Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

Man of Sorrows, What a Name!

Elder Mike Gowens' 12/11/16 sermon looks at Isaiah 53:3: "He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief..." This message is especially targeted at those who struggle during the Holidays because of recent heartaches, painful memories of the past, loneliness, relational tensions, separation from loved ones, or one-hundred-one other reasons that the season may not be all merry and bright. The Messiah himself was no stranger to the pain of living in a world under the curse of sin. Such pains seem especially exaggerated during the Holiday season. But as is always the case with the trials and afflictions we encounter in this life, the solution is to sharpen focus on the Savior. May this message be that catalyst for your own renewed view of the One who came to bear the sorrows and griefs of His people.

Glory in His Grace

This 11/27/16 sermon by Michael L. Gowens is based on a text in Jeremiah 9:23-24. In this passage, the prophet warns the people of God against boasting in their wisdom, might, or wealth, for these things could not deliver them in the day of trial. Instead, he urges them to glory in God's grace which had brought them to a knowledge of the true God. In a day in which boasting is considered a sin with which we can be tolerant, this text reminds us that glory belongs to the Lord alone.

Worship Involves Thanksgiving

In this 11/20/16 sermon, Elder Michael Gowens discusses Hebrews 13:15 and the connection between public worship and the importance of thanksgiving to God. Every Sunday should be Thanksgiving Day to the people of God. 

The Forgotten Beatitude

In this 11/13/16 sermon based on Matthew 11:6, Elder Mike Gowens explores three reasons a person might be tempted to be offended by the Lord Jesus Christ. Some people are offended at his doctrine. Others stumble at the stigma attached to Christian discipleship. Still others are offended when they pass through trials and afflictions, like John the Baptist experienced when Jesus spoke the words of our text. Yet, the Lord Jesus says, "Blessed are the unoffended." This "beatitude" is just as important as the more familiar ones recorded a few chapters earlier. In fact, we forget it at our peril.

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.