FBC Benbrook Sermons

A Better Answer

The Scripture says that the eternal hope of the gospel is far richer than vague images of clouds, harps, mansions, or streets of gold. From 2 Peter to the Minor Prophets, the biblical vision of the new heavens and the new earth invites a holy imagination shaped by God’s own promises. Scripture declares that the present world is under a curse—ground that yields thorns, nations that rise against nations, creation groaning under decay, and humanity separated from the fullness of God’s presence. But the prophets speak of a redeemed creation where every curse is broken.
Amos imagines a world where the plowman overtakes the reaper and mountains drip with sweet wine, revealing a creation liberated from scarcity. Zechariah describes every person sitting under their own vine and fig tree, picturing abundance so great that generosity becomes effortless. Micah envisions swords beaten into plowshares and nations learning war no more, pointing to a world where violence, fear, and threat are gone. Even the stain of sin is removed, so thoroughly that the bells of the horses and the pots in every home are “holy to the Lord.” And the greatest promise of all: separation from God is ended. Revelation says there is no temple, for the Lord Himself dwells with His people. There is no night, no danger, no unclean thing—only life, healing, beauty, and righteousness.
The Scripture says we are waiting for a new creation where everything broken is made new. And only the redeemed—those made new in Christ—will stand in that world singing the song of His steadfast love, mercy, and grace.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

The idea of the Spirit of God dwelling with us is either the most delusional thing anyone has ever said or the greatest gift a person could ever receive.
Joel’s prophecy of a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, men and women, young and old, servants and rulers, upon anyone who would call upon the name of the Lord and be saved was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus. Join us as we delight in the beauty and greatness of the promise of the Father. (Joel 2.28-32). March 1, 2026.

Brands Plucked From the Fire

Discover how a 3,000-year-old vision of a silent priest and a "burning stick" reveals the staggering power of Christ to silence your accuser and clothe you in His own righteousness.
In the shadowy "night visions" of the prophet Zechariah, we encounter a dramatic courtroom scene that mirrors the deepest anxieties of the human soul. Standing before the "Angel of the Lord" is Joshua the High Priest, the representative of God’s people. He is not dressed in the pristine robes required by holy law; instead, he is clothed in filthy garments—a word signifying the uncleanness of human iniquity.
At his right hand stands Satan, the accuser, ready not just to litigate but to execute a sentence of death. Joshua remains silent, for what can a man covered in sewage say to a holy God?. Yet, the silence is broken by the Mediator, the pre-incarnate Christ, who rebukes the adversary. He declares Joshua to be a "brand plucked from the fire"—a charred, burning stick rescued from certain destruction.
In a divine exchange of grace, the Lord commands the removal of the filthy rags, declaring, "I have taken your iniquity away from you". Joshua is clothed in pure vestments and a clean turban, signifying full restoration and access to God’s presence. This vision points directly to the Branch, the Servant of the Lord, who removes the iniquity of the land in a single day upon the cross. Whether you are a "moral" person or a broken soul, this is the gospel: we are sustained not by our own cleanliness, but by the ongoing mercy of the One who plucked us from the flame.
Sermon Text: Zechariah 3
Date: February 22, 2026
Preacher: Todd Pylant

Profaning the Covenant

In the new covenant of grace, we are divine siblings living in a covenant relationship with the same Heavenly Father, called to a love that is not merely a social convenience, but a sacrificial work empowered by God’s grace.
In the new covenant of grace, we are divine siblings, fellow members of the household of faith living in a covenant relationship with the same Heavenly Father. This shared identity must transform how we relate to one another. To fail in loving our brothers and sisters—to forgive as we have been forgiven—is to profane the very covenant that binds us to God. We are not merely a random collection of individuals or a social club; we are a people called to uphold a vision of unity that reflects the heart of Christ.
Regarding the union of lives, Scripture warns against being unequally yoked in the covenant of marriage, for what fellowship can light have with darkness? We are called to guard our hearts, ensuring that our most intimate human covenants are formed with those who also committed followers of Jesus Christ. To do otherwise is to disregard the unique relationship we hold with the Lord.
Furthermore, Scripture teaches us that marriage is a three-party covenant where God Himself is at work, binding two into one flesh and remaining present through His Spirit. This sacred union is designed for our sanctification, serving as a primary tool to mold us into the image of Christ. While our culture may view marriage as a temporary arrangement or a mere social construct, the word of God presents it as a lifelong work of faithful, sacrificial love. By living in this covenant love, we radiate the beauty of the gospel to a world that longs for "forever," but can only find it through the power of God’s grace.
Sermon Date: February 8, 2026
Sermon Text: Malachi 2.10-16
Preacher: Todd Pylant

