First Baptist Arlington Sermons

Dennis R. Wiles 
First Baptist Arlington 
February 18, 2024 

LENT/EASTER 2024 
Together . . . in Ascent 
February 14 – April 6, 2024 
Preaching Voice:  Shepherd 

Look Up! 
Psalm 121 

Theme FBCA 2024: Together 

Theme for Lent/Easter 2024: Together . . . in Ascent 

Psalms 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. These psalms were read/sung by Israelites as they engaged in pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the festivals in the Holy City. They were intended to prepare them to be in the presence of God in His holy temple. 

We are pilgrims on a Sacramental Journey! 

TheSacramentalJourney.org

We all need help! 

Our help comes from the LORD! 

The Maker of Heaven and Earth is also the One who watches over us!

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

February 11, 2024 

WINTER 2024 

Together . . . in Christ Jesus 

January 7 – February 13, 2024 

Preaching Voice: Apostle 

Onward and Upward . . . Together! 

Ephesians 4:11-13 

Theme FBCA 2024: Together 

Theme for Lent/Easter 2024: Together . . . in Ascent 

Theme for Winter 2024: Together . . . in Christ Jesus 

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers (APEST) – these designations refer to leaders given to the church by Christ. This is not an exhaustive list of all the spiritual gifts given to the full body of Christ. All believers (not just those mentioned here in Ephesians 4:11-13) are given spiritual gifts to serve and edify the church. 

Diagram from Jon Ritner in Positively Irritating 

CLARITY: Each role in APEST is a new covenant function, uniquely crafted by Christ to serve His Church. 

A – Apostles 

P – Prophets 

E – Evangelists 

THREE BASIC VIEWS OF APOSTLES AND PROPHETS 

1. CESSATIONIST – This view proposes that the roles of both Apostles and Prophets ceased at the conclusion of the Apostolic Era. 
2. SENT CHURCH/GATHERED CHURCH – This view proposes that the two roles still exist today, however, they are best utilized through the sent church (mission organizations, church planting movements, campus ministries, evangelistic ministries, etc.) as opposed to being utilized through the gathered church (local churches). 
3. GATHERED CHURCH/SENT CHURCH – This view proposes that these two roles still exist today and need to be expressed through the gathered church (local church) first and also through the sent church. 

EVANGELISTS – Evangelists are gifted bridge builders and are adept at inviting and attracting people through Gospel witness to find their way to Christ and his Body. Evangelists offer a catalytic presence to the local church regarding energizing efforts to reach lost people for Christ. 

PROPHETS – This gifting is also mentioned in both Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Prophets are gifted by Christ through His Spirit to strengthen, encourage, comfort, and edify the church. They provide both a vertical expression (calling for repentance and right living before God) and a horizontal expression (addressing ethics, justice, oppression). 

APOSTLES – The Greek word means “one who is sent.” Thus, apostles are often characterized by a pioneering faith, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a certain restlessness with the status quo. Apostles are committed to the fulfillment of Christ’s commission. Apostles are attuned to the DNA of the church and work to create structures that support expansion and growth. 

COMPETENCY OF CHRIST AND HIS BODY 

Jesus was completely competent as Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and Teacher. He has gifted His Body to be competent in each function . . . together!

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

February 4, 2024 

WINTER 2024 

Together . . . in Christ Jesus 

January 7 – February 13, 2024 

Preaching Voice: Apostle 

Caring and Feeding . . . Together! 

Ephesians 4:11-13 

Apostle
Prophet 

Evangelist    
Shepherd  

Teacher 

SHEPHERD: At its core, the shepherd is the vocation tasked with creating and maintaining healthy community, promoting the common good, encouraging people in the faith, and ensuring the welfare of the people as well as the broader society in which the community abides. 

-Alan Hirsch, 5Q 
 

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; 

from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. 

-Psalm 78:70-72 

Psalm 23 Shepherd: 

-Head 

-Heart 

-Hands 

-Hope 

TEACHER: The teaching function is about mediating a particular type of practical wisdom and philosophical understanding nuanced by the biblical worldview. A teacher therefore will largely be concerned with helping people gain insight into how God wants them to see and experience their world. As such, they will seek to bring theological truth and shape the consciousness of God’s people to be consistent with that truth. 

-Alan Hirsch, 5Q 

Teachers foster lifelong learning, encourage a love for the Scriptures, facilitate theological development, assist in constructing a Biblical worldview, and lead God’s people in understanding the Word of God.

Katy Reed Hodges
First Baptist Arlington 
January 28, 2024 

WINTER 2024 
Together . . . in Christ Jesus 
January 7 – February 13, 2024 
Preaching Voice: Apostle 
 
Raised With Christ . . . Together! 
Ephesians 2:1-10 

“If this all sounds too morbid for modern Western Culture, we need only to reflect on the evil in our own society, our suicide rate, the enormous problems caused by escapism through alcohol and drugs, and the meaninglessness that challenges all of us as we face injustice, disease, and our own death.” – Klyne Snodgrass 

“Mercy and love are revelations of God’s being, not a response to something that merits love in the individual.  God acts in mercy because he is that kind of God.” - Snodgrass 

Dennis R. Wiles 
First Baptist Arlington 
January 21, 2024 

WINTER 2024 
Together . . . in Christ Jesus 
January 7 – February 13, 2024 
Preaching Voice: Apostle 
 
Competent . . . Together! 
Ephesians 4:7-16 
 
Jesus Christ was completely perfect in both Person and Work in His earthly ministry. 

