Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

Paul's Last Words

In this 3/26/18 sermon, Elder Michael Gowens looks at 2 Timothy 4:6-8. As he nears the end of his life, Paul displays a tremendous spirit of faith and courage. We may learn from his example the importance of finishing strong, as well as the power of faith to enable a person to face the end of life with peace and hope. Listen to this inspired epilogue to Paul's life and learn the importance of witnessing to Christ's transforming power in death, as well as in life.

Fear Not Little Flock

In this 3/11/18 sermon, Elder Mike Gowens examines the words of Jesus to his disciples in Luke 12:32: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." What comforting words are these! The message is divided in three subheads. Gowens looks at the text in terms of its (1) Meaningful Metaphor; (2) Important Imperative; and (3) Precious Promise. In a world of fear and anxiety, these words of Jesus to his true followers are especially pertinent. 

Jesus the Friend of Sinners

In this 3/4/18 sermon, Elder Michael Gowens takes his text from Matthew 11:16-19. The Pharisees in Jesus' day were moral perfectionistis. They were experts at looking out the window in judgment of others, but amateurs at looking in the mirror at themselves. One of their criticisms of Jesus was that he was a friend of sinners. Interestingly, Jesus never denied the charge. The Savior's friendship to sinners, however, was not the kind that condones and encourages men in their sin, but calls upon them to respond to his grace by a life of repentance. What good news is here for sensible sinners! 

Abraham the Friend of God

Elder Mike Gowens' sermon on 2/25/18 is based on James 2:23. Gowens reviews the Genesis narrative of Abraham's life to highlight the key reasons he was given this special title. In a world in which so many people are fighting against God and His truth, the need for people who will live and serve Him by faith is great. Oh, that God might say of us as he did of Abraham. "This individual is My friend."

Come Before Winter

The sermon by Pastor Michael Gowens was delivered on February 18, 2018. The text is 2 Timothy 4:9-21. As he concludes his final, inspired letter, Paul urges Timothy to visit him in Rome before circumstances prevented him from the opportunity. "I want to see you," Paul urges, "but if you tarry too long, it will be too late." Extrabiblical history records that Paul would shortly die as a martyr for the cause of Christ. From this passage, Pastor Gowens stresses the importance of living with a sense of urgency, and extracts from the example of Paul several important principles for believers as "winter" (in a metaphorical sense) approaches in our lives.

God is Love

The 2/11/18 sermon by Elder Mike Gowens is taken from 1 John 4:7-19. Gowens first dispels several common misconceptions about this subject, then defines this remarkable sentence in terms of God's relationship to His people in Christ. The gospel affirmation that "God is love" stands in stark contrast to this world of malice, animosity, ill-will, and self-centeredness. Those in whose hearts the Holy Spirit has shed abroad such Divine love now have the capacity--and, indeed, the responsibility--to actively express that love toward those around them, however unlovely and unloveable they may be. In this way, the church on earth becomes a microcosm of this heavenly world of God's love.

Christian Survival in the Last Days

On Sunday 2/4/18, Elder Michael Gowens took our congregation through a verse-by-verse exposition of 2 Timothy 3. In this chapter, the aged apostle reminds his younger brother in the ministry that the world in which we seek to serve the Lord will grow progressively worse and immoral as the second coming of Christ nears. Dangerous days, he says, are ahead. For those of us living even nearer to Christ's return than Timothy was when he received Paul's letter, the description Paul gives of the last days reads like the morning newspaper. Yet, in such a secular climate, the believer has a survival resource available--the inspired, authoritative, and sufficient word of God.

The Apparent Absence of God

In this 1/28/18 message, Elder Mike Gowens takes a look at the experience of Asaph in Psalm 77. What should the believer do when struggling with spiritual desertions--when it appears that God has withdrawn himself and is no longer interested in your case? Will the Lord ever truly abandon one of His children? Will His mercy be removed forever? Will God's loved one ever reach a point in which the best days are past and no prospect of future good remains? To those who find themselves in a present state of crisis, Asaph's experience, as recorded in this Psalm, may speak with special relevance and poignancy.

Hope: Anticipating Great Things from God

On January 21, 2018, "Sanctity of Life Sunday" in America, visiting minister Elder Dan Hall (GA) used three narratives from the Gospel of Luke to speak on the importance of looking hopefully to the Lord for future blessedness. He begins his message by noticing the prevailing "culture of death" in our country, then urges us to sharpen focus on the God of Hope and living in anticipation of His favor, as these first century disciples of Jesus lived. Hope in the Redeemer will, indeed, save the believer from despair in this present evil world.

Be Zealous

The 1/14/18 sermon by Michael L. Gowens is based on Revelation 3:15-19 in which the church is exhorted to holy zeal in their service to Christ. In this day of lukewarm spirituality, the contemporary church needs this reminder as much as the first century Laodiceans did. We regret that some technical difficulties impaired the final ten minutes of the recording. Thank you in advance for your consideration.