Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

We Believe the Gospel Saves the Saved

In message #5 of the "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us," Elder Mike Gowens compares Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18 as he explains our conviction at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church concerning the purpose of the gospel. The gospel is not a well-meant, general offer to all of mankind, but a proclamation of Christ's redemptive work to the born-again child of God. As such, it exercising a powerful, saving influence in the believer's life.

Living a Life of Wonder

The 11/19/23 message by Elder Gowens looks at David's words in Psalm 8:2-3, and applies the thought of a life of wonder to several specific "wonderful" categories. Wonder is the spirit of true worship.

God’s Ways Higher Than Our Ways

Elder Mike Rodgers (AL) was our guest minister on 11/12/23. His message is taken from Isaiah 55:8-9.

We Believe in Christ’s Finished Work

Brother Gowens' 11/5/23 sermon is message four in the "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us" series. This sermon is taken from John 17:1-5, a passage emphasizing our Lord's completion of the covenant assignment He received from the Father. The Lord Jesus is an actual, not a potential, Savior. The use of the telos root in the exclamation "It is finished!" indicates that He made an end of sin, death, Divine wrath, the Law and the Devil at the cross.

We Believe in the Everlasting Covenant

Michael Gowens' 10/29/23 sermon considers Ephesians 1:3-6, a passage in which the apostle Paul celebrates God's eternal purpose in the Covenant of Grace before time began. This is message #3 in the series entitled "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us."

We Believe in the New Birth, Part 2

Elder Gowens' 10/21/23 message continues the survey of John 3:1-11 on the doctrine of regeneration. This message focuses on the necessity and the agency of the new birth. It is message #2 in the "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us" series.

We Believe in the New Birth

This 10/14/23 sermon by Michael Gowens is the first in a topical mini-series on the doctrine of salvation entitled "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us." Gowens begins the series out-of-sequence with the doctrine of regeneration, because it here that most people in our congregation diverge with popular sentiments in religious circles. The text for this message is John 3:1-11.

The Ministry of Comfort

Suffering, God’s School

In this 9/17/23 sermon, Mike Gowens returns to the introduction of 2 Corinthians to consider the theme of comfort in affliction once more. Though the ascetic errs in assuming there is some merit in suffering, it is nonetheless true that God may use trials to teach valuable lessons. Gowens itemizes several of these benefits, concluding with the one highlighted in verse 4, namely, that suffering equips us in the ministry of comfort.

The God of All Comfort

With this 9/10/23 sermon, Mike Gowens begins a consecutive study through 2 Corinthians, an epistle of encouragement. In a day when there are ample reasons to be discouraged, God's people need regular reminders of who their God is. By sharing his own story, Paul points the believers at Corinth to the God who never failed to come to his side with strength and comfort. This is message #1 in the 2 Corinthians series.