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The Bondage Breaker

The Bondage Breaker: The Easter Rout!

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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

Feeling trapped by addiction? What if the very same power that freed Jesus from the tomb was available to free you from you're own bondage?
Saturday, April 19, 2014

More In This Series

03/29/2014
The Bondage Breaker: How to win (and help your friends win) the battle of addiction
Innocently deceived. Ruthlessly held. This series will take a closer look at the Enemy's tactics in this raging spiritual warfare, and how freedom is not just possible, but promised.
04/05/2014
The Bondage Breaker: Global Addiction, Global Deliverance
No matter where you go on this planet there are always three things that people universally love. Could the greatest blessings God gave to humanity be the very things the Enemy uses to enslave us?
04/12/2014
The Bondage Breaker: How to Turn Your Defeats into V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
Does addiction seem like an unbeatable challenge? Here are 7 steps you can take to turn your defeats into victory.
04/26/2014
The Bondage Breaker: Washed in the Blood for the Rest of Your Life
The same One who can break your bondage to sin can also wash you clean and keep you that way for the rest of your life.
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“The Bondage Breaker: The Easter Rout!”

www.pmchurch.tv

  • □  The Resurrection
    • Matthew 28:1-6
    • Frederick Buechner: “If we are to believe [Christ] is really alive with all that that implies, then we have to believe without proof. And of course that is the only way it could be. If it could be somehow proved, then we would have no choice but to believe. We would lose our freedom not to believe. And in the very moment that we lost that freedom, we would cease to be human beings. Our love of God would have been forced upon us, and love that is forced is of course not love at all. Love must be freely given. Love must live in the freedom not to love; it must take risks. Love must be prepared to suffer even as Jesus on the Cross suffered, and part of that suffering is doubt.” (The Magnificent Defeat)
  • □  The Evidence
    • #1—The of Jesus (Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-33; John 2:19-

      22)
       It was common knowledge in Jerusalem that this Man predicted He would rise from the dead

      (Matthew 27:63).

    • #2—Many “” proofs (Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:5-9)

       The NT records at least 10 such appearances

    • #3—The conversion of witnesses—James and Paul

       James, the step brother of Jesus, publicly declared that Jesus was “out of His mind” during Christ’s ministry (Mk 3:20-21—but see Acts 1:14).

       Saul/Paul was the archenemy of the infant church (Acts 9:1; but see 9:22).

    • #4—Fearful to
    • #5—The tomb

       Even the soldiers, assigned to guard that tomb, testified that it was empty—to which the chief priests concocted the lie while the soldiers slept Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body (but how would a sleeping soldier know who had stolen the body?).

    • #6—The existence of the (Acts 2:23-24; 3:14-15; 4:10-12; 4:33; 5:30-31, et al)  Tim Chaffey: “The reality of the Resurrection was central to the message the apostles

      preached. The book of Acts, almost universally recognized as reliable history of the period,

      claims that these men spoke about the Resurrection repeatedly.” (Answer April-June 2014)

    • #7—Principle of

       Why would writers of history invent details that do not seem to help their cause?
       Tim Chaffey: “Either the writers were quite foolish or exceedingly clever or they wrote

      precisely what happened.”

    • #8— hearts in later generations
  • □  The Change
    • Ephesians 1:18-20; 2:1, 4-5
    • Paul’s inescapable point: The power that freed Christ from His is the identical power

    that can free us from our .
    • The devil can no more hold you in your sepulcher of than he could hold Christ in the

    tomb of .
    • “Christ’s death and resurrection have opened before every soul an unlimited source of

    from which to draw.” (RH 11-5-1901)

    Unlimited! 

Offering for October 18, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

My wife and I have the privilege of conducting discipleship training for pastors and church members around the country, speaking to diverse cultures and backgrounds.

One of these encounters with the Samoan community left a lasting impression on us. What struck us most was their deep respect for pastors and elders, a reverence that is almost akin to the honor bestowed upon royalty. The younger members serve the adults first during potluck with a unique level of respect towards their pastors, treating them with reverence.

This act of respect wasn't just a duty, but a privilege and joy.

Reflecting on this cultural practice, it made us ponder upon the importance of prioritizing Christ in everything we do. We believe that when our actions and intentions demonstrate the highest respect for Him they are a form of worship that deeply touches His heart.

He is blessed when we worship Him, when we voice our praise, and when we present Him with our offerings of love.

“It is the humble, grateful, reverential heart that makes the offering as a sweet-smelling savor, acceptable to God” (Our High Calling, p.197).

