Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

September 6, 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

FALL 2026: Gone Fishing!

September 6 – October 31, 2026

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

-Jesus (Matthew 4:19)

Gone Fishing!

Mark 1:16-20

Theme for Fall 2026: Gone Fishing!

CONTEXT: The setting for the calling of the disciples was the initiation of the earthly ministry of Jesus. The time had come to establish the Kingdom of God on earth! It called for a response: repent and believe!

CALLING: Jesus issued an invitation to these men to become His disciples. There are at least 3 aspects to this calling:

-Personal – Notice Jesus said, “Come, follow me!

-Powerful – The force of the call from Jesus compelled these men to immediately and unconditionally follow Him.

-Purposeful – Jesus called these men to join Him in establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.

COMMITMENT: These men were invited by Jesus to join Him in His mission. The invitation called for a holistic commitment to Jesus.

CONCLUSIONS: What do we learn about discipleship?

1. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, Savior, Son of God!

2. We must repent and believe the Gospel.

3. We must surrender in obedience to the calling of Jesus on our own lives.

4. We must join Him in His mission.

Prayer:

Father, place someone on my heart who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus. Give me the opportunity to share with them. Amen.

Todd D. Still, PhD
Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean
Holder of the William M. Hinson Chair of Christian Scriptures, George W. Truett Theological Seminary

Partnership in The Gospel
Philippians 1:3-6

• The gospel is the tie that binds Christian fellowship, ministry partnerships, and the life of the local church together across generations
• Paul's letter to the Philippians uses the word euangelion nine times, with five occurrences in the first chapter alone, making the gospel the central thread of the entire letter
• Partnership in the gospel, as modeled by the Philippians and the Wiles' ministry, expresses itself through giving, praying, and winsome witness to a wounded world
• The progress of the gospel is not dependent upon any individual messenger; God advances his purposes even through imperfect instruments
• Paul's call to the Philippians to live as citizens of the gospel -- standing firm, striving together in one spirit -- remains a timely charge to the local church
• The power of the gospel, as described in Romans 1, is God's own power unto salvation for all who believe, grounded in the truth of Habakkuk 2:4 that the righteous live by faith
• Long, faithful pastorates are a rare and profound blessing, and the 25-year ministry of Dennis and Cindy Wiles reflects the kind of steadfast gospel partnership Paul celebrated in Philippians
• The church's labor in the Lord is never in vain, and the work accomplished in a faithful ministry echoes into eternity

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

August 23, 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

AUGUST 2026: Prayer for Believers

August 2 – September 5, 2026

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for all the Lord’s people.

-Ephesians 6:18

Prayer for . . . More Believers!

John 17:20-26

Theme for August 2026: Prayer for Believers

Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.

- Max Lucado

Prayer lays hold of God's plan and becomes the link between his will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit's prayer.

- Elisabeth Elliot

If your day is hemmed in with prayer, it is less likely to come unraveled.

- Cynthia Lewis

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

-Ephesians 6:18

HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER OF JESUS

This prayer is marked by its depth – theologically, ecclesiologically, soteriologically, and eschatologically.

PRAY FOR THE LOST!

The ultimate test of our prayer life is our concern for the lost. If we do not pray for them, it proves we do not care if they perish.

-J. Oswald Sanders

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

-Jesus (Luke 19:10)

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

-Jesus (Luke 10:2)

PRAY FOR THE LOST

-Jesus to draw them to Himself

-God to open their hearts and minds

-Holy Spirit to convict them

-God to orchestrate circumstances

-Faithful believers to cross paths

-Courage to accept Jesus

ADOPT GOD’S PERSPECTIVE!

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

-1 Timothy 2:1-4

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

-2 Peter 3:8-9

PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL!

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for lost friends, family members, and colleagues. May they hear Your call to salvation in fresh new ways this week and give their lives to Jesus. Amen.