Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

Encouraging Timothy

This 8/21/16 message by Michael Gowens is based on 2 Timothy 1:1-11. Timothy, the young pastor of the church at Ephesus, was frightened and discouraged. The pressures of ministry in a pagan environment, especially in light of growing persecution of the stripe that had already landed Paul in prison, were taking a toll on his spirit. So Paul, in the final letter he wrote prior to his demise, writes to encourage his young son in the faith. He encourages Timothy in three ways: (1) by affirming his personal affection for the young man; (2) by reminding him of his own rich heritage; (3) by urging him to maintain his God-given responsibilities. Such a personal look into the heart of Paul and the tender way he reaches out to minister to a young preacher is a great example to us concerning what it means to truly minister to others.

Serving God for Nought

In this 8/14/16 sermon, Elder Michael Gowens examines the story of Job in light of Satan's indictment that Job was only serving God because of the benefits involved. Gowens begins by reading the entire first chapter of Job, then focuses particularly on verse 9: "Doth Job fear God for nought?" The story of Job is both comforting and instructive, and it seemed the lessons gleaned from this story were especially relevant to our congregation on this occasion. Early that Sunday morning, we received news of the unexpected, yet peaceful, passing of a long-time member of Bethel Church. The hearts of pastor and people alike were heavy as we looked into God's word together, but like Job, we found solace in worship and faith.

Running the Race of Faith

Pastor Gowens takes his text for this 8/7/16 sermon from Hebrews 12:1-3. After laying the historical background for the book of Hebrews, he develops the athletic metaphor for the life of Christian discipleship, emphasizing that the Christian life is both a relay race and a marathon. He then focuses on two necessities for believers if they will endure to the end.

Never a Man Like Jesus

In this 7/17/16 message, Elder Michael Gowens begins by debunking Comparative Religion and its claim that Jesus Christ is not unique in human history, then proceeds to explore the three "Never a man" statements in the New Testament, showing that Jesus is indeed unique, as Prophet, Priest, and King.

Peace Restored in Answer to Prayer

The 7/24/16 sermon by Elder Michael Gowens is based on Psalm 116:7-9. Brother Mike begins the message by talking about the Psalmist's anxiety over his looming demise. God, however, answered his prayer, not only sparing his life but restoring his inward peace. This is an experiential Psalm for every child of God who can say, "The Lord saved my life."

The Minister's Charge

On Sunday morning, 7/31/16, Elder Bryce Lowrance exposits Isaiah 40, a message of pastoral encouragement to God's people., as well as ministerial responsibility to God's servants. The gospel preacher is charged to remind people of the greatness of their God.

Explaining the Gospel Message

In the 7/30/16 evening service of Bethel's 5th Weekend Meeting, Elder Bryce Lowrance examines the narrative in Acts 8 of Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. He then takes the congregation through Isaiah 53, the prophecy that perplexed the eunuch's mind, showing how Philip explained the content of the gospel in terms of the substitutionary atonement of Christ. Elder Lowrance concludes the message by returning to Acts 8 and the eunuch's believing response to Philip's message.

The Not So Secret Rapture

This sermon by Elder Bryce Lowrance explores numerous, New Testament passages related to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to show that it will be a momentous event that consummates both human and redemptive history. Brother Bryce refutes from Scripture the popular dispensational idea of a secret rapture, and emphasizes that the Redeemer's glorious return will be universally visible, simultaneously a day of redemption for the righteous and a day of judgment for the wicked. He calls that long anticipated day "that great gettin' up mornin'."

Grace Plus Nothing

In this first message from Bethel's 5th Weekend Meeting, Elder Bryce Lowrance takes his text from Jude 1-2, then moves to the first chapter of Ephesians, to emphasize the thrilling truth that salvation is by the grace of God plus nothing. 

Enoch, Man for Our Times

In this 7/10/16 sermon, Elder Michael Gowens leads the congregation in a biographical study of an obscure Bible character, Enoch, the seventh from Adam. From the three Bible passages that mention this man -- Genesis 5, Hebrews 11, Jude 14 -- Enoch's life and testimony emerges as a model for people living in the last days. Gowens highlights four particular lessons we may glean from the life of Enoch: (1) It is possible to consistently walk with God by faith, in spite of the challenges of living in an apostate society; (2) God honors those who honor and please Him; (3) Death and mortality will not have the final word for God's children; (4) The Lord is coming again to balance the scales of justice and to make all wrongs right.