It is this act of giving with love that truly counts. It is not about the monetary value of what we give but the intention of our hearts. Today, let’s put God first in our lives through our tithes and offerings.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Caring Hearts and Woman's Ministries Seminar

Did you lose something? Or someone?  Come hear Frank Hasel, from the Biblical Research Institute, share his story of loss on October 25 at 6 PM at the AFM Training Center, Morgan Hall. 10652 Rangeline Road, Berrien Springs. Refreshments will be served after the presentation, and books will be available for purchase (cash only). Sponsored by Caring Hearts and Pioneer Women's Ministries.

Follow Me A Weekend of Discipleship

What does it really mean to follow Jesus?

This weekend, we’ll explore the heart of discipleship—what it truly means to walk with Jesus through life’s highs and lows. Through the ups and downs that define student life today—academic stress, identity questions, friendships, family tension, and digital noise—we’ll explore what following Christ really looks like. Not in theory, but in real life. In your life.

Jesus said, “Follow Me.” That’s more than a call—it’s a collision with everything else competing for your attention. It’s not about perfect performance or polished faith. It’s a radical invitation to walk with Jesus wherever He leads, no matter the cost. And it will cost you. Comfort. Control. Maybe even popularity. But what you gain is far greater—life with the King, purpose that doesn't fade, and hope that holds in every storm.

The question is not just, “Is He calling?”
The question is: How will you respond?

Please join Pioneer and GYC for a special weekend series October 24 and 25 to learn more.

Graduate and Young Professionals Sabbath School

 We are launching our Graduate/Young Professional Sabbath School on October 18th. The class will be held in the Student Center's leadership lab. If you have any questions contact Chaplain Jacob Gibbs.

Andrews Academy Alumni Weekend October 17 & 18

Andrews Academy invites you to ALUMNI WEEKEND, October 17-19, 2025. Come and reunite with your AA family. Remember the defining moments of your past and reconnect with old friends. We look forward to seeing all of you once again at our Alumni Reunion! (All are invited, this year’s honored classes end in 5 and 0). 

 

AA Freshman Class Fundraiser

Please, support the AA Freshman class by ordering pupusas and more by October 17th. Pupusas freeze well! Order for future dinners!!!

Announcing Honduras mission trip

Do you love serving children? If so please prayerfully consider joining the  Pioneer Youth Mission team of college students and church members. We will be serving at the Hogar de Niños in Honduras from January 2-12, 2026. Question, contact Scott Schalk or Glenn Russell at glenn@andrews.edu

Help Pack 7,000 Bags for Christmas Behind Bars

On Sunday, October 26, beginning at 9 am in Johnson Gym, 400 people will have the opportunity to help pack 7,000 bags for our Christmas Behind Bars event. Join us for this fast-paced, fun, and family-friendly event sponsored by Pioneer Memorial Church and Andrews University. Use this link to sign up: https://forms.gle/H9pHrvudPiex8yns5 (Your presence and invitation to others helps to support our strategic initiatives for PIONEER.) 

IMPACT with Alejandro Bullón

One of the most significant problems people face today is loneliness. Even though they live in nice houses and drive new cars, people are alone inside their homes and cry inside their cars. There are many problems with alcoholism in American families, and the pressures of social media on young people are getting stronger. No one shows who they really are; everyone is taught to create a facade that makes them appear happier and more complete, but the reality is that people are becoming increasingly depressed and anxious. The two nights of preaching with Pastor Alejandro Bullón will bring messages to the heart about how Jesus is the only solution to American society's problems and today's world. There is no other way out but the word of God. There is no one else but Christ to bring true peace and security to our lives. He is the only one who can take us out of a life of loneliness and connect us with him and other people who live for him.

Please join us at Pioneer on October 17 at 7:00 PM and on October 18 at 5:30 PM. (Programs will be in Spanish with translation via App, please bring your smart phone and headphones if you will need translation).

Howard Center Presents: Reggie & Ladye Love Smith

Reggie and Ladye Love Smith are two of the world’s most sought-after vocalists. They have been performing as part of the award-winning “Gaither Gospel Series” which airs weekly on television networks all over North America and Europe. Reggie is currently a member of the Gaither Vocal Band and Lady is touring with the band as a soloist on their nationwide tours. With unending energy, plus a wealth of talent and a genuinely sweet spirit, this couple makes beautiful music wherever they go. Join us at the Howard Performing Arts Center on November 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm and enjoy an exceptional evening of Christian music. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.

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