Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

The 10/20/24 sermon by Mike Gowens is the 9th and final segment in the "Kingdom Parables" series. In this message, Gowens considers Mt 25:14-30 and emphasizes that kingdom living involves investing the resources God has entrusted to individual believers for the good of His kingdom.

This sermon by Elder Mike Gowens was delivered October 13, 2024. The text is Mt 15:30. Elder Gowens explores several narratives from the Gospels in which people in various circumstances either sat, knelt, fell or bowed at Jesus' feet. Down at the feet of Jesus is the place for every true believer.

Pastor Gowens' sermon from October 6, 2024 is message #8 in the Kingdom Parables series. In this message he focuses on the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. The lesson taught in this parable is, namely, kingdom living means living in anticipation of the Redeemer's return. Brother Gowens insists that eschatology matters right now.

Pastor Gowens' 9/29/24 sermon looks at the text in Psalm 94:19: "In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul." In the frenetic pace and incessant responsibilities of life in the modern world, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. The sheer busyness of life can keep the mind in a whirl. The Psalmist, however, learned where to find peace and comfort to calm his racing thoughts. Here's real help for anxious minds.

In message #7 of the Kingdom Parables series, Michael Gowens considers Matthew 22:1-14. This parable teaches that participation in the King's banquet presupposes submission to the King's protocols. One may not partake of the blessings of the kingdom on his/her own terms. This message was preached on 9/22/24.

In this message from 9/15/24, Mike Gowens considers Psalm 149:5-6 and the command to sing while we fight. Gowens develops each metaphor, beginning with the call to fight the good fight of faith, and proceeding to the importance of maintaining a joyful song, even in the midst of the fray.

In this message from 9/8/24, Michael Gowens continues the "Kingdom Parables" series with message six. The text is Matthew 20:1-16. This parable teaches that in the kingdom of God, Christ is sovereign in dispensing blessings to His servants. There is no algorithm involved in kingdom living. Whatever compensation we receive in following Christ, however, will far exceed any investment we make. It would be accurate, in fact, to call this passage "the parable of the Generous Landowner."

On Sunday 8/18/24, Elder Gowens returned to the "Kingdom Parables" study with a message from Mt. 18. Kingdom living involves human relationships, with all of the stresses and tensions those relationships might bring. In particular terms, King Jesus expects his subjects to extend the same grace to others that God has extended to them. This is message #5 in the series.

The 8/11/24 sermon by Mike Gowens looks at Psalm 121:1-2. In a culture of rugged individualism, it is not always easy for people to admit they need help. But maintaining an attitude of our need for God's help is crucial to healthy discipleship. In this message, Gowens explores the several ways that God helps those that depend on Him.

Romans 5:19 is the text for this 8/4/24 sermon by Michael Gowens. Although eternal salvation is not by "works of righteousness which we have done," it is by the obedience of Jesus Christ in the stead of His elect that they are made righteous. By his perfect obedience in life, Christ fulfilled the precept of God's law; by his submission to God's will in his death, Christ satisfied the penalty due to our sins.

In this message from Ecclesiastes 12, Michael Gowens explores the most basic philosophical question, i.e. What is the purpose of life? The human writer, who calls himself "the Preacher," is standing (as it were) at the entrance to the cemetery as he delivers his sermon to a group of young people. He offers these who are just beginning the journey the benefit of the wisdom he has gathered on the path of long experience.

In this 7/21/24 sermon, Mike Gowens explores 2 Timothy 1:9-10, one of several comprehensive summaries of sovereign grace in the New Testament. In this passage, we may see Salvation Planned, Accomplished, Applied and Reported.

Pastor Gowens' fourth message in the Kingdom Parables series was delivered on July 7, 2024. This parable teaches that growth, expansion and even dominance is intrinsic to the Kingdom of God. God intends his kingdom to grow from inconspicuous and uneventful beginnings to a position of pervasive and ever-increasing influence. For those that think Christianity is intended to be a very private thing, this parable affirms that the very opposite is the case.

In this message from 6/30/24, Mike Gowens returns to Matthew 13 in the "Kingdom Parables" series. This parable teaches that the kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future prospect. In its present form, it exists in a state of conflict and tension. Bible students think of this fact as the "militant" phase of the kingdom. The future kingdom will be the "triumphant" phase.

Br Gowens' text for this 6/23/24 message is Isaiah 53:1. Like the prophet Isaiah who bemoans the general unpopularity of his prophetic message among the people, those who proclaim the true gospel also have occasion to lament the fact that it is frequently rejected and dismissed by the masses. In this message, Gowens explores the reasons that true believers tend to be in the minority.

