Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.

Offering

Living life the way Jesus did. It seems like an impossible dream. But could the secret to living a more Christ-like life be easier than you think?
Saturday, January 11, 2014

More In This Series

01/18/2014
"The Implausible Prayer" begins with the latest astronomy headline and ends with a knock at your door. See how this one implausible prayer can help you be more like Jesus.
02/01/2014
What does God do to protect His most precious possession on Earth? He bestows upon it this Impregnable Gift.

“How To Be More Like Jesus: The Impossible Dream”

www.pmchurch.tv

□ Revelation 14:1-5, 12, 14

 Stuart Devenish: “Every Christian generation has produced two kinds of Christians: the

common, ordinary garden variety, and those who have discovered the . Some call this deeper life entire sanctification. Others call it the baptism with the Spirit. . . . Whatever the label, it reflects a deep experience of .” (Beyond Well-being: Spirituality and Human Flourishing 58)

□  The Call of Jesus

  •   Matthew 4:19—“‘.’”
  •   Matthew 10:25—“‘It is enough for students to be their teachers, and

    servants their masters.’”

  •   John 13:15—“‘I have set you an example that you should do

    for you.’”

  •   Matthew 11:28, 29—“‘ to me . . . and from me, for I am gentle

    and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

□  The Call of the NT

  •   1 John 2:6—“Whoever says, ‘I abide in Him [Jesus],’ ought to walk

    walked.”

     1 John 2:6 NIV—“Whoever claims to live in Him must as Jesus did.”

  •   1 Peter 2:21—“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an

    example, that you should follow .”

  •   2 Corinthians 3:18—“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory,

    are being transformed into .”

  •   Thomas a Kempis: “Let us therefore see that we endeavour beyond all else to meditate

    on the life of Jesus Christ. . . . Anyone who wishes to understand and to savour the words of Christ to the full must try to make his whole life to the pattern of Christ’s life.” (The Imitation of Christ 37)

  •   Ellen White: “His beautiful and spotless character is before us as an example for us to . We must study and copy and follow Jesus Christ, then we shall bring His loveliness and beauty into our character.” (Christ Triumphant 43)
     That I May Know Him 265: “Christ is our pattern, the perfect and holy example that

    has been given us to follow. We can never equal the Pattern, but we may

    and resemble it according to our ability.”

  •   1 John 3:1-3—“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be

    called of God! And that is what we are! . . . But we know that when Christ appears, we shall him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies themselves, he is pure.”

□  But how?

 I want to be more like Jesus I’m following in His ways

I’m trying to love as He did In all that I do and say

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers:

“Love one another as Jesus loves you
Try to show kindness in all that you do

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I’m trying to love my neighbor
I’m learning to serve my friends

I watch for the day of gladness When Jesus will come again

I try to remember the lessons He taught

Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts saying:

—adapted from Janice Kapp Perry 

With This in Mind...

Feeling unlike yourself this time of year? You might be experiencing the winter blues—or, for some, a more severe form called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). (Check with your medical provider.) This low mood often begins in Fall and lifts by Summer as sunlight—and serotonin—increase. To beat the winter slump, try using a SAD lamp, exercising, brightening your space, going outdoors more, planning meaningful activities, and keeping a steady sleep routine. Invite someone into this plan and make your spirit bright this coming winter! Prov 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine...”. 

Seeking Voices for Sabbath Video Series!

Adventist Learning Community is producing a short series exploring Sabbath keeping and its impact on everyday life. We're looking for individuals to interview who joined the Adventist Church within the last 15 to 20 years and are comfortable on camera. If you're open to sharing your experience and how Sabbath has shaped your life, please contact Luke Bowers at lbowersweb@gmail.com, we'd love to hear from you!

Belong: Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving tradition continues, just a little earlier this year! We’ll be serving Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, November 16 at 6 PM If you would like to contribute a dish, please let us know by texting the word "TOFURKY" to 269-281-2345 to select an item or two from the list!

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will be a fellowship dinner held in the commons this Sabbath following the second church service. Visitors are welcome. 

Adventist-Muslim Relations Group

 Join us to pray for active missionaries and explore how to build bridges between Adventists and Muslims. We meet at 6:30 PM on the first and third Monday each month in the Leadership Lab of the Campus Center at Andrews University.

Join the Traffic Ministry Team!

We’re looking for volunteers to serve in our Traffic Ministry, helping direct vehicles and assist members and guests as they arrive and leave. Your friendly presence helps ensure safety and creates a warm first impression for everyone coming to worship. If you’re interested or want to learn more, please contact Derill Legoh 732-379-1300.

Offering for November 8, 2025

Annual Sacrifice for Global Mission

In 1857 David Livingstone was invited to receive a tribute and speak to students at Cambridge University in England. He had left behind a prosperous life in Europe to devote himself to preaching the gospel on the African continent.

As he stood in front of the students, he uttered the following words, People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay?—Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter?—Away with the word in such a view, and with such a thought! . . . I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk, when we remember the great sacrifice which HE made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us.

Today, we continue our tradition for every member of the Adventist church to give sacrificially so the General Conference can continue with the endeavor of Global Mission.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Howard Center Presents...Rachel Barton Pine

Rachel Barton Pine, a renowned violinist, suffered a life-altering accident in 1995 when she was severely injured in a train accident, resulting in the loss of her left leg and significant damage to her right foot.  Through resilience and determination Pine has overcome her challenges and has become an acclaimed American concert violinist whose infectious joy and passion transforms an audiences’ experience of classical music as they listen to her play.  She has performed with the world’s foremost orchestras both locally and internationally and is a leading interpreter of the great classical masterworks. Please join us on November 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Howard Performing Arts Center for a heart-warming concert by Rachel Barton Pine.

Adventist Seniors of Michiana (ASM) Meeting

Let’s dig into autumn with our ASM meeting on Sunday, November 9, 1:00-3:00 PM. We look forward to hearing from Randy Younkers with an update on the Noah’s Ark archeological site in Turkey. CHANGE IN VENUE: We will be meeting in the Pioneer Memorial Church Commons. All seniors aged 55+ are welcome. Bring your favorite potluck dish to share. For further information, contact Christine Rorabeck at 734-904-2001.

Katherine Smith Celebration of Life

We are saddened to share that Katherine Smith, 95, passed away on August 8, 2025, in Mesa, AZ, from complications of Alzheimer's. A former Associate Dean of Women and Pioneer Memorial Church co-Head Elder, she was a fixture in the Berrien Springs community for over 50 years. An informal Celebration of Life will be held at the Pioneer Memorial Church Commons on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 5-7 PM. Please join us as we share fond memories and  fellowship together while enjoying a light supper. Share your favorite memory with Susie at livrefou@hotmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Neighbor to Neighbor at https://www.n2nhelps.com.

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