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Connor TorrealbaSummer 2026: Making a DifferencePatience: AbrahamGenesis 15:1-6Big idea: Patience is enduring strength rooted in a future hope 3 QuestionsHow 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 goodGod is ableWe have all the proof we need that Jesus is truly good and truly loves usGod 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. WorshipRead the BiblePrayFastJust 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-HodgesJune 14, 2026Peace:Abigail1 Samuel 25Abigail the peacemakerJesus 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 PlantingaColossians 1:19-22 NIVThe church as the blesses peacemakersMatthew 5:9 NIV

Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington June 7, 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) Joy: Nehemiah Nehemiah 8:1-12 CHARISMATIC Designating an animal or species that is particularly appealing or compelling to humans, typically because of its appearance or symbolic significance, and which is therefore used to gain support for conservation causes. BOODLE-FIGHT Philippine English. A communal meal at which different kinds of food are laid out, now typically on banana leaves, and eaten with the hands. 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 DISCIPLES: Difference Makers are intentional disciples who follow Jesus in every area of their lives. Disciples who are being shaped by the Spirit – in whom the character of Christ is being formed – through whom fruit is being borne – these are the people God uses to make a difference in the world. CONTEXT: Nehemiah and Ezra led Israel in a great revival service recorded in Nehemiah 8. At first, the Jewish people were convicted as they heard God’s Word read and explained --- they began to weep. Ezra and Nehemiah led them to time of celebration, worship, remembrance, and . . . JOY! FLOURISHING DOMAIN: HAPPINESS AND LIFE SATISFACTION Overall, how satisfied are you with life as a whole these days? In general, how happy or unhappy do you usually feel? SEMANTIC DOMAIN: JOY: The cluster of Biblical words for joy includes: happiness, gladness, pleasure, celebration, cheer, delight, jubilation, laughter, exultation, blessing ---- these words appear in about 2000 passages in the Scripture! QUESTION: Where do you find your joy? CHALLENGE: Satan desires to rob you of your joy! CHOICE: Joy is a choice! You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy. -Jane Marczewski There is nothing dreary and doubtful about life. It is meant to be continually joyful . . . We are called toa settled happiness in the Lord whose joy is our strength. -Amy Carmichael “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! -Philippians 4:4 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy . . .” -1 Peter 1:8 “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” -Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah (Daniel 3:17-18) “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” -Habakkuk 3:17-18 GIFT: The joy of the Lord is a gift from His Spirit! I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. -Jesus (John 15:11) STRENGTH: The Joy of the Lord is our strength! Good things as well as bad, you know, are caught by a kind of infection. If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them. They are not a sort of prizes which God could, if He chose, just hand out to anyone. They are a great fountain of energy and beauty spurting up at the very centre of reality. If you are close to it, the spray will wet you: if you are not, you will remain dry. -C. S. Lewis

Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington May 31, 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) Love: Jonathan 1 Samuel 18:1-4 DOOMSCROLLING To scroll continuously and compulsively through large quantities of upsetting or worrying online news, or content on a social media platform. Also transitive: to read or view upsetting or worrying content on (a social media or news platform) continuously and compulsively. TO TOUCH GRASS to engage with the real world, esp. as contrasted with being online. 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 DISCIPLES: Difference Makers are intentional disciples who follow Jesus in every area of their lives. Disciples who are being shaped by the Spirit – in whom the character of Christ is being formed – through whom fruit is being borne – these are the people God uses to make a difference in the world. This fruit that the disciples bear is not what they do, but the life of Jesus in them. It is His character reproduced within them and shared with others in love. This cannot come to pass without the disciple abiding in Jesus, making his home in Him as Jesus makes His home in the disciple. His life is shared with the disciples as their life is given to Him. -Roger Fredrikson, The Communicator’s Commentary: John CROWN PRINCE: Jonathan, son of Saul, was the Crown Prince of Israel. He was a victorious military warrior who eventually acknowledged that God’s hand was no longer on his father, but on the future King David. COVENANTAL LOVE: Jonathan expressed a deep love and respect for David by surrendering his claim for the crown and declaring his allegiance to David. LOVE: God is love! His love for us brings healing, hope, perspective, and a profound ability to share His love with others. EXAMPLE OF JESUS: Jesus loved deeply! In John 11:32-26, we see the love Jesus had for His friends on display at the tomb of Lazarus. Love is a steady direction of the will toward another’s lasting good. -Bishop Stephen Neil FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: LOVE -Experienced through our relationship with God (Romans 5:5) -Healthy -Sacrificial -Expressed through actions towards others

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

Curt GriceAssociate PastorApril 26, 2026 multi-year journey: Flourishing Together 2026 (intentional discipleship): Transformed on The Jesus Way today: Formed for Flourishing today’s takeaway: Think about what you think about! Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Romans 12:1-2 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. Receive God’s mercy Offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice Refuse to conform to the world Choose to be transformed by the renewing of your mind Know and do God’s will