Elder Gowens' message on Father's Day (6/16/24) considers the intriguing language of the last two verses of the Old Testament: "...and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to their children, and the heart of the children to the fathers..." (Mal. 4:6). The ministry of John the Baptist aimed to foster repentance at a grass roots level in the first and most basic institution that God ordained, i.e. the family. Once again today, the need is great that people "turn their hearts toward home."

Elder Mike Gowens' sermon from 6/9/24 returns once more to Matthew 13 in consideration of another of Jesus' "kingdom parables." This parable concerns the most basic component in the life of discipleship, i.e. the regular reception of the word of God into an honest and good heart. Brother Gowens insists that it is simply not possible to live a productive Christian life without ongoing exposure to God's word.

In this first sermon in a series on the Kingdom Parables (delivered 6/2/24), Michael Gowens emphasizes the importance of evaluating the kingdom of God and making the personal sacrifices necessary to procure such a priceless treasure. The text for this message is Matthew 13:44-46.

Brother Gowens' 5/26/24 sermon, once again, considers Jesus' ministry at Jericho on his way to the cross. The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 is the basis of this message in which the transforming power of Jesus Christ is on display. Here is the Good Shepherd "seeking and saving" one of His own beloved sheep.

The 5/19/24 sermon by Mike Gowens considers Luke 18:35-43 and focuses on the first of two ministry encounters Jesus had with people in Jericho. Our Lord and his disciples are proceeding to Jerusalem where he will be tried and sentenced to death. Yet Jesus "stands still" to resolve a physical need in the life of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. When Jesus passes by, he brings transformation to the lives of his little children.

The 5/12/24 sermon by Michael Gowens explores the various phases or categories of this sublime Bible doctrine that is so crucial to understanding the gospel message. Gowens begins the message by considering a passage in John 17, then spends the bulk of his time in the Pauline epistles, focusing especially on the important prepositional phrase, "in Christ."

This sermon by Mike Gowens is based on Romans 8:31-30, arguably the high note of the Roman epistle. It was delivered to the congregation of Bethel PBC in Calabash, NC on Sunday morning, April 28, 2024.

The 4/14/24 message by Elder Michael Gowens is taken from 1 Peter 2:3. Reference to senses (like "taste") in the Scriptures must be understood in terms of spiritual experience. Newly born babies learn and grow principally by means of experiencing their world. Likewise, the experience of tasting that God is gracious is the catalyst for the believer to grow further toward spiritual maturity.

Brother Gowens' sermon on 4/7/24 looks at Acts 10 and the character sketch of the Roman centurion named Cornelius. The description given of this outstanding man indicates that he was already a born again child of God, even before Peter preached the gospel to him. What a comfort to know that God has people in every nation, many of whom are yet unevangelized! May He bless us to reach them with the good news of the God that saved them.

Elder Gowens' 3/31/24 message is based on Matthew 12:38-40. The only sign, or miracle, necessary for the believer is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because He lives, you can face tomorrow.

This 3/24/24 sermon by Michael Gowens is an exposition of 2 Peter 1:1-11, with a primary focus on the seven virtues that should adorn the essential grace of faith in the believer’s life. Pastor Gowens makes a case for the view that the main idea in the context, and the one that ties these virtues together, is the idea of manliness, or robust discipleship.

A sermon based on Isaiah 56:7, delivered by Elder Michael Gowens on March 17, 2024.

"Preaching is not only proclamation, but it is also witness." In this message from Psalm 66:18, Pastor Gowens enlists this definition of the joy of preaching to give personal witness to the Lord's goodness to him. He does so by tracing his own story through salient Scripture passages.

Brother Gowens' 3/3/24 sermon is the third and final in a short series of messages from John 1:35-51. In this message, he considers how the Lord Jesus overcame Nathanael's skepticism.

Brother Gowens' 2/25/24 message continues the look at John 1:35-51 in which Jesus gathers the first disciples to himself. Andrew and John were seekers. Peter was encouraged to follow Jesus by the faithful testimony of his brother. But Philip was not seeking or demonstrating any interest in the Lord. Instead, Jesus sought him out and called him to follow. Like Philip, many contemporary disciples must say, "He sought me and found me; I am a Christ-follower today because of pure grace."

Michael Gowens' 2/18/24 sermon looks at John 1:35-51, the account of the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and the first disciples He gathered to Himself. Like these first disciples, we too may have different stories in terms of coming to the decision to follow the Lord Jesus, but the call to be like the Master - the goal of discipleship - is the same from person to person.

