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Katy Reed-HodgesFebruary 2, 2026 True ConfessionPsalm 51 True ConfessionRe-CreationGod's Hessed Love “To confess your sins to God is not to tell God anything God doesn't already know. Until you confess them, however, they are the abyss between you. When you confess them, they become the Golden Gate Bridge.” -  Frederick Buechner

Dennis R. Wiles  First Baptist Arlington  January 25, 2026    2026: Flourishing Together:  Transformed on The Jesus Way  Romans 12:1-2 (Gospel Guide: John)    WINTER 2026: Designed to Flourish  January 1 – February 17, 2026  Psalm 92:12-15    Pathway to Purpose  Exodus 3-4    Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way    Theme for Winter 2026:  Designed to Flourish    CALL OF GOD – Moses answered the call of God, and he discovered the pathway to purposeful living.    MOTIVATION – At the heart of the human existence is a desire for purpose and meaning.    Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.   – Viktor Frankl    The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.   – Mark Twain    That need is for meaning. In trying to solve the fertility puzzle, thinkers have cited people’s concerns over finances, climate change, political instability, or even potential war. But in listening closely to people’s stories, I’ve detected a broader thread of uncertainty—about the value of life and a reason for being. Many in the current generation of young adults don’t seem totally convinced of their own purpose or the purpose of humanity at large, let alone that of a child. It may be that for many people, absent a clear sense of meaning, the perceived challenges of having children outweigh any subsidy the government might offer.  -Christine Emba, The Atlantic    INVITATION – God is at work in His world, and He invites us to join Him in His purposeful endeavor.    The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.  -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life    REALIZATION – One key in discovering our pathway to purpose is to realize that God equips us for His Kingdom endeavors. REVELATION – The journey into a purposeful and meaningful life is dependent upon the continued revelation of God’s will in our lives.

Dennis R. Wiles  First Baptist Arlington  January 18, 2026    2026: Flourishing Together:  Transformed on The Jesus Way  Romans 12:1-2 (Gospel Guide: John)    WINTER 2026: Designed to Flourish  January 1 – February 17, 2026  Psalm 92:12-15    Radical Obedience  Genesis 22:1-18    Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way    Theme for Winter 2026:  Designed to Flourish  TREK: Abraham’s life with God was a long journey characterized by calling, connection, and commitment.     TEST: The story of Abraham and Isaac begins with God’s plan to test Abraham’s faith.    The test, instead of breaking him, brings him to the summit of his lifelong walk with God.  -Derek Kidner, Genesis     In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  -1 Peter 1:6-7    TRUST: Abraham learned to trust God completely.    Faith has to do with marrying Invisible and Visible. When we engage in an act of faith we give up control, we give up sensory (sight, hearing, etc.) confirmation of reality; we give up insisting on head-knowledge as our primary means of orientation in life. The positive way to say this is that when we engage in an act of faith we choose to deal with a living God whom we trust to know what he is doing, we choose a way of life in which bodily senses and physical matter are understood as inseparable and organic to vast interiorities (soul) and immense beyond (heaven), and we choose to no longer operate strictly on the basis of hard-earned knowledge, glorious as it is, but over a lifetime to embrace the mystery that must dazzle gradually/ Or every man go blind.  -Eugene Peterson, The Jesus Way     For we live by faith, not by sight.  -2 Corinthians 5:7    When our life is illogical, we must become theological.  -Skip Heitzig    By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.  -Hebrews 11:17-19    TRUTH: God demonstrated that He could be trusted, and He provided a sacrifice in the place of Isaac.    TRACE: In this story, we recognize that it points to a greater sacrifice in Jerusalem (Mt. Moriah) that culminates in the redemption of humanity!

