First Baptist Arlington Sermons

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

April 13, 2025 

Palm Sunday 

Flourishing Together 

First Baptist Arlington 

2025 – 2030 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

LENTEN EASTER 2025: The Real Story 

Gospel of Matthew 

March 5 (Ash Wednesday) – April 26, 2025 

Jesus the Nazarene 

Matthew 21:1-11 

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season: The Real Story 

HISTORY – The story of the Royal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem is significant due to its connection to Salvation History. This event is a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. (Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 62:11) 

HUMANITY – Jesus Christ is Jesus the Nazarene! He was fully human! 

HUMILITY – Jesus established the Kingdom of God on earth. However, His Kingdom was not launched with a display of earthly power! His Kingdom began in humility. 

HONOR – Jesus Christ is to be honored as the Son of David, Son of Man, and Son of God! 

And then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. 

-Jesus (Matthew 24:30-31 

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: 

KING OF KINGS AND LORDS OF LORDS. 

-Revelation 19:11-16 

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene!

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

April 6, 2025 

Flourishing Together 

First Baptist Arlington 

2025 – 2030 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

LENTEN EASTER 2025: The Real Story 

Gospel of Matthew 

March 5 (Ash Wednesday) – April 26, 2025 

The Messiah’s Church 

Matthew 16:13-20 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season: The Real Story 

We believe the CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST ON EARTH TODAY! Jesus established the church and it exists to perform God’s will on earth. Believers are to invest themselves in the life and work of the church. (Matthew 16:17-18; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 12:27) 

The Church is a purposeful community of gathered believers following The Jesus Way together.  

PERSON – Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Head of the Church! 

PETER – Peter was the spokesman for the Disciples on numerous occasions. 

PURPOSE – The Church was established by Jesus to carry out His heavenly mission on earth. 

POWER – Jesus has empowered the Church to accomplish His mission. 

FLOURISHING – Living life as God intended!

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

March 30, 2025 

Flourishing Together 

First Baptist Arlington 

2025 – 2030 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

LENTEN EASTER 2025: The Real Story 

Gospel of Matthew 

March 5 (Ash Wednesday) – April 26, 2025 

Transformed for Life in the Kingdom 

Matthew 13:1-9 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season: The Real Story 

FLOURISHING – Living life as God intended! 

Jesus Christ desires to absolutely, completely, and holistically redeem every part of you, transform you by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within you and through His redeemed community, to conform you to His image. 

PARABLES – The word means, “a casting alongside.” In the parables of Jesus, a relatable story is “cast alongside” a spiritual truth. 

PROCLAMATION – The message of the Kingdom of God is to be proclaimed (broadcasted like seed) so that people have the opportunity to hear the Good News! 

PREPARATION – The soil that is prepared to hear the Good News will be the most receptive and will bear the most fruit. 

POWER – Never underestimate the power of the Gospel! It is Good News! We can be completely transformed by its power at work within us!

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

March 23, 2025 

Flourishing Together 

First Baptist Arlington 

2025 – 2030 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

LENTEN EASTER 2025: The Real Story 

Gospel of Matthew 

March 5 (Ash Wednesday) – April 26, 2025 

Heavenly Construction Instructions 

Matthew 7:24-29 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season: The Real Story 

Matthew records 5 major sermons from Jesus: 

• Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) 
• Commissioning of the Disciples (Matthew 10) 
• Parables of Salt and Light (Matthew 13) 
• Community of Faith (Matthew 18) 
• Olivet Sermon – Eschatology (Matthew 24-25) 

Matthew presents Jesus of Nazareth as the King who has come to establish the Kingdom of Heaven (God) on earth. He is the Messiah (Christ), Savior, Son of Abraham, Son of David, Son of Man, and Son of God. He has come to redeem and restore all that is broken in creation. He was born a King and He will return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 

What is Jesus really after regarding your life? 

Jesus Christ desires to absolutely, completely, and holistically redeem every part of you, transform you by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within you and through His redeemed community, to conform you to His image. 

AUTHORITY: Does Jesus have the authority to demand such a complete transformation of human beings?

When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard. 

-Matthew 7:28-29 (The Message) 

MEANS: How can Jesus accomplish such a transformation in a person’s life? 