Pastor Gowens' 2/11/24 sermon continues the "Traveling Light" series with a look at the death of Lazarus in John 11. Grief, and particularly the grief of bereavement, is a debilitating burden. But several helps to deal with painful loss emerge from this dramatic account - Christ's love, God's truth and Hope in the resurrection.

In this 2/4/24 sermon, Mike Gowens takes a look at Psalm 37 and the oppressive burden of anxiety. This important chapter specifically addresses anxiety arising when injustice seems to prevail, offering Biblical counsel concerning what not to do (the negative) and what to do (the positive).

This 1/28/24 sermon is the third in the topical series titled "Traveling Light." Elder Gowens' text is 1 John 2:1-2. In this message, Michael defines a three-fold solution to alleviate the heavy burden of guilt and shame that so many people carry in the conscience.

Pastor Gowens' 1/21/24 sermon takes a look at Matthew 16:13-20, a strategically important passage in the New Testament. It is one of two places in the four Gospels in which reference is made to "the church." Here we discover the priority the Lord Jesus places on his church, and an encouraging promise regarding its longevity.

Elder Gowens' message on 1/14/24 is taken from 2 Chronicles 20 and the encouraging story of King Jehoshaphat's response to the news of an approaching enemy. Here is an illustration of how faith in God resolves our fears.

The 1/7/24 sermon by Mike Gowens is based on 2 Timothy 1:7, continuing the theme of "traveling light" from the previous Sunday. Fear cripples and paralyzes a person. It is an extremely heavy burden to bear. What is the secret for releasing the burden of fear? The text offers a three-fold solution to unnecessary fear.

Elder Gowens' sermon on 12/31/23 is based on Matthew 11:28-29. Whether we are thinking in physical or emotional terms, human beings tend to accumulate what the Bible calls "stuff." In this message, Brother Gowens encourages the congregation to unburden their lives of unnecessary baggage and to take instead the easy yoke of following the Lord Jesus.

This sermon by Michael Gowens from 12/24/23 is based on Isaiah 11, a prophecy of the coming King. The Messianic King, however, will not initially resemble any other king in human history. His arrival on the stage of history will be, in fact, unimpressive and unspectacular, so far as men are concerned; nevertheless, He is the penultimate King.

In this 12/17/23 message, Mike Gowens considers another of the wonderful names of Jesus. The text for this message is Matthew 1:18-23.

On Sunday 12/10/23, Michael Gowens led the Bethel congregation in consideration of the wonderful name of Jesus, "Prince of Peace" (Is. 9:6-7). Where Jesus Christ reigns as King, peace prevails. And it prevails in two dimensions: 1) in heaven, and 2) on earth. Gowens explains this two-fold blessing of Christ's gift of peace in this message.

On 12/3/23, Pastor Gowens brings the final message in the topical series "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us." Following up on the previous message, he once more addresses the utility of the gospel. Regular exposure to the preaching of the gospel will exercise a saving influence in the life of the believer.

In message #5 of the "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us," Elder Mike Gowens compares Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18 as he explains our conviction at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church concerning the purpose of the gospel. The gospel is not a well-meant, general offer to all of mankind, but a proclamation of Christ's redemptive work to the born-again child of God. As such, it exercising a powerful, saving influence in the believer's life.

The 11/19/23 message by Elder Gowens looks at David's words in Psalm 8:2-3, and applies the thought of a life of wonder to several specific "wonderful" categories. Wonder is the spirit of true worship.

Elder Mike Rodgers (AL) was our guest minister on 11/12/23. His message is taken from Isaiah 55:8-9.

Brother Gowens' 11/5/23 sermon is message four in the "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us" series. This sermon is taken from John 17:1-5, a passage emphasizing our Lord's completion of the covenant assignment He received from the Father. The Lord Jesus is an actual, not a potential, Savior. The use of the telos root in the exclamation "It is finished!" indicates that He made an end of sin, death, Divine wrath, the Law and the Devil at the cross.

Michael Gowens' 10/29/23 sermon considers Ephesians 1:3-6, a passage in which the apostle Paul celebrates God's eternal purpose in the Covenant of Grace before time began. This is message #3 in the series entitled "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us."

Elder Gowens' 10/21/23 message continues the survey of John 3:1-11 on the doctrine of regeneration. This message focuses on the necessity and the agency of the new birth. It is message #2 in the "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us" series.

This 10/14/23 sermon by Michael Gowens is the first in a topical mini-series on the doctrine of salvation entitled "Things Most Surely Believed Among Us." Gowens begins the series out-of-sequence with the doctrine of regeneration, because it here that most people in our congregation diverge with popular sentiments in religious circles. The text for this message is John 3:1-11.

