, or pleasant. This, of course, is the consequence of sin that caused work to become a burden and rest to be a snare. Likewise, though rest seems more desirable than work, it too is corrupted by sin. In sin, rest is often disconnected from work and purpose, and it becomes a sinfully lazy habit.
God resting after his labor on the seventh day and declaring it holy is a testimony both to the purpose and goodness of labor and the purpose and goodness of rest. Genesis 2:1-3 calls the church to honor God with both your work as unto the Lord and rest as a response of obedience.
The Nature of Man, Genesis 1:26-31
Man’s nature and purpose are not according to the autonomous will of man but determined, ordained, and commanded by the sovereignty of God. A biblical worldview affirms the sovereignty of God over all of creation, including man, but the world claims that each person has total autonomy, independent of any authority.
Genesis 1:26-31 testifies to the creation of man and man’s nature and purpose.
In the sermon from Genesis 1:26-31, Pastor Ben explains that God’s creation of man demands that you honor every human life as God’s image bearer, be a good steward of God’s creation, and submit to God’s authority to create and command.
God Created, Genesis 1
Genesis chapter one is the testimony of creation. By God's authority, out of His will, and according to His command, He created all things.
As with all of scripture, Genesis chapter one is a testimony of God that reveals His authority, will, and nature. It is not a story about men but a testimony to who God is and how He is working.
Genesis chapter one does not answer every detail you may wish were included. There are many questions about how God accomplished His work that are left unanswered. Not the least of which is how God created all that is from nothing. In His perfect providence, God has given us His word to declare that He is the author and creator of all things while leaving unanswered the mysteries that the mind of man cannot conceive.
Genesis chapter one is a foundational text for a Christian worldview and many of the most fundamental doctrines. From Genesis chapter one, Pastor Ben Smith preaches on how God's creation forms how Christians understand God and all that He has made.