Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

February 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)

Jesus is The Word of God!

John 1:1-18

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

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season 2026: The Good Shepherd

INCARNATION: At the very heart of Christianity is the truth that Jesus Christ is the Word of God, the Son of God—namely, He is God in the flesh!

The Word of God (The Son of God) is eternal.

“In the beginning.” Immediately we are introduced to the vast scope of the Evangelist’s mind with regard to his Gospel. Mark began his account on the banks of the Jordan river. Matthew takes us back to Abraham. Luke in his genealogy looks back to the creation, to “Adam, which was the son of God” (3:38). But John sweeps back behind creation into the eternities. “In the beginning,” whenever that was.

-Herschel Hobbs, An Exposition of the Gospel of John

The Word of God (The Son of God) is equal with God.

The Word of God (The Son of God) is God!

The Word of God (The Son of God) is the Creative Agent of God. (For reference, compare Colossians 1:15-17.)

The Word of God (The Son of God) became flesh. The Word of God became Jesus of Nazareth!

The Word of God (The Son of God) resided (tabernacled) with human beings for a season on earth.

The Word of God (The Son of God) reflected the glory of God.

The Word of God (The Son of God) was full of grace and truth.

The Word of God (The Son of God) reveals God.

The prologue to John is not about a message that offers hope, but about The Message that is the only hope.

-Gary M. Burge, NIV Application Commentary: John

Dennis R. Wiles
First Baptist Arlington
February 15, 2026
2026: Flourishing Together:
Transformed on The Jesus Way

Romans 12:1-2 (Gospel Guide: John)
WINTER 2026: Designed to Flourish
January 1 – February 17, 2026
Psalm 92:12-15

Faithful Witness
John 1:19-28

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

Theme for the Lenten/Easter Season 2026: The Good Shepherd

INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
KNOWING GOD: Saved
EXPERIENCING GOD: Shepherded Shaped
SERVING GOD: Sent

Theme for Winter 2026: Designed to Flourish

JOHN THE BAPTIST:
· In fulfillment of prophecy, he was sent from God as a witness to The Light.
· Prepared the way for the Lord!
· Acknowledged the preeminence/preexistence of The Word.
· Testified that Jesus is The Light.
· Testified that Jesus is The Chosen One.
· Baptized repentant Jewish sinners to prepare them for the coming of the Kingdom of God in Christ.
· Baptized Jesus Christ!
· Testified that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and that Jesus baptized His followers with the Holy Spirit.
· Boldly declared that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.
-John 10:40-41

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.”
-Jesus (Matthew 11:11)

EVANGELISTIC SENSITIVITY

God is calling us to be faithful witnesses to our generation.

PRAY!

PREPARE!

PROCLAIM!

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

February 8, 2026

2026: Flourishing Together:

Transformed on The Jesus Way

Romans 12:1-2 (Gospel Guide: John)

WINTER 2026: Designed to Flourish

January 1 – February 17, 2026

Psalm 92:12-15

Worship God!

Isaiah 6:1-8

Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by his holiness; the nourishment of mind with his truth; the purifying of imagination by his beauty; the opening of the heart to his love; the surrender of will to his purpose – and all of this gathered up in adoration.

-William Temple

SETTING: Isaiah began his ministry at the end of the reign of King Uzziah.

SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD: God was revealed as the Sovereign, holy God of Israel.

SEEING GOD: Isaiah was given a glimpse of God.

SEEING OURSELVES: Isaiah’s experience of God’s presence led him to a realistic understanding of himself.

SANCTIFIED BY GOD: God can cleanse us of our sin and sanctify us for His purposes.

SERVING GOD – Worshiping God should lead us to a humble response of obedience, rooted in love.