Mike Gowens returns to the introductory section of 2 Corinthians (2 Cor 1:4-11) in this 10/8/23 sermon to address the importance of communicating God’s comfort to other sufferers. This is message #3 in the 2 Corinthians series.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There is what appears to be an incidental statement in Acts 27:23, as Paul addresses the captain, crew and fellow passengers on the ship to Rome. It is the compound clause, "...whose I am, and whom I serve." Elder Gowens insists that we pause to consider this statement that we might otherwise tend to skim over in reading the narrative, for it is a personal "confession of faith." And it is the reason Paul modeled such peace and poise of spirit in this mighty storm. This sermon was delivered 7/2/23.

In this fourth and final message from our special meeting, Elder Sam Bryant considers Ephesians 2:1-10. This sermon was delivered on Sunday morning, June 25, 2023.

In this third message from our June Communion Meeting, Elder Sam Bryant begins in Romans 8:18 and proceeds to emphasize the glorious future awaiting God's children, as outlined in verses 28-39. This sermon was delivered on Saturday afternoon, 6/24/23.

In this second sermon from our special Communion Meeting, guest minister Elder Samuel Bryant considers Psalm 103:1-14. This sermon was delivered on Saturday morning, 6/24/23.

Elder Sam Bryant was our visiting minister for our annual Communion Meeting. This first sermon, preached on Friday 6/23/23, is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Elder Gowens' 6/18/23 sermon looks at Ephesians 6:4 in a special sermon on fatherhood. In a very real sense, a father is called to pastor the little flock that is his respective family. That means, in specific terms, he is to lead them, protect them and provide for them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Elder Gowens' 3/26/23 message considers what the Ephesian epistle has to say about the church. In three descriptive metaphors, Paul explains the nature of the New Testament Church. The Church is God's building, Christ's bride and Christ's body.

Continuing the theme of practical sanctification from last Sunday, Mike Gowens looks at 1 John 2:12-14 in this 3/19/23 sermon. The metaphor of growth is one of the main New Testament images employed to describe sanctification in its practical aspect. A truly healthy church consists of people at various stages of spiritual development.

This 3/12/23 message by Brother Gowens is based on John 17:17. He develops two primary thoughts: 1) The Truth is Indispensable; 2) The Truth is Indispensable in Spiritual Growth.

Elder Gowens completes the Habakkuk series with this 3/5/23 message from Habakkuk 3:17-19. This prophecy that began with such confusion concludes with jubilation. Habakkuk's faith has been tried and has emerged triumphant. This is message #5 in the series.

This 2/26/23 sermon by Michael Gowens looks at Habakkuk 3:1-16. The passage records the prophet's prayer for revival as well as an elaborate poetic description of God's delivering mercy in Jewish history. This is message #4 in the Habakkuk study.

In this third message from the mini-series on Habakkuk's prophecy, Mike Gowens considers Habakkuk 2:4-20. This passage teaches that God generally answers our "why" questions with a "Who" answer. A focus on the God that holds our lives in His own sovereign and capable hands, together with the prospect that His purposes will not be frustrated is what it means to "live by faith." This sermon was delivered on 2/19/23.

Elder Michael Gowens continues his look at the prophecy of Habakkuk with this 2/12/23 sermon from Habakkuk 2:1-4. God never promises to answer all of our questions, but he does exhort us to live by faith. When we trust Him, we may say with Paul, "I am perplexed, but I'm not in despair."

On January 8, 2023, Michael Gowens begins a mini-series on the prophecy of Habakkuk. This message from Habakkuk 1 explains the prophet's wrestling with two hard questions: 1) Why doesn't God do something? 2) How can a just God employ a sinful nation to discipline His covenant people? Habakkuk is grappling with, first, God's apparent indifference, and secondly, God's apparent injustice. His book has much to say to all that are perplexed by the problem of evil.

Elder Gowens begins 2023 with a message from Deuteronomy 11:12. Applying insights from the Lord's description of the land of Canaan to our current situation, Brother Mike emphasizes the precious promise of God's providential oversight of His people.

Elder Gowens' 12/18/22 sermon looks at Matthew 1:1-25, the royal pedigree and circumstances of the birth of Jesus the Christ. Every syllable of God's word is important and the genealogy that begins the New Testament is vital to the gospel of the kingdom of God.

The 12/11/22 sermon by Michael Gowens looks at Isaiah 9:1-2, a Messianic prophecy concerning the effect of Christ's advent into the world. Elder Gowens begins by developing the light/darkness metaphor that is so prolific in Scripture, and proceeds to apply the metaphor to this important prophecy.

