There will not be a fellowship dinner on Sabbath following the second worship service.
#RxF4Now
If 'Righteousness Exalts a Nation,' What's Going 2 Happen 2 the USA
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight 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
More In This Series
#RxF4Now—If 'Righteousness Exalts a Nation,' What’s Going 2 Happen 2 the USA?
- Preamble
- Elijah Mvundura: “Primal passions: fear, egoism, anger, and hatred, the kind that Mussolini and Hitler exploited and mobilized, are once again potent factors in the politics of Western democracies. Driving these passions is the same disillusionment with liberal democracy, the same gnawing sense of overwhelming crisis that things are falling apart and the center cannot hold. The parallels with Europe in the 1920s are ominously striking.” “. . . not only do we have a thoroughly interconnected and interdependent global economy—social media connects people globally, which allows them to speak with one voice. Now imagine a catastrophic global economic collapse against a background of social unrest, radical jihadist and anarchist violence, hordes of extremists inflaming passions and speeches, blogs or tweets of demagogues going viral; and new totalitarianisms become conceivable. As a matter of fact, democracy has been in retreat worldwide. This drift toward authoritarianism brings to mind Christ’s words, ‘If people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?’” (Liberty May/June 2016 p 6)
- Premise #1—God is in —He .
- Daniel 2:19-22
- Portrayal of God #1—He is the ultimate .
- Desire of Ages: “But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, God’s purposes know no haste and no delay.” (32)
- Portrayal of God #2—He is the ultimate .
- Portrayal of God #3—He is the ultimate .
- Portrayal of God #4—He is the ultimate .
- Review and Herald 8-5-1902: “Those who place themselves under God’s control, to be led and guided by Him, will catch the steady trend of events ordained by Him to take place.”
- Premise #2—God’s purpose in Earth politics is always to display His as revealed in His who carry out His .
- Daniel 2:46, 47
- Daniel 3:28, 29
- Daniel 4:37
- Daniel 5:22
- Daniel 6:26, 27
- Premise #3—God expects political leaders—no matter their religious persuasion (or the lack thereof)—to abide by the principles of .
- Proverbs 14:34—“[right-doing] exalts a nation, but [wrong-doing] condemns any people.”
- Proverbs 16:12—“Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through [right-doing].”
- Proverbs 20:28—“and faithfulness keep a king safe; through his throne is made secure.”
- Proverbs 24:11-12 The Message: “Rescue the perishing; don’t hesitate to step in and help. If you say, ‘Hey, that’s none of my business,’ will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know—someone not impressed with weak excuses.”
- “The Lord has done more for the United States than for any other country upon which the sun shines. Here He provided an asylum for His people, where they could worship Him according to the dictates of conscience. Here Christianity has progressed in its purity.” (Maranatha 193)
- “The Bible was held as the foundation of faith, the source of wisdom, and the charter of liberty. Its principles were diligently taught in the home, in the school, and in the church, and its fruits were manifest in thrift, intelligence, purity, and temperance. . . . It was demonstrated that the principles of the Bible are the surest safeguards of national greatness.” (Great Controversy 296)
- “As nations forget God, in like proportion they become weak morally. . . . It is sin that is ruining nations today. . . . A disregard for God’s law has brought the sure result.” (Character Sketches from the Life of Daniel 45)
- 5T 713
“Once to every man and nation
comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood,
for the good or evil side.”
—James Russell Lowell
The Family Life Committee invites our church family to get to know each other better! We will begin with "speed friending," where we will rotate to different tables around the room to ask each other questions (sample questions will be provided). Then we'll eat a light meal together and end with a captivating hammered dulcimer concert. Ted Yoder will be sharing an eclectic set of impressive originals, fun pop songs, and moving hymns. Sunday, June 29, 4:00-6:30 PM, Pioneer Commons. Registration information will be coming soon.
Women's Ministries Offering
Our offering today helps provide opportunities for Adventist women of North America to create deeper connections with other women—connections both within and beyond our church walls whose ultimate purpose is to invite every woman closer to Jesus. We form connections like one young woman found in a group started by the women of her church for mothers of young children. “This mom’s group has ignited my journey of finding faith in motherhood,” she said. “Knowing I am prayed over daily, and having Godly mentor moms in my life means more than I can tell you.”
We form connections like those of the dedicated women who lead an after-school life skills group for teen girls in their neighborhood, providing essential help for a brighter future. We form connections like evangelistic meetings spearheaded by women bringing a message of hope and wholeness to their communities. These and many more touch points are made possible through the women’s ministries offering. Additionally, this offering helps provide funds for leadership training, equipping women of all ages to better serve Jesus in a variety of ways in their homes, churches, and beyond. Thank you for generously supporting the Adventist women of North America in our mission to make a tangible difference for eternity.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
You are invited to a hymn sing on June 28, 4:00-5:00 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont St., Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A freewill offering will help to maintain the church. Please contact Melchizedek Ponniah, 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com for any additional information.
Something In Common Sabbath School presents The Five Love Languages DVD series.
- June 14- Love Language Five: Physical Touch
- June 21- Growing in Love
Everyone is welcome to join us in PMC Room 141 each Sabbath morning from 10:30 - 11:30 AM.