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!

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

May 11, 2025

Mother’s Day

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)

Love is the Greatest!

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.

FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH: Followers of Jesus have been redeemed, restored, and raised to a new life in Him!

FAITH JOURNEY: We are on a path to learn to know our Creator and become like Him!

FOREMOST VIRTUE: Love! Love is the greatest!

The English word “love” is trying to do so many different jobs at the same time that someone really ought to sit down with it and teach it how to delegate.

-N. T. Wright, After You Believe

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

April 27, 2025

College Grad Sunday

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)

Put Your Mind To It!

Romans 12:1-2

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.

PHOTO: Global Flourishing Study Press Conference

INNAUGURATED ESCHATOLOGY: We live in the intersection of This Present Evil Age and The Age to Come.

Romans 1:18-25, 28 (Let’s put the actual text on the screens – I will read this entire section.)

Humanity in this Present Evil Age has often refused to worship God. This refusal leads to an “unfit” mind that results in all manner of sinful behavior.

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.

CALL TO WORSHIP: God is inviting us to engage in a lifetime of worship. Choosing to worship God offers us an opportunity to give Him glory!

CHALLENGE OF CONFORMITY: The forces of evil work to press upon us so that we will be conformed to the whims of this present evil age. (Greek aion – from which we get the word “eon.”)

CHANGE OUR MINDS! God is at work within us to renew our minds. Our minds must be renewed by the transforming work of God’s Spirit so that we will choose to follow The Jesus Way in every area of our lives.

Philippians 1:9-11: Let’s put the text on the screen – I will read the entire text.

COMPLETE! God is leading us on a journey towards what it means to be “complete” in Him!

Reflection: This week, reflect on Colossians 1:24-2:15

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

April 27, 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)

New Age Wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

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.

CONTEXT: The theological context of first-century Israel was influenced by both Jewish theology and Greek/Roman philosophy.

INNAUGURATED ESCHATOLOGY: We live in the intersection of This Present Evil Age and The Age to Come.

What is the aim, or the final goal, of the whole Christian life? Though many Christians in the Western world have imagined that the aim or goal of being a Christian is simply “to go to heaven when you die,” the New Testament holds out something much richer and more interesting. Yes, those who belong to Jesus in this life go to be with him once they die—that’s a promise made in various places in the New Testament. But that’s only the start of it . . . God has promised to give the entire world, the whole created order, a complete makeover . . . We will be given new bodies in which to live with delight and power in God’s new world . . . the transformation we are promised at the end of time has already begun in Jesus. When God raised him from the dead, he launched his entire project of new creation, and called people of all sorts to be part of that project, already, here and now.

-N. T. Wright, After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters

WISDOM OF THIS AGE: The wisdom of this age is earth-bound, limited in its horizon, and leads to a rejection of God’s revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ.

NEW AGE WISDOM: We need the wisdom of God to enable us to live fully into this new age as redeemed, restored spiritual people. God’s Spirit reveals His wisdom to us through the Word of God!

CHARACTER AND VIRTUE: As God reveals His wisdom to us, our lives are shaped, our character is formed, and we are enabled to live virtuous lives.

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

April 20, 2025

Easter 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

He is Not Here, He Has Risen!

Matthew 28:1-15

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

Theme for Spring 2025: Walk This Way!

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season: The Real Story

MIRACLE – At the heart of The Real Story is the miracle of Easter—Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead!

MESSAGE – The message of Easter is that He is risen! Death has been defeated. The Kingdom of Heaven has come on this earth. Everything has changed!

MANDATE – Go and tell!

MEETING – In order for all of this to mean anything to you, you must personally meet Jesus!

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!