The Bondage Breaker

The Bondage Breaker: How to Turn Your Defeats into V-I-C-T-O-R-Y

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

Does addiction seem like an unbeatable challenge? Here are 7 steps you can take to turn your defeats into victory.
Saturday, April 12, 2014

More In This Series

03/29/2014
Innocently deceived. Ruthlessly held. This series will take a closer look at the Enemy's tactics in this raging spiritual warfare, and how freedom is not just possible, but promised.
04/05/2014
No matter where you go on this planet there are always three things that people universally love. Could the greatest blessings God gave to humanity be the very things the Enemy uses to enslave us?
04/19/2014
Feeling trapped by addiction? What if the very same power that freed Jesus from the tomb was available to free you from you're own bondage?
04/26/2014
The same One who can break your bondage to sin can also wash you clean and keep you that way for the rest of your life.

“The Bondage Breaker:
How to Turn Your Defeats into V-I-C-T-O-R-Y”

www.pmchurch.tv

The Principle
• Luke 8:1-3
• Luke 11:24-26
• You must what you .

• Re video gaming:

  • Philip Zimbardo in an Aug 2011 TED talk: “Boys’ brains are being digitally rewired in a totally new way, for change, novelty, excitement, and constant arousal. They’re totally out of sync in traditional classes, which are analog, static, and interactively passive. And they’re totally out of sync in relationships [with young women], which build gradually and subtly.” (www.TED.com TED Talk, Aug 2011/quoted in Leadership Fall 2011)

The Plan

  • #1—Replace hi-visual/hi-tech stimulation with .

     Psalm 46:10—“Be and know that I am God.”

    •   Richard Foster: “In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three

      things: , , and .”

    •   Desire of Ages: “When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait

      before Him, the of the soul makes more distinct the voice of

      God.” (363)

  • #2—Replace self-absorbed stimulation with .

    Wall Street Journal “Can Faith Rewrite an Addict’s Brain?”: “Frequent involvement in seems to help in the treatment of those who do abuse alcohol and drugs [according to a research report to be released next month in Alcohol Treatment Quarterly]. . . . Our study showed spiritual experiences predicted abstinence, increased social behavior and reduced narcissistic behavior. . . . Why might this combination work? Neuroscientists, including Andrew Newberg in his 2010 book ‘How God Changes Your Brain,’ are beginning to uncover what happens to the mind when the unconscious neurological foundations of addiction are short- circuited by [1] spiritual awakening and [2] a new focus on others. Neuronal pathways in the brain appear to be instantaneously realigned.” (WSJ 3-28-2014)

  • #3—Replace hormonal stimulation with /physical exertion.
  • #4—Replace dietary stimulation with .

     “I have come to realize that the ‘lust on/off switch’ primarily starts with my .” (Graduate student email)

 “Physical habits have a great deal to do with the success of every individual. The more careful you are in your , the more simple and unstimulating the food that sustains the body in its harmonious action, the more clear will be your conception of duty. . . . The has much to

do with the disposition to enter into temptation and commit sin.” (Counsels on

Diet and Food 52)

  • #5—Replace beverage stimulation with .

     The stimulation that injects into the nervous and circulatory systems, pumping you up before dropping you down, is an artificial stimulation for both you and your body.

  • #6—Replace stress stimulation with .
     Blaise Pascal, the French mathematician and philosopher and Christian of the

    seventeenth century, wrote: “All the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay in their own room.” (Ruth Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence 9)

  • #7—Replace some of your old friends with .
     April 16—Wednesday 7 p.m.—a special prayer and anointing service for all
    •   Counseling and Testing Center— (269) 471-3470/

      www.andrews.edu/services/ctcenter/resources

    •   www.MichianaSober.org for local Alcoholics Anonymous groups
    •   www.alcoholics-anonyous.org for national directory
    •   Sexaholics Anonymous/Sundays 5-6 p.m./call Ed (480) 274-8114
    •   Google for local information for other 12-Steps

      Desire of Ages: “Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.” (568)

      You must replace what you remove! 

Offering for September 20, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

My favorite fruit is mango. A mango boasts an exotic and captivating flavor. The richness and complexity of a mango's taste make it a truly indulgent fruit! The initial taste is a burst of luscious sweetness, followed by a slightly tart undertone that provides a perfect balance.