Robbing God

Discover how the transition from the Old Testament law of the tithe to the New Covenant realm of grace transforms giving from a mechanical obligation into a joyful, vibrant expression of faith.
The Scripture says that whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, but whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. In the book of Malachi, the Word of God addresses those who ask, "Where is the God of justice?" by pointing to a divine plan where the Messiah comes to refine His people and deal with the problem of sin. While the Old Testament commanded various tithes to support the Levitical priesthood and sacrificial system, the Scripture says these were shadows of a greater reality fulfilled once and for all in Jesus Christ.
The Scripture says that believers are no longer under the law but live within the realm of grace. This shift liberates the heart from the mechanical law of the tithe and invites it into grace giving, which is powerful and full of life. Rather than giving reluctantly or under compulsion, the Scripture says each person must give as they have decided in their heart, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Grace giving is a voluntary, proportional, and systematic participation in the work of the kingdom, supporting the ministry of the church and those in need. The Scripture says that as we excel in this act of grace, God is able to make all grace abound so that we may have all sufficiency in all things and abound in every good work. Ultimately, living in this unique relationship with a holy God through grace produces an overwhelming flow of thanksgiving and a life that is a land of delight.
Sermon Text: Malachi 2.17-3.15
Date: February 1, 2026
Preacher: Todd Pylant

O Priests, This Command is for You

The Scriptures warn that the greatest danger to the church today is not outside the church, but within—when God’s priests fail to listen, fear, and walk in His ways.
The Scriptures teach that God holds His priests to a serious calling, because they are entrusted to represent His name, His truth, and His ways. From Malachi to Timothy, a consistent warning sounds across the centuries: when those who speak for God are unfaithful, the damage is severe and far-reaching.
The Scriptures reveal that God speaks directly to His priests, calling them first to listen. Those who claim to be messengers of the Lord must spend time before Him, learning His voice, lest they speak without truly hearing. Alongside listening, the Scriptures call priests to honor the name of the Lord—not only in speech, but by upholding His character as loving, good, just, and worthy, even while wrestling honestly with hard questions.
The Scriptures further teach that the covenant with Levi was marked by fear of the Lord. This fear is not mere trembling, but recognizing God’s greatness, submitting to His commands, delighting in His presence, trusting Him when understanding fails, and placing hope in Him alone. Where this fear is absent, instruction becomes corrupted.
God’s priests are also charged to guard knowledge and teach truth faithfully. When they stop listening, honoring, and fearing the Lord, they begin teaching their own wisdom, shaping God into their own image, and causing many to stumble. Finally, the Scriptures insist that priests must walk in God’s ways, living lives of integrity that match their teaching, lest they become whitewashed tombs.
The Scriptures warn that failure in these callings leads to cursed blessings and public disgrace. Yet they also clarify that this call extends beyond ministers alone. As a royal priesthood, all God’s people are summoned to listen to Him, honor His name, fear the Lord, teach His truth, and walk faithfully in His ways.
Sermon Text: Malachi 2.1-9
Date: January 18, 2026
Preacher: Todd Pylant

Sowing and Reaping

The Scriptures teach that freedom in Christ always leads to a choice: whether to sow to the flesh or to sow to the Spirit.
Drawing from Galatians 6 and the prophet Hosea, the Scriptures reveal a consistent spiritual principle—whatever is sown will be reaped, and the harvest is always a magnified version of the seed. To sow to the flesh is to reap corruption; to sow to the Spirit is to reap eternal life. This truth is not limited to the Old Testament but stands firmly within the New Covenant, addressing how believers are called to live with the freedom Christ has given.
The Scriptures expose Israel’s failure in Hosea as a warning: God’s people transgressed the covenant, rebelled against God’s kingship, trusted their own way, and used God’s blessings to create idols that led to their destruction. They sowed the wind and reaped the whirlwind. Yet the Scriptures also proclaim hope—calling God’s people to sow righteousness, break up fallow ground, seek the Lord, and reap steadfast love as righteousness rains down.
The Scriptures teach that believers often struggle because they assume grace exempts them from this principle, believe small sins produce manageable consequences, or fail to examine the seeds they are sowing. Sin is never manageable; it always leads to corruption. At the same time, righteousness does not grow automatically. Fallow ground left unattended will always produce weeds.
The Scriptures therefore call God’s people to intentional sowing: examining the heart, confessing sin, memorizing Scripture, praying together, practicing discipleship, and actively pursuing kingdom work. In every season, the question remains the same—what seeds are being planted, and what harvest is being prepared?
Sermon Text: Hosea 8.1-10
Date: January 11, 2026
Preacher: Todd Pylant

