Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Since 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

Martyrdom. Not a word you hear often in the comfort of our own pulpits. Yet it's a reality that literally millions of Christians around the world face everyday. Should you care? Should we care? Let's see what Christ had to say on the matter.
Saturday, March 08, 2014

More In This Series

02/22/2014
In love with Jesus but not a fan of the church? Maybe it's time to take a second look at the "body of Christ" and see just what it means to be "Sold Out" on Jesus.
03/01/2014
For those truly SOLD OUT on Christ's mission for the world there is a clear plan of action. Discover the 4 keys to God's plan, each of which begin with the letter "G".

“SOLD OUT!”—3

www.pmchurch.tv

Martyrs

  • The Center for the Study of Global Christianity has adopted a broad definition of

    “martyr”: “Believers in Christ who have lost their lives prematurely, in situations of witness, as a result of human hostility.” (www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2013/10/2815601/)

  • Frans Veerman, director of Open Doors’ World Watch List: “There is a huge gray area around the question of ‘martyrs.’ When Christians are isolated and denied clean drinking water and medical care because they are Christians and refuse to become Muslims—[and thus] they perish quicker than others—are they martyrs? In a strict sense, they aren’t. But when the whole mechanism behind [their deaths] is studied, we can say they are.” (www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/september/counting-cost-accurately.html)
  • John Allen, The Global War on Christians: “The truth is two thirds of the 2.3 billion Christians in the world today live . . . in dangerous neighbourhoods. They are often poor. They often belong to ethnic, linguistic and cultural minorities. And they are often at risk. And ultimately I think making that point is more important than being precise about the death toll.” (www.worldwatchmonitor.org)

□  The Lord of Martyrs

  • • John 16:1-3
  • • Matthew 24:9
    •  John the Baptist
    • Desire of Ages: “[Satan] had been unwearied in his efforts to draw away the
  • Baptist from a life of unreserved surrender to God; but he had failed. And he had failed to overcome Jesus. In the temptation in the wilderness, Satan had been defeated, and his rage was great. Now he determined to bring sorrow upon Christ by striking John. The One whom he could not entice to sin he would cause to suffer. Jesus did not interpose to deliver His servant. He knew that John would bear the test. . . . But for the sake of thousands who in after years must pass from prison to death, John was to drink the cup of martyrdom. As the followers of Jesus should languish in lonely cells, or perish by the sword, the rack, or the fagot, apparently forsaken by God and man, what a stay to their hearts would be the thought that John the Baptist, to whose faithfulness Christ Himself had borne witness, had passed through a similar experience!” (224)
  • • Revelation 2:10
    • stephanos—Stephen

□  How then shall we live?

  • Lord Jonathan Sacks in an address to Parliament, December 2011: “‘I have
  • followed the fate of Christians in the Middle East for years, appalled at what is happening, surprised and distressed . . . that it is not more widely known. It was Martin Luther King who said, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our
  • enemies, but the silence of our friends.” That is why I felt I could not be silent
  • today.’” (Liberty January/February 2014)
  • If you want to be involved politically:

     S. 653: Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act

    https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s653

     Write your senators and petition the bill to be brought to the floor for a vote.

  • If you want to be involved spiritually:

     Pray for Seventh-day Adventist prisoner Bruno Amah in Togo  Pray for those incarcerated or suffering for their faith

  • If you want to be involved personally:

     Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he

    cannot lose.”

    •   Desire of Ages: “Of all the gifts that heaven can bestow upon men [and

      women], fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and

      the highest honor.” (225)

    •   Will you follow the Lord of martyrs to where you will find both them and Him

      today?

“R U willing 2 B SOLD OUT 4 Jesus?” 

Free Bibles

The lost and found ministry at PMC has placed a table in the Main Lobby (Narthex) containing Bibles which have been in lost and found for more than a year and not been claimed. Some have names on them and some do not. You are welcome to take a Bible for yourself or a friend.  Please read and enjoy, For other lost and found item, there is a cupboard in the lower lobby welcome center where these items are kept. You can ask during the week for a secretary to help you check if your lost item is there.  After items have been in lost and found for more than three months they are sent to Neighbor to Neighbor so be sure and check on your items soon after you lose them.

Fellowship Dinner

There will not be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath.

