Épisodes

  • Born The King, Ne’er a Prince! - December 7, 2025

    Born The King, Ne’er a Prince! - December 7, 2025
    Dec 8 2025

    Dennis R. Wiles

    First Baptist Arlington

    December 7, 2025


    Flourishing Together

    First Baptist Arlington

    2025 – 2030

    2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

    1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)


    ADVENT 2025: The King!

    November 30 – December 31, 2025


    Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.

    Matthew 2:2


    Born The King, Ne’er a Prince!

    Matthew 2:1-12


    PEACE: God’s peace is available to His people!


    Theme for Advent 2025: The King!

    K --- December 7: Born The King, Ne’er a Prince!

    I ---- December 14: Identity Gift

    N --- December 21: Now and Not Yet!

    G --- December 28: Go Now!


    JEWISH EXPECTATION: Some of the Jews returned from the Exile to Israel about 540 years before the birth of Jesus, while many Jews remained in the Babylonian/Persian area. Even though many of them had returned to Israel, the Jews had no King, no army, and no national identity. However, they had a hope and an expectation that God would send a new “Son of David” to rule over them and deliver them from their oppressors.


    I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.

    -Numbers 24:17


    The Anointed One (Messiah), the ruler . . .

    -Daniel 9:25


    EASTERN GENTILE CONTEXT: Eventually, the Parthians conquered Babylon, re-established Iranian rule in Persia and became the rival empire to Rome. The Parthian priests and astrologers became familiar with the Jewish Messianic prophecies from the writings of Daniel and the prophets – as well as through personal interactions with the Jewish population remaining in the area.


    ROMAN GENTILE CONTEXT: By the first century, even the Romans had come to believe that some sort of “special” ruler would arise from the region of Judea.


    “There had spread over all the Orient an old and established belief, that it was fated at that time for men coming from Judaea to rule the world.”

    -Suetonius


    KING HEROD: Julius Caesar appointed Herod’s father, Antipater, as the Governor of Judea. Upon his father’s death, Herod became one of the two rulers of Judea/Galilee. The Parthians attacked Israel and Herod fled to Rome in 40 BC. Mark Antony appointed Herod as King of the Jews, and he returned to Israel and defeated the Parthians.


    MAGI: Many scholars believe the Magi were from the priestly class in Parthia who had been studying the “signs” of the times and were expecting the birth of a new King in Judea. They arrived with an entourage from Parthia (enemies of Herod), with gifts fit for a King, searching for the new King. Matthew records that Herod was “disturbed” and all of Israel with him!


    THE KING! When the Magi found the King, they “rejoiced with and exceedingly great joy!” They worshiped before the King and bestowed Him with precious gifts befitting a king.


    Our God is the God of redemptive history – indeed, He is the God of all of history!


    Jesus is The King! Even the words in both the Old and New Testaments that can be rendered “prince” actually mean “ruler.” Jesus was truly born a King – actually, He was born . . . The King!
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    37 min
  • Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus! - November 30, 2025

    Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus! - November 30, 2025
    Dec 1 2025
    Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington November 30, 2025 Flourishing Together First Baptist Arlington 2025 – 2030 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) ADVENT 2025: The King! November 30 – December 31, 2025 Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:2 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus! Isaiah 11 Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ Theme for Advent 2025: The King! K --- December 7: Born The King, Ne’er a Prince! I ---- December 14: Identity Gift N --- December 21: Now and Not Yet! G --- December 28: Go Now! HOPE! Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus! “I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord Almighty. -Haggai 2:7 CONTEXT OF ISAIAH 11 – God shares a word of promise and hope amidst the judgment rendered through the power of foreign powers like Assyria. HOPE FORETOLD: God promised to bring forth new life from the “stump” and the “root” of Jesse, father of King David. Isaiah 11:1 – A shoot from the stump of Jesse and a Branch that will bear fruit! Branch – Hebrew – “netzer” – core consonants – n-tz-r “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.” -Jeremiah 23:5-6 Isaiah 11:10 – The Root of Jesse HOPE FULFILLED: At Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment of this hope! Jesus is the Christ, the Son of Jesse, the Son of David, the Root and the Branch! Branch – Hebrew – “netzer” – core consonants – n-tz-r – Nazareth! But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. -Matthew 2:22-23 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name” . . . . . . And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:8, 12-13 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. -Revelation 22:16 HOPE FOR THE FUTURE: The story continues to be written! God has given us hope for the future. He will send His Son to earth again to make all things right! He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. -Isaiah 11:3-9 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus!
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    33 min
  • Missional Ambitions - November 23, 2025

    Missional Ambitions - November 23, 2025
    Nov 24 2025

    Cindy Wiles
    November 23, 2025

    Missional Ambitions
    Philippians 3:10-14

    “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

    Dioko! Press On!