WILLINGNESS: How willing are you to partner with Jesus to experience all He would like to accomplish in you? 

Jesus Christ desires to absolutely, completely, and holistically redeem every part of you, transform you by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within you and through His redeemed community, to conform you to His image.

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

March 16, 2025 

Flourishing Together 

First Baptist Arlington 

2025 – 2030 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

LENTEN EASTER 2025: The Real Story 

Gospel of Matthew 

March 5 (Ash Wednesday) – April 26, 2025 

A Servant King 

Matthew 3:13-17 

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season: The Real Story 

FLOURISHING – Living life as God intended! 

EXAMPLE – The best example of human flourishing is the Lord Jesus! 

SERVICE – Jesus was completely committed to serving the Father and obeying His will. 

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 

-John 6:38 

HUMILITY – Through His baptism, Jesus identified with all humanity – thus demonstrating His humility as the Son of God. 

HISTORY – The Baptism of Jesus is the inauguration of the public ministry of Jesus, and it marks a significant moment in salvation history. The righteousness of God will be on display through Jesus – His life, teachings, example, death, burial, and resurrection. 

Then Jesus said to them, “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 

BAPTISM – Baptism is an ordinance of the church (ordained by God, communicated through Christ) to be performed by an agent of the local church. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality. It points the congregation and the candidate to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is reserved for believers only as it is a public profession of faith that ushers the believer into the regenerate church. It is not salvific nor is it necessary for salvation. However, it is a sign of obedience, humility, and discipleship.

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

March 9, 2025 

Flourishing Together 

First Baptist Arlington 

2025 – 2030 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

LENTEN EASTER 2025: The Real Story 

Gospel of Matthew 

March 5 (Ash Wednesday) – April 26, 2025 

Born a King! 

Matthew 1:1-17 

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season: The Real Story 

Matthew! 

Photo: The Calling of St. Matthew 

RE-BIRTH OF HISTORY 

ROYAL REDEEMER – JESUS MESSIAH! 

REDEMPTIVE HISTORY – The genealogy of Matthew 1 reveals the grand sweeping story of God’s redemptive work in history. 

REDEMPTIVE MISSION AND MESSAGE - The genealogy of Matthew 1 reveals the inclusive, holistic nature of the Messianic mission and message of King Jesus: men/women, Jew/Gentile, and saint/sinner.

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

March 6, 2025 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

WINTER 2025: Happiness Is . . . 

The Beatitudes 

January 5 – March 4, 2025 

Flourishing in Persecution 

Matthew 5:10-12 

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season: The Real Story 

Theme for Winter 2025: Happiness Is . . . 

The Apostles demonstrated their willingness to die for their faith. 

Photos: St. Peter in Chains 

St. Paul’s 

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. 

-Tertullian 

The earth has been filled with the blood of the martyrs as with seed, and from that seed have sprung the crops of the church. They have asserted Christ’s cause more effectively when dead than when they were alive. They assert it today, they preach him today; their tongues are silent, their deeds echo round the world. They were arrested, bound, imprisoned, brought to trial, tortured, burned at the stake, stoned to death, run through, fed to wild beasts. In all their kinds of death they were jeered at as worthless, but “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” 

-St. Augustine 

2 Corinthians 11-12

PRONOUNCEMENT: Persecution (to be chased, pursued, hunted down to harm) will be experienced by followers of Jesus. Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

POSTURE: The message from Jesus becomes very personal in verse 11 when He uses the pronoun “you.” His followers can expect to experience persecution, false accusations, and mistreatment. Our posture is to one of humility in rejoicing and gladness. 

PERSPECTIVE: As Christians, we must cultivate an eternal perspective (“great is your reward in heaven”) in the face of persecution and trial. 

PURPOSE: Jesus shares the goal of “beatitude living” in Matthew 5:13-16. We are to be salt and light to our world so that God will be glorified through us! 

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

February 23, 2025 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

WINTER 2025: Happiness Is . . . 

The Beatitudes 

January 5 – March 4, 2025 

Flourishing in Peacemaking 

Matthew 5:9 

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

Theme for Winter 2025: Happiness Is . . . 

