Ep. 22 - We Are Here!

Listen to the sermon that goes along with this podcast: We Are Here! - FBCA Sermon, January 1st, 2023Download the Winter Challenge PDF by clicking HERE. (File is Winter Break '22-'23)Companion Sermon Notes: Sermon Title: We Are Here!Text:  Psalm 1It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.          -Theodore RooseveltFirst Baptist Arlington is . . . in the arena! THANK YOU!!!!  SLIDE:       Budget Giving Totals                   World Mission OfferingReceived to date:         $316,482 STAFF UPDATEPASTORAL LEADERSHIP TEAMDr. Dennis R. Wiles, Senior Pastor Dr. Dennis R. Wiles         Dr. Barry Rock                 Rev. Curt GriceCare Division              Coordination Division         Content DivisionMINISTRY LEADERSHIP TEAMDr. Dennis R. Wiles, Senior Pastor Dr. Barry Rock, Rev. Curt Grice, Rev. Katy Reed-Hodges, Rev. Brad Echols, Phyllis Lisby, Andy MilliornFirst Baptist Arlington . . . in the arena!(Here I am going to offer a summary of our ministry and mission work in 2022. No slides – just a re-cap of the year.)A glimpse into 2023 . . .Theme for 2023: Why Does It Matter? Image of webpage:      www.whydoesitmatter.orgFocal Points for 2023: Apologetics, Evangelism, Young Adults, Church Growth, Dispersed Church (Digital Space) Topics for 2023Anything            The Holy SpiritSin                      The ChurchFamily                MissionEternal Life        The Incarnation www.thesacramentaljourney.org The Gospel of John John’s gospel is unique not only in Christian literature, but in all writings everywhere. How should we best approach it? Think of it for a moment in terms of food. John’s gospel contains all the ingredients you need for a full, first-class meal. Those who have the time (and most of us do, if we really want to) should regularly treat themselves to a sit-down, full-on, five-courses-and-wine reading of it, right through. It should take roughly a couple of hours. Take that time to savor it, to sense both its overall flow and its sudden extra flavors, its splendid nutrition and extra delights. There will always be more: more depth, more subtlety, more hints of promise . . . Equally, in between long and leisured readings, John is also—if I can put it like this—a great book to snack on . . . John’s gospel will reward that approach too, even while reminding you of the full meal that’s waiting for you when next you have the time and opportunity.         -N.T. Wright, Broken Signposts Our Message:     Glorifying God by Following The Jesus Way! Our Mission:      Becoming Fruitful Believers, Influencing Our World for Christ!