Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

The Shepherd as a Leader

Guidance is basic and fundamental to a shepherd's role. In this 6/11/23 sermon, Michael Gowens considers a principle from 1 Timothy 4:12 and Titus 2:7, namely leadership by example. Pastoral ministry is intended to be a microcosm of the Christian life. A gospel shepherd leads the flock by modeling the message before them.

The Shepherd’s Job Description

Elder Gowens' 6/4/23 sermon looks at Acts 20:28-31 in message #3 of the "Shepherding the Flock" series. Shepherding is a stewardship, and faithfulness is the most crucial quality for stewards of someone else's property. Study along as we explore the nature of pastoral ministry.

Jesus Christ: The Shepherd’s Great Example

In this 5/21/23 sermon, Michael Gowens continues the study began last week by looking at the parable of the Good Shepherd in John 10. Unlike the religious leaders of the Jews, the Lord Jesus takes the initiative to lead his flock, genuinely cares about them, sacrifices Himself for their deliverance, and is intimately familiar with each lamb in his fold. An excellent under-shepherd will take his cue from the perfect Shepherd & Bishop of souls. 

Shepherding the Flock

Michael Gowens begins a topical mini-series with this 5/21/23 message in an attempt to develop a Biblical, pastoral theology. Using Jeremiah 3:15 as the text for the study, Gowens emphasizes the nature of the pastorate in terms of this rich metaphor of shepherding. In Scripture, spiritual leadership is always couched in these terms, whether we talk about the patriarchs, King David, or the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

Joyful Motherhood

Looking at Psalm 113:9 in this 5/14/23 sermon, Michael Gowens discusses four main points:

1. Motherhood is challenging;

2. Finding joy in motherhood involves seeing it as a Divine charter;

3. Joyful motherhood is a choice;

4. A charge to her family to help her joy.

David’s Mighty Men

In this message from 4/30/23, Elder Gowens continues the saga from last week concerning the motley band of rejects that allied themselves to David in the Cave of Adullam by looking at 2 Samuel 23 and the valiant exploits of a number of these colleagues. Distinguishing themselves by acts of heroism and courage, these "mighty men" were a major reason for David's success.

Gathering Unto Our David

Mike Gowens' 4/23/23 sermon draws parallels between the loyalists that allied themselves to David when he fled from Saul and the gospel call to come to Christ. The text for this message is 1 Samuel 22:1-2.

Biblical Marriage: A Return to the Garden

The 4/16/23 message by Elder Michael Gowens considers fallen man's expulsion from the garden paradise in which God originally placed him as the Biblical metaphor for all that has gone wrong in our world. Because of sin, marriage is now more akin to a battleground than a garden. But Jesus Christ is able to recreate the kind of peace, unity and fulfillment that the marital union was meant to be.

A Resurrection Gospel

Elder Mike Gowens' 4/9/23 sermon looks at 1 Corinthians 15, the premier New Testament passage on the doctrine of the resurrection. Paul explains that the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and of those that are Christ's at His return is so essential to the apostolic message that without it, we have no gospel.

The Master’s Plan for the Church

Continuing the theme of "ecclesiology in Ephesians" from last Sunday, Michael Gowens returns to this Pauline epistle in the 4/2/23 sermon to consider the function of the New Testament Church. What does God intend for the church? How is it supposed to operate? Brother Gowens explores the 3-dimensional model of church life revealed in the letter to the Ephesians.