Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

The Coming Great Earthquake

In message #50 from the study in Hebrews, Brother Gowens considers the 5th and final "warning passage" in the epistle to the Hebrews. The textual basis of this sermon is Hebrews 12:25-29. This passage concludes the main teaching portion of the epistle by returning to the theme with which the letter begins, i.e. God's full and final revelation of himself in Christ. And it calls us to respond to His word with reverence, for the world as we know it will not last forever. Only the kingdom of God is permanent.

The Glory of Corporate Worship

The 9/25/22 sermon by Michael Gowens looks at Hebrews 12:18-24, one of the most surprising passages in the New Testament. The context indicates that the subject under consideration is "public worship with the church." The language employed, however, is far from anything merely routine, ordinary or earthly. The apostle teaches that corporate worship is literally a taste of heaven. If we ever truly understand what this passage teaches, it will revolutionize the way we view worship. This is message #49 in the Hebrews series.

Living With a Corporate Focus

Elder Gowens' 9/18/22 message looks at Hebrews 12:12-17, and the importance of maintaining a collective, not an individualistic, mindset in the life of discipleship. We were redeemed for community, that is, for the church. Personal Christian maturity is displayed in a focus on serving others and laboring for the well-being of the church. This is message #48 in the Exposition of Hebrews.

The Father’s Child-Training Program

The 9/4/22 message by Elder Gowens considers Hebrews 12:4-17. Divine chastening does not always mean correction for sinful conduct or attitudes. In fact, the word padeia (the basis of our word "pediatrics") refers to child-training and child-development. The believer needs the big-picture perspective of the Father's child-training program when facing the trials of life. God works to sanctify His children so that they might develop in holiness. This is message #47 in the Hebrews study.

The Believer’s Unique Perspective on Death

On Sunday, 8/28/22, Elder Gowens took a break from our Hebrews study to deliver a message of comfort on the occasion of the death of a dear church member. The text for the sermon is Philippians 1:19-24.

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

This 8/21/22 sermon by Mike Gowens looks at Hebrews 12:1-3, in our ongoing study of the Book of Hebrews. The secret to endurance in Christian discipleship is to focus exclusively on the Lord Jesus Christ. How frequently people yield to distractions, looking at others, or at circumstances, or at themselves. "Look away from everything else," the apostle says, "and fix your gaze on Christ alone." That's the only way to be faithful. This is message #46 in the Hebrews series.

When God Changes Your Name

Elder Gowens' message on 8/14/22 looks at the phenomena of a Divine name change in the lives of four Biblical characters, and the spiritual significance of this unique blessing from God. The text for the message is Genesis 32:28.

Learning to Lean

Before leaving Hebrews 11, Michael Gowens returns to consider verse 21 and the account of Jacob's deathbed faith. He predicates the message on the narrative in Genesis 32 in which Jacob wrestled with the Lord and was left with a lifetime limp. That limp required a greater dependance on his staff in physical terms, which physical staff represented Jacob's growing dependence on the God on whom he was learning to lean. This is message #45 in the Hebrews series.

The Personal Price of Repentance

Guest minister Tim McCool delivers his final message of Bethel's 5th weekend meeting on Sunday, 7/31/22, by looking at several case studies of the cost of repentance. This message is a clarion call to turn from possessions, attitudes, personal ease and every idol that threatens to replace the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.

Finished! Finished! Done!

This message by Elder Tim McCool was delivered on Saturday afternoon, 7/30/22, during our 5th Weekend Meeting. In it, Brother McCool considers three episodes in history in which God accomplished (or will accomplish) His purpose: Creation, the Cross, and the final Consummation of all things. He concludes the sermon with a moving recitation of original poetry.