Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

July 26, 2026

2026: Flourishing Together:

Transformed on The Jesus Way

Gospel Guide: John

SUMMER 2026: Making a Difference

May 31, 2026 – August 1, 2026

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

-Jesus (John 15:8)

Self-Control: Joseph

Genesis 42

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

Theme for August 2026: Prayer for Believers

Theme for Summer 2026: Making a Difference

SELF CONTROL: Self-control (engkrateia) denotes the Spirit-enabled mastery of desires, impulses, and habits so that they serve rather than rule the believer. It is not mere human asceticism but a grace-driven capacity to bring every faculty under the lordship of Jesus Christ for holy living and effective service.

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

-Proverbs 25:28

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

-Romans 7:18

JOSEPH: Joseph demonstrated his ability to control himself when confronted with the opportunity to avenge his brothers’ evil actions.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

-Galatians 5:22-23

FRUIT: Fruit is an outward manifestation of an inner reality.

By their fruit you will recognize them.

-Jesus (Matthew 7:16)

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

-Galatians 5:16

JESUS: The greatest example of self-control is Jesus! His self-control was fully on display during the crucifixion! (Luke 23:27-43)

INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP

• Knowing God
• Experiencing God
• Serving God

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

July 19, 2026

2026: Flourishing Together:

Transformed on The Jesus Way

Gospel Guide: John

SUMMER 2026: Making a Difference

May 31, 2026 – August 1, 2026

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

-Jesus (John 15:8)

Gentleness: Ruth

Ruth 1

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

Theme for Summer 2026: Making a Difference

DIFFERENCE MAKERS: In order for us to “make a difference” in our world, we have to become difference makers!

INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP: God’s Spirit is at work in us and through us, in partnership with us, to accomplish His Kingdom’s mission.

GENTLENESS: Gentleness or meekness expresses interior strength under Holy Spirit control. Far from timidity, it is the poised disposition that gladly submits to God’s will and channels power for another’s good. It therefore belongs to the cluster of virtues labeled “the fruit of the Spirit” standing in needed contrast to human anger, rivalry, and self-assertion.

INCARNATION: God’s decision to personally visit planet earth through the Person of His Son is an example of His gentleness!

I am gentle and humble in heart.

-Jesus (Matthew 11:29)

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

-Matthew 21:4-5

JESUS: Jesus demonstrated His gentleness in His exchange with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (John 4).

STRENGTH: The attitude and ensuing actions associated with gentleness actually emerge from an inner strength made possible through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

SUBMISSION: Gentleness manifests itself in the absolute submission to the will of God.

SERVICE: Gentleness seeks the good of others and is the antithesis of self-centered, anger-laced behavior.

Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

July 12, 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

SUMMER 2026: Making a Difference

May 31, 2026 – August 1, 2026

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

-Jesus (John 15:8)

Faithfulness: Mary Magdalene

Luke 8:1-3

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

Theme for Summer 2026: Making a Difference

DIFFERENCE MAKERS: In order for us to “make a difference” in our world, we have to become difference makers!

Text:
Luke 8:1-3
John 10:11-18

INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP: God’s Spirit is at work in us and through us, in partnership with us, to accomplish His Kingdom’s mission.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

-Galatians 5:22-23

Mary Magdalene is mentioned 12 times in the New Testament. She provided financial support for the ministry of Jesus. She also personally witnessed His death, burial, and was the first witness of the resurrected Lord! She was the first preacher of The Good News!

Jesus was completely faithful to His Messianic role. He demonstrated His love for us through His death on the cross!

FAITHFULNESS: Faithfulness is a fruit of God’s Spirit at work within the individual believer.

FAITHFULNESS: Faithfulness manifests itself in the life of an individual believer through action.

QUESTION: How is your faithfulness to God on display through your actions?

Brad Echols

Summer 2026: Making a Difference
July 5, 2026

Goodness: Barnabas
Acts 9:26-27

What is GOOD?

Competence – good at math Strength – good eyesight

Behavior – good child Soundness – a good reason

Worthiness – good old George Attractiveness – has good looks

Genesis 1:31

Tov (טוֹב)

perfectly functional, beautifully working, beneficial

FLOURISHING - Character and Virtue

“I always act to promote good in all circumstances, even in difficult and challenging situations.”

“I am always able to give up some happiness now for greater happiness later.”

Exodus 33:19

GOODNESS provides PROTECTION and PROCLAMATION

John 8:2-11

GOODNESS of Jesus

PROTECTION

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stoneat her.”

PROCLAMATION

“Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Acts 11:23-24

Galatians 2:13

Acts 9:26-27

GOODNESS of Barnabas

PROTECTION - Takes Saul

PROCLAMATION -Tells Disciples

GOODNESS is not safe.

GOODNESS protects.

GOODNESS proclaims.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come... All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

Luke Stehr
Fruit of the Spirit
Kindness: Philemon
June 28, 2026

Kindness – χρηστότης – chrēstotēs – spiritual usefulness to the other

Titus 3:4-7

Romans 2:4

Matthew 8:5-13

Kindness is both a wrecking ball to the world’s fallen relational patterns of power abuse and alienation, and is also a healing balm that leads to restored identities and transformed relationships in the way of Jesus.

Paul

Philemon
Onesimus

Aristotle

Roman Social Order

• Nobles
• Senators
• Equestrians
• Municipal Magistrates and Senators
• Freeborn Roman Citizens
• Freed Slave Citizens
• Slaves

Philemon

• v10-11
• v15-16

Roman Social Order vs. Kingdom Social order

• Nobles
• Senators
• Equestrians
• Municipal Magistrates and Senators
• Freeborn Roman Citizens
• Freed Slave Citizens
• Slaves

Vs

• Jesus
• The People of God

Galatians 3:26-28

Connor Torrealba
Summer 2026: Making a Difference
June 21, 2026

Patience: Abraham
Genesis 15:1-6

Big idea: Patience is enduring strength rooted in a future hope

3 Questions

• How does God give us patience in our circumstances?
• How does God give us patience in our relationships?
• How do we live this out in regular life?

Genesis 15:1-6, NIV

That’s great for Abram, but what about us?

• God is good
• God is able

We have all the proof we need that Jesus is truly good and truly loves us

God gives us patience in our circumstances by reminding us he is able and good through the person and work of Jesus.

Matthew 9:9-13

Romans 5:8

God gives us patience in our relationships by helping us see others with the kind of love he has for them.

• Worship
• Read the Bible
• Pray
• Fast

Just as God reminded Abram of his calling, we too need to live in obedience to what God has told us to do most recently.

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Katy Reed-Hodges
June 14, 2026

Peace:Abigail
1 Samuel 25

Abigail the peacemaker

Jesus as the ultimate peacemaker

“The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets called shalom. We call it peace, but it means far more than mere peace of mind or a cease-fire between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens the doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things out to be.” – Cornelius Plantinga

Colossians 1:19-22 NIV

The church as the blesses peacemakers

Matthew 5:9 NIV