Pioneer Offices Closed  —  

for the July 4th holiday. Starting Thursday, July 2 at 12:00 P.M. through Friday. We will reopen on Monday, July 6.

 
All Sermons

2017 Holiday Season

In the Presence of a King, Don't Ask for Small Gifts

Resources

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

Saturday, December 09, 2017
Program: 
As We Begin
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing • Gordon Young
Praise
The First Noel • O Come, O Come Emmanuel • Joy to the World/Our God Saves
Prayer
Brandon Von Dorpowski
Baptism
Andrea Lauren Saunders with Nathaniel Gibbs
Children’s Story
What Child Is This? • Raymond Haan
Worship in Music
I Hear the Prophet Callin' • Pepper Choplin
Sermon
"In the Presence of a King, Don't Ask for Small Gifts" • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
There's a Song in the Air • 120

More In This Series

12/30/2017
The Gift of a Good Forgetter: Your #1 New Year's Promise
12/23/2017
Who Makes the Wind His Messengers: The Christmas Compact
12/02/2017
Have Yourself a Windy Merry Christmas
All Sermons
Print Download

"In the Presence of a King, Don’t Ask for Small Gifts"
www.newperceptions.tv

  • Gift #1
    • Galatians 4:4-5
    • Steps to Christ: "He who was one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken. . . . When Christ took human nature upon Him, He bound humanity [us commoners] to Himself [the Royal] by a tie of love that can never be broken by any power save the choice of man himself." (14, 72)
    • Carl Cosaert: "Adoption was a legally binding agreement that guaranteed a number of privileges: (1) the adopted son became the true son of his adoptive father; (2) the father agreed to provide all the necessities of food and clothing; (3) the adopted son could not be repudiated; (4) the adopted son could not be reduced to slavery; (5) the natural parents were never allowed to reclaim the adopted son; (6) and adoption mandated the right of inheritance." (Galatians: A Fiery Response to a Struggling Church 88)
  • Gift #2
    • Galatians 4:6-7
    • John Witvliet: "Here are two missions, two gifts, two experiences of grace: God sent his Son, and then God sent the Spirit of his Son. The first gift arrived in Bethlehem. The second arrives deep within the souls of believers. The first Christmas gift came then and there. The second comes again and again in the here and now. Indeed, every single time anyone anywhere professes 'Jesus is Lord,' we can be grateful for the work of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3)." (Christianity Today December 2017 p58)
    • Gregory Boyd: "My life is Christ—nothing else really matters" is essentially "My life is the Holy Spirit—nothing else really matters."
    • Ellen White: "When the Spirit was poured out from on high, the church was flooded with light, but Christ was that Light; the church was filled with joy, but Christ was the subject of that joy. When the Spirit is poured upon His people in this day, Christ's name will be upon every tongue, His love will fill every soul; and when the heart embraces Jesus, it will embrace God; for all the fullness of God dwells in Christ." (Ye Shall Receive Power 332)
    • Desire of Ages: "The whole treasury of heaven is open to those [the Father] seeks to save. Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me." (57)
    • Brennan Manning: "Everything has been given to us by the Father in Jesus. All we need now is to experience what we already possess." (Lion and Lamb 154)
    • Every new morning—ask for Him:  "Baptize me today, Lord Jesus, that I might be filled with Your Spirit. AMEN."
    • www.steps-to-personal-revival.info

When you get the One, you get them Both.

 

Offering for July 4, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

Did you know that there are two countries in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists that celebrate their nationhood in the first week of the month of July? You guessed it right. They are Canada, on July 1, and the United States of America, on July 4. So, happy Canada Day to Canada and happy Independence Day to the United States of America!

Nationhood in the history of a country is a milestone of separation from another country’s rulership. This means that the country is free to lead and rule itself by its own government and laws.

Although these holidays are not like Easter or Christmas, for many citizens, they are a time to reflect on God’s goodness to us as a people. As members of the Judeo Christian faith, we are called to "Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants” (Leviticus 25:10, NIV) and to celebrate the gift of freedom from the bondage of sin. While we express gratitude to be able to live in a land of freedom, may we also look in faith to the future, and commit our lives to God and His will. May we bring our gifts in worship to the true God, who declares, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the
Lord” (Psalm 33:12, ESV). And may the coffers of our local church never be empty.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Sabbath School Lessons Overview of I & II Corinthians

Dr Erhard Gallos will present an overview of I & II Corinthians, third quarter Sabbath School lessons on July 11, 4:00-5:30 PM at the PMC Commons. All are welcome. Contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 for information.

Register Now for Andrews Academy

Andrews Academy is now enrolling students in grades 9 - 12 for the 2026/2027 school year. We invite you to join the AA family! You will be blessed by what Andrews Academy has to offer. Students consistently score above state and national levels on standardized testing; they are involved in many spiritual and service activities throughout the school year. Our Seventh-day Adventist school’s mission is to inspire our students to think deeply, live fully, serve unselfishly and to honor God completely. School begins on August 19.Check-In day is August 13. Financial assistance may be available. Call 269-471-3138 for more information or visit https://www.andrews.edu/aa/ and click on “apply today”.

Something in Common Sabbath School

Relatable

In this six-session video Bible study (guide sold separately), Louie Giglio explores the fundamental question of what makes us relatable to others. He shows how God can change our perspective on relationships, give us greater purpose in dating and marriage, bring us peace in the midst of conflict, and help us restore relationships that seem broken beyond repair.

Begins June 20 at 10:30 AM in the Pioneer Commons. Everyone is welcome.

  • June 27 - “The Man/Woman in the Mirror”
  • July 4 - “A God to Call Father”
  • July 11 - “The Friend Everyone Longs for”
  • July 18 - “Becoming Someone vs. Finding Someone”
  • July 25 - “Handshake of Peace”
  • August 1 - “Bonus: Why Date?”
  • August 8 - “Bonus: Marriage with a Mission”