Offering for March 30, 2024

Pioneer Operating Budget

I remember it like it was yesterday. I got a call from a close friend saying that they had gotten an incredible job in an incredible city that would be their dream come true. I celebrated with my friend, while also feeling the sting of pain from my own disappointment from recently being rejected from yet another job for which I was qualified, but not hired.

Disappointment and rejection can be hard things to deal with. One thing that God taught me and my family during that season of our lives was that though it may not be “my turn” for the blessing of my dream job, it is always “my turn” to serve God and those around me by doing my best, no matter what position I’m in.

One thing that has blessed me and many others during tough times is the support local churches offer to those who are struggling just to make it. I’ve been in small group Bible study where other members prayed for me and supported me in many ways, both with physical and spiritual needs. Today’s offering will go to support our local church budget, which supports ministries that are the heartbeat of our church all week long, not just on Sabbath. “The Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35, NIV).

By Heather Thompson Day

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Strength to Keep Going: A Multilingual Worship Celebration

The Andrews University Haitian Association and the Groupe Francophone D'Andrews invite all to participate in a special, multicultural worship experience on April 13 in the Seminary Chapel. Sabbath School at 10:30 AM, divine service at 11:45 AM. Join us in praising God in English, French, and Creole! Children and families welcome, as well as language learners.

BSHS Non-Perishable Food Drive

Our Pioneer students from Berrien Springs High school are holding a non-perishable food drive, the proceeds of which will go directly to the Feeding America Charity to help people with food insecurity. Please visit PM church’s welcome desk on the second floor by the front entrance to the sanctuary from March 25-30 to donate your non-perishable goods to people in need.

RMES Kindergarten Parent Night and Kindergarten Visitor Day

Parents with students who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2024, are invited to come meet our Kindergarten teacher on April 2, tour the classroom and school, enjoy refreshments, meet other Kindergarten parents, etc. Kindergarten age children are invited to visit our Kindergarten classroom on April 3. They will enjoy singing and worship, physical education, Spanish and music class, along with outdoor play time. Please call us at 269-471-3225 to let us know you are coming!

The Center for Adventist Research Book Sale

The Center for Adventist Research Book Sale is back! The 2024 Spring book sale begins April 2 with hundreds of used Seventh-day Adventist books, pamphlets, periodicals, audio-visuals, and Ellen White books for sale. There are also many phonograph records for sale.

The books are competitively priced and will be less costly than at the various online sources for Adventist used books. We accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards. The sale begins April 2 and will conclude on April 16. The sale hours will match the Center’s public hours: Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 7 PM, and Friday 9 AM to 1 PM.  For more information, you may call the Center at (269) 471-3209 or email car@andrews.edu.

Lebanon Mission

This week the PMC Youth Missions team has been conducting the week of prayer on two campuses in Beirut, Lebanon. They are sharing the theme "Faces Around the Cross" with students at Middle East University and Adventist secondary school in nearby
Bouchrieh. The team has presented 4 chapel services a day, starting at 7:30 AM. The 11-member team of Andrews students and PMC members has been learning a lot as they serve in this challenging mission field. Your prayers and support of PMC Youth Missions are indispensable.

Quiet Activity Bags for Kids in Church

Pioneer warmly welcomes young families! Quiet activity bags for children are available to borrow, enjoy, and return each Sabbath morning. Select a larger bag for 1 to 3 year-olds or a smaller one for 3 to 9 year-olds. Pick up a bag in the Narthex or the organ side front entrance lobby. Return as soon as finished so others can enjoy.

2nd Annual Community Messiah Sing

Community Messiah Sing - The Eau Claire SDA Church is celebrating the sacred glory of the Easter season by hosting a inter-faith Community Messiah Sing-Along. You are invited to this Christian sing-along in celebration of the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. We will sing the Easter portion of Handel's Messiah to the recorded “accompaniment” of a Baroque Chamber Orchestra featuring the type of instrumentation the original performance of Handel’s Messiah oratorio had. We will of course conclude the rejoicing with the "Hallelujah" Chorus. Come join us on Saturday, March 30 from 4-6 pm at 6562 Naomi Road in Eau Claire. Bring a Messiah score if you have one or one will be provided. Light refreshments will be served afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.

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