Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

The Ministry of Comfort

Suffering, God’s School

In this 9/17/23 sermon, Mike Gowens returns to the introduction of 2 Corinthians to consider the theme of comfort in affliction once more. Though the ascetic errs in assuming there is some merit in suffering, it is nonetheless true that God may use trials to teach valuable lessons. Gowens itemizes several of these benefits, concluding with the one highlighted in verse 4, namely, that suffering equips us in the ministry of comfort.

The God of All Comfort

With this 9/10/23 sermon, Mike Gowens begins a consecutive study through 2 Corinthians, an epistle of encouragement. In a day when there are ample reasons to be discouraged, God's people need regular reminders of who their God is. By sharing his own story, Paul points the believers at Corinth to the God who never failed to come to his side with strength and comfort. This is message #1 in the 2 Corinthians series.

The Day of Small Things

Elder Gowens' 9/3/23 sermon is taken from Zechariah 4:10. The sight of the foundation for the rebuilt Temple distressed the ancients that saw the first Temple and evoked a reaction that tended to dismiss it as irrelevant. God corrects their bad attitude by pledging to do something great with that Temple. Gowens draws the lesson that God specializes in using that which may appear to be insignificant.

A New Commandment

This 8/27/23 sermon by Michael Gowens is based on John 13:34-35. Love between brethren in the gospel is the hallmark of authentic discipleship. Nothing will counter the tendency to competition and rivalry in the church like the commitment to esteem others better than self. And nothing will be a better advertisement to the watching world than a church that prioritizes brotherly love.

The Great Commandment

In this August 20, 2023 sermon, Michael Gowens considers the Lord Jesus Christ's reply to a legal question in Matthew 22:37-40. The question, stridently debated among the various rabbinic schools, concerned the most important commandment in the Law. Jesus replies by reaffirming the Jewish Shema (from Deut. 6:4-5), asserting that love for God is the first and great commandment. 

The Shepherd As Protector & Provider

This 8/13/23 sermon by Michael Gowens is the eighth and final message in the Shepherding the Flock series. In it, Michael focuses on Paul's warning of "grievous wolves" that would threaten the flock both from the outside world and from within the Christian community itself. In order to counter the danger, the shepherd must be committed to the word of God as his principal tool for defending God's sheep.

Paul the Exemplary Pastor

We often think of Paul as the premier theologian of the New Testament, or the Church's most prolific evangelist. But in Acts 20, we see his pastor's heart. This message by Michael Gowens was delivered July 30, 2023. It is the seventh sermon in the "Shepherding the Flock" series.

It Shall Be Well With the Righteous

Elder Gowens' text on 7/23/23 was Isaiah 3:10-11, a passage in which the prophet is instructed to tell the righteous that a glorious future awaits him. But who are "the righteous," and how is it that they may look forward with hope and assurance? Gowens explores these questions in this message of comfort.

The Shepherd as Guardian - Part 1

In the ongoing topical series on shepherding the flock, Mike Gowens considers the importance of guarding oneself. Taking his cue from the imperative repeated in both Acts 20:28 and 1 Timothy 4:16 - "Take heed to thyself" - Gowens argues that the most basic need in shepherding is tending one's own spiritual life. This sermon is #6 in the series and was delivered on July 16, 2023.