Dennis R. Wiles  First Baptist Arlington  January 11, 2026    2026: Flourishing Together:  Transformed on The Jesus Way  Romans 12:1-2 (Gospel Guide: John)    WINTER 2026: Designed to Flourish  January 1 – February 17, 2026  Psalm 92:12-15    The Path of Life  Psalm 16    Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way    Theme for Winter 2026:  Designed to Flourish    FORMATION: All human beings are being formed and shaped! The process of formation is inevitable in all human experience. The question is, “Who – or What – is forming you?”     FORMED, INFORMED, CONFORMED, TRANSFORMED: These concepts are all inter-related    With the rise of social media empires and their spooky digital algorithms, these powerful forces now have direct access to our flows of consciousness every time we slide our thumbs across our phones. What we are led to believe are just ads, news links, retweets, and random digital flotsam are, in reality, mass behavior modification techniques intentionally designed to influence how we think, feel, believe, shop, vote, and live. To quote the tech philosopher Jaron Lanier, “What might once have been called advertising must now be understood as continuous behavior modification on a titanic scale.” The “world” (as it’s called in the New Testament) is forming us, constantly.  -John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way    INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP: This phrase captures what we often refer to as spiritual formation.  PERSON: For Christians, our spiritual formation (intentional discipleship) is centered on the PERSON of JESUS CHRIST!    A Disciple: A person being formed by Jesus as they follow Him in accomplishing His mission.     The Church is a purposeful community of gathered believers following The Jesus Way together in the fulfillment of His mission.    PATH OF LIFE: God has provided a path for His people that leads to life – abundant life, meaningful life, purposeful life, ------ eternal life!    “Way” is a stock metaphor in both our Scriptures and the traditions that have developed from them. At the entrance to our prayer book, the Psalms, the opening meditation uses this metaphor to set two ways of life before us. Will you live a solid life of prayer, listening to and answering God, rooted in the soil of God’s revelation, your life growing like God’s Torah, a tree with fruit-laden branches? Or will you live an insubstantial life of chatter and gossip, using words without God-context, oblivious of God, your life reduced to a pile of incoherent syllables, leaves blown every which way by the wind? Choose your way.  -Eugene H. Peterson, The Jesus Way    Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.  -Proverbs 10:17    I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  -Jesus (John 14:6)    Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.  -Genesis 18:18-19    PROCESS FOR FLOURISHING: God has revealed a process that leads us to a life that flourishes. The journey towards flourishing includes these three vital steps:  -Knowing God   -Experiencing God -   -Serving God    KNOWING GOD:  We must be saved from our sins!    EXPERIENCING GOD:  We need to be shepherded into community.  We need to be shepherded past our past.  We need to be shepherded through the challenges of life.    We need to be shaped into disciples.    SERVING GOD:  We need to be sent into purposeful places of service and ministry.    PERSPECTIVE: As we follow Jesus and we are formed into disciples, God provides us with a new, profound, meaningful, and eternal perspective.    Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.  -Ecclesiastes 12:13

Dennis R. Wiles  First Baptist Arlington  January 4, 2026    2026: Flourishing Together:  Transformed on The Jesus Way  Romans 12:1-2 (Gospel Guide: John)    WINTER 2026: Designed to Flourish  January 1 – February 17, 2026  Psalm 92:12-15    Designed to Flourish!  Psalm 92:12-15    Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way    Theme for Winter 2026:  Designed to Flourish  God’s first words to human beings: Be fruitful!     FLOURISH: This Hebrew word (parach) is used 36 times in the Old Testament. It means to “break forth as a bud” – to “bloom” – “to blossom” – to “break forth in life” – and it is consistently connected to the truth that God and God alone initiates and sustains true life.    God has designed us to flourish in every season of life!    Six Domains of Human Flourishing  Happiness and Life Satisfaction Mental and Physical Health Meaning and Purpose Character and Virtue Close Social Relationships Material and Financial Stability PATH TO FLOURISHING: We cannot choose any path and expect to flourish the way God has designed us to flourish.    There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.  -Proverbs 14:12    You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  -Psalm 16:11    For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  -Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14)    I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  -Jesus (John 14:6)     PROCESS FOR FLOURISHING: God has revealed a process that leads us to a life that flourishes. The journey towards flourishing includes these three vital steps:  -Knowing God  -Experiencing God  -Serving God    PROVISION FOR FLOURISHING: God has not left us alone to find our way. He is the Divine Gardener Who provides for us in every season of life.    I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  -Jesus (John 15:1)    But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.  -Jesus (John 16:13)    If you remain in me and my words remain in you, as whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  -Jesus (John 15:7)    www.fbca.org/Biblereadings

