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Vintage Tales

Two Last Stories, One Final Truth

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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

Saturday, October 20, 2018
Program: 
Praise
Sweet By And By • He Touched Me • Power In The Blood • I Know Who Holds My Hand
Prayer
John Glass
Ordination of Elders & Deacons
Children's Story
The Lord Is My Shepherd • John Rutter
Ben Martin
Worship in Music
We Are His Hands • Mark Gersmehl
Sermon
"Vintage Tales—Two Last Stories, One Final Truth"
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Rescue the Perishing • 367

More In This Series

10/13/2018
Excursus on the Church
All Sermons
Print Download

“Vintage Tales—2
(Two Last Stories, One Final Truth)”
www.newperceptions.tv

» Two Last Stories

• Vintage Tale #1—Matthew 21:28-32

• The tale modified: “There was a Father who had two congregations. He went to the first congregation and said, ‘My people, go and work today in My vineyard.’ ‘We will not!’ the congregation retorted, but later they changed their mind and went to work in their Father’s vineyard. Then the Father went to the other congregation and said the same thing, ‘My people, go and work today in My vineyard.’ The congregation responded, ‘We will, Lord.’ But they did not go and work in their Father’s vineyard. So which of the two congregations did what their Father wanted?”

• Vintage Tale #2—Matthew 20:1-15

• “‘Or are you envious because I am generous?’”

» One Final Truth

• If we have the Father’s heart, we will work the Father’s harvest.

• Revelation 7:9-12

• Bruce Wilkinson: “God has shown us how our story ends—with countless people from every nation on earth crying out joyfully to God.  What part of that throng will be there because of you? What part of God’s dream is linked to your destiny?  Just think what a difference you could make in many, many lives if you were to pray passionately and faithfully for enlarged territory from God, for God [in His vineyard].  Imagine the miraculous divine partnership that will grow out of your plea, Let me accomplish more for You.  With His infinite ability and your willing availability, He can literally do anything.” (Beyond the Prayer of Jabez 108)

• How can you have your Father’s heart for lost people?

#1—Kneel at the foot of the cross—in your mind’s eye.

#2—Look up into your Savior’s face—remember the truth: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

#3—Pray for the Holy Spirit: “Are you using all your powers in an effort to bring the lost sheep back to the fold? There are thousands upon thousands in ignorance who might be warned. Pray as you have never prayed before for the power of Christ. Pray for the inspiration of His Spirit, that you may be filled with a desire to save those who are perishing.” (In Heavenly Places 338 emphasis supplied)

#4—Ask the Spirit to send you to someone today and go.

#5—Stay in the vineyard and work with the Father until the harvest is finished.

 

If we have the Father’s heart,
we will work the Father’s harvest.

 

Offering for January 3, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

There is something special about the beginning of a new year. It’s the energy and the excitement. It’s the opportunities that it offers. It provides the chance to forget the past and its challenges, while we embrace the possibility to start over.

The New Year offers the opportunity for us to look at the future with optimism and gratefulness. For this reason, I like new, don’t you? Paul liked the idea of new also. That’s why he encourages us to look towards the future instead of looking back. He says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3: 13, 14, NIV), we should press toward the goal to win.

The encouraging thing is, when Christ is in the lead, we must succeed. For this reason, we can embrace the possibilities of the new year– striving to be better stewards for God. So may our goals this year include spending consistent time in worship and developing a relationship of steel with God. May we take care of our wellbeing (physically and psychologically) and witness about His love by using our talents and gifts.

May we faithfully return to God the designated portion of our wealth and take care of our world and the environment. Let’s determine to make 2026 an exceptional year of sacrificial generosity, in our local church and worldwide. 

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Church Office Holiday Closure: 12/22-12/26 & 12/29-01/02

Please note that the church office will be closed from December 22 to 26 and again from December 29 to January 2 for the holiday season. We will reopen on January 5. Our church services will proceed as always. If you have any announcements, please submit those no later than December 19. Thank you for your understanding. We wish you a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year!

Christmas Blessing Opportunity

Be part of a Christmas blessing this year! Chiang Mai Adventist Academy, which serves primarily Buddhist students from around the country, is looking for a set of Bible story felts to use in teaching the Bible in their Sabbath schools. FARM STEW missionaries will be going to Thailand in January and deliver them. If you have a felt set you would like to donate or would like to donate towards buying a new set, please contact Deby Andvik. (andvik@andrews.edu or call/text 269-277-4145) 

House of Prayer
Pioneer Earlyteen Loft

Please join us for House of Prayer Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the Earliteen Loft for a time of singing, Bible study and prayer.