Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

The Golden Chain of Salvation

In this 11/6/16 message from Romans 8:28-31, Elder Mike Gowens answers the question "What do Primitive Baptists Believe?" by looking at the five "links" in the chain of salvation. Why is it important to understand that the salvation of sinners is the sovereign work of a covenant keeping God? This perspective alone gives the believer assurance that God is for his people in a world in which so many things are against them. These five "links" work together for their eternal good, though presently they suffer many afflictions. 

The Believer's "City of Refuge"

Taking his text from Hebrews 6:18, Elder Michael Gowens takes us back to Joshua 20 to consider the six cities of refuge dedicated as "sanctuary cities" for the children of Israel. He considers the meaning of these six city names and draws parallels to the refuge God's children have in the Lord Jesus Christ. This message was preached on Sunday, 10/30/16.

The Christian's Call to Courage

This 10/23/16 sermon from Ephesians 6:10 was delivered by Michael L. Gowens to the congregation of Bethel PBC, Calabash, NC. Brother Gowens focuses on the imperative "Be strong in the Lord" and insists that courage is a non-negotiable in Christian discipleship because we face a relentless foe in the devil. The spiritual warfare in which believers are engaged is no place for cowards. The strength and courage we need, however, is not in ourselves, but in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Captain of our salvation.

Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Will Provide

This message from Genesis 22 was delivered to the congregation of Bethel Church by Elder Michael Gowens on 10/16/16. During the first half of the sermon, Pastor Gowens retells the dramatic story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah, drawing a number of salient, practical lessons from the narrative. In the final half of the message, he underscores the doctrine of Divine providence. God is not only faithful to provide the needs of His people in this world, but also the greatest need of their lives -- the need for salvation from the penalty of sin. High atop Mount Moriah that day, Abraham saw the Lord Jesus Christ as the Substitute that God would provide for his covenant people and rejoiced in what he saw. How thankful we ought to be to trust a God whose name is Jehovah-Jireh! 

Be Filled with the Spirit

In this 10/2/16 message based on Ephesians 5:18ff, Pastor Gowens first distinguishes the "filling of the Spirit" from being "born of the Spirit." He proceeds to talk about the need for ongoing fillings of the Holy Spirit, to describe what a Spirit-filled life looks like, and to answer the question of "how" such filling occurs. By nature, people tend to be full of themselves. What is needed is that we would be filled with the fulness of God. Then, and only then, will we be most useful in serving Him in this world.

Praying for the Revival of the Church

This message by Michael Gowens from Psalm 85:6 was delivered to the congregation of Bethel Primitive Baptist Church on Sunday, 9/25/16. In the course of the sermon, Elder Gowens defines revival, describes why and when it is needed, and urges us to seek it from the Lord in prayer. Our God is able to revitalize his people, which in turn will exercise a transforming effect on the surrounding culture. At this point in the history of the world, a genuine work of the Spirit of God in terms of reinvigorating his church is the only hope for the country and society in general. Whether or not we ever witness another spiritual awakening on a significant scale, we should never cease to hope and pray to God for it. It may be that he will send it on a more local level or smaller scale.

The Perfect Love of God

In this 9/17/16 sermon based on 1 John 4, Elder Mike Gowens contrasts God's perfect, unchangeable love to the self-serving, fickle love of human beings. He describes God's love as unique, great, sovereign, gracious, everlasting, sacrificial and personal...indeed, perfect. Knowing that God loves his children with such a perfect love and believing that it is true for us acts as a powerful antidote to the poison of fear. In fact, an assurance of His great love leads to confident Christian living. Here is, as Pastor Gowens indicates, the most sublime theme in all the world.

Helps for a Trouble-Free Heart

We were happy to have Elder Bernard Gowens (TX), our pastor's father, with us for worship on Sunday morning, 9/10/16. His message from John 14 and 1 John 3 emphasized the ultimate Divine resource God has given to his people - namely, the gift of the Comforter - to help them live in a world of trouble and affliction until Jesus comes again. Elder Bernard has been serving churches in the west Texas and eastern New Mexico for 48 years. He was Brother Mike's "father in the ministry" and delivered the charge at his ordination in 1981. At the age of 82, he still pastors and serves the Lord's people in spite of various physical challenges associated with mature years. It was our privilege to welcome him to Coastal Carolina and to hear him proclaim the word of the Lord once again.

El Roi: The God Who Sees Me

In this 9/3/16 sermon, Mike Gowens focuses attention on the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 and the comfort she found in the knowledge that God noticed her. Though you may face the same kind of profound extremity and despair as this lonely outcast, the awareness that God sees you and knows all about your case is tremendously encouraging. If we could learn to live with a moment-by-moment awareness that we live all of life before the face of God, that awareness would necessarily impact both our inward strength and ability to cope with adversity, and our ethical behavior in the midst of difficult circumstances. Here is a message for sinners who feel to be very much alone in this world.

Your Identity in Christ: Images from First Peter

This sermon by Elder Michael Gowens was delivered on 8/28/16. Gowens surveys the first two chapters of 1st Peter in order to glean five metaphors, or pictures, of what it means to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. Learning to think of one's identity in terms of his/her relationship with Christ is key to maintaining focus, purpose and direction for life in this world. Study with us as we discover that we are Children in God's Family, Stones in God's Building, Priest's in a Spiritual Temple, Citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom, and Pilgrims on a Journey Home.