Pastor Ben Dixon

Every generation has experienced some sort of tension around political issues and there is no doubt that we are currently experiencing this in our times as well. Christians debate over how much and what kind of political engagement we ought to have as we follow Jesus and His Word faithfully. In the midst of answering the, “what do we do about this” question, we must reflect on the role of prayer as a means to influence political outcomes that allow for the mission of Jesus to flourish. Some people think that prayer is a passive cop-out in the face of political tension but what does the Bible say about this? What should the prayerful posture of the Church look like as we engage political realities in our current times? In our passage today, we will explore the truths that the Apostle Paul told Timothy who was facing difficult situations as he pastored the church in the city of Ephesus.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-7  

Series: Jesus & Politics

For more information visit ww.bendixon.org

Politics are important, but what’s more important is that OUR TRUST is fully and completely in the Lord no matter what. In this message, Pastor Ben explores what it means to truly trust God in politically difficult times.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Prov. 3:5-6; 1 Peter 5:6-11; John 14:1

Series: Jesus & Politics

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"On mission with Jesus to see the lost saved and disciples made."

Modern politics are clearly one of the most polarizing topics we could be discussing today. Everywhere we turn, we see our country and world swept up in debates, narratives, and controversy. This clearly shows us that people have very different views. Democrats and Republicans have become more divided in the last 40 years and it has caused a polarity that is sometimes even seen and felt in the Church. As Christians, we cannot allow the political agendas of the world to persuade us into beliefs and behaviors that are contradictory to the way of Jesus. We must think Biblically about politics and always have a Christ-centered lens because we are disciples of Jesus, not of our culture. This means that our way forward is not about choosing a side to follow because we have already chosen a King to serve.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Matthew 16:6, Mark 8:15, Mark 12:13-17, Psalm 146:3

Series: Jesus & Politics

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

According to Pew Research, 65% of Americans say they ‘always’ or ‘often’ feel exhausted when thinking about politics. I think that statistic is fair and probably how most of us feel when the subject is brought up. In fact, I am sure that some of us have given up when it comes to politics which has probably only made things worse. Today, as we open our series on Jesus & Politics, I want to help answer the question of what politics are and why it should matter, especially for Christians.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-2, Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 22:37-40, Jeremiah 29:4-7, Romans 13:1-7

Series: Jesus & Politics

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

Everyone has friends and family members who either walked away from Jesus or never fully surrendered their heart to Him even though they had opportunities to do so. This reality is heart wrenching and difficult for all of us, and I am sure that we would do anything we could to see our loved ones come back to Jesus. None of us are alone in this; in fact, James closes his letter with a few words about the importance of seeking to restore the prodigals in our life. As we study these verses and close the book of James, may God breathe fresh love and vision to reach and rescue those who have lost their way.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: James 5:19-20

Series: The Book of James: Authentic Faith

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

Have you ever prayed and wondered why your prayers weren’t being answered? There are many things that come into our minds when prayers go unanswered. Maybe God didn’t hear me? Maybe I don’t have enough faith? Maybe I am doing something wrong, and I just don’t know what that is? The Bible doesn’t answer every question that may come into our minds, but it does give us some answers as to why prayer doesn’t always work. In our passage today, James tells us what prayer can do when it’s done the right way for the right reason.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: James 5:16-18, 1 Peter 3:7, 1 John 5:14-15, Matthew 7:7-11

Series: The Book of James: Authentic Faith

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

Every season of life carries both burdens and blessings. We need to remember that when we have difficult days, God doesn’t stand on the sidelines of our life and wait for us to figure things out. He already had these days in mind when He inspired the writers of Scripture to give us what we need for the times we will need it. In our passage today, James gives practical steps for several scenarios that we will find ourselves in as life unfolds. None of us have to stay stuck where we are; we can take steps and receive all that God promises as we look to Him for the wisdom we need.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: James 5:13-18, Psalm 34:1, Acts 16:25, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 32:3-7

Series: The Book of James: Authentic Faith

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

Suffering is part of the human experience and all of us will deal with it in one way or another. Yeah, you heard me right, there is no way out of some suffering in our life. But what if I told you that there is a way to walk through your suffering that shows what you believe, who you trust and can serve as an example for those that are watching your life? Would that change how you suffer? I am sure it would. In our passage today, James speaks directly to first-century Christians who have suffered the loss of wages, jobs, righteous rulings in court, and other forms of discrimination for being poor, Jewish, and Christian. As a result of this, James gives some clarity on how to handle suffering when you can’t change your reality.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Series: The Book of James: Authentic Faith

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

When we talk about “the rich” who comes to your mind? Is it Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Bill Gates (Microsoft), or maybe Elon Musk (Tesla and SpaceX)? While these people are certainly the most rich today, did you know that most Americans have more and live better than 94 percent of the rest of the world? I think it’s fair to say that the Biblical writers would have considered most of us to be rich just because of the world that they came from. This means that every warning and command concerning the rich and wealthy is applicable for all of us today. Something that we will learn from our passage is that being rich in this world is not necessarily the blessing that we often think that it is. In fact, James pronounces a very serious judgment upon those who are rich which serves as a warning for us in just how deceitful riches can be if we are not surrendered to Jesus and intentional with all that we have.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: James 5:1-6, 1 Timothy 6:9-10

Series: The Book of James: Authentic Faith

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

Everyone has dreams, hopes, and aspirations that they want to see fulfilled in their life. These dreams are often the causation for how we plan out what our life will look like. All of this may not be wrong in and of itself, but the question we must answer is, “Where is God in all of my plans?” Does our plan for our life factor in God’s plan for our life? Have we even considered if how we are living or what we are planning is what He wants, or do we persist with what we want for various reasons? In our passage today, James confronts the kind of thinking that causes people to speak and act without considering God’s will first and foremost. This kind of thinking can easily slip in if we are not careful, but we know that God has so much more for us as we pause and consider what He wants instead of just what we want.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Series: The Book of James: Authentic Faith

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org