Dennis R. Wiles

FBC Arlington

August 6, 2017

THE GOSPEL: It’s Still Good News!

Peace with God

Romans 5:1-11

THE ROMAN ROAD

SERMON TITLE SLIDE

Text: Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The Uniqueness of Rome

Romans 5 is a declaration of what we have, what we will have and what we are doing in response to all God has done for us!

JUSTIFIED

PEACE

ACCESS

LOVED

SAVED

RECONCILED

STANDING

REJOICING

GLORYING

July 30, 2017

The Gospel of Grace

Romans 3:21-31

Josh Stowe, Guest Preacher

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

July 23, 2017

Unashamed of the Gospel

Romans 1:14-17

Josh Stowe, Guest Preacher

Romans 1:14-17

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Obligated

Eager

Unashamed

Dennis R. Wiles

FBC Arlington

July 16, 2017

THE GOSPEL: It’s Still Good News!

Our Calling: Influence

Psalm 1

THE GOSPEL AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

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.

Psalm 1:

Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

whatever they do prospers.

Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Our Calling

FBC Arlington exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ through leading people to discover their purpose and experience the transforming work of Christ in their lives, enabling them to serve the interests of the Kingdom of God in their spheres of influence.

PURPOSE . . . TRANSFORMATION . . . INFLUENCE

Dennis R. Wiles

FBC Arlington

July 9, 2017

THE GOSPEL: It’s Still Good News!

Our Calling: Transformation

Galatians 4:8-20

THE GOSPEL AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

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.

Galatians 4:8-20

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Our Calling

FBC Arlington exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ through leading people to discover their purpose and experience the transforming work of Christ in their lives, enabling them to serve the interests of the Kingdom of God in their spheres of influence.

PURPOSE . . . TRANSFORMATION . . . INFLUENCE

FORM . . . CONFORMED . . . TRANSFORMED

Transformation is possible!

Transformation is a spiritual process.

Transformation occurs through a spiritual partnership.

Transformation is not optional if Christ is to be formed in us!

Dennis R. Wiles

FBC Arlington

July 2, 2017

THE GOSPEL: It’s Still Good News!

Our Calling: Purpose

Ephesians 1:3-14

THE GOSPEL AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

Glorifying God by Following The Jesus Way!

OUR VISION

FBC Arlington is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic congregation of followers of Jesus Christ, who are serving together in a purposeful and missional community. We are engaged in an array of holistic ministries to proclaim the Gospel to our community. Our ministries are targeted efforts designed to address the needs of people in every season of life. We are seeking to accept our portion of the Great Commission as we engage in missional activity both in our community and to the ends of the earth as God directs.

Ephesians 1:3-14

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

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.

Our Calling

FBC Arlington exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ through leading people to discover their purpose and experience the transforming work of Christ in their lives, enabling them to serve the interests of the Kingdom of God in their spheres of influence.

PURPOSE . . . TRANSFORMATION . . . INFLUENCE

God’s desire for us is to live into the purpose for which He designed us. We are His children and He has provided for our destiny.

Dennis R. Wiles

FBC Arlington

June 25, 2017

THE GOSPEL: It’s Still Good News!

Our Vision as a Church

Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3

THE GOSPEL AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

Glorifying God by Following The Jesus Way!

Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

OUR VISION

FBC Arlington is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic congregation of followers of Jesus Christ, who are serving together in a purposeful and missional community. We are engaged in an array of holistic ministries to proclaim the Gospel to our community. Our ministries are targeted efforts designed to address the needs of people in every season of life. We are seeking to accept our portion of the Great Commission as we engage in missional activity both in our community and to the ends of the earth as God directs.

CONTEXT FOR MINISTRY

COMPLEXITY OF OUR MINISTRY

COMMISSION FOR MISSION

Dennis R. Wiles

FBC Arlington

June 18, 2017

THE GOSPEL: It’s Still Good News!

Glorifying God by Following The Jesus Way!

John 1:14; 14:1-7

THE GOSPEL AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

Glorifying God by Following The Jesus Way!

OUR VISION

FBC Arlington is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic congregation of followers of Jesus Christ, who are serving together in a purposeful and missional community. We are engaged in an array of holistic ministries to proclaim the Gospel to our community. Our ministries are targeted efforts designed to address the needs of people in every season of life. We are seeking to accept our portion of the Great Commission as we engage in missional activity both in our community and to the ends of the earth as God directs.

OUR CALLING

FBC Arlington exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ through leading people to discover their purpose and experience the transforming work of Christ in their lives, enabling them to serve the interests of the Kingdom of God in their spheres of influence.

John 1:14; 14:1-7

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.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

We have been uniquely designed by God to glorify Him.

Our ability to glorify God has been lost due to our sinfulness.

God has answered our deepest need.

We are followers.

Jesus is The Answer!

We are followers of The Jesus Way!

June 11, 2017 The Heart of the Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Josh Stowe, Guest Preacher

As we begin our exploration of how the Gospel is lived out through a local church, we set forth the foundation of the Gospel itself. This text in 1 Corinthians is viewed by scholars as one of the earliest formulations of the Gospel in written form. It contains the essence of the Gospel.

Daily Bible Readings

The Gospel is good news! God has answered the brokenness of humanity through the powerful expression of His love for us. The message of the Gospel is the message of hope for our world. This week, take some time to reflect on your understanding of the Gospel and how it shapes your life and the life of our church.

June 12: John 3:1-21

June 13: John 3:22-36

June 14: Colossians 2:1-15

June 15: Colossians 3:1-17

June 16: 1 Corinthians 15

June 17: Reflection

Dennis R. Wiles

FBC Arlington

June 4, 2017

THE GOSPEL: It’s Still Good News!

From Glory to . . . Glory!

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Portraits of the Gospel

ATONEMENT – The Biblical idea is rooted in “covering” and “forgiveness” – The Doctrine of Atonement is complex and holistic.

JUSTIFICATION

REDEMPTION

ADOPTION

NEW CREATION

UNITED WITH CHRIST

GLORIFICATION

SERMON TITLE SLIDE

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

JUSTIFICATION . . . SANCTIFICATION . . . GLORIFICATION

We have been saved . . . we are being saved . . . and we will be saved!