Alfred Nobel 

World Peace: According to the United Nations, humans have been at peace for 268 of the last 3,400 years, which is about 8% of recorded history. The Geneva Academy is currently monitoring 110 armed conflicts around the world. 

Shalom is the Old Testament Hebrew word for peace. It can refer to the absence of conflict. It also carries the idea of “wholeness” or “completeness” or “well-being. 

He (Joseph) asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about. Is he still living?” They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” 

-Genesis 43:27-28 

THE GOD OF PEACE 

Now may the God of peace . . .  

-Hebrews 13:20 

PEACE WITH GOD 

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

-Romans 5:1 

PEACE OF CHRIST 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

-Isaiah 9:6 

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. 

-Luke 2:14 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

-John 14:27 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. 

-Colossians 3:15 

PEACEMAKERS 

“Blessed are the peacemakers” is, I suppose, for another world. In this world they are frequently cursed. 

-Ben Franklin 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

-Ephesians 4:2-3 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 

-2 Corinthians 5:17-20 

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel . . . 

-Philippians 4:2-3 

Peacemakers take risks, take the first step, seek the best, remain humble, trust the results to God, give God the glory, and . . . pray! 

Photo: Peace Bridge, Londonderry, Ireland 

CHILDREN OF GOD 

Peacemakers bear the family resemblance to our Heavenly Father as we reflect His character. 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 

Amen.

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

February 16, 2025 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

WINTER 2025: Happiness Is . . . 

The Beatitudes 

January 5 – March 4, 2025 

Flourishing in Pity 

Matthew 5:7 

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

Theme for Winter 2025: Happiness Is . . . 

Vocabulary Work 

• The Greek Translation on the Hebrew Bible translates the Hebrew word, hesed (love, lovingkindness, steadfast love, loyal love, goodness, mercy) with the Greek word, eleos (mercy, pity, compassion). 
• Eleos in the Greek New Testament belongs in the semantic domain of mercy, pity, love, tenderhearted, compassion, and favor.

Biblical/Theological Reflection 

Mercy is a complex concept in the Bible. It is one expression of a divine attribute of God. Flowing out of His love, God displays His compassion towards us through His mercy. His mercy is undeserved and is closely connected to His grace. 

“Have mercy (chanan) on me, O God, according to your unfailing love (hesed); according to your great compassion (racham) blot out my transgressions.” 

-Psalm 51:1 

“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions . . .” 

-Ephesians 2:3-5 

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” 

"God loves to show mercy... His anger must be released by a stiff safety lock, but his mercy has a hair trigger.” 

-John Piper 

On a human level, mercy is the ability to “feel” for others, experience pity, sympathy, empathy for them, and respond in grace to their need. It embodies both an attitude and an action. It also applies to the concept of demonstrating mercy through forgiveness. 

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” 

-Luke 6:36 

Parables of Jesus (One slide) 

• The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) 
• The Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) 

“Blessed are the merciful” – this is a statement about who we should be becoming! 

Meditation on Mercy (Charles Spurgeon)  (One Slide) 

• It is a tender mercy 
• It is a great mercy 
• It is undeserved mercy 
• It is rich mercy 
• It is abounding mercy 
• It is unfailing mercy 

Promise: We will be blessed, and we will receive mercy (because we need it)! 

Our community of faith can only live out its mission if God’s mercy is on display and it is woven into the fabric of our identity as the people of God.

Dennis R. Wiles 

First Baptist Arlington 

February 9, 2025 

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) 

WINTER 2025: Happiness Is . . . 

The Beatitudes 

January 5 – March 4, 2025 

Flourishing in Pursuit 

Matthew 5:6 

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 

Theme for Winter 2025: Happiness Is . . . 

Happiness and Life Satisfaction 

1. Overall, how satisfied are you with life as a whole these days? 

2. In general, how happy or unhappy do you usually feel? 
 

I can’t get no . . . satisfaction! So many in our world engage in wrong, meaningless, and/or “less than” pursuits! 

HUNGER AND THIRST 

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 

-Psalm 42:1-2 

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money without money and without cost. 

-Isaiah 55:1 

RIGHTEOUSNESS 

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

-Matthew 5:20 

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please, not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don't want enough of him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. 

-Wilbur Rees 

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