The Danger of Spiritual Prosperity

Prosperity can blind the heart—unless we remember who the true source of every blessing really is.
The Scriptures teach that prosperity—especially spiritual prosperity—can quietly become one of the greatest dangers to the people of God.
The Scriptures open with the warning to the church in Laodicea, exposing the deception of believing, “I am rich, I have prospered, I need nothing,” while being blind to true need. From there, the Scriptures lead us to Deuteronomy 8, where Moses prepares God’s people to enter a land of abundance and blessing. The Lord promises to bless them richly yet also warns that fullness can lift the heart in pride, leading God’s people to forget the Lord who brought them out of slavery, sustained them in the wilderness, and provided everything they possess.
The Scriptures describe a dangerous progression: God blesses His people, they initially bless the Lord, then forget the source of their blessings, begin to believe they can maintain them on their own, and eventually believe their own power produced them. When trials come and self-sufficiency is exposed as an illusion, the heart looks elsewhere for help—and whatever becomes the source of help becomes the god that is served.
The Scriptures show this pattern fulfilled in Hosea, where God’s people were filled, their hearts were lifted up, and they forgot the Lord, turning to other gods. The same warning is echoed again in Revelation, making clear that this temptation is not limited to ancient Israel but confronts the church in every age.
The Scriptures call God’s people to remember that everything received is a gift, to practice daily thanksgiving that identifies God as the source, and to examine where they truly turn for help. Only by remaining connected to the source can the people of God resist the danger of prosperity and remain faithful under blessing.
Sermon Text: Hosea 13.4-9
Sermon Date: January 4, 2026
Preacher: Todd Pylant

Three Fourths of Christmas is NOT Christmas

The Scriptures teach that the Christmas story is not a gentle moment of divine courtesy, but an overwhelming announcement of who this child truly is.
The Scriptures lead us to Luke 2 and the message of the angels, calling us to listen carefully to what heaven says about Jesus. The birth of Christ is not presented as a nostalgic or polite gesture, but as good news of great joy that confronts the world with divine authority. The angel announces that the child born in the city of David is Christ the Lord—Messiah, Savior, and King—encapsulating the heart of Advent’s message .
The Scriptures emphasize that this announcement comes not to the powerful or religious elite, but to shepherds working the night shift, the most common of the common. An angel stands near them, followed by a multitude of the heavenly host—not a choir, but an angel army—declaring glory to God and peace on earth. This scene reveals that the incarnation is a show of divine purpose and power, not mere courtesy or sentimentality .
The Scriptures teach that peace is proclaimed to all people, yet peace with God is found through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The shepherds respond by going with haste, seeing the child, and making known what had been told them. Mary treasures these things in her heart, while the shepherds return glorifying and praising God .
The Scriptures call us to believe that Jesus is fully God and fully human, the Messiah who fulfills all hope, the only Savior who bears sin, and the Lord before whom every knee will bow. This is the astonishing truth at the heart of Christmas.
Sermon Text: Luke 2.8-20
Date: December 21, 2005
Preacher: Todd Pylant

The Perfect King for an Eternal Kingdom

If God is sovereign over all creation, then what difference does it make that the Father gave the throne of David to Jesus?
The message of the angels about the Christ child is that Jesus is the Son of God and the long-awaited king. God promised David that one of his descendants would sit on the throne of an eternal kingdom, and Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. Jesus is the Perfect King for an Eternal Kingdom, but why?
Jesus is the Perfect King because it is through the King that we enter the Kingdom, because we can know the King personally, because the King is at work in and through our lives, and because we can trust the King’s love and wisdom and righteousness even when we don’t understand.
The fact that Jesus sits on the throne of David makes the Kingdom of God personal for those who come to Jesus by grace through faith.
Text: Luke 1.26-56
Date: December 14, 2025
Preacher: Todd Pylant