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

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