 Dennis R. Wiles   First Baptist Arlington  December 28, 2025  Flourishing Together  First Baptist Arlington  2025 – 2030  2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)    ADVENT 2025: The King!  November 30 – December 31, 2025    Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.  Matthew 2:2    Go Now!  Matthew 9:35-38    Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ    Theme for Advent 2025: The King!  K --- December 7: Born The King, Ne’er a Prince!   I ---- December 14: Identity Gift   N --- December 21: Now and Not Yet!  G --- December 28: Go Now!        MODEL: The ministry of Jesus was characterized by going, teaching, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing the sick.    MOTIVATION: People need the Lord!    MANDATE: Pray to the Lord of the Harvest for workers to be sent into the fields!    9:38 PRAYER – I’ll be praying each Monday and Saturday at 9:38 for workers to be sent into the harvest.    MISSION: Pray! Go! Send! Allow God to use you to BLESS others! You can be the chaplain of your neighborhood, your family, your workplace, your school, your friend group, your child’s classroom, your networks, etc.    We all have primary gifts that God uses in the Harvest:  PRAY – We must all pray!  PREPARE – Some of us are gifted at cultivation.  PLANT – Some of us are more gifted at sowing the seeds of the Gospel.  PRODUCE – Some of us are more gifted at gathering the produce of the harvest.  I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.  -1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Dennis R. Wiles   First Baptist Arlington  December 21, 2025  Flourishing Together  First Baptist Arlington  2025 – 2030  2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)    ADVENT 2025: The King!  November 30 – December 31, 2025    Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.  Matthew 2:2    Now and Not Yet!  Matthew 4    Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ    Theme for Advent 2025: The King!    K --- December 7: Born The King, Ne’er a Prince!  I ---- December 14: Identity Gift  N --- December 21: Now and Not Yet!  G --- December 28: Go Now!    MIRACLE– For God so . . . loved – that He gave His One and Only Son!!    But after he (Joseph) had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”  -Matthew 1:20    MILLIEU - The context surrounding the birth, life, and ministry of Jesus was characterized by spiritual, religious, political, and cultural dynamics.  Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  -Matthew 4:1    When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zubulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah . . .  -Matthew 4:12-14     MESSAGE – The message of Christmas (and Christianity) is the Good News that the Messiah, the Savior, the King has been born!     She (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  -Matthew 1:21     From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  -Matthew 4:17    METHOD – The method of the expansion of God’s Kingdom on earth is not dependent on military or political expressions of power.     Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.  -Matthew 4:23     “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,  the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,  Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness  have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death  a light has dawned.”   -Matthew 4:15-16     The message of the Kingdom of Heaven is to be “lived out through” and “shared by” disciples of Jesus!     The power and authority Jesus displayed was neither militaristic nor political. But his authority and power were staggering nonetheless. Jesus was powerful enough to conquer the devilish ruler of this world, universal enough to include both Jews and Gentiles in his messianic gospel, authoritative enough to transform simple men into leaders of a movement that has changed the course of history, and effective enough to attend to the basic needs of the people—body, soul, and spirit. This is the kind of messianic deliverer that advances the kingdom of God.  -Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew    MEANING – The Kingdom of Heaven has a dual dynamic that creates a real tension that has existed since its inception. There is a “now—and not yet” dynamic at work. Inaugurated Eschatology is the theological phrase that captures this truth.  All is Well????

