Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

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.

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.