Pastor Ben Dixon

Have you ever heard someone say, “you should be in ministry!” When a comment like this is made it is almost always referring to someone being a pastor or church leader of some kind. Is that what ministry means? The simple answer is NO. The word ministry in the Christian context simply refers to someone serving others in the name of Jesus. That means that every Christian is in ministry and every Christian is a minister. Ministry is not what we do in the church, it’s what we do as the church. In our passage today, we will read about a few of the Apostle Paul’s friends that engaged in ministry by serving others well.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Series: Philippians: Joy From a Jail Cell

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

In the Bible, Jesus is described as the light of the world (John 8:12). But Jesus also taught that His followers would be the light in this world (Matthew 5:14-16). For Christians, this means that we are called to show the character of Jesus and share the words of Jesus which is in direct contrast to the backdrop of the world. If we are the light of Christ, then a good question might be – “How bright is your light?” Are you shining the love and life of Jesus or has your light grown dim? In our passage today, the Apostle Paul calls the church to shine bright in a dark world as he highlights a few things that have the power to determine the brightness of our light.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-18

Series: Philippians: Joy From a Jail Cell

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

When we become Christians, the Bible says that we are born again (John 3:3). This is more than just a good analogy, it means that we are immersed into a whole new life with a new heart, new mind, and a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Although God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), we still have to grow into spiritual maturity. In theological terms, this process of spiritual growth is referred to as “sanctification.” As Christians we are growing in knowledge, grace, discernment, wisdom, love, and faith (2 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Corinthians 10:15). Our growth in Christ will never end in this life, which means that wherever we are right now is not the end of the road because there is always more. In our passage today, the Apostle Paul encourages the church at Philippi by reminding them that our maturity in Christ starts with God but requires our participation as well.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Series: Stand Alone Series

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

In the world we live in, we as christians are called to live in a way the differs from the culture. Paul models characteristics that differ from past and present culture. As we live in courage, compassion, and consideration, we gain eyes for those who are lost, and receive vision for those that are in need of God's touch, and ultimately activates us to live out our faith publicly.

Speaker: Pastor Steve Mickel

Scripture: Isaiah 43:19, Acts 21:13, Acts 27:21-26, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Acts 22:1

Series: Stand Alone Messages

Northwest Church - www.nwcfoursquare.org

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

Do Christians struggle with being selfish? Of course we do! Even though Jesus has shown us the way of sacrificial love and selflessness, we can still be self-centered and self-focused if we allow ourselves to live by the flesh. If we are truly going to follow Jesus in the way that we live, it will require that we acknowledge selfish tendencies and make selfless choices in both the big and small things in our lives. In our passage today, Paul speaks about denying our internal selfish motives in order to choose a selfless way which is best seen in the life of Jesus Christ.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Series: Philippians: Joy From a Jail Cell

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

What does it mean to be a faithful Christian? What does that really look like in our world today? The Apostle Paul not only spoke about this specifically, but he embodied it by the way he lived. In the final verses of Philippians chapter 1, Paul exhorted the church to live consistently, unified and fearless, no matter what came against them. All these exhortations remain true for us today as we seek to follow Jesus faithfully.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Series: Philippians: Joy from a Jail Ceil

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

How do we experience freedom from the power and weight of our problems? Our problems are heavy, but they do not have to consistently weigh us down. The apostle Paul walked through many tribulations, yet found joy and freedom in the midst of it. What did he have? what changed? In Christ we can experience more that what the world can give us but we must keep our eyes of Jesus.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26

Series: Philippians: Joy From a Jail Cell

Northwest Church - www.nwcfoursquare.org

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

It can be easy to feel like we aren’t growing, things aren’t changing, and God isn’t doing much in our lives. There are many reasons for why we feel this way, but a lot of it has to do with how we think. The problem we often have is that the process God uses for our development is not as fast or as clear as we would like it to be. But here is the truth: God is at work in our lives right now (Philippians 2:13) and we can be sure that He will finish what He started. In our passage today, we will be encouraged as the Apostle Paul shares his prayerful confidence with the church in Philippi that God is a finisher!

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Series: Philippians: Joy From a Jail Cell

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

The book of Philippians is widely known for a handful of famous passages and its practical encouragement. However, what else do we know about this letter? Who wrote it? Why did they write it? Who was it written to? Do the answers to these questions help us understand and live out what is found in this text? Of course! Today we will explore the context of the book of Philippians and discuss some specific titles that are mentioned in the first few verses. I pray that this simple overview will help us to not overlook details that matter as we seek to understand and follow what Scripture teaches.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-2

Series: Joy in a Jail Cell

Northwest Church - www.nwcfoursquare.org

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

New year, New you? Life transformation begins with Jesus. We are commanded to be transformed through the renewal of our mind. This process requires evaluation of the past, envisioning where we need to go, and implementation of a plan.

Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 139:23-24, Ephesians 2:10, Luke 14:27-30

Series: Stand Alone

For more information visit www.BenDixon.org