Dennis R. Wiles   First Baptist Arlington  December 14, 2025  Flourishing Together  First Baptist Arlington  2025 – 2030  2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)    ADVENT 2025: The King!  November 30 – December 31, 2025    Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.  Matthew 2:2    Identity Gift  Matthew 16:21-28    Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ    Theme for Advent 2025: The King!  K --- December 7: Born The King, Ne’er a Prince!  I ---- December 14: Identity Gift  N --- December 21: Now and Not Yet!  G --- December 28: Go Now!    JOY – One of the signs of human flourishing is the presence of true joy! At the heart of Advent is the declaration, “Joy to the world! The Lord has come!    IDENTITY: Who is Jesus? What is His mission?    Matthew 16 records 4 episodes from the life of Jesus where He reveals that the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be fully understood from an earthly perspective. The Kingdom of Heaven is a different kind of Kingdom and Jesus is a different kind of King!    The true identity of Jesus must be revealed by God and discerned through spiritual sensitivity to God’s revelation.    IDENTITY: Mistaken, Forged, Stolen!    IDENTITY: Who are we? What is our mission?    As followers of Jesus, we are called to be His disciples! He invites us to a lifetime of intentional discipleship! It is a personal journey! Our perspective on everything changes as we join Jesus in His purpose!    A Disciple: A person being formed by Jesus as they follow Him in accomplishing His mission.     As disciples, our identity is no longer rooted in our earthly perspective or earthly purposes. We have denied ourselves, taken up the cross, and we now follow Jesus!    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  -2 Corinthians 5:17    Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.   -Matthew 16:24-27    0 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  -Galatians 2:20     Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  -Colossians 3:1-4    It’s Christmas – unwrap your personalized gift from Jesus, the King! Let Him save you! Let Him shepherd you! Let Him shape you! You will find true life as you serve Him! 

Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington December 7, 2025 Flourishing Together First Baptist Arlington 2025 – 2030 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) ADVENT 2025: The King! November 30 – December 31, 2025 Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:2 Born The King, Ne’er a Prince! Matthew 2:1-12 PEACE: God’s peace is available to His people! Theme for Advent 2025: The King! K --- December 7: Born The King, Ne’er a Prince! I ---- December 14: Identity Gift N --- December 21: Now and Not Yet! G --- December 28: Go Now! JEWISH EXPECTATION: Some of the Jews returned from the Exile to Israel about 540 years before the birth of Jesus, while many Jews remained in the Babylonian/Persian area. Even though many of them had returned to Israel, the Jews had no King, no army, and no national identity. However, they had a hope and an expectation that God would send a new “Son of David” to rule over them and deliver them from their oppressors. I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. -Numbers 24:17 The Anointed One (Messiah), the ruler . . . -Daniel 9:25 EASTERN GENTILE CONTEXT: Eventually, the Parthians conquered Babylon, re-established Iranian rule in Persia and became the rival empire to Rome. The Parthian priests and astrologers became familiar with the Jewish Messianic prophecies from the writings of Daniel and the prophets – as well as through personal interactions with the Jewish population remaining in the area. ROMAN GENTILE CONTEXT: By the first century, even the Romans had come to believe that some sort of “special” ruler would arise from the region of Judea. “There had spread over all the Orient an old and established belief, that it was fated at that time for men coming from Judaea to rule the world.” -Suetonius KING HEROD: Julius Caesar appointed Herod’s father, Antipater, as the Governor of Judea. Upon his father’s death, Herod became one of the two rulers of Judea/Galilee. The Parthians attacked Israel and Herod fled to Rome in 40 BC. Mark Antony appointed Herod as King of the Jews, and he returned to Israel and defeated the Parthians. MAGI: Many scholars believe the Magi were from the priestly class in Parthia who had been studying the “signs” of the times and were expecting the birth of a new King in Judea. They arrived with an entourage from Parthia (enemies of Herod), with gifts fit for a King, searching for the new King. Matthew records that Herod was “disturbed” and all of Israel with him! THE KING! When the Magi found the King, they “rejoiced with and exceedingly great joy!” They worshiped before the King and bestowed Him with precious gifts befitting a king. Our God is the God of redemptive history – indeed, He is the God of all of history! Jesus is The King! Even the words in both the Old and New Testaments that can be rendered “prince” actually mean “ruler.” Jesus was truly born a King – actually, He was born . . . The King!