    Paul's Refined Calling: "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known..."

    Paul’s Prize: Knowing and Being Conformed

    to the Person of Christ


    - Knowing Christ​

    - Experiencing the Power of the Resurrection​

    - The Fellowship of Suffering​

    - Becoming like Christ in His Death​

    - Attaining to the Resurrection from the Dead​

    - Achieving Christ’s Purposes

    “From one man God made all nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out to him and find him.”

    -Acts 17:26-27

    Form Your Influencers

    Respond to the Marginalized

    and the Captives

    Pursue Communal Groups

    and Households

    Understand Your Community:​


    Needs/Perceived Needs​

    Culture(s)​

    Worldviews

    People

    Opportunities​


    Follow the Spirit. ​You are not alone. ​

    John 15:26-27
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    39 min
  • The Engaged Church - November 16, 2025

    The Engaged Church - November 16, 2025
    Nov 17 2025

    Dennis R. Wiles

    First Baptist Arlington

    November 16, 2025

    Flourishing Together

    First Baptist Arlington

    2025 – 2030

    2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

    1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)

    ENGAGEMENT 2025: Call to the Wild

    November 2 – 29, 2025

    As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”

    Matthew 10:7

    The Engaged Church

    Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3

    CHURCH: This is the new global community of God’s people. The Church is the new Temple of God – God is present with His people! As members of the Church, we have been commissioned to the task of making disciples of all nations and filling the earth with His glory!

    GREAT PLAN OF REDEMPTION: God is going to accomplish His mission through the Great Plan of Redemption in this world. His purposes will be accomplished! His plan includes the Church!

    PRINCIPLE: When God’s ability intersects with our availability, great things happen!

    Insights/Images/Characteristics of an Engaged Church-- The Church at Antioch

    • Focus on the Gospel of Jesus
    • Presence of the Lord’s hand
    • Acknowledgment of the diversity of the community
    • Grace of God
    • Gladness of God
    • Relational
    • Growth in numbers
    • Receptive to newcomers
    • Responsive to teaching
    • Making disciples
    • Generous
    • Diverse in leadership
    • Sensitive to the Spirit’s leading
    • Adventuresome – respond in faith without knowing everything

    POWER: In order for us to experience the miraculous power of God, we have to answer the call He places on us. The Church at Antioch answered the call!

    POTENTIAL: Since 1871, First Baptist Arlington has been seeking to answer the call of God. Making ourselves available, seeking His guidance, remaining faithful to The Jesus Way, and responding in faith to His call – all of this fosters seasons of potential in the life of our church!
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    37 min
  • The Growing Church - November 9, 2025

    The Growing Church - November 9, 2025
    Nov 10 2025
    Dennis R. Wiles First Baptist Arlington November 9, 2025 Flourishing Together First Baptist Arlington 2025 – 2030 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew) ENGAGEMENT 2025: Call to the Wild November 2 – 29, 2025 As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 10:7 The Growing Church Acts 2:42-47 HEAVEN AND EARTH The Bible contains the story of how heaven and earth have been connected since creation and will be connected in eternity. Since the beginning of time, the Triune God has been revealed through this dynamic and incredible reality. God, His Word, and His Spirit – all are on display since creation. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. -Genesis 1:1 See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. -Isaiah 65:17 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. -Revelation 21:1 INCARNATION: God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. The ministry of Jesus marks the launching of a new era – Heaven has come to earth! This is also known as Inaugurated Eschatology. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made . . . the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -John 1:1-3, 14 ASCENSION: Jesus ascended to the Father in Acts 1. This is a significant event in the dawning of the Age to Come. God’s original plan for humanity and creation now has become a reality. Heaven and earth have merged together, and a Human Being (Jesus Christ) is now enthroned with the Father. Jesus is Lord over all the earth! PENTECOST: The Spirit of God was given after the Ascension of Jesus as a demonstration that God always desires to dwell with His people. His presence guarantees the manifestation of His power so that His purposes will be accomplished. This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” -Acts 2:16-17 CHURCH: This is the new global community of God’s people. The Church is the new Temple of God – God is present with His people! As members of the Church, we have been commissioned to the task of making disciples of all nations and filling the earth with His glory! All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. -Matthew 28:18-20 INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP: The Church must be intentionally engaged in making disciples! The first church was committed to discipleship: Instruction, Worship, Community, Generosity, Engagement. Flourishing Together Following The Jesus Way Knowing God Experiencing God Serving God Saved Shepherded Sent Shaped CONGREGATIONAL COMMISSIONING Leader: Jesus said, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” Congregation: Amen. Leader: There are people in our families who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven. Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim. Leader: There are people in our neighborhoods who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven. Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim. Leader: There are people among the nations who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven. Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim. Leader: There are people missing from the table who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven. Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim. Leader: Amen. May you be filled with the Spirit of God, empowered to proclaim the Good News about the Kingdom of God. As you go, proclaim!
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    24 min
  • The Wide, Wild World - November 2, 2025