Matthew 16:13-20 – Jesus Christ established His Church! 

COMMISSIONED: Christ has commissioned His Church with a mission that includes assignments and responsibilities. 

COMPETENCIES: Christ has insured that His Church is competent to fulfill its mission through His gifting of His people: 

A – Apostles 
P – Prophets 
E – Evangelists 
S – Shepherds/Pastors
T - Teachers 

COMMUNITY: Each one of us engages in our responsibilities and together we accomplish the mission.

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

January 14, 2024 

WINTER 2024 

Together . . . in Christ Jesus 

January 7 – February 13, 2024 

Preaching Voice: Apostle 

One Body . . . Together! 

Ephesians 4:1-6 

Theme FBCA 2024: Together 

Theme for Winter 2024: Together in Christ Jesus 

THE CALL – God calls us through His acts of grace, mercy, redemption, and love. 

THE COMMAND – We are to walk like we have been called! 

THE CHURCH – Our calling is lived out in community with other fellow travelers through the Body of Christ. 

THE CONNECTION – We are all connected through the theological oneness that only God can provide.

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

January 7, 2024 

WINTER 2024 

Together . . . in Christ Jesus 

January 7 – February 13, 2024 

Preaching Voice: Apostle 

Together in Christ! 

Ephesians 1:1-3 

Theme FBCA 2024: Together 

Theme for Winter 2024: Together in Christ Jesus 

Biblical Context: Ephesians 

Devotional Guide: Together in Word 

Together in Deed 

Areas of Focus: Young Adults/Families, New People, Amenistries 

Plan for 2024: Together in Christ, Together in Ascent, Together for God’s Glory, Together in the Gospel, Together!, Together for the Future, Together to the Nations, Together in the Light

In Christ – this phrase or imagery connected to this phrase appears 164 times in Paul’s writings and 36 times in Ephesians! 

Together – as believers, we have been joined together with Christ and with each other through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. 

We live, work, worship, follow Jesus . . . together in Christ! 

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER 

Together in Word: Ephesians 1:3-14 

Together in Deed

Dennis R Wiles 
FBC Arlington 
December 31, 2023 

2023 - Why Does It Matter? 
Winter 2023 - Incarnation: Why Does It Matter? 
December 3 - 31, 2023 

The Profound Humility of the Incarnation 
Philippians 2:5-11 

Theme FBCA 2024: Together 

Biblical Context: Ephesians 

Devotional Guide: Together in Word 

Together in Deed 

Sermon Texts: Torah, Narratives, Prophets, Wisdom, Gospels, Acts, and Epistles 

Core Commitments: Worship, Community, Prayer, Evangelism, Bible Study, Stewardship 

Areas of Focus: Young Adults/Families, New People, Amenistries 

ADVENT 2023: INCARNATION: Why Does It Matter? 

INCARNATION: Hope of Glory, Hope of the Ages, Eternal Son of God, Word became Flesh! 

CO-ETERNAL: The Son of God is eternal in His existence as a member of the Trinity. 

CONDESCENSION: The Son of God willingly descended to earth, surrendering His position in the Trinity to temporarily live within human limitations. 

CRUCIFIXION: The humility of the Son of God is on full display on the cross! 

CROWN: God has exalted His Son to the highest place! 

COSMIC CONFESSION: Jesus is Lord! All of creation will join in this chorus. 

CONNECTION: Have this same attitude of humility within you! 

Text JESUS to (817) 518-6353

Dennis R Wiles 
FBC Arlington 
December 24, 2023 

2023 - Why Does It Matter? 
WINTER 2023 
Incarnation: Why Does It Matter? 
December 3 - 31, 2023 

The Word Became Flesh! 
John 1:14-18 

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  

ADVENT CANDLE – LOVE: Today we have lit the Candle of Love. How appropriate to light this candle today. At the heart of the incarnation is . . . love! For God so . . . loved! As one theologian puts it, we always say to God, “I love You . .  too.”  

ADVENT 2023: INCARNATION: Why Does It Matter? 

www.whydoesitmatter.org 

LOGOS – The Word of God: Divine in essence and Eternal in existence 

Christmas: The Christian celebration that centers on the miracle of the Incarnation! 

The Word of God: 
-Became a finite creature 
-Became flesh 
-Came from God 

The Word of God: 
-Glory of God 
-Son of God 
-Full of grace and truth 

The Word of God: The full Revelation of God! 

Text JESUS to 817-518-6353

Dennis R Wiles 

FBC Arlington 

December 17, 2023 

2023 Why Does It Matter? 

Winter 2023 

Incarnation: Why Does It Matter? 

December 3 - 31, 2023 

The Eternal Son of God 

John 1:1-5 

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent.  

ADVENT CANDLE – JOY: Today we have lit the Candle of Joy. Obviously, one of the central declarations of the Christmas story is, Joy to the World, the Lord has come!” The birth of Jesus Christ signals the launching of a new era. Joy has spread across the world because of this miraculous birth! 

www.whydoesitmatter.org 

LOGOS - This is the Greek term for “word” – it has found its way into English through terms like: logistics, logical, analogous, etc. 

LOGOS 

• Hebrew View: divine, sovereign energy, wisdom, word of God 
• Greek View: philosophical principle, ultimate meaning of the universe 
• Christian View: proclamation of the Gospel, the Word of God, the Son of God 

Eternal reality of the Divine Logos – both ontologically and ethically divine 

The Logos (Son) and God 

The Logos (Son) and Creation 

The Logos (Son) and Darkness