Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

The 10/29/17 message by Elder Michael Gowens considers 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 and the intriguing use of two adjectives in this passage of Scripture. In verses 1-4, Paul emphasizes the word "All." Then, in verse 5, he transitions to an emphasis on the adjective "Some" (vs 6-11). Gowens employs Paul's use of these two adjectives to suggest that here we have an important key to understanding doctrine and to accurately interpreting God's word. If a child of God is once able to understand this principle, he is well on the way to embracing what Primitive Baptists believe.

The 10/22/17 sermon by Elder Michael Gowens looks at the Aaronic Benediction in Numbers 6:22-27. After making some preliminary comments on the subject of benedictions, Gowens considers this passage under the following three heads: (1) The Structure of the Blessing; (2) The Source of the Blessing; (3) The Substance of the Blessing. This Trinitarian Benediction is arguably the best way to express sincere concern for and interest in another person.

Elder Michael Gowens' 10/15/17 sermon looks at Hebrews 9:22-28, a passage that draws on the imagery of the Jewish feast known as Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. In this passage, the apostle shows that the Lord Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, is the fulfillment of the ceremonies prescribed for that special day. He is the Priest that made the sacrifice as well as the sacrifice that was made. Further, like the scapegoat, He carried the sins of God's covenant people into an uninhabited land. Now, He has entered into heaven itself, the Holiest of all, to make intercession for the very people for whom He made sacrifice. We await his final appearance at the last day.

Unity and harmony is conspicuously absent, but desperately needed, in our world. But how might it be achieved? This fallen world system believes that Christianity is the primary reason for disunity and division. The Bible, however, claims that the world's solution to confusion and strife is an optical illusion. True peace and harmony is found only in Christ and His gospel. Michael L. Gowens addresses this important theme by looking at John 17:20-23 in this 10/1/17 sermon.

Elder Michael Gowens' 9/24/17 sermon focuses on the promise of Divine Guidance. From the text in Psalm 32:8, Gowens discusses God's willingness and readiness to guide, the importance of praying for guidance, and the principles for discovering and determining the guidance of God in our lives. 

Pastor Michael Gowens takes his text from Matthew 18:1-6 in this 9/17/17 sermon. He highlights several traits indigenous to little children that are also essential in the lives of those who seek to be authentic disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you need to be converted in any of these areas?

Elder Mike Gowens' 9/10/17 message looks at Psalm 37:4: "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thy heart." This precious promise encourages God's children living in a world of tension and disappointment to make the Lord their chief object of delight. In Him, there is ample cause for delight. Have you learned to find great pleasure in the Savior?

The 9/3/17 sermon by Elder Michael Gowens looks at Romans 12:1, the beginning of the application section of this rich epistle: "I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you offer your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Gowens takes the three clauses of the verse to discuss the Motivation, the Meaning, and the Mindset of Christian Ethics. 

In the 8/27/17 message, Elder Mike Gowens looks at the biographical sketch of the prophet Elijah, recorded in 1 Kings 17, 18 & 19. This intriguing Old Testament prophet was "a man of like passions" as us. Gowens applies this principle to three particular stages in the prophets life: Cherith, Carmel and the Cave. At these three venues, Elijah learned that God is faithful when His servants are alone, when they must stand alone, and when they sometimes feel alone.

Pastor Mike Gowens looked at Hosea 14:8 as his text for the Sunday morning sermon, 8/20/17: "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?" In the course of this message, Gowens considers several Biblical examples that serve to illustrate just how foolish and absurd it is when people substitute an idol in the place of the only true and living God.

On Sunday 8/13/17, Elder Michael Gowens took Psalm 12:1 as his text: "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth and the faithful fail among the children of men." What a blessing it is to receive help from other people as we journey through this life! But what is a Christian to do when, as a familiar hymn puts it, "creature-helps all flee"? Gowens discusses five Divine helps on which we may rely when creature-helps fail us.

Pastor Mike Gowens' 8/6/17 sermon focuses on Colossians 3:15: "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts." He devotes the first portion of the message to a discussion of the position of priority Paul gives to the Christian's "heart" in this great chapter. Then he expounds the text by focusing on three key words: Let, Peace, and Rule. In a world of conflict, tension and disharmony, the Christian is to be governed by God's peace in his heart, a dynamic that will necessarily spill over into his relationships.

Guest minister Elder Sam Bryant closed the Saturday (7/29/17) worship services during our 5th Weekend Meeting with a moving message based on Ephesians 5:1-2. If Christian people could keep in memory the principle taught in this passage, "then love in every heart would reign and war would cease to roar." In a world of interpersonal conflict, relational tension, and broken fellowship, the need is great that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ be a place of love.

Elder David Cothren of Holly Pond, Alabama, preached first during the Saturday evening service, 7/29/17, of our 5th Weekend Meeting. He took his text from Acts 17, commenting on how the Athenians perpetually sought to hear "new things." In contrast, Paul told Timothy that during those times when people thirst for something new, novel and sensational, he should "continue in the things he has learned." 

On Saturday afternoon (7/29/17) of our 5th Weekend Meeting, guest minister Elder Samuel Bryant looked at several things the Bible tells us to "consider." His text for the message was taken from 2 Timothy 2:7. He concluded his message by urging us to consider the Christ of Calvary and the great gift of eternal life he bestowed on his elect people.