Dennis R. Wiles
First Baptist Arlington
September 13, 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.”
For God So Loved!
John 3:16
Theme for Fall 2026: Gone Fishing!
CONTEXT: John is sharing the story of Jesus in a unique yet profound manner. He will go on to present Jesus Christ as both fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, but also as one who overwhelms the traditional institutions and expressions of Judaism.
CHRIST: In the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, John’s point is not that Jesus can outwit the esteemed Pharisee regarding Biblical interpretation. No, John is providing more raw material to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth is . . . THE CHRIST!
CONVERSION: Jesus deepens our understanding of conversion by utilizing the metaphor of a new birth.
CRUX: At the very heart of the possibility of conversion for humans is . . . THE LOVE OF GOD! For God so loved!
John
3:16 tells of the greatest reason for divine love (for), the original source of love (God), the greatest degree of love (so), the greatest emotion of love (loved), the greatest object of love (the world), the greatest relation of love (that), the greatest expression of love (he gave), the greatest gift of love (his only begotten Son), the greatest demand of love (that), the greatest recipients of love (whosoever), the greatest response to love (believeth in him), the greatest deliverance of love (should not perish), the greatest alternative of love (but), the greatest possession of love (have), the greatest quality and extent of love (everlasting), and the greatest fruit of love (life).
-Herschel Hobbs
Prayer:
Lord, You have placed a lost person on my heart. Please make them aware of how much You love them. Amen.