Pastor Ben Dixon

20200809 - Pressing in Through Fasting and Prayer

All throughout Scripture we read about times in history where God’s people united together in prayer and fasting. We believe that this is such a time in 2020, so we are calling the body of Christ to press into God through prayer fasting during the month of August. As we seek God together in this way we expect that He will speak to us and move powerfully in our hearts and homes (Hebrews 11:6). If NWC is your church home we are asking you and your families to participate in this fast, and we encourage you to prepare your heart for how you will seek God during this time.

Running From God - Part of the "Jonah - Runnning From the Heart of God" series.

What comes to mind when you consider the familiar stories from the book of Jonah? Have you ever considered what its message is to the church in these current times? Today, Pastor Ben takes us to a great place to find answers. Let’s see what Jesus has to say about Jonah that helps us understand its implications in our world.

1 - 20200722 - My Prophetic Journey - from Pastor Ben's book "Prophesy"

Pastor Ben shares chapter 1 from his book "Prophesy."

Jonah - Running from the Heart of God

As we study chapter 4 today, we come full circle and realize that this book is not just about the repentance of the people who are preached to, but rather the prophet who does the preaching. Unlike any other prophetic book, we get a window into the soul of a person who is nothing like the God that he serves. As we will see today, Jonah was not merely running from the call of God, but he was running from the heart of God.

Jonah - A Message and a Messenger

One of the great lessons of Jonah’s failure and forgiveness is that God can continue to use those who return to Him. Thankfully, we know that God gives second chances to each one of us. Just like Jonah, throughout history, many spiritual leaders received a second chance to do what God had called them to do. Adam sinned in the garden, and God covered him. Moses murdered a man, and God called him. Elijah quit and complained then God re-commissioned him. Peter denied the Lord, and then at Pentecost God still used him. John Mark deserted the mission team at Pamphylia, yet God moved upon him to write the second Gospel.

Jonah - Refinement in Confinement

God’s goal for each one of us is to walk with Him closely and to be a part of His plan in this world. However, like Jonah we can often run from, resist, and rebel against what God wants to do. That doesn’t always look the same, and many of us have even learned how to hide the reality of our running. However, God is committed to pursuing us, and even disciplining our lives if need be, in order to turn us around and get us back on track.

Jonah - It's Not Too Late

We can all relate to aspects of what we have seen in Jonah’s life. Here is the best part of all of this—God is not finished with Jonah, and He is not finished with us. It’s not too late! As the story of Jonah continues to unfold we see the mercy of our God in the midst of it all. This is the hope that we have—not that we are perfect or that we have done everything right but that God can give us another chance to turn things around. Aren’t you grateful for the mercy of God in your life?

Jonah - Asleep in the Storm

Today we are able to see what happens when a person runs from God in their disobedience. The fact is, our choices affect not only our own lives but that of everyone around us. However, the longer we remain in a posture of disobedience, the more we forfeit our ability to love, help, and serve others. There will always be consequences to our sin, and before our hearts become hard we must surrender our lives to God and turn around before the damage becomes too much for us and everyone else.

Running From God - Part of the Jonah "Running from the Heart of God" series

Jesus didn’t think that Jonah was a mythical person. In fact, Jesus used the account of Jonah as a comparison when He predicted the three-day unfolding of His death, burial, and resurrection.

A light in the darkness

Pastor Ben shares a special Christmas message - that JESUS is the promised light in our darkness.