Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

June 1, 2025

Flourishing Together

First Baptist Arlington

2025 – 2030

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

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

SUMMER 2025: You Are Here!

June 1 – August 2, 2025

Psalm 1

Creation Testifies!

Psalm 19:1-6

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

Theme for Summer 2025: You Are Here!

HUMAN FLOURISHING: One of the domains currently being researched in the Global Flourishing Study is Meaning and Purpose.

The search for the purpose for life has puzzled people for thousands of years. That’s because we typically begin at the wrong starting point—ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like What do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my life? The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfilment, 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.

-Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Everything starts with God!

God is a Personal Being!

God has infused His creation with purpose and meaning.

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

May 25, 2025

Flourishing Together

First Baptist Arlington

2025 – 2030

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

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

SPRING 2025: Walk This Way!

April 27 – May 31, 2025

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus (Matthew 5:48)

Walk This Way . . . Together!

Colossians 3:1-17

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

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

Theme for 2027: Flourishing Together: Impacting Our World for Christ

Six Domains of Human Flourishing

• Happiness and Life Satisfaction
• Mental and Physical Health
• Meaning and Purpose
• Character and Virtue
• Close Social Relationships
• Material and Financial Stability

WINTER: Happiness and Life Satisfaction

EASTER: Easter!

SPRING: Character and Virtue

SUMMER: Meaning and Purpose

AUGUST: Mental and Physical Health

FALL: Close Social Relationships

MISSIONS: Missions!

ADVENT: Advent!

CHARACTER AND VIRTUE – Colossians 3

-Love is the greatest virtue!

-As our character is transformed, we exchange vices for virtues.

-Our character is expressed through virtuous living in community with fellow believers.

Life in the Kingdom of God is meant to be lived in community. The virtues listed in Colossians 3 are relational in nature. In other words, the practicing of virtuous living takes place in the context of community. We are to treat each other according to the ethic set forth by the New Testament. Virtuous living emerges from a redeemed Christian character. Our character is also shaped by our decision to live fully into a virtuous life. When we do so, we live in such a way that is beneficial to others. This is a blessed life. This is actually what is known as . . . flourishing!

BELONGING: In the Body of Christ, we all belong to Jesus and all human barriers erode in the face of this Age to Come reality!

BELIEVING: We are joined together by the incredible power of the Gospel – the message of Christ!

BEHAVING: We live together in community through accountable relationships, admonishing each other, serving the interests of the Kingdom of God together . . . for the glory of God!

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

May 18, 2025

High School Grads

Flourishing Together

First Baptist Arlington

2025 – 2030

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

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

SPRING 2025: Walk This Way!

April 27 – May 31, 2025

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus (Matthew 5:48)

Designer Fashions

Colossians 3:1-17

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

Theme for Spring 2025: Walk This Way!

HUMAN FLOURISHING: One of the domains currently being researched in the Global Flourishing Study is Character and Virtue.

INAUGURATED ESCHATOLOGY: We live in the intersection of This Present Evil Age and The Age to Come. Personal application of this reality is seen in the Apostle Paul’s teachings that the transformation of our inner character, revealed through virtuous living, is the anticipation of our promised future state as believers in the Age to Come.

I’m going to begin the message with a series of photos of Fashion Designers – to quiz the congregation to see if they know them by sight:

Coco Chanel

Calvin Klein

Girogio Armani

Ralph Lauren

Tom Ford

Donna Karan

God is the original Fashion Designer!

We must deal radically with our earthly nature!

These clothes no longer fit!

In Christ, we’ve been fitted for a new wardrobe by the greatest Fashion Designer!