First Baptist Arlington Sermons

2026: Flourishing Together:  
Transformed on The Jesus Way 
Gospel Guide: John 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 
-Romans 12:1-2

LENTEN/EASTER 2026: The Good Shepherd 
Ash Wednesday (February 18) – Easter Sunday (April 5), 2026 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 
-Jesus (John 10:11)

Designed to Flourish! 
John 15:1-17 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season 2026:  The Good Shepherd 

Psalm 23  
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: 
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 

THEOLOGY: This section of John is rich in theological truth and imagery. Jesus used the familiar imagery of the vine/vineyard to convey the profound theological truth that He is now The True Vine and His Father is the Divine Gardener! 

OLD TESTAMENT CONTEXT: For background on this prophetic claim from Jesus – refer to passages like: Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5:1-7; 27:2-6; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15; 19:10-14; Hosea 10:1. 

INAUGURATED ESCHATOLOGY: Jesus established The Age to Come on earth. In this new era, people no longer are called to join Israel in its privileged position ------ but all people are invited to join the new Messianic Community created by Jesus Himself! 

PERSONAL: This text is rich in personal application for all followers of Jesus. 

What does it mean to be truly human? 

Our deepest human needs regarding attachment are met in our life with Jesus! 

How can we answer the fundamental desire to be productive? 

In our life with Jesus, we can discover the beauty of a fruitful life. 

Jesus offers us the only path to fulfill God’s original design for us. 

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

March 22, 2026 

2026: Flourishing Together:  

Transformed on The Jesus Way 

Gospel Guide: John 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

-Romans 12:1-2 

LENTEN/EASTER 2026: The Good Shepherd 

Ash Wednesday (February 18) – Easter Sunday (April 5), 2026 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

-Jesus (John 10:11) 

The Jesus Way! 

John 14:1-14 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season 2026:  The Good Shepherd 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 

FOCUS: Disciples of Jesus live a lifetime of focusing on . . . Jesus! 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

-Hebrews 12:1-2 

FAITH: Disciples of Jesus live a lifetime of faith!  

For we live by faith, not by sight. 

-2 Corinthians 5:7 

FOLLOWING: Disciples of Jesus live a lifetime of following Jesus.

FUTURE: Disciples of Jesus life a lifetime with hope because of our future. 

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 

-Acts 1:9-11 

FLOURISHING: God’s desire for Disciples of Jesus is for us to . . . flourish! 

Glorifying God by Following The Jesus Way!

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

March 15, 2026 

2026: Flourishing Together:  

Transformed on The Jesus Way 

Gospel Guide: John 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

-Romans 12:1-2 

LENTEN/EASTER 2026: The Good Shepherd 

Ash Wednesday (February 18) – Easter Sunday (April 5), 2026 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

-Jesus (John 10:11)  

Sheep With a Shepherd 

John 10:1-18 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season 2026:  The Good Shepherd 

Psalm 23 (We will read this text together as a congregation) 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 

CONTEXT: The events of John 10 are connected to both the Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast of Dedication (3 months later) in Jerusalem. The healing of the blind man (John 9) and the response of Israel’s leaders are in the minds of the original hearers of Jesus’ teachings (John 10:21). 

CRITIQUE: The Biblical context for the teachings of Jesus seem to be found in passages like: 

Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded. 

-Zechariah 11:17 

Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but do not take care of the flock . . . I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them and be their shepherd. 

-Ezekiel 34:2-3. 23 

CLAIM: Jesus declares boldly, “I am the Good Shepherd!” 

COMPETENT: Jesus is a competent Shepherd! 

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 

COMPASSION: Jesus is a compassionate Shepherd! 

-He knows us! 

-He has died for us!  

CENTER: He is at the very center of God’s redemptive activity in all of creation! 

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

March 1, 2026 

2026: Flourishing Together:  

Transformed on The Jesus Way 

Gospel Guide: John 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

-Romans 12:1-2 

LENTEN/EASTER 2026: The Good Shepherd 

Ash Wednesday (February 18) – Easter Sunday (April 5), 2026 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

-Jesus (John 10:11) 

Our Guiding Light 

John 8:12-20 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season 2026:  The Good Shepherd 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 

CHRISTOLOGY: John records several instances where Jesus engages with a ritual, an institution, or some tradition in Judaism and expresses His Messianic fulfillment for those who are paying attention! 

• Wedding in Cana (2:1-12) 
• The Temple in Jerusalem (2:13-25) 
• Nicodemus (3:1-21) 
• Jacob’s Well (4:1-42) 
• Sabbath (5:1-47) 
• Passover (John 6) 
• Feast of Tabernacles (John 7-8) 
• Hanukkah (John 10) 

-Gary Burge, NIV Application Commentary, John 

CONTEXT: Jesus is in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles.  