Elder Michael Gowens' 12/4/22 sermon looks at 1 Timothy 1:12-17, one of the autobiographical passages so characteristic of the Pauline epistles. Paul employs two similar words in this passage to affirm that just as he was the prototypical sinner, so he is the quintessential example of God's transforming power and grace. He never lost his sense of wonder at God's amazing grace, and neither should we.

Mike Gowens' 11/27/22 message looks at Psalm 32:1-2. Taking his cue from a line in the hymn "Rock of Ages" by Augustus M. Toplady, Elder Gowens explores the theological need in the sinner for both justifying and sanctifying grace. Christ's precious blood is effectual to remit both legal guilt and the cleanse from personal corruption.

In this 11/6/22 message, Elder Mike Gowens considers Paul's message to Felix (Acts 24:24-27), the Roman procurator that had jurisdiction over his case. Paul, though respectful, does not patronize the governor. He reasons of "righteousness, temperance and judgment to come." This episode is an example of an occasion in which those whose principal business is to proclaim the comfort of the gospel must also be prepared to speak as God's appointed moral authority in this world.

In this 10/30/22 sermon, Elder Gowens considers Luke 10:17-24. When the seventy returned from a successful ministry outing, Jesus taught them the true source of the preacher's joy. Happiness in the life of a gospel minister, and in every believer's life, does not derive from gifts or ministry successes, but in the sovereign grace of God.

This 10/23/22 message by Mike Gowens looks at Luke 10, the account of Jesus sending the seventy out to minister in His name. Although this early commission is not a parallel in every respect to New Testament gospel ministry, yet it lays out a number of important principles from which we can learn.

Elder Gowens concludes his exposition of Hebrews with this 10/16/22 sermon from Hebrews 13:20-21. The apostle's benediction is marvelously inclusive, containing both the doctrinal and practical emphases he has developed throughout this sublime epistle. This is message #52 in the series.

This 10/2/22 sermon by Michael Gowens considers Hebrews 13:1-14, the concluding chapter in the epistle to the Hebrews. The chapter is a classic example of paranesis, an ancient rhetorical device containing a series of apparently disconnected imperatives once the main point has been developed. The glue that holds together these seemingly random admonitions, however, is verse 14: "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one that is to come." Such a pilgrim perspective provides the grid for loving others, practicing moral purity and being content with God's provision. This is message #51 in the Hebrews study.

On 10/9/22, our guest minister was Elder E. W. Hooven. This expository commentary on Colossians 1 develops the contrast between the Gnostics, a heretical influence within the early church teaching that they had knowledge higher than God's special revelation in scripture, and the apostolic gospel concerning the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. There is no higher knowledge than Jesus Christ and him crucified.

We were privileged to welcome Elder Martin Onyoni, pastor of First Primitive Baptist Church in Kisii, Kenya, on September 20, 2022. He delivered an excellent doctrinal sermon on the two laws in Romans 8:1-2. Though the law of sin and death brought the entire human family under bondage, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus liberates the family of God.

In message #50 from the study in Hebrews, Brother Gowens considers the 5th and final "warning passage" in the epistle to the Hebrews. The textual basis of this sermon is Hebrews 12:25-29. This passage concludes the main teaching portion of the epistle by returning to the theme with which the letter begins, i.e. God's full and final revelation of himself in Christ. And it calls us to respond to His word with reverence, for the world as we know it will not last forever. Only the kingdom of God is permanent.

The 9/25/22 sermon by Michael Gowens looks at Hebrews 12:18-24, one of the most surprising passages in the New Testament. The context indicates that the subject under consideration is "public worship with the church." The language employed, however, is far from anything merely routine, ordinary or earthly. The apostle teaches that corporate worship is literally a taste of heaven. If we ever truly understand what this passage teaches, it will revolutionize the way we view worship. This is message #49 in the Hebrews series.

Elder Gowens' 9/18/22 message looks at Hebrews 12:12-17, and the importance of maintaining a collective, not an individualistic, mindset in the life of discipleship. We were redeemed for community, that is, for the church. Personal Christian maturity is displayed in a focus on serving others and laboring for the well-being of the church. This is message #48 in the Exposition of Hebrews.

The 9/4/22 message by Elder Gowens considers Hebrews 12:4-17. Divine chastening does not always mean correction for sinful conduct or attitudes. In fact, the word padeia (the basis of our word "pediatrics") refers to child-training and child-development. The believer needs the big-picture perspective of the Father's child-training program when facing the trials of life. God works to sanctify His children so that they might develop in holiness. This is message #47 in the Hebrews study.