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.