There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath following the second worship service in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are welcome.
In Exile: Cadences of Home
Really, Really Faithful Under Fire
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
“In Exile: Cadences of Home—
Really, Really Faithful Under Fire”
www.newperceptions.tv
»Four very short stories
»Four very simple reasons
• #1—Persecution is the expected modus operandi of the devil (“evil”
with a “d”) in his “great controversy” warfare to the divine allies and exiles on earth.
• 2 Timothy 3:12—“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be .”
• #2—Trials and tribulations character and dependency
on God.
• John 16:33—“‘I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have . But take heart! I have the world.’”
• 1 Peter 4:12-13—“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to you [as gold purified in the fire—1:6-7], as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
• #3—Persecution keeps the line of demarcation between the exiles and the culture of the captor .
• Walter Brueggemann: “The great problem for exiles is cultural . The primary threat to those ancient Jews was that members of the community would decide that Jewishness was too demanding, or too dangerous, or too costly, and simply accept Babylonian definitions and modes of reality.” (Cadences of Home: Preaching among Exiles 41)
• Lee Beach: “While integration with culture is necessary, to it in all aspects is not.” (The Church in Exile: Living in Hope After Christendom 89)
• #4—Persecution actually the Kingdom of God on earth!
• Esther 8:17—“And many people of other nationalities became because fear of the Jews had seized them.”
• Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream—the king at Daniel’s feet in obeisance to Daniel’s God (Daniel 2:46).
• Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and Nebuchadnezzar’s image—the king their God above all other gods (Daniel 3:29).
• Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar after his insanity—“I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and the King of heaven, because everything he does is right” (Daniel 4:37).
• Daniel and Darius the Great—“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of .” (Daniel 6:26)
• Tertullian: “The blood of Christians is .”
• Frederick Dale Bruner: “In Matthean and biblical teaching the tribulation of the latter days is a Christian experience and ‘runs from the first advent to the second.’ We’re in it! . . . The tribulation of persecution is the essence of Christian . . . . A winnowed, persecuted, purged, minority church—paradoxically,
evangelically— .”
(Matthew: A Commentary 2:483-484, 292)
• Acts 8:1, 4—“On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were throughout Judea and Samaria. . . . Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”
• Ellen White: “The two armies [faith communities] will stand distinct and separate, and this distinction will be so marked that many who shall be convinced of truth will come on the side of God’s commandment-keeping people. When this grand work is to take place in the battle, . . . many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be for Christ’s sake in standing in defense of the truth.” (Maranatha 199)
• Jesus: “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute also.”
(John 15:20)
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and .” (Cost of Discipleship 99)
• Frederick Dale Brunner: “Though the church is winnowed down, betrayed, arrested, and martyred, nevertheless, like the betrayed, arrested, and executed Jesus himself, it experiences resurrection after crucifixion. The slaughtered lamb becomes a lion!” (492)
If persecution grows the Kingdom—
why not?
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.