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!