In Psalm 34, we read, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no lack to those who fear Him.” This figurative language, "Taste and see that the Lord is good," invites us to not just believe in God's rich goodness, but actively experience it in our lives. To "taste" the Lord is to engage with faith in a deeply personal, intimate way.

Just as we use our sense of taste to savor and appreciate different flavors, we are called to savor and appreciate the richness and diversity of God's love, mercy, and grace. It means opening our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit and allowing God's word to nourish and guide us. The goodness of the Lord is revealed in countless ways. It is present in the beauty of creation, in acts of kindness, and in the love we share with others. Today, let’s taste and see that the Lord is good by giving back our tithes and offering!  

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

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.

Grow Groups are Ready to Join

Small groups for PMC, known as Grow Groups, are now beginning for the fall semester. Please text "JOIN" to 269-281-2345 to view the groups and choose one or more that interests you. If would would like to lead your own group, text "LEAD" to the same number, and complete and submit the form.

Pathfinder Registration

It's time for children in Grade 5-12 to register to be part of the Evergreen Pathfinder Club for this school year.  As we start our new year we hope you can join us as we have fun, learn about God and share the good news of salvation in a safe welcoming environment. Please text PMCEP  to 269-281-2345 to receive the registration form.  Questions please contact Errol.prentice@pmchurch.org

Sabbath School Lesson Overview on the Book of Joshua

Everyone is invited to the overview of the Fourth Quarter Sabbath school lesseon presented by Dr. Rahel Wells on the Book of Joshua. We hope you can join us on October 4 at 4:00 PM in the Pioneer Youth Chapel. For further information contact Melchizedek Ponniah, 269-876-7476, melponniah@gmail.com.

Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church

You are invited to the last a hymn-sing for 2025 at The Old Rugged Cross Church on September 20, Sabbath, 4:00 - 5:15 PM. The Old Rugged Cross Church is located at 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047.  Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A free will offering will help to maintain this historic church where the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” was introduced to the public by the composer. For further information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah, melponniah@gmail.com, or 269-876-7476.

Howard Center Presents: Heritage Singers

Heritage Singers October 4, 2025, 8:00 PM. $30 Reserved, $20 Students, $10 Children < 5yrs Heritage Singers is a non-profit gospel music ministry based in California with a goal to bring people closer to Jesus by praising Him through music. When founders Max and Lucy Mace began this ministry, they never thought they would still be doing this 54 years later. Heritage Singers has had the opportunity to travel to over 80 different countries, travel over two million miles, and perform over 7,500 concerts. Max Mace believed that “If there ever was a time to share the Good News about Jesus, it’s now.” 

Howard Center Presents... Cerus Quartet

Cerus Quartet - Fischoff Competition Winners September 28, 2025, 7:00 PM. $20 General Seating, $10 Students, $5 Children < 5yrs Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet. They champion both new music and timeless repertoire. With a repertoire spanning contemporary compositions and transcriptions of classical masterworks, the quartet seeks to establish the saxophone quartet as a leading voice in 21st century classical music. Among many other awards, the quartet has recently received the Gold Medal in the 2025 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. 

Something in Common Sabbath School

Overcoming Emotions that Destroy - a DVD series with Chip Ingram 

We all struggle with angry feelings, brought on by tension, pressure, and the blocked goals and frustrations of day-to-day life. The broken and stressed relationships that result from these feelings can overwhelm us. But there is hope. With the right help, you too can overcome those emotions that destroy. Everyone is welcome to join us each Sabbath through October 11.  We meet in Pioneer Board Room.

Calling All Families: Sabbath Delight Challenge

Pioneer Children and Family Discipleship is excited to embark on a special journey of intentionally experiencing the delight of the Sabbath during the 2025-2026 school year. Please sign up for occasional notices about Pioneer-sponsored Sabbath Delight events as well as ideas for things you and your family can do to cultivate a deeper appreciation for Sabbath. We will also look forward to hearing from you about what you and your family are doing each week to call the Sabbath a delight. All are welcome. To sign up for the challenge, please text SABBATH to 269-281-2345.