    The Wide, Wild World - November 2, 2025
    Nov 3 2025

    Dennis R. Wiles

    First Baptist Arlington

    November 2, 2025

    Flourishing Together

    First Baptist Arlington

    2025 – 2030

    2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

    1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)

    ENGAGEMENT 2025: Call to the Wild

    November 2 – 29, 2025

    As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”

    Matthew 10:7

    The Wide, Wild World

    Acts 1:6-8

    CONTEXT: The earthly ministry of Jesus was concluding. These are His final instructions prior to His Ascension.

    COMMISSION: Jesus commissioned His followers to be His witnesses in the wide, wild world! The Gospel was not to be contained in Israel but was to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth!

    CELEBRATION: Jesus has invited everyone to the table. Who is missing?

    CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER:


    CONGREGATIONAL COMMISSIONING

    Leader: Jesus said, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’”

    Congregation: Amen.

    Leader: There are people in our families who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.

    Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.

    Leader: There are people in our neighborhoods who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.

    Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.

    Leader: There are people among the nations who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.

    Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.

    Leader: There are people missing from the table who need to know the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven.

    Congregation: As we go, we will proclaim.

    Leader: Amen. May you be filled with the Spirit of God, empowered to proclaim the Good News about the Kingdom of God. As you go, proclaim!
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    39 min
  • I Want to Know What Love Is! - October 26, 2025

    I Want to Know What Love Is! - October 26, 2025
    Oct 27 2025

    Dennis R. Wiles

    First Baptist Arlington

    October 25, 2025

    Flourishing Together

    First Baptist Arlington

    2025 – 2030

    2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

    1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)

    FALL 2025: It is Not Good . . . to be Alone

    September 7 – November 1, 2025

    The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

    Genesis 2:18

    I Want to Know What Love Is!

    1 Corinthians 13

    Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

    Theme for Fall 2025: It is Not Good to be Alone

    Theme for Engagement 2025: Call to the Wild

    HUMAN FLOURISHING: One of the domains currently being researched in the Global Flourishing Study is Close Social Relationships


    What’s love got to do with it?

    Rare is the person who does not want to love and be loved. Love appears to be intrinsic to our humanity. Sociologists may dissect behavioral mechanics behind the claims of love. Branches of medical research may explore the biochemistry of love. But, however explained, it is almost universally agreed that we need love in order to live and flourish as human beings.

    -Patrick Mitchel, The Message of Love

    PRIORITY – Love is foundational to everything in our lives!

    PERSONIFIED – Love is connected to feelings but love itself is not a feeling!

    POWER – Love is a powerful force that can overcome selfishness and hate.

    PERMANENCE – Love is forever!
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    34 min
  • Working 9-5! - October 19, 2025

    Working 9-5! - October 19, 2025
    Oct 20 2025

    Dennis R. Wiles

    First Baptist Arlington

    October 19, 2025

    Flourishing Together

    First Baptist Arlington

    2025 – 2030

    2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

    1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)

    FALL 2025: It is Not Good . . . to be Alone

    September 7 – November 1, 2025

    The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

    Genesis 2:18

    Working 9 to 5!

    Proverbs 6:1-19

    God has designed human beings to live as relational, social, and communal beings. From family, to friends, to acquaintances, to our vocation – we live our lives in relational contexts. It is God’s desire for us to flourish in and through those relationships!

    POTENTIAL: God has created all of us in His image, thus we all have great potential to serve and honor Him.

    PRODUCTIVITY: God has placed within us a desire to be productive and fruitful.

    PERSPECTIVE: As Christians, we should have a Biblical and theological understanding of work!

    The Bible begins talking about work as soon as it begins talking about anything—that is how important and basic it is. The author of the book of Genesis describes God’s creation of the world as work. It fact, he depicts the magnificent project of cosmos intervention within a regular workweek of seven days.

    -Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor

    When we hear the word “work,” we often think of what we are paid to do. Of course, getting paid is important to make a living, but work is not limited to what we are paid to do. Work is not defined by its compensation but by its contribution to others. Work is not first and foremost about economic exchange, financial remuneration, or a pathway to wish fulfillment; rather, it is about God-honoring creativity and loving contribution.

    -Tom Nelson, Why Your Work Matters

    Avad – Hebrew word found in the Old Testament in both noun and verb forms (over 430 times). It is translated into English as – service, worship, or work.

    PROFIT: The profit gained through our vocation extends far beyond economic value. God uses us through our work to contribute to the common good, serve others, cultivate fruitful relationships, and extend the Kingdom of God!
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    23 min