Bethany Primitive Baptist Church

Living for Something Larger Than Yourself

Administrator — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:00:28 +0000

Ours is a generation that glorifies self. But Elder Gowens opens the scripture to show that fulfillment comes from going beyond self. Selfishness is the essence of sin. In contrast is the sacrificial love epitomized by Christ. Biblical love is not an emotion but a commitment to live for others, as Christ gave Himself for us.

In 1 Samuel 17:28-29, David’s brother accuses him of self-interest in coming to see the battle. But David does not have self in mind. He asks, “Is there not a cause?” Scriptures provide the child of God with worthy causes beyond self for which to live. Marriage is one, family another. But the greatest is Christ and His church. The Bible exhorts us to pray, to suffer, and to endure for the cause of Christ and His kingdom, “for the which cause we faint not.”

Elder Gowens ably shows the scripture to teach that perseverance is not a decree but a discipline.

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_11_Sun-AM-Gowens.mp3)

A Psalm of Humility: Elder Ronald Lawrence

Administrator — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:00:01 +0000

Elder Ronald Lawrence reads Psalm 131, one of the Psalms of Degrees that accompanied the Jewish pilgrimages to Jerusalem for occasions of worship. Psalm 131 is a psalm of humility penned by David. David was a man after God’s own heart. He he had much of which he could have boasted. He was anointed to be king, chosen over all his brothers. He was gifted with many talents: music, strength, and agility not the least. He killed a lion and a bear with only his hands. He killed Goliath with a sling and one stone. Yet David was a humble man, and credited the Lord for all these things. This was the mind of Christ, which should also be found in us.

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_10_Sat-PM-Lawrence.mp3)

Reconciled in Christ, Justified by Faith: Elder Marty Smith

Administrator — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:30:54 +0000

Elder Marty Smith exposits Colossians 1:19-29, two sentences with two very different boundaries: eternal and temporal. Verses 19 and 20 make the very simple but profound point that it pleased God to reconcile us to Him in the person of Christ, and that the blood of the cross made that a finished work. Verses 21-29 speak to our justification by faith as we go through this life on earth. Verse 21 sets the context as “in your mind.”

The dual aspects of justification, the eternal and the vital, have their parallel in the scriptural teaching of sonship in John 1:12: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name….” As justification by faith is a timely deliverance worked out in our own thoughts and actions, so our belief and profession bring timely empowerment as we come to realize the richness of our adopted birthright.

The day-to-day realization of eternal truths brings us much joy as we go through this life. As our joy and thanksgiving works its way outward, others see it and God gets the glory.

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_09_Sat-PM-Smith.mp3)

Blessed Because of Others: Elder Michael Gowens

Administrator — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:30:05 +0000

Elder Gowens turns to 1 Corinthians 7:14 to extract the principle that God gives blessings to some because of the obedience of others. Indeed, the essence of the gospel message is that sinners were blessed because of Christ’s obedience, and despite their unworthiness. God also grants blessings directly to His obedient children. The application of these truths should bring humility as we see our greatest blessings are undeserved: the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal salvation. We are also encouraged to press onward in obedience for the sake of others in our lives, and for the blessings of gospel salvation from day to day.

We can also find examples of those in scripture who were blessed simply because they were in the proximity of others who were being blessed. Elder Gowens notes in this truth a good motivation to attend church!

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_08_Sat-AM-Gowens.mp3)

Marveling at Christ: Elder Ronald Lawrence

Administrator — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:00:30 +0000

Psalm 98 opens by declaring of the Lord that “he hath done marvelous things.” The psalms often invoke marvel in contemplation of God. The gospels also record the marvel of many who came into contact with the Lord Jesus Christ: the Jews, Simeon, Mary, Joseph, the Samaritan woman, Pilate–all marveled at the man. They marveled at how He spoke and to whom He spoke; when He spoke and when He did not speak; when He was living and when He was dead. All who beheld Him marveled at everything He did. Elder Lawrence shows in a stirring message just how great a marvel is Jesus Christ.

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_07_Sat-AM-Lawrence.mp3)

The Gospel: Elder Ronald Lawrence

Administrator — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:30:42 +0000

In Matthew 11, Jesus sends an encouraging message to John the Baptist in prison. Among the many other notable miracles signifying that Christ was indeed the Messiah was this one: “the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Elder Lawrence shows that the preaching of the gospel remains a miracle to this day. The gospel message is the good news that God reigns, and it comes to life when the written words are spoken by a called man of God. The gospel message prepares us for warfare, and imparts comfort and peace also.

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_06_Fri-PM-Lawrence.mp3)

Christ Our Witness, Leader, and Commander: Elder Marty Smith

Administrator — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:00:13 +0000

Elder Marty Smith turns to Isaiah 55:4 and discovers a prophetic vision of Jesus Christ as “a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” He finds the vision addressed to a people hungry and thirsty, but without money to buy (Isa 55:1). Such is the case with all God’s children who recognize their need of Him. Christ was the ultimate witness: to the veracity and completeness of scripture; to the authenticity and centrality of His church; and to God’s providential care and daily grace. He was also both leader and commander. As a leader, He set the example, showing us how to live as a servant to others.

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_05_Fri-PM-Smith.mp3)

Developing Christian Character: Elder Michael Gowens

Administrator — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:00:47 +0000

Expounding on Galations 5:22, Elder Gowens explores the formation of character in God’s children. He shows that character starts in the distinct personal tendencies with which we are born. Upon these, several forces act. Our sinful nature; the influences of friends, family and peers; life experiences: all of these help shape character. But most encouraging to the child of God is the final facet of character: God’s Spirit, aiding the struggle against the flesh and the things of the world.

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_04_Fri-PM-Gowens.mp3)

Godly Anger: Elder Ronald Lawrence

Administrator — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:30:32 +0000

We are all too familiar with the emotion of anger rooted in our human nature. Man’s anger does not work the righteousness of God, and usually ends in trouble or negative consequences.

In contrast, when God is angry, His response is always appropriate. Elder Lawrence opens the scriptures to examine the differences between man’s anger and God’s.

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_03_Fri-PM-Lawrence.mp3)

Coming to Christ: Elder Ronald Lawrence

Administrator — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:30:14 +0000

Jesus exhorted His disciples in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Yet elsewhere Christ said, “ye will not come,” and “ye cannot come.” Christ also said, “no man can come” unless the Father draws him, and “all the Father giveth me shall come.” How are these tensions resolved? What groups or types of people are the subjects of these verses?

Elder Lawrence divides these scriptures by examining what it means to come to Christ. He examines the reaction of men to this invitation during the ministry of Jesus, bringing out the examples of Peter, Nicodemus, a rich young ruler, and even Judas, whose coming was of a different sort. Elder Lawrence concludes by reminding us that Christ will one day Himself come again as a King in His glory, saying “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Download or click below to play immediately.

Download audio file (Bethany-Spring-08_02_Fri-AM-Lawrence.mp3)