Dennis R. Wiles   First Baptist Arlington  November 30, 2025  Flourishing Together  First Baptist Arlington  2025 – 2030  2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)    ADVENT 2025: The King!  November 30 – December 31, 2025    Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.  Matthew 2:2    Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus!  Isaiah 11    Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ    Theme for Advent 2025: The King!    K --- December 7: Born The King, Ne’er a Prince!  I ---- December 14: Identity Gift  N --- December 21: Now and Not Yet!  G --- December 28: Go Now!  HOPE!     Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus!    “I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord Almighty.  -Haggai 2:7    CONTEXT OF ISAIAH 11 – God shares a word of promise and hope amidst the judgment rendered through the power of foreign powers like Assyria.    HOPE FORETOLD: God promised to bring forth new life from the “stump” and the “root” of Jesse, father of King David.    Isaiah 11:1 – A shoot from the stump of Jesse and a Branch that will bear fruit!    Branch – Hebrew – “netzer” – core consonants – n-tz-r     “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.”  -Jeremiah 23:5-6  Isaiah 11:10 – The Root of Jesse    HOPE FULFILLED: At Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment of this hope! Jesus is the Christ, the Son of Jesse, the Son of David, the Root and the Branch!    Branch – Hebrew – “netzer” – core consonants – n-tz-r – Nazareth!    But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.  -Matthew 2:22-23    For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:  “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;  I will sing the praises of your name” . . .   . . . And again, Isaiah says,  “The Root of Jesse will spring up,  one who will arise to rule over the nations;  in him the Gentiles will hope.”   May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  -Romans 15:8, 12-13     I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.  -Revelation 22:16   HOPE FOR THE FUTURE: The story continues to be written! God has given us hope for the future. He will send His Son to earth again to make all things right!    He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,  or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,  with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;  with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt  and faithfulness the sash around his waist.  6 The wolf will live with the lamb,  the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;  and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear,  their young will lie down together,  and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,  and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy  on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord  as the waters cover the sea.  -Isaiah 11:3-9    Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus!   

Cindy WilesNovember 23, 2025 Missional Ambitions Philippians 3:10-14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 Dioko! Press On! Paul's Refined Calling: "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known..." Paul’s Prize: Knowing and Being Conformed  to the Person of Christ    - Knowing Christ​   - Experiencing the Power of the Resurrection​   - The Fellowship of Suffering​   - Becoming like Christ in His Death​   - Attaining to the Resurrection from the Dead​   - Achieving Christ’s Purposes  “From one man God made all nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out to him and find him.” -Acts 17:26-27 Form Your Influencers Respond to the Marginalized and the Captives Pursue Communal Groups and Households Understand Your Community:​ Needs/Perceived Needs​ Culture(s)​ Worldviews People Opportunities​ Follow the Spirit. ​You are not alone. ​ John 15:26-27

Dennis R. Wiles   First Baptist Arlington  November 16, 2025  Flourishing Together  First Baptist Arlington  2025 – 2030    2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)    ENGAGEMENT 2025: Call to the Wild  November 2 – 29, 2025    As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”  Matthew 10:7    The Engaged Church  Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3  CHURCH: This is the new global community of God’s people. The Church is the new Temple of God – God is present with His people! As members of the Church, we have been commissioned to the task of making disciples of all nations and filling the earth with His glory!    GREAT PLAN OF REDEMPTION: God is going to accomplish His mission through the Great Plan of Redemption in this world. His purposes will be accomplished! His plan includes the Church!    PRINCIPLE: When God’s ability intersects with our availability, great things happen!    Insights/Images/Characteristics of an Engaged Church-- The Church at Antioch  Focus on the Gospel of Jesus Presence of the Lord’s hand Acknowledgment of the diversity of the community Grace of God Gladness of God Relational Growth in numbers Receptive to newcomers Responsive to teaching Making disciples Generous Diverse in leadership Sensitive to the Spirit’s leading Adventuresome – respond in faith without knowing everything POWER: In order for us to experience the miraculous power of God, we have to answer the call He places on us. The Church at Antioch answered the call!    POTENTIAL: Since 1871, First Baptist Arlington has been seeking to answer the call of God. Making ourselves available, seeking His guidance, remaining faithful to The Jesus Way, and responding in faith to His call – all of this fosters seasons of potential in the life of our church!

