Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Barry Wilson after 35 remarkable years of service with the fire department, including his dedicated tenure as liaison to Andrews University. A retirement party will be held in his honor on Sunday, May 31, 1:00 PM at the Berrien Springs Oranoko Fire Dept.
Galaxy Three: Why What Is Happening a Billion Light Years Away Right Now Matters to You
Galaxy Three: The Story of the Sperm
Resources
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight 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
Saturday, September 27, 2014
More In This Series
“Galaxy Three: The Story of the Sperm”—1
- The humanity of Jesus
- Matthew 1:20—“. . . because what is in her is from the Holy Spirit.’”
- Romans 1:3—“. . . concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed [Greek: ] of David according to the flesh.”
- John 1:14—“The Word became [i.e., the divine One became ].”
- 4 stunning truths about the humanity of Jesus and us:
- #1—We do know that we share the same with Him.
- Hebrews 2:11
- #2—We do know that we share the same with Him.
- Hebrews 2:14-17
- Peter O’Brien: “In the earlier reference [2:14] the focus was upon Jesus’ adoption of human nature; here [2:17] the stress is on his sharing in all the experiences of life. . . . on the identification of the incarnate Son with his brothers and sisters.” (The Letter to the Hebrews 119)
- #3—We do know that we share the same with Him.
- Hebrews 4:15
- The Greek word, sumpatheo is a compound word: patheo (to suffer) + sum (with)—i.e., to suffer with, to .
- Charles Spurgeon: “There is no pang that rends the heart or disturbs the body but that Jesus has been with us in it all. . . . There is no glen of adversity so dark, so deep, apparently so pathless, but that in stooping down you may discover the footprints of the Crucified One.” (Day by Day 269)
- #4—We do know that we share the same with Him.
- Hebrews 4:15
- Oswald Chambers: “Temptation is a suggested to the realization of the highest at which I aim—not towards what I understand as evil, but towards what I understand as good.” (My Utmost for His Highest 261)
- We share the same temptations with Jesus, with this major difference: “.” (Hebrews 4:15)
- B. F. Wescott:“Sympathy with the sinner in his trial [temptation] does not depend on the experience of sin but on the experience of the strength of the temptation to sin which only the sinless can know in its full intensity. He who falls yields before the last strain.” (Quoted in F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews 116)
- Hebrews 4:16
- #5—We do know that we share the same with Him forever and ever. Amen.
- Desire of Ages: “It was Satan’s purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and man; but in Christ we become more closely united to God than if we had never fallen. In taking our nature, the Saviour has Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. . . . In Christ the family of earth and the family of heaven are bound together. Christ glorified is our brother. Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of Infinite Love.” (25, 26).
- #1—We do know that we share the same with Him.
“Then let us fix our eyes on Jesus”
Wilson Retirement
Andrews Academy’s Graduation Weekend Events
Congratulations, Andrews Academy seniors! May the same Lord who got you here lead you into the uncharted adventure ahead! “I am with you always,” is His promise. Everyone is invited to attend graduation weekend events. Class Night May 21, 7:00 PM at Andrews Academy, Consecration May 22, 8:00 PM at Village SDA Church, Baccalaureate May 23, 11:45 AM at PMC, Commencement May 24, 11:00 at PMC.
Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church
You are invited to a Hymnsing on 23 May, 4:00 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-Day Adventist Hymnal. For further information, contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.
Offering for May 16, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
Our churches should be sanctuaries, places of safety, not only in their physical structure but also in their psychological and spiritual atmosphere. Every person who enters, whether a regular attendee or a visitor, should feel genuinely welcomed and valued. We must be careful not to judge or criticize others based on appearances or perceived shortcomings. The church is not a place for the perfect—it is a hospital for sinners in need of healing and grace. Kathryn Davis, host of the Magnify podcast and seminary teacher, reminds us that “hiding our imperfections or harshly judging ourselves or others for those imperfections can be [harmful] to our mental health.”1
Jesus Himself faced criticism for spending time with sinners. His response was clear: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17, NIV).
As a church, our mission is to reflect Christ’s love and create a space where people can grow in faith without fear of rejection. Jesus was patient and kind, while Satan, the “accuser of the brethren,” seeks to bring shame and make us feel unworthy. Yet, Jesus reassures us, just as He did the woman condemned by the Pharisees: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no
more” (John 8:11, NKJV).
As we return our offerings today, let us also recommit to supporting a church that embodies Christ’s love—a safe and welcoming home for all.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Something in Common Sabbath School
Join us for the “Love Like You Mean It” Series! Sessions will be held in the Pioneer Commons each Sabbath morning from 10:30 to 11:30. Everyone is welcome!
- May 23: Session Seven - Love is Virtuous
- May 30: Session Eight - Love is Honest
- June 6: Session Nine - Love is Tenacious
- June 13: Session Ten - Love Never Fails