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, September 08, 2018
Program: 
As We Begin
Praise the Lord, God's Glories Show • David Schelat
Praise
Doxology • To You We Sing • For the Beauty of the Earth • None But Jesus
Prayer
John Glass
Children's Story
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens • Dale Wood
Worship in Music
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light • Kathleen Thomerson / T. Trenney
Sermon
"Tales from a Vineyard: Cry Baby, Cry"
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Draw Me Nearer • 306

“Tales from a Vineyard: Cry Baby, Cry”
www.newperceptions.tv

»The Tale: I Kings 21

»The Truth: John 15:1-5
• Andrew Murray: “So close is the union between the vine and the branch that each is   without the other, that each is wholly and only for the  .” (Abide in Christ 30-31)

1.“Without the vine the branch can do  .” (Abide in Christ 30)
2. “Without the branch the vine can also do  .” (Abide in Christ 30)

• Andrew Murray: “A vine without branches can bear no fruit.  No indispensable than the vine to the branch is the branch to the vine. Such is the wonderful condescension of the grace of Jesus that, just as His people are dependent on Him, He has made Himself on them. Without His disciples He cannot dispense His blessing to the world; He cannot offer sinners the grapes of the heavenly Canaan.” (Abide in Christ 30)

3. “All the vine possesses to the branches.” (Abide in Christ 30)

• Andrew Murray: “. . . all [the vine] has is at the disposal of the branches. As it is the parent, so it is the servant of the branches. . . . All [Jesus’] fullness and all His riches are for you, O believer; for the vine does not live for itself, keeps nothing for itself, but exists for the branches.”
(Abide in Christ 30-31)

• Ellen White: “Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift. The whole  of heaven is open to those He seeks to save.” (Desire of Ages 57)

• “This promised blessing [of the Holy Spirit] brings all other blessings in its train . . . according to the riches of the grace of Christ.” (Desire of Ages 672)

4. “And all the branch possesses  to the vine.” (Abide in Christ 31)

• Andrew Murray: “The branch does not exist for itself, but it exists to bear fruit that can proclaim the excellence of the vine. It has not reason for existence except to be of service to the vine. . . . As Jesus gives Himself so wholly over to the believer, the believer feels himself urged to be his Lord’s. Every power of his being, every moment of his life, every thought and feeling belong to Jesus—that from Him and for Him he may bring forth fruit.” (Abide in Christ 31)

• “Now let your answer be, ‘Amen, Lord! So be it. From eternity Christ and I were ordained for ; inseparably we belong to   . It is God’s will; I shall abide in Christ.’” (Abide in Christ 47)

 

“All that You have is mine—
And all that I have is Yours.”

Offering for May 30, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

When the author of our reading became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church decades ago, a song, “Love is Something,” written by Malvina Reynolds, was sung during their Adventist Youth (AY) programs. This song was sung during the evening offering collection. The first verse went something like this: “Love is something if you give it away, give it away, give it away. Love is something if you give it away, you end up having more.”

The idea that love begets more love could not be truer. When we love like Jesus loves, the benefits are abundant. When we give like Jesus gives—without limitation—the blessings return in abundance, running over.

And we “won’t have enough room to take it in!” (Malachi 3:10, NLT). The Bible says in Acts 20:35, “Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

May the copious blessings of heaven be ours, as we give in love, gratitude, and without reservation to the cause of Christ in our local church today.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Widows and Widowers Picnic

WIDOWS and WIDOWERS are invited to potluck at Rangeline Park, 10138 Rangeline Rd, pavilion 2, in Berrien Springs at 1 PM on Sunday, June 7. Come with your favorite dish and suitable clothing for a boat ride afterwards! See you then! Caring Hearts Ministry

Wilson Retirement

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.

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