Dennis R. Wiles   First Baptist Arlington  November 9, 2025  Flourishing Together  First Baptist Arlington  2025 – 2030    2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)    ENGAGEMENT 2025: Call to the Wild  November 2 – 29, 2025    As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”  Matthew 10:7    The Growing Church  Acts 2:42-47    HEAVEN AND EARTH  The Bible contains the story of how heaven and earth have been connected since creation and will be connected in eternity. Since the beginning of time, the Triune God has been revealed through this dynamic and incredible reality. God, His Word, and His Spirit – all are on display since creation.     In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  -Genesis 1:1    See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.  -Isaiah 65:17    Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  -Revelation 21:1    INCARNATION: God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. The ministry of Jesus marks the launching of a new era – Heaven has come to earth! This is also known as Inaugurated Eschatology.     In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made . . . the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  -John 1:1-3, 14    ASCENSION:  Jesus ascended to the Father in Acts 1. This is a significant event in the dawning of the Age to Come. God’s original plan for humanity and creation now has become a reality. Heaven and earth have merged together, and a Human Being (Jesus Christ) is now enthroned with the Father. Jesus is Lord over all the earth!  PENTECOST: The Spirit of God was given after the Ascension of Jesus as a demonstration that God always desires to dwell with His people. His presence guarantees the manifestation of His power so that His purposes will be accomplished.     This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”  -Acts 2:16-17    CHURCH: This is the new global community of God’s people. The Church is the new Temple of God – God is present with His people! As members of the Church, we have been commissioned to the task of making disciples of all nations and filling the earth with His glory!    All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  -Matthew 28:18-20     INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP: The Church must be intentionally engaged in making disciples! The first church was committed to discipleship: Instruction, Worship, Community, Generosity, Engagement.    Flourishing Together  Following The Jesus Way  Knowing God Experiencing God Serving God     Saved    Shepherded      Sent     Shaped    CONGREGATIONAL COMMISSIONING  Leader: Jesus said, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’”    Congregation: Amen.    Leader: There are people in our families who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.    Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.    Leader: There are people in our neighborhoods who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.    Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.    Leader: There are people among the nations who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.    Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.    Leader: There are people missing from the table who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.    Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.    Leader: Amen. May you be filled with the Spirit of God, empowered to proclaim the Good News about the Kingdom of God. As you go, proclaim!

Dennis R. Wiles   First Baptist Arlington  November 2, 2025  Flourishing Together  First Baptist Arlington  2025 – 2030    2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)    ENGAGEMENT 2025: Call to the Wild  November 2 – 29, 2025    As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”  Matthew 10:7    The Wide, Wild World  Acts 1:6-8    CONTEXT: The earthly ministry of Jesus was concluding. These are His final instructions prior to His Ascension.    COMMISSION: Jesus commissioned His followers to be His witnesses in the wide, wild world! The Gospel was not to be contained in Israel but was to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth!    CELEBRATION: Jesus has invited everyone to the table. Who is missing?    CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER:  CONGREGATIONAL COMMISSIONING  Leader: Jesus said, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’”    Congregation: Amen.   Leader: There are people in our families who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.  Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.  Leader: There are people in our neighborhoods who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.  Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.  Leader: There are people among the nations who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.  Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.  Leader: There are people missing from the table who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.  Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.  Leader: Amen. May you be filled with the Spirit of God, empowered to proclaim the Good News about the Kingdom of God. As you go, proclaim!

Dennis R. Wiles   First Baptist Arlington  October 25, 2025  Flourishing Together  First Baptist Arlington  2025 – 2030    2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ  1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)    FALL 2025: It is Not Good . . . to be Alone  September 7 – November 1, 2025    The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”  Genesis 2:18    I Want to Know What Love Is!  1 Corinthians 13    Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ    Theme for Fall 2025: It is Not Good to be Alone    Theme for Engagement 2025:  Call to the Wild    HUMAN FLOURISHING: One of the domains currently being researched in the Global Flourishing Study is Close Social Relationships  What’s love got to do with it?    Rare is the person who does not want to love and be loved. Love appears to be intrinsic to our humanity. Sociologists may dissect behavioral mechanics behind the claims of love. Branches of medical research may explore the biochemistry of love. But, however explained, it is almost universally agreed that we need love in order to live and flourish as human beings.  -Patrick Mitchel, The Message of Love    PRIORITY – Love is foundational to everything in our lives!    PERSONIFIED – Love is connected to feelings but love itself is not a feeling!     POWER – Love is a powerful force that can overcome selfishness and hate.    PERMANENCE – Love is forever!