CLAIM: Jesus is The Light of the World! He is The Light shining in the darkness. He is our Guiding Light!

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

March 1, 2026 

2026: Flourishing Together:  

Transformed on The Jesus Way 

Gospel Guide: John 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

-Romans 12:1-2 

LENTEN/EASTER 2026: The Good Shepherd 

Ash Wednesday (February 18) – Easter Sunday (April 5), 2026 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

-Jesus (John 10:11) 

Bread from Heaven 

John 6:30-35 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season 2026:  The Good Shepherd 

Psalm 23 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER 

Passover in Capernaum in the 1st century  

We can’t help it – We are hungry! 

I can’t get no satisfaction! 

Jesus cannot be taken by force! 

Jesus is The Bread of Life, come down from Heaven – only He can satisfy!

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

February 22, 2026 

2026: Flourishing Together:  

Transformed on The Jesus Way 

Gospel Guide: John 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

-Romans 12:1-2 

LENTEN/EASTER 2026: The Good Shepherd 

Ash Wednesday (February 18) – Easter Sunday (April 5), 2026 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

-Jesus (John 10:11) 

Jesus is The Word of God! 

John 1:1-18 

Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season 2026:  The Good Shepherd 

INCARNATION: At the very heart of Christianity is the truth that Jesus Christ is the Word of God, the Son of God—namely, He is God in the flesh! 

The Word of God (The Son of God) is eternal.

“In the beginning.” Immediately we are introduced to the vast scope of the Evangelist’s mind with regard to his Gospel. Mark began his account on the banks of the Jordan river. Matthew takes us back to Abraham. Luke in his genealogy looks back to the creation, to “Adam, which was the son of God” (3:38). But John sweeps back behind creation into the eternities. “In the beginning,” whenever that was. 

-Herschel Hobbs, An Exposition of the Gospel of John 

The Word of God (The Son of God) is equal with God. 

The Word of God (The Son of God) is God! 

The Word of God (The Son of God) is the Creative Agent of God. (For reference, compare Colossians 1:15-17.) 

The Word of God (The Son of God) became flesh. The Word of God became Jesus of Nazareth! 

The Word of God (The Son of God) resided (tabernacled) with human beings for a season on earth. 

The Word of God (The Son of God) reflected the glory of God. 

The Word of God (The Son of God) was full of grace and truth. 

The Word of God (The Son of God) reveals God. 

The prologue to John is not about a message that offers hope, but about The Message that is the only hope. 

-Gary M. Burge, NIV Application Commentary: John

Dennis R. Wiles
First Baptist Arlington
February 15, 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

Faithful Witness
John 1:19-28

Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season 2026: The Good Shepherd

INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
KNOWING GOD: Saved
EXPERIENCING GOD: Shepherded Shaped
SERVING GOD: Sent

Theme for Winter 2026: Designed to Flourish

JOHN THE BAPTIST:
· In fulfillment of prophecy, he was sent from God as a witness to The Light.
· Prepared the way for the Lord!
· Acknowledged the preeminence/preexistence of The Word.
· Testified that Jesus is The Light.
· Testified that Jesus is The Chosen One.
· Baptized repentant Jewish sinners to prepare them for the coming of the Kingdom of God in Christ.
· Baptized Jesus Christ!
· Testified that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and that Jesus baptized His followers with the Holy Spirit.
· Boldly declared that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.
-John 10:40-41

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.”
-Jesus (Matthew 11:11)

EVANGELISTIC SENSITIVITY

God is calling us to be faithful witnesses to our generation.

PRAY!

PREPARE!

PROCLAIM!

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

February 8, 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 

Worship God! 

Isaiah 6:1-8 

Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by his holiness; the nourishment of mind with his truth; the purifying of imagination by his beauty; the opening of the heart to his love; the surrender of will to his purpose – and all of this gathered up in adoration. 

-William Temple 

SETTING: Isaiah began his ministry at the end of the reign of King Uzziah.  

SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD: God was revealed as the Sovereign, holy God of Israel.  

SEEING GOD: Isaiah was given a glimpse of God. 

SEEING OURSELVES: Isaiah’s experience of God’s presence led him to a realistic understanding of himself. 

SANCTIFIED BY GOD: God can cleanse us of our sin and sanctify us for His purposes. 

SERVING GOD – Worshiping God should lead us to a humble response of obedience, rooted in love.

Katy Reed-Hodges
February 2, 2026

True Confession
Psalm 51

True Confession
Re-Creation
God'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.