Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

Precious Remedies Against Satan‘s Devices

Using 2 Corinthians 2:11 as a text, Michael Gowens moves to the Old Testament in this 9/26/21 sermon to consider four individuals that had encounters with Satan. From these four episodes, Gowens emphasizes particular tactics employed by the devil and the corresponding resource God has provided to counter the assault.

The Swelling of the Jordan

Michael Gowens' 9/19/21 sermon focuses on Jeremiah 12:5 and the Lord's surprising answer to the prophet's perplexity. From the contrast between the calm of training and the crisis of battle in this passage, Gowens highlights the Lord's ability to use pressure and tension to mature his servants for greater usefulness in ministry, insisting that the little struggles we are called to endure today may very well be preparations for greater service tomorrow. 

The Ground of Christian Assurance

This 9/5/21 message by Elder Mike Gowens is based on Hebrews 6:13-20. In this important passage, the writer transitions back to his main theme of the priesthood of Christ by introducing the premier figure in Jewish history, the patriarch Abraham. Just as Abraham's hope was premised on God's covenant faithfulness, so the believer's assurance of final blessedness is grounded on a solid foundation of sovereign grace.

He Whom Thou Lovest is Sick

The 8/22/21 sermon by Michael Gowens begins with a tender expression from John 11:3, and proceeds to discuss the theme of sickness under three heads: (1) The Surprise of Sickness; (2) The Spiritual Struggle occasioned by sickness; (3) Some Divine Supports for the Sick. 

The Diligent Pursuit of Assurance

Elder Mike Gowens' 8/15/21 message looks at Hebrews 6:9-12 in a continuation of the exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Gowens believes that assurance is the crown jewel of temporal blessings, the choicest mercy to be had this side of the immediate presence of God in heaven. This is message #19 in the Hebrews study.

A Warning to the Backslider

Elder Michael Gowens' sermon on 8/8/21 looks at what is arguably the most controversial passage in the New Testament - Hebrews 6:4-9. After presenting arguments against the two most popular interpretations of this passage, Gowens presents a third interpretation that is consistent with what Scripture teaches concerning both the doctrines of eternal security and total depravity.

It's Time to Grow Up

Elder Gowens continues the study on the Epistle to the Hebrews with this 7/1/21 message on pursuing spiritual maturity from Hebrews 5:11-6:3. This sermon is #17 in the series.

What Keeps You Going?

In this message from 6/24/2021, Elder Michael Gowens focuses on 2 Corinthians 4, using Paul as an example of perseverance for Christian believers. In spite of various pressures to lose heart ("faint" in 2 Cor 4:1, 16), Paul enumerates several resources that kept him going in gospel ministry. 

Christ's Obedience & Ours

On July 18, 2021, Elder Mike Gowens returns to Hebrews 5 to consider more carefully verses 8-9. From these verses, he demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between "cause" and "effect" in the interpretation of Scripture. This passage teaches that Christ's obedience is the cause of our eternal salvation. Man's obedience is an evidence of grace. This is message #16 in the Hebrews series.

Our Sympathetic High Priest

In this 7/11/21 sermon, Elder Michael Gowens considers Hebrews 5:1-10, and the criteria that must be met in order for one to serve as High Priest under the Jewish economy. The passage indicates that Jesus is qualified for this priestly office, chiefly because in his humanity, he identifies sympathetically with our weaknesses. This is message #15 in the Hebrews study.