There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath following the second worship service in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are welcome.
Galaxy Three: Why What Is Happening a Billion Light Years Away Right Now Matters to You
Galaxy Three: Magnificence in the Middle
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonSince 1983, Dwight Nelson has served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. He preaches on the “New Perceptions” telecast, teaches at the theological seminary and has written some books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
More In This Series
“Galaxy Three: Magnificence in the Middle”
□ Job 16:19-21
• “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My is my
as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man
pleads for his .” (NIV)
• I.e., He is my —just as I am His .
□ Hebrews 3:1/2:17-18; 4:14-16; 7:25
• Four adjectives about the High Priest in Hebrews:
o (3:1)
William Johnsson: “Because we have such a high priest, the doors of heaven’s temple swing
open wide to welcome us. The command center of the universe no longer holds fear and
uncertainty for us—we there.” (The Abundant Life Bible Amplifier: Hebrews 105)
o (2:17)
Peter O’Brien: “Nowhere else in the Greek Bible are priests or high priests explicitly said to be
. But again and again the Old Testament asserts that Yahweh is
[Exodus 34:6—the first word of His self-revelation]. . . . The Gospels picture Jesus perfectly
reflecting the character of Yahweh, the one. Jesus is often entreated to
have ‘mercy’ (Matt. 9:27; 15:22; 17:15, and parallels), while this theme turns up in his teaching
(Matt. 5:7; 18:33; Luke 16:24).” (Hebrews 119-120)
o (2:17)
F. F. Bruce: “He is merciful because through his own sufferings and trials he can sympathize
with [ours]; he is because he endured to the end without faltering.” (Hebrews
87-88)
o (4:14)
William Johnsson: “Our faith rests on something solid, on Someone. . . . We have a great high
priest in heaven, and He guarantees that what we profess isn’t a matter of feeling or
philosophy, of speculation or possibility. At the heart of our religions stands a Man, and His
name is Jesus—a Man, but much more, for He is God’s Son!” (Hebrews 103)
• Two adverbs about the High Priest’s actions in Hebrews:
o Saves
Desire of Ages: “The Lord would be so bountiful to His human family that it could not be said
of Him that He could do more. In the gift of Jesus, God gave all heaven. . . . The atonement
for a lost world was to be full, abundant, and complete. Christ’s offering was exceedingly
abundant to reach every soul that God had created. . . . There must be enough and to spare.”
(565)
o Intercedes
Amazing Grace: “As our Intercessor, His office work is to introduce us to God as His sons and
daughters. Christ intercedes in behalf of those who have received Him. . . . And the Father
demonstrates His infinite love for Christ, who paid our ransom with His blood, by receiving and
welcoming Christ’s friends as His friends.” (68)
• Our merciful, faithful and great High Priest is interceding for us in order that He might save
us forever. Therefore, “my is my .”
□ “Magnificence in the Middle”
• At Calvary: John 19:18—“There they crucified Him, and with him two others—one on each side and
Jesus in the .”
• In Heaven: Hebrews 7:25
o John 16:26, 27—“The Father Himself you.” (John 3:16; Romans 8:32, 38-39)
o Zechariah 3:1-4—We do need an Intercessor to convince God on our behalf—we need an
Intercessor to silence on our behalf.
o 1 John 2:1,2—“My dear children, if anybody does sin, we have an advocate [ ] with
the Father—Jesus Christ, the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world.”
“My Intercessor and My Friend”
Disaster & Famine Relief
As we approach Christ’s return, the Bible tells us that crisis events will increase around the world. Emergency Management officials, who have tracked disasters for over 50 years confirm that tornadoes are touching down with greater impact, hurricanes are moving at greater speeds and mass shootings continue to affect our communities on a regular basis.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church serves those affected by these types of devastating events. Adventist Community Services (ACS) responds throughout the North American Division. Volunteers open collection centers to support those whose homes have been destroyed, support communities that have been struck by senseless shootings with Emotional Spiritual Care teams, and deliver supplies to areas of greatest need in the aftermath of a disaster.
Your offering this Sabbath will ensure ACS is able to prepare, respond, and work in recovery efforts that take place within the North American Division, which includes the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Guam, and Micronesia. While ACS is responsible for these areas, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has not forgotten the rest of the world and has another humanitarian organization that responds to events outside of the North American Division called ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Association).
Please give this Sabbath to the disaster and famine relief offering, where your donation will support both ACS and ADRA. We look forward to continuing our work to serve communities in Christ’s name.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
All Adventist Seniors of Michiana (ASM) Members, and those who are planning to become members, are invited to come to the Village SDA Church Fellowship Hall on Sunday, May 19, at 1:00 PM. Please bring a dish or two of your favorite food to share at the potluck dinner. It is always so much fun to fellowship with friends (55+ years of age) while enjoying various speakers, special music, devotionals and themes. This particular ASM meeting will feature Dr. James North as he presents: "Roadmap or GPS: God's Way." If you have any questions, please call Cleon White (269-861-2580). We hope to see you there!
Cleon White, President
269-471-5553
whitehkaa@gmail.com
Andrews Academy will be holding a children's church on Sunday, May 19, from 12:00 - 2:00 PM, in which we will provide activities for children aged around 8-12 years old. We will be having arts and crafts, light snacks, physical activities, and Christ centered activities.
Are you willing to enjoy a quiet few hours in a Children's Sabbath School room mending Bibles, refreshing the room decor, replenishing table supply kits, or a little deep cleaning? Can you gift one day (or evening) per month to come in to support our awesome volunteers who already do so much on Sabbaths? Email childrenss@pmchurch.org or text 269-845-0178 including your name, what projects you're willing to help with and we'll get you connected soon. Thanks for adding your gifts.
Explore Scenic New England and it's Rich History from September 1-8, 2024
Please see the letter below regarding a Pastoral Staff transition at Pioneer.
Oasis Public School Ministry provides a safe community for real talk, good food, fun activities, and building relationships between students, leaders, and God. This ministry is open to all public middle and high school students and meets Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 PM in the 5th grade Sabbath school room. Bring a friend and check it out! For more information, contact Diane at simplestirrings@yahoo.com.