Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

Christian Ethics

The 9/3/17 sermon by Elder Michael Gowens looks at Romans 12:1, the beginning of the application section of this rich epistle: "I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you offer your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Gowens takes the three clauses of the verse to discuss the Motivation, the Meaning, and the Mindset of Christian Ethics. 

The Life & Times of Elijah

In the 8/27/17 message, Elder Mike Gowens looks at the biographical sketch of the prophet Elijah, recorded in 1 Kings 17, 18 & 19. This intriguing Old Testament prophet was "a man of like passions" as us. Gowens applies this principle to three particular stages in the prophets life: Cherith, Carmel and the Cave. At these three venues, Elijah learned that God is faithful when His servants are alone, when they must stand alone, and when they sometimes feel alone.

The Folly of Idolatry

Pastor Mike Gowens looked at Hosea 14:8 as his text for the Sunday morning sermon, 8/20/17: "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?" In the course of this message, Gowens considers several Biblical examples that serve to illustrate just how foolish and absurd it is when people substitute an idol in the place of the only true and living God.

When Creature-Helps All Fail

On Sunday 8/13/17, Elder Michael Gowens took Psalm 12:1 as his text: "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth and the faithful fail among the children of men." What a blessing it is to receive help from other people as we journey through this life! But what is a Christian to do when, as a familiar hymn puts it, "creature-helps all flee"? Gowens discusses five Divine helps on which we may rely when creature-helps fail us.

A Heart Governed by God's Peace

Pastor Mike Gowens' 8/6/17 sermon focuses on Colossians 3:15: "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts." He devotes the first portion of the message to a discussion of the position of priority Paul gives to the Christian's "heart" in this great chapter. Then he expounds the text by focusing on three key words: Let, Peace, and Rule. In a world of conflict, tension and disharmony, the Christian is to be governed by God's peace in his heart, a dynamic that will necessarily spill over into his relationships.

The Priority of Love in the Church

Guest minister Elder Sam Bryant closed the Saturday (7/29/17) worship services during our 5th Weekend Meeting with a moving message based on Ephesians 5:1-2. If Christian people could keep in memory the principle taught in this passage, "then love in every heart would reign and war would cease to roar." In a world of interpersonal conflict, relational tension, and broken fellowship, the need is great that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ be a place of love.

Continue in the Old Paths

Elder David Cothren of Holly Pond, Alabama, preached first during the Saturday evening service, 7/29/17, of our 5th Weekend Meeting. He took his text from Acts 17, commenting on how the Athenians perpetually sought to hear "new things." In contrast, Paul told Timothy that during those times when people thirst for something new, novel and sensational, he should "continue in the things he has learned." 

Things to Consider

On Saturday afternoon (7/29/17) of our 5th Weekend Meeting, guest minister Elder Samuel Bryant looked at several things the Bible tells us to "consider." His text for the message was taken from 2 Timothy 2:7. He concluded his message by urging us to consider the Christ of Calvary and the great gift of eternal life he bestowed on his elect people. 

The Priority of God-Conscious Living

On Friday evening, 7/28/17, visiting minister Elder Sam Bryant (Birmingham, AL) began our 5th Weekend Meeting by looking at an intriguing comment in Philippians 2:12. The apostle Paul commended this church for their obedience "not only in his presence, but much more in his absence." Elder Bryant traces the reason for their obedience, even when Paul was not there to hold them accountable, to the fact that the Philippian believers lived with a conscious awareness of God's presence and reality.

Christ, A Greater Than Solomon

The 7/23/17 sermon from Pastor Michael Gowens focuses on the narrative in 1 Kings 10 concerning the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon. Gowens takes his text from Matthew 12:42 and shows that King Jesus surpasses Solomon in terms of peace, wisdom, personal character, building projects, wealth, love for his bride, the happiness of his servants, and the honor and effort due Him.