Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

On Sunday, 6/21/26, Elder Gowens considers two texts addressing the family "father" -- Ephesians 6:4 & Colossians 3:21. He insists that leading a family should be a distinctively "Christian" endeavor, that is, that fatherhood should be informed and shaped by the gospel message. Gowens offers a list of ways in which fathers might engender frustration and discouragement in a child, as well as pr...

This 6/7/26 sermon by Mike Gowens is based on Philippians 3:17-21 and is #26 in the "Exposition of Philippians" study. Using the fact that Philippi was a Roman colony although a distance of 800 miles separated the capital city from its Greek city-state, Paul reminds the saints of the need to think of our lives in this world in terms of our heavenly home, and to prioritize that ultimate, political...

The 5/31/26 message by Mike Gowens is #25 in the "Exposition of Philippians" series, and is based on Philippians 3:8-14. Gowens develops Paul's metaphor of the athlete that strains for the goal as a metaphor of the Christian life. The entire passage emphasizes the importance of focus, self-discipline and strenuous effort in living the life of discipleship.

This 5/24/26 sermon by Michael Gowens is #24 in the Philippian series. It is based on Phi. 3:7-10. Paul's language reveals his personal passion and ambition. Gowens elaborates on the impropriety of ambition if it is self-centered and self-promoting, but argues that when a deeper knowledge of Christ and conformity to Him is the goal, it is not only a proper, but essential personal trait.

This 5/17/26 sermon by Michael Gowens is based on Philippians 3:4-8 and is #23 in the Exposition of Philippians series. In one of his characteristic autobiographical paragraphs, Paul draws from his own experience to describe a complete restructuring of his life perspective and outlook on the future. He employs the metaphor of an accountant that revalues his assets for liabilities and vice versa, i...

Brother Gowens sermon from 5/10/26 is based on Psalm 127-128, companion Psalms that paint a lovely portrait of home blessed by God. Before developing the thought of the godly family, however, Gowens considers two other "houses" that God builds: 1) The Entire Family of God; 2) The Household of Faith.

This sermon by Michael Gowens, delivered on 4/26/26, focuses on Philippians 3:3. Gowens first develops the New Testament emphasis on "spiritual" Israel, then proceeds to describe the three distinctive traits that mark true worshipers of God. This is message #22 in the expository series on Philippians. 

This message from the Philippians study was delivered by Mike Gowens on 4/12/26. The text is Phi. 3:2-3. This is sermon #21 in the series.

This 4/12/26 sermon by Michael Gowens is #20 in the Exposition of Philippians series. It is based on Philippians 3:2, a text that introduces the challenge that false teaching in general, and legalism in particular, poses to Christian joy. Paul will continue to develop this contrast between an emphasis on righteousness by human works and righteousness by Christ's finished work in following verses.

This 4/5/26 sermon by Michael Gowens is based on 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, a passage in which the apostle Paul traces the Christian basis of perseverance to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

On Sunday, 3/29/26, Elder Gowens considered the account of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, as recorded in Matthew 21:1-11. This deliberate and staged event was our Lord's debut as the true Davidic King and the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. Gowens explores a number of lessons from the powerful symbology of this event.

This 3/15/26 sermon from the exposition of Philippians is based on Philippians 3:1. Pastor Gowens extracts from the text two important safeguards designed to protect the precious treasure of Christian joy: 1) The Safeguard of Repetition; 2) The Safeguard of Reflection.

This 3/8/26 message by Mike Gowens from the Philippians series takes a look at the clause in Phi. 2:12 - "...with fear and trembling." Gowens sketches a Biblical portrait of "godly fear" and shows how this reverential attitude is a priority in living the Christian life. 

In this 3/1/26 sermon from the Philippian series, Michael Gowens considers Philippians 2:19-30 and Paul's tribute to two exemplary Christians - Timothy and Epaphroditus. These two men embody the selfless and sacrificial nature of Christian discipleship, and serve as role models for the rest of us to emulate.

In this message from 2/22/26, Elder Gowens considers Philippians 2:17-18 and the third mark of authentic Christian living highlighted in this important section. The Christian life involves selfless service and sacrifice toward Christ and others. Gowens spends the bulk of this sermon developing the paradoxical nexus between the apparently opposite concepts of sacrifice and joy. This is message #16...

Mike Gowens' sermon on 2/15/26 is based on Philippians 2:14-16 and emphasizes the importance of non-conformity in living the Christian life. Discipleship involves witnessing the light of Jesus Christ in a dark world. Although verbally witnessing the truth of the gospel is important, the emphasis in this passage concerns the non-verbal witness of a transformed life. Like torchbearers in a relay bef...

Br Gowens continues his exposition of Philippians with this 2/8/26 message from Philippians 2:12-13. This important text explains a dynamic of fundamental importance, namely that the life of Christian discipleship necessarily originates from the life that God works within the heart. The inward man, in other words, is the wellspring from which everything else in the Christian life must flow.

In this sermon from 1/25/26, Michael Gowens considers the rich theology in Philippians 2:5-11, with a special focus on the doctrine of Christ's ascension. The entire passage is underpinned by the language of a master plan, a covenant of redemption, in the fulfillment of which Jesus Christ was highly exalted by God the Father. This is message #13 in the exposition of Philippians.

Elder Gowens' 1/18/26 sermon is based on Philippians 2:5-11. In the context of Paul's ethical call to spiritual unity, the apostle cites the example of Christ's radical humiliation as the model for Christian humility. This rich Christological passage embodies the very heart of the Gospel message. This is message #12 in the exposition of Philippians.

In this message from 1/11/26, Michael Gowens considers Philippians 2:1-4, Paul's exhortation for spiritual unity in the church, by means of three questions: What does harmony & peace look like in the church? Why is it important? How can unity be achieved? This is sermon #11 in the Exposition of Philippians series.

This message by Elder Mike Gowens, message #10 in the Philippians study, was delivered on Sunday, 1/4/26. It is based on Phi. 1:27-30, a passage in which Paul exhorts the saints at Philippi to make it their priority to live in a way that reflects the gospel they profess. Paul employs three metaphors of discipleship to explain what that means in specific terms.

Br Gowens' 12/28/25 sermon once again considers Philippians 1:20-26 with a particular focus on the believer's unique perspective on life and death. Paul models this perspective in this very vulnerable passage as he anticipates the possibility of his own martyrdom. 

The 11/23/25 message by Br Gowens is the eighth in the expository study through Philippians. The text from Phi. 1:18-26 is arguably one of the most personal and vulnerable in the Pauline epistles, as Paul expresses his hopeful perspective on his own future. The passage functions as both a window into Paul's own heart and mind and a mirror to challenge us to adopt the same outlook.

In this 11/16/25 message from Philippians 1:12-20, Michael Gowens takes another look at Paul's explanation of his response to his trials. He writes with a pastoral concern to alleviate any concerns the Philippians had for his spiritual welfare, giving them a glimpse into his heart of peace and joy in the Lord. This is message #7 in this expository study.

Br Gowens' sermon on 12/14/25 is another episode in the "Names of Jesus" series, focusing on this sublime name revealed in Isaiah 9:6. Gowens connects this name to the rich description of the Holy Spirit in John 14:16 and explores the various nuances of Jesus (and the Holy Ghost) as the "Comforter."