Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

Taking God Seriously: The Key to Everything

On 10/14/18, Mike Gowens continued the "Themes from Ecclesiastes" series by looking at the important theme of "fearing God," one of the dominant motifs of the book. The last two verses of the book, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, provide the text for this sermon. Gowens begins by describing the decline of respect and reverence in popular culture, and proceeds to offer several biblical definitions of godly fear. He concludes with explanation of how this attitude of reverence for God is the most basic and fundamental virtue of a meaningful and productive life.

The Olive Press of Gethsemane

On Sunday 9/30/18, Elder Michael Gowens led our congregation in consideration of the emotionally-charged narrative of Jesus' agony in Gethsemane, as recorded in Matthew 26:36-46. As the Savior anticipated the monumental task before Him, he felt tremendous pressure within His soul. There is no clearer evidence of our Lord's true humanity in all of Holy Scripture than here. And there is no greater incentive to pray when we too face the pressures of life than the knowledge that our heavenly Priest can empathize with our grief, anguish and dread.

Worship: Heaven's Remedy for Earth's Sorrows

On Sunday 9/23/18, Elder Michael Gowens interrupted his mini-series in Ecclesiastes to bring a pastoral message of comfort based on Job 1:20-21. With worship canceled the previous Sunday due to the arrival of Hurricane Florence, the stresses of cleanup in the lives of our church membership, and the news of the unexpected death of one of our beloved church members since we last met together, Job's response to the calamities that befell him seemed especially appropriate for this occasion. 

Secrets to the "Better" Life

Message number three in the four part series "Themes from Ecclesiastes" looks at Ecclesiastes chapters four through seven. Elder Mike Gowens begins this 9/9/18 message in Ecclesiates 7:1-10, a passage that repeats one of the key words of the book - the word "better." Though most people pursue "the good life," the Preacher asserts that such a life in this world of trouble and sorrow is an optical illusion. Instead, he urges his young auditors to "the better life," a life marked by contentment with the necessities of life, and a life that values relationships above riches. With God at the center, life can truly be "better." 

Finding Joy in the Seasons of Life

Elder Michael Gowens' sermon on 9/2/18 focuses on the familiar passage in Ecclesiastes 3:1-15: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven..." The passage teaches that change is inevitable in every person's life. It also stresses that joy is available in the midst of life's changing scenes when the believer looks at life with a sharp focus on God and His glory. With this perspective of faith, life is seen as God's gift, and the simplest and most common tasks bring immense fulfillment and happiness.

Does Life Have Meaning?

Pastor Mike Gowens' 8/26/18 sermon looks at Ecclesiastes 1-2 and the basic human quest for significance and meaning in life. After painting the pessimistic portrait of life without God, Gowens shows that all of life is supremely meaningful when God is factored into the equation of human existence. Especially for the Christian who believes in the risen Lord, life is rich with purpose and significance. Because Christ lives, labor in His name is never futile and vain. 

Living in Liberty

In this 8/17/18 sermon, Elder Mike Gowens looks at the narrative of the man born blind in John 9, the sixth of seven miracles unique to the Gospel of John. Jesus had just taught the people that He is the Light of the world (cf. 8:12). Now, he illustrates the significance of that title by dispelling the darkness in this man's life. It was a life-changing gift of grace. The Pharisees, however, were not nearly so happy, and excommunicated the man from the synagogue. The courageous and joyful man, however, was undeterred by the fear of man. He refused to live under the burden of legalism, for Jesus had transformed his life. Though he didn't know much at first, he knew one thing very well: "Whereas I was blind, now I see." And this new believer found a warm welcome among the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Preaches Sovereign Grace

On Sunday 8/12/18, Elder Michael Gowens looks at Luke 4:16-31 and the first recorded public sermon Jesus delivered in his hometown synagogue at Nazareth. This discourse was not lengthy, but it had a powerful impact on the skeptical people gathered that day for worship. In fact, it made them so angry that they ushered Jesus to the brow of the hill in an attempt to throw him over the edge. It was an inauspicious beginning to his public ministry, but it necessarily set the tone for the coming 3 1/2 years. For the message of sovereign grace that so angered the proud townsfolk in Nazareth was truly considered to be good news to the Lord's humble poor elsewhere in his travels. Sovereign grace is still considered "the gospel" by those who know themselves to be poor and needy sinners.

Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ

In this 8/5/18 sermon, Elder Michael Gowens looks at three primary passages of Scripture in which the apostle Paul discusses the gifts of the Spirit: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. Each passage develops the "body" metaphor of Church-life, and each emphasizes the important Pauline emphasis of "every member ministry" in the body of Christ.

The Kingdom Parables

Guest preacher Elder Mike Ivey (TX) takes us to Matthew 13 in this final service of our July 2018 5th Weekend Meeting. Each of these parables highlights a particular characteristic of the kingdom of God. Once again, Elder Ivey brings his characteristically fresh, insightful and substantive approach to the interpretation of this important passage of holy scripture.