Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

The Christian's Triple-Threat

Elder Mike Gowens' text on Sunday, 4/22/18, was taken from Ephesians 6:10-18, the premier passage in the New Testament on the important theme of "spiritual warfare." The believer, merely by virtue of his relationship to Jesus Christ, is engaged in a battle. Gowens outlines the scope of this conflict in terms of a three-fold assault from the world, the flesh and the devil. This triple enemy presents a significant challenge to every Christian who seeks to live faithfully to Christ. But our Captain has already won the war, and through Him, we too may also find the resources needed to survive in this good fight of faith.

In Hope of Eternal Life

On Sunday, 4/22/18, we were blessed with a visit from Elder Dannie Loy, pastor of First Primitive Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and his family. Elder Loy shared time with our pastor, taking his text from Titus 1:2: "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."

Paul's Doctrine of Salvation

Elder Mike Gowens' 4/15/18 sermon focuses on Titus 3:3-7, a passage that he calls "the most concise yet comprehensive statement of Paul's doctrine of salvation in the New Testament." After discussing the importance of interpreting the verb "to save" accurately, Gowens proceeds to exposit this passage in terms of the need, the motive, the means, the basis, and the result of God's gift of salvation. This great doctrine is the heart and soul of the Christian gospel. We have a message of good news because salvation is by God's grace, not man's works, all of Him and none of us.

The Resurrection Promises

Elder Mike Gowens delivered this message on Resurrection Sunday, 4/1/18. The 43 minute sermon is based on 1 Cor. 15:14: "If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." After emphasizing the critical significance of the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ to Christian faith, Gowens proceeds to discuss five promises that are specifically connected to the Savior's resurrection from the dead: (1) The Coming of the Holy Spirit; (2) The Personal Presence of Jesus with His Church; (3) Direct Access to the Father in Prayer; (4) The Redeemer's Glorious Return; (5) The Bodily Resurrection of the Saints at the Last Day.

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.