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 

Offering for August 2, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Birthdays were always a special and happy occasion in our home. When it is one of the sibling’s birthdays, we give all our kids gifts to enjoy, not just the celebrant. But when it was our birthday, our children would draw pictures and color them expressing their creativity and love for us. They didn’t have the money to purchase gifts or nice Hallmark cards. Yet when they presented them to us, we cherished those handmade cards more than all the commercial cards produced by Hallmark. Why? Because they were our children’s expression of love from the heart.

It’s hard not to express this love without giving a gift. Likewise, every offering gift should be measured by the unfathomable Gift of heaven. The greatest offering one could make would then appear as nothing in comparison. “How vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules, time, money, and love against a love and sacrifice that is measureless and incomputable!" (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.4, p.119). If we can catch a glimpse of just how much God loves us, we would faint. All self-interest and selfish motives will disappear, we will be lost in awe and wonder. It would spur us to shower our Lord with more gifts and with praise and thanksgiving.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Register Now for Andrews Academy

Andrews Academy is now enrolling students in grades 9 - 12 for the 2025/2026 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 August 18. Registration 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”. 

District Nine Family Camp - (Sub) Camp Au Sable

 Although registration for District Nine Family Camp is still open at www.midistrictnine.com, ALL rooms and RV sites have been reserved!  However, if you wish to tent there are spaces still available.  If you wish to bring your RV, there are spaces available ONLY in the Northwoods.

Help Us Welcome New Students

Many new faces will soon join us as they begin their academic journey at Andrews University. We are preparing to welcome them with our traditional Welcome Picnic on Sabbath, August 23. You can support Belong by signing up to be a table host, preparing food, becoming a general volunteer—or all of the above! Text the word “PICNIC” to 269-281-2345

Looking for a Prayer Group to Join?

Join us for the Midweek House of Prayer, held online every Wednesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark. Come and see how your contributions can benefit everyone in the group! The Zoom link is https://andrews.zoom.us/j/9889172131.

Something in Common Sabbath School

Better Decisions/ Fewer Regrets video series by Andy Stanley continues

  • July 19–The The Conscience Question
  • July 26–The Maturity Question
  • August 2–The Relationship Question

Everyone is welcome in PMC Boardroom off of the Fellowship Commons Room from 10:30-11:30 AM on Sabbath.

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.