Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

The Active & Passive Obedience of Christ

Romans 5:19 is the text for this 8/4/24 sermon by Michael Gowens. Although eternal salvation is not by "works of righteousness which we have done," it is by the obedience of Jesus Christ in the stead of His elect that they are made righteous. By his perfect obedience in life, Christ fulfilled the precept of God's law; by his submission to God's will in his death, Christ satisfied the penalty due to our sins. 

Wisdom From the End of the Road

In this message from Ecclesiastes 12, Michael Gowens explores the most basic philosophical question, i.e. What is the purpose of life? The human writer, who calls himself "the Preacher," is standing (as it were) at the entrance to the cemetery as he delivers his sermon to a group of young people. He offers these who are just beginning the journey the benefit of the wisdom he has gathered on the path of long experience.

Saved by Grace Alone

In this 7/21/24 sermon, Mike Gowens explores 2 Timothy 1:9-10, one of several comprehensive summaries of sovereign grace in the New Testament. In this passage, we may see Salvation Planned, Accomplished, Applied and Reported. 

The Mustard Seed & the Leaven

Pastor Gowens' fourth message in the Kingdom Parables series was delivered on July 7, 2024. This parable teaches that growth, expansion and even dominance is intrinsic to the Kingdom of God. God intends his kingdom to grow from inconspicuous and uneventful beginnings to a position of pervasive and ever-increasing influence. For those that think Christianity is intended to be a very private thing, this parable affirms that the very opposite is the case.

The Wheat & the Tares

In this message from 6/30/24, Mike Gowens returns to Matthew 13 in the "Kingdom Parables" series. This parable teaches that the kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future prospect. In its present form, it exists in a state of conflict and tension. Bible students think of this fact as the "militant" phase of the kingdom. The future kingdom will be the "triumphant" phase.

Who Hath Believed Our Report?

Br Gowens' text for this 6/23/24 message is Isaiah 53:1. Like the prophet Isaiah who bemoans the general unpopularity of his prophetic message among the people, those who proclaim the true gospel also have occasion to lament the fact that it is frequently rejected and dismissed by the masses. In this message, Gowens explores the reasons that true believers tend to be in the minority.

Turn Your Heart Toward Home

Elder Gowens' message on Father's Day (6/16/24) considers the intriguing language of the last two verses of the Old Testament: "...and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to their children, and the heart of the children to the fathers..." (Mal. 4:6). The ministry of John the Baptist aimed to foster repentance at a grass roots level in the first and most basic institution that God ordained, i.e. the family. Once again today, the need is great that people "turn their hearts toward home."

The Sower, the Seed & the Soils

Elder Mike Gowens' sermon from 6/9/24 returns once more to Matthew 13 in consideration of another of Jesus' "kingdom parables." This parable concerns the most basic component in the life of discipleship, i.e. the regular reception of the word of God into an honest and good heart. Brother Gowens insists that it is simply not possible to live a productive Christian life without ongoing exposure to God's word.

The Hidden Treasure & Pearl of Great Price

In this first sermon in a series on the Kingdom Parables (delivered 6/2/24), Michael Gowens emphasizes the importance of evaluating the kingdom of God and making the personal sacrifices necessary to procure such a priceless treasure. The text for this message is Matthew 13:44-46.

A Lost Sheep Found

Brother Gowens' 5/26/24 sermon, once again, considers Jesus' ministry at Jericho on his way to the cross. The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 is the basis of this message in which the transforming power of Jesus Christ is on display. Here is the Good Shepherd "seeking and saving" one of His own beloved sheep.