Graduates, family, and friends are invited to attend Sabbath Vespers tonight at 8 PM at the Howard Preforming Arts Center. This beautiful services of tributes and music will be a wonderful way to close the Sabbath.
#RxF4Now
Dead Man Walking
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonSince 1983, Dwight Nelson has served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. He preaches on the “New Perceptions” telecast, teaches at the theological seminary and has written some books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
More In This Series
#RxF4Now—Dead Man Walking
- The Self-portrait—Romans 7:7-24
- Psalm 38:5 NLT—“My wounds fester and because of my foolish sins.”
- Isaiah 1:6 NLT—“You are from head to foot—covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds—without any ointments or bandages.”
- Martin Luther: “Human nature is like a peasant. Lift him into the saddle on one side, over he topples on the other side.”
- Philippians 3:4-6—“If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day . . . in regard to the law, a Pharisee; . . . as for righteousness based on the law, .”
- Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28: “‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder” [6th Commandment] . . . But I tell you that anyone who is with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. . . . You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery’ [7th Commandment]. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his .’”
- The Tenth Commandment (“You shall not covet”) radically shifts our focus on the Law of God/Ten Commandments from compliance to obedience.
- Psalm 119—David sings about the Law of God:
- v 97—“Oh, how I love Your ! I meditate on it all day long.”
- v 172—“May my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your are righteous.”
- v 127—“I love Your more than gold, more than pure gold.”
- v 18—“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your .”
- v 64—“The earth is filled with Your , O LORD; teach me Your decrees.”
- Romans 7:12—“So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and .”
- John Bunyan, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: “I was more loathsome in my own eyes than was a toad; and I thought I was so in God’s eyes too; sin and corruption, I said, would as naturally bubble out of my heart, as water would bubble out of a fountain. I thought now that everyone had a better heart than I had; I could have changed heart with anybody; I thought none but the devil himself could equalize me for inward wickedness and pollution of mind. I fell, therefore, at the sign of my own vileness, deeply into despair.” (quoted in Camron Schofield Heralding the Loud Cry 32).
- The Savior—Romans 7:25
- The purpose and point of the Law is to us to .
- Galatians 3:24—“Therefore the law was our tutor [guardian] to us to Christ.”
- To throw the Law out, to get rid of the Ten Commandments—as some are inclined to teach and to do—is to cut your soul off from the very Law Giver who is your only .
- Christ’s Object Lessons: “His law is a transcript of His own , and it is the standard of all character. This infinite standard is presented to all that there may be no mistake in regard to the kind of people whom God will have to compose His kingdom.” (315)
- Camron Schofield: “So if you did everything right in your whole entire life, will the law be satisfied? It can’t be satisfied because your right-doing [the definition of “righteousness”] is not what the law wants. What the law wants is God’s right-doing, God’s perfect life—and we, in ourselves, do we have it to offer? We don’t. Is there any room for you in this picture? Can you satisfy the law? Can you? Have you in your life attained unto the very perfection of God? To do that you would have to be God yourself. Are you God? You’re not God!” (Heralding the Loud Cry 33)
- “We CAN NOT. We can do nothing to effect our own salvation. And it’s a frightful realization when we meet the law as it really is. We are dead men walking.” (35)
- “The question is: are you bad enough to come to Christ, because if you don’t think that you are too bad, you won’t come to Christ.” (35)
- Steps to Christ: “If you see your sinfulness, do not wait to make yourself better. How many there are who think they are not good enough to come to Christ. Do you expect to become better through your own efforts? . . . There is help for us only in God. We must not wait for stronger persuasions, for better opportunities, or for holier tempers. We can do nothing of ourselves. We must come to Christ just as we are.” (31)
- The purpose and point of the Law is to us to .
“Just as I Am”
There will not be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath.
Pioneer Operating Budget
“Ding!” My phone went off again in my pocket. It was just one of those busy days I was having as a college professor, but with deadlines looming, and students waiting to be taught, I did not really want to deal with my phone notifications at the moment.
Can you relate to that feeling? I have found that technology can often be a wonderful blessing, as it allows me to connect meaningfully with my family members who live all over the world. At the same time, it can sometimes disconnect me from the life that is happening right before my eyes.
One thing I decided to do years ago was to take a weekly Sabbath, on the Sabbath, from my devices, as often as I can. That way, when I gather in worship with my family, my fellow believers, and my students, I can be fully in tune with what is going on.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV). Today’s offering is for the local church budget. This will help provide the resources necessary to allow us to continue to meet together and worship as one!
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
to the Pioneer Evergreens Juniper Team! They earned 1st placed at the 2024 Pathfinder Bible Experience in Colorado. The team thanks the Pioneer Memorial Church members for your prayers.
Are you willing to enjoy a quiet few hours in a Children's Sabbath School room mending Bibles, refreshing the room decor, replenishing table supply kits, or a little deep cleaning? Can you gift one day (or evening) per month to come in to support our awesome volunteers who already do so much on Sabbaths? Email childrenss@pmchurch.org or text 269-845-0178 including your name, what projects you're willing to help with and we'll get you connected soon. Thanks for adding your gifts.
Explore Scenic New England and it's Rich History from September 1-8, 2024
Please see the letter below regarding a Pastoral Staff transition at Pioneer.
Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage.
- April 13- The Tale of Two Brain-Part 1
- April 20-The Tale of Two Brain-Part 2
- April 27-The #1 Key to Incredible Sex
- May 4-How to Stay Married and Not Kill Anybody
Everyone is Welcome Sabbath mornings from 10:30-11:30 in PMC room 141.
Oasis Public School Ministry provides a safe community for real talk, good food, fun activities, and building relationships between students, leaders, and God. This ministry is open to all public middle and high school students and meets Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 PM in the 5th grade Sabbath school room. Bring a friend and check it out! For more information, contact Diane at simplestirrings@yahoo.com.