Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

The Doctrine of the Church in Ephesians

Elder Gowens' 3/26/23 message considers what the Ephesian epistle has to say about the church. In three descriptive metaphors, Paul explains the nature of the New Testament Church. The Church is God's building, Christ's bride and Christ's body.

Stages of Spiritual Growth

Continuing the theme of practical sanctification from last Sunday, Mike Gowens looks at 1 John 2:12-14 in this 3/19/23 sermon. The metaphor of growth is one of the main New Testament images employed to describe sanctification in its practical aspect. A truly healthy church consists of people at various stages of spiritual development.

Sanctified by the Truth

This 3/12/23 message by Brother Gowens is based on John 17:17. He develops two primary thoughts: 1) The Truth is Indispensable; 2) The Truth is Indispensable in Spiritual Growth.

Faith Tried & Triumphant

Elder Gowens completes the Habakkuk series with this 3/5/23 message from Habakkuk 3:17-19. This prophecy that began with such confusion concludes with jubilation. Habakkuk's faith has been tried and has emerged triumphant. This is message #5 in the series.

The Prophet’s Hope for Revival

This 2/26/23 sermon by Michael Gowens looks at Habakkuk 3:1-16. The passage records the prophet's prayer for revival as well as an elaborate poetic description of God's delivering mercy in Jewish history. This is message #4 in the Habakkuk study.

Keeping a Perspective of Faith

In this third message from the mini-series on Habakkuk's prophecy, Mike Gowens considers Habakkuk 2:4-20. This passage teaches that God generally answers our "why" questions with a "Who" answer. A focus on the God that holds our lives in His own sovereign and capable hands, together with the prospect that His purposes will not be frustrated is what it means to "live by faith." This sermon was delivered on 2/19/23.

God’s Answer to Your Perplexity

Elder Michael Gowens continues his look at the prophecy of Habakkuk with this 2/12/23 sermon from Habakkuk 2:1-4. God never promises to answer all of our questions, but he does exhort us to live by faith. When we trust Him, we may say with Paul, "I am perplexed, but I'm not in despair."

Perplexed by the Problem of Evil

On January 8, 2023, Michael Gowens begins a mini-series on the prophecy of Habakkuk. This message from Habakkuk 1 explains the prophet's wrestling with two hard questions: 1) Why doesn't God do something? 2) How can a just God employ a sinful nation to discipline His covenant people? Habakkuk is grappling with, first, God's apparent indifference, and secondly, God's apparent injustice. His book has much to say to all that are perplexed by the problem of evil.

A Precious Promise for the New Year

Elder Gowens begins 2023 with a message from Deuteronomy 11:12. Applying insights from the Lord's description of the land of Canaan to our current situation, Brother Mike emphasizes the precious promise of God's providential oversight of His people.

The Birth of the King

Elder Gowens' 12/18/22 sermon looks at Matthew 1:1-25, the royal pedigree and circumstances of the birth of Jesus the Christ. Every syllable of God's word is important and the genealogy that begins the New Testament is vital to the gospel of the kingdom of God.