First Baptist Arlington Sermons

Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington May 24, 2026 Pentecost Sunday  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  EASTERTIDE 2026: Shaped by The Spirit April 12, 2026 – May 30, 2026  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. -Jesus (John 14:25)  Pentecostal Power Acts 1:1-11  Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way  Theme for Summer 2026: Making a Difference  Theme for Eastertide 2026:  Shaped by The Spirit  SERMON: Pentecostal Power Text: Acts 1:1-11 SALVATION HISTORY: Creation, Fall, Judgment, Call of Abram, Covenantal People of God, Revelation of God, Redemption, Missional Call, Revelation of God, Messianic Prophecy, Eschatological Hope, Messianic Fulfillment, Kingdom of God, Inaugurated Eschatology, Pentecost, Gifts of the Spirit, Missional Call, Consummation!  JESUS CHRIST: At the heart of the Christian faith is the Person and Work of Jesus Christ!  PROMISE: Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would be given to His followers. The Holy Spirit was to “baptize” the followers of Jesus!  POWER: The presence of the Holy Spirit is the manifestation of God’s divine and miraculous power! The Holy Spirit empowers the people of God to fulfill our mission in God’s world.  PENTECOST: The first Feast of Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus marked the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus and the realization of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  PENTECOSTAL POWER -Informative -Performative -Transformative  We are Pentecostal People! 

Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington May 17, 2026 High School Graduate Sunday  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  EASTERTIDE 2026: Shaped by The Spirit April 12, 2026 – May 30, 2026  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. -Jesus (John 14:25)  Grace for Everyone! Ephesians 4:7-13  Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way  Theme for Eastertide 2026:  Shaped by The Spirit  THE ASCENSION – Paul uses Psalm 68 to highlight the victorious nature of the life and ministry of Christ who now has ascended to the right hand of the Father and is victoriously guiding the Church to fulfill its role in the Grand Plan of Redemption. (May 14 was Ascension Day.) UNITY IN DIVERSITY – God’s Spirit is at work in the Church through His provision of unity amidst the great diversity of people and gifts. CHRIST’S PROVISION – Our Lord has given the right people to His Church so that it may fulfill its mission! Churches have apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers – as gifts from Christ Himself! This individualized dispensation of grace refers to Christ’s gifts to the church through the spiritual equipping of individuals, who will in turn prepare all members of the church for the building of the body. -Constantine Campbell, The Letter to the Ephesians GRACE FOR EVERYONE – Everyone is gifted! Everyone has a unique role and place both in and beyond the Church! The gifts are both for the good of the Church as well as for the good of each person!

Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington May10, 2026 Mother’s Day  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  EASTERTIDE 2026: Shaped by The Spirit April 12, 2026 – May 30, 2026  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. -Jesus (John 14:25)  We Can Do It! Ephesians 4:1-3  Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way  Theme for Eastertide 2026:  Shaped by The Spirit  WATCH YOUR STEP! WALK WORTHILY! DON’T STRUT! WALK TOGETHER! STAY TOGETHER!

Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington May10, 2026 Mother’s Day  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  EASTERTIDE 2026: Shaped by The Spirit April 12, 2026 – May 30, 2026  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. -Jesus (John 14:25)  We Can Do It! Ephesians 4:1-3  Theme for 2026: Flourishing Together: Transformed on The Jesus Way  Theme for Eastertide 2026:  Shaped by The Spirit  WATCH YOUR STEP! WALK WORTHILY! DON’T STRUT! WALK TOGETHER! STAY TOGETHER!

Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington May 3, 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  EASTERTIDE 2026: Shaped by The Spirit April 12, 2026 – May 30, 2026  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. -Jesus (John 14:25)  Filled with The Spirit! Ephesians 5:15-21  CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER WATCH YOUR STEP! MIND YOUR WINE! BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT! To ask us to be filled with the Spirit does not point to repeated charismatic experiences, as some claim. It is to ask us to focus our attention on Christ and his presence in us, to open ourselves to the continual transforming work of the Spirit so that the presence of Christ empowers and shapes our lives. The Spirit is to be the dominating influence for all Christians. -Klyne Snodgrass, NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians The indwelling Spirit . . . enlightens the intellect so that there is an ever-deepening insight into spiritual truth. He purifies the emotions and affections and fixes them on Christ, for his ministry is always Christo-centric. He reinforces the will, weakened by sinful indulgence, and imparts power to do the will of God. -J. Oswald Sanders, The Holy Spirit and His Gifts   God can accomplish within us what we are unable to accomplish on our own!  Spirit-Filled Produce: Communication, Worship, Gratitude, Submission   Bearing Life-Fruit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control