First Bentonville Podcast

In "Lies, Temptation, and Struggles," Pastor Chris Dixon explores the first three pieces of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10–18. Through the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and shoes of the gospel of peace, we discover how God's Word protects us from deception, how obedience guards our hearts against compromise, and how the peace of Christ gives us the stability to stand firm. Spiritual victory isn't about living in fear of the enemy, but trusting God's truth, pursuing righteousness, and depending on His strength through life's challenges.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–18 Series: Stand Firm | The Unseen Battle Message: Lies, Temptation, and Struggles Speaker: Pastor Chris Dixon Date: November 1, 2026

How do you stand firm when life feels like a constant battle?

Spiritual warfare is real, but God never intended for us to live overwhelmed by fear, conflict, or the enemy's schemes. He's given us everything we need to stand firm through the power of Jesus Christ.

In this message from Ephesians 6:10–14, Pastor Chris Dixon continues our Stand Firm series by exploring the reality of spiritual opposition, why our greatest struggles aren't ultimately against people, and how we can remain faithful in the middle of life's battles.

Discover why spiritual victory begins with dependence on God rather than confidence in ourselves. Learn how to recognize deception, resist temptation, and rely on the truth of God's Word, the armor of God, and prayer to remain faithful through every challenge.

Standing firm isn't about becoming consumed with the battle. It's about keeping our focus on the One who has already overcome it.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–14 Series: Stand Firm | The Unseen Battle Message: Too Focused to Fold Speaker: Pastor Chris Dixon Date: October 25, 2026

How does Satan deceive us, and how can we stand firm against his schemes?

Spiritual warfare is real, but the Bible doesn't teach us to live in fear of the devil. It teaches us to stand firm in the strength of Jesus Christ.

In this message from Ephesians 6:10–11, Pastor Chris Dixon kicks off our Stand Firm series by examining the reality of spiritual warfare, how the enemy uses deception, and why our greatest battles often begin in our thoughts, desires, and everyday choices.

Discover how to recognize spiritual deception, take responsibility for your choices, and rely on God's strength rather than your own. Because standing firm isn't about becoming obsessed with the enemy. It's about keeping your eyes on Jesus.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–11 Series: Stand Firm | The Unseen Battle Message: Don't Get Played Speaker: Pastor Chris Dixon Date: October 18, 2026

Does your faith change the way you work? In Ephesians 6:5–9, Pastor Chris challenges us to rethink who we're really working for and why our daily work matters to God. Whether you're an employee, employer, or leader, your attitude, integrity, and treatment of others reveal who you're ultimately serving.

Discover why your workplace is more than a place to earn a paycheck—it's an opportunity to honor Christ, serve others, and make your faith visible in everyday life. Because following Jesus doesn't stop when you leave church on Sunday. It changes how you live on Monday.

Family 101 | Wk 1 Pastor Chris Dixon

"Jesus At Home"

This week's message, "Jesus At Home" (Ephesians 6:1–4), challenged us to remember that it's often easiest to look like a Christ-follower at church, but home is where our faith is truly tested and formed. We talked about the difference between obedience (what we do) and honor (how we do it), and how God calls families to live under Christ's authority—not simply parental control. Christian parenting is about formation, not compliance: correcting behavior without attacking identity, disciplining with calm instruction, apologizing when wrong, and intentionally noticing what's right. The goal is a home where both generations are learning submission to Jesus in ordinary, everyday moments.

Marriage 101 | Week Two Pastor Chris Dixon

"The Power of Love"

What does it look like to truly love your spouse the way Jesus loves? In Ephesians 5:25–33, we see that Christlike love is sacrificial, personal, and covenantal—a love that serves, protects, nourishes, pursues, and seeks the spiritual good of another person. Biblical marriage isn't a competition to see whose needs get met first; it's two people learning to love the way Jesus loves. Ultimately, our marriages are meant to point beyond themselves and show the world something about Christ.

Marriage 101 | Week One Pastor Chris Dixon "Stop Keeping Score" A healthy marriage isn't built on keeping score, winning arguments, or trying to control one another. In Ephesians 5, Paul points husbands and wives toward something greater: surrendering themselves to Christ and allowing Him to shape the way they love, serve, sacrifice, forgive, and lead. In this message, we unpack biblical submission, sacrificial love, and why the goal of a Christ-centered marriage isn't control—it's becoming more like Jesus.

Walk This Way | week Ten Pastor Chris Dixon "Walking In Fullness" In Ephesians 5:18–21, Paul calls us to "walk wisely" by refusing anything that controls us outside God's will and instead being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. What controls us shapes our life and relationships—so we must keep yielding areas like pride, anger, lust, bitterness, and selfishness to God's leadership. A Spirit-filled life produces visible fruit: different speech that builds others up, sincere worship, consistent gratitude, and humble submission to one another out of reverence for Christ. When the Spirit is in charge, God works through us to accomplish what we cannot do on our own.

Walk This Way | Week Nine Pastor Chris Dixon

"WAKE UP & WISE UP"

In "Wake Up & Wise Up" (Ephesians 5:11–17), Paul calls us to be intentional and reflective about how we live—awake, not careless or spiritually asleep. We're invited to walk in the light by letting God's Word guide our steps, and to refuse partnership with darkness by honestly exposing sin rather than hiding it. Sin always over-promises and under-delivers, but Christ shines light that brings life, clarity, and freedom. The passage urges us to redeem the time and seek God's will through Scripture, relying on the Spirit and trusted believers to help us live wisely.

Walk This Way | Week Eight Pastor Chris Dixon

"Walk As Light"

In Ephesians 5:3–10, we're reminded that believers were once defined by darkness, but now are Light in the Lord—so our lives should have a new direction. Sin (especially sexual sin, impurity, greed, and corrupt speech) isn't just "breaking rules," but reveals what we worship and what governs our desires. Grace is not permission to stay in darkness; it's rescue and transfer into Christ's kingdom, where new "fruit of the light" begins to grow. The daily question becomes: Does this please Jesus?—as we examine and test what is genuine and align our lives with His heart.