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, November 09, 2019
Program: 
Opening Music
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God • Max Reger
Songs of Praise
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God—506 • Before The Throne Of God Above • Lord Have Mercy
Prayer
Ben Martin
Children's Story
Marvelous Grace • Kenneth Logan
Worship in Music
Love Unfailing • Kenneth Logan
Homily
“A DIY Guide to Better Sexual Health: Taming Your Tiger”
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes, & Offerings
Global Mission
Hymn of Commitment
Whiter Than Snow • 318
Benediction
Closing Music
Symphony No. 3: Maestoso—Allegro • Camille Saint-Saëns

“A DIY Guide to Better Sexual Health: Taming Your Tiger”
www.newperceptions.tv

» THE TIGER

• 64% of young people, ages 13–24, actively seek out pornography weekly or more often.

• A study of 14- to 19-year-olds found that females who consumed pornographic videos were at a significantly greater likelihood of being victims of sexual harassment or sexual assault.

• A Swedish study of 18-year-old males found that frequent consumers of pornography were significantly more likely to have sold and bought sex than other boys of the same age.

• A 2015 meta-analysis of 22 studies from seven countries found that internationally the consumption of pornography was significantly associated with increases in verbal and physical aggression, among males and females alike.

• Porn sites receive more regular traffic than Netflix, Amazon, & Twitter combined each month.

• 35% of all internet downloads are porn-related.

• The “teen” porn category has topped porn site searches for the last six years.

• At least 30% of all data transferred across the internet is porn-related.

• Recorded child sexual exploitation (known as “child porn”) is one of the fastest-growing online businesses.

• 624,000+ child porn traders have been discovered online in the U.S.

• Porn is a global, estimated $97 billion industry, with about $12 billion of that coming from the U.S.

• In 2018 alone, more than 5,517,000,000 hours of porn were consumed on the world’s largest porn site.

• The world’s largest free porn site also received over 33,500,000,000 site visits during 2018 alone.

• National Center on Sexual Exploitation (www.endsexualexploitation.org/wp-content/uploads/NCOSE_Pornography-PublicHealth_ResearchSummary_8-2_17_FINAL-with-logo.pdf)

• Denny Burk: “A growing number of young men are convinced that their sexual responses have been sabotaged because their brains were virtually marinated in porn when they were adolescents. Their generation has consumed explicit content in
  quantities and varieties never before possible, on devices designed to deliver content swiftly and privately, all at an age when their brains were more plastic—more prone to permanent change—than in later life.” (in Meet Generation Z 61)

» THE TAMING

• Luke 5:17-20

Desire of Ages: “Oh, wondrous love of Christ, stooping to heal the guilty and the afflicted! Divinity sorrowing over and soothing the ills of suffering humanity! Oh, marvelous power thus displayed to the children of men! Who can doubt the message of salvation? Who can slight the mercies of a compassionate Redeemer?” (269)

 

Five Steps (Maybe Six) to Overcoming Pornographic Addiction*

» Admit your .

• To yourself for honesty—Romans 7:14-15

• To God for help—2 Chronicles 20:12

» Confess your .

• To Jesus for cleansing—1 John 1:7

• To someone else for accountability—James 5:16**

» Surrender your and .

• To the Holy Spirit—1 Corinthians 6:18-20

• To the Lord—Joshua 24:15

» Worship your .

• Daily through prayer—Daniel 6:10/Psalm 55:17

• Daily through His Word—Joshua 1:7-8/Psalm 119:9-11

» Consecrate your .

• Take up your cross—Mark 8:34-35

• Obey His commands—Luke 19:13

» Turn in your .

• Jesus’ radical counsel—Matthew 5:29-30

• The Father’s radical warning—Revelation 21:6-8

 

*For further study/reflection:

1. www.wikihow.com/Overcome-a-Pornography-Addiction-As-a-Christian

2. www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/august-web-only/sexuality-sexual-temptation-repression-sure-fire-failure.html

** ADVENTIST RECOVERY MINISTRIES: The Journey to Wholeness (269.281.1520/harelene.e.smith@gmail.com)/GROW Groups: “Sexual Purity for Men” & “Conquer”

 

 

“Friend, your sins are forgiven”

 

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.

1 https://www.ldsliving.com/how-to-make-our-church-communities-the-safest-place-to-make mistakes/s/11798

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

The Tent 2026

 

Once again, the Junior High students at Ruth Murdoch Elementary School will lead The Tent this year. This inspiring evangelistic initiative, organized by the 7th and 8th graders, is anticipated to result in several baptisms. The special event will be held nightly from May 8–17 (except Tuesday, May 12), from 7:00–8:00 PM on weeknights, with two meetings on Saturdays at 5:00–6:00 PM and 7:00–8:00 PM. Gather with us at the Tent on M139, in front of Andrews University, to support our students as they share their faith and spread God's love.

 

SCHEDULE

 

Friday, May 8

– Bostith — Whispers of the Enemy

Sabbath, May 9

– Isabel — Hand in Hand

– Anna — Don’t Let God Spit You Out

Sunday, May 10

– Asher — Unseen Protection

Monday, May 11

– Lia — Knowing vs. Learning

Tuesday, May 12

– Concert Night (No Tent)

Wednesday, May 13

– Beya — All Things

Thursday, May 14

– Hady — What Is the “Light”?

Friday, May 15

– Cora — What Prayer Has to Offer, Even When We Don’t See It

– Ariana — Our Identity

Sabbath, May 16

– Diego — Spiritual Transformation

– Maddi — Be Not Afraid, for God Gives Peace

Sunday, May 17

– Sofia — Love Brings Change

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!

  • March 28: Session One - Everything Minus Love = Nothing
  • April 11: Session Two - Love is Patient
  • April 18: Session Three - Love is Kind
  • April 25: Session Four - Love is Humble
  • May 2: Session Five - Love is Generous
  • May 9: Session Six - Love is Easy Going
  • 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
ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026

 ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.