Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

Faith, On the Mountain & In the Valley

Brother Gowens' 7/24/22 sermon looks at the contrast in Hebrews 11:30-40 between faith's achievements and its afflictions. Faith in God enables God's children both to accomplish impossible tasks and to endure horrific trials. This is message #44 in the Hebrews series.

Faith at the Crossroads

Elder Mike Gowens' sermon on July 17, 2022 is based on Hebrews 11:23-29. The story of Moses, recorded in Exodus and Acts 7, is interpreted here as an example of faith in action. The story highlights several "crossroads" moments, points at which Moses faced a choice, or decision. At each juncture, the choice was made by faith in God. This is message 43 in the Exposition of Hebrews study.

Faith on Trial

Pastor Gowens considers Hebrews 11:17-19 in this 7/10/22 message from the Hebrews study. Like Abraham, every believer's faith will be tested in three primary forms: (1) The test of uncertainty; (2) The test of perplexity; (3) The test of devotion. By faith in the God that cannot lie, however, we may pass the test and grow in this crucial spiritual virtue. This is message #42 in the Hebrews series.

Living in the Future Tense

This 7/3/22 message by Mike Gowens takes a look at Hebrews 11:8-22, a passage that references Genesis 12-50. This section on the patriarchs in Hebrews 11 has a common thread running throughout, namely a focus on the long-term perspective and the future fulfillment of God's promises. Gowens teaches that living by faith means living in the future tense. This is sermon 41 in the Exposition of Hebrews series. 

How to Kill Your Giants

In this final sermon from Bethel's 2022 Annual Meeting, Elder Chris Taylor turns to the familiar narrative of David's conquest of Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. With a unique, Christ-centered approach to the passage, Br Chris gives a number of practical steps for victorious Christian living. This message was preached on Sunday morning, 6/26/22.

Where is Your Hope?

In this message from the second service of Bethel's Annual Communion Meeting, Elder Chris Taylor considers Psalm 27 and the importance of "hope" in living the Christian life. This sermon was delivered on June 25, 2022.

Can God Really Forgive Me?

This 6/25/22 message is the first of three messages delivered by Elder Chris Taylor, visiting minister during Bethel's Communion Meeting. Elder Taylor looks at 2 Samuel 12 and the story of David's repentance in this very important message.

Noah: A Father’s Faith for the End Times

This Father's Day (6/19/22) sermon by Michael Gowens looks at Noah as an exemplary father. "By faith," Hebrews 11:7 says, Noah "prepared an ark to the saving of his house [i.e. his family]." In this message, Br Gowens considers Noah's personal godliness, reverence for God, integrity, and leadership qualities. In each of these virtues, Noah stands as a model for fathers that live, like Noah lived, in the "last days." This is message #40 in the Hebrews study.

Walking With God by Faith

Elder Mike Gowens continues his expository study through Hebrews with this message on the godly man Enoch, from Hebrews 11:7. In an apostate society, Enoch practiced godliness via daily fellowship with God. And God recompensed him in an amazing way: "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death." This is message #39 in the Hebrews series.

The Reward of Faith

In this 6/5/22 message (#38 from the Hebrews series), Brother Gowens focuses on the promise of "a great recompense of reward" (Heb. 10:35; 11:6b) from God in response to the exercise of faith. The textual basis of this sermon is Hebrews 11:2-6.