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, December 17, 2016
Program: 
As We Begin
Sing We Now of Christmas • Wayne Wold Glory to God (from Messiah) • George Frideric Handel
Praise
Joy to the World (Our God Saves) • O Come All Ye Faithful • Away in a Manger
Prayer
Sharon Terrell
Tithes & Offerings
Pastoral Symphony (from Messiah) • George Frideric Handel
Children's Story
Bible Reading
Luke 9:57-58, 61-62 NIV
Worship in Music
Hallelujah (from Messiah) • George Frideric Handel
Sermon
#RxF4Now—The Ogre by the Manger • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
In the Bleak Midwinter • 126 sung to the tune of 224
As We Depart
Sinfonia (from Messiah) • George Frideric Handel

 

RxF4Now—The Ogre by the Manger

www.newperceptions.tv

 

  • Research
    • Eastern Tennessee State University research published in the American Journal of Public Health (reported in Los Angeles Times 11-18-16)
    • American Journal of Public Health (reported in Los Angeles Times 11-18-16)
    • The median household income in the poorest “state” was $ —while in the richest “state” it was $ .
    • The average number of people per county in the poorest “state” was about —compared with about   in the richest “state.”
    • Although the poorest “state” had a much smaller population, the ratio of people to primary care doctors was that of the richest “state.”
    • Smoking prevalence was as high in the poorest “state,” and the prevalence of obesity was %  higher.
    • Life expectancy for women in the poorest “state” was   years, compared to   years in the richest “state.” For men, life expectancy in the poorest “state” was   years and   in the richest “state.”
    • The proportion of the population that was African American was   times higher in the poorest “state” than in the richest one.
    • In the richest “state” %  of residents lived in rural areas—whereas in the poorest “state” %  of people did.
    • People in the poorest “state” were living under conditions seen in the real United States around 1975 or 1980—whereas people in the richest “state” were already living under conditions that won’t apply to the real United States until 2020 and beyond—i.e., “the poorest “state” is between   years behind the living conditions achieved by the wealthiest “state.”
    • Comparing these poorest and richest “states” with 222 actual countries of the world—if the richest “state” were an independent country it would rank 8th in the world for life expectancy for men, 25th for women—but the poorest “state” would rank 123rd for men and 116th for women—meaning more than   the countries in the world have longer life expectancy than the poorest counties in the United States.
  • Reflection
    • Mark 10:17-22
    • The Greek for “great wealth” (NIV) literally reads: “. . . because he had     .”
      • The average American home today contains   items—which would certainly qualify for “many possessions”!
    • According to Joshua Becker, the author of The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own, we see about   ads every day telling us to buy more.
    • As the Huffington Post suggested, the mantra to hook us third millennials seems to be: “Buy like you , only more frequently.”
    • “Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus, known as ‘The Minimalists’ to their 4 million readers, help people live more meaningful lives with less through their website, books, podcast, and documentary.” (www.theminimalists.com)
      • Millburn: “How might your life be better with ?”
      • Millburn: “Consumption is not the problem.  consumption is the problem.”
    • Proverbs 30:15—“The leech has two daughters. ‘’   they cry.”
    • Julie Schor: “There is a widespread sense among the population that people have gotten too materialistic, and that's been around for a while. It’s also the case that materialism is the other person’s disease, so percent of people think that Americans are too materialistic.”(http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/10/juliet-schor-american-dream/409321/)
    • Schor: “Economically privileged people can be very critical of the materialism of very poor people, because they have a large television or a pair of sneakers.”
    • Desire of Ages: “The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden ‘the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.’ Romans 11:33. We marvel at the Saviour’s sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and   stand rebuked in His presence.” (49)
      • The Ogre? There beside the manger human   stands rebuked.
    • Desire of Ages: “Selfishness is . . . . and the soul that refuses to impart will perish.” (417)
    • Self-surrender is most convincingly demonstrated by “  surrender.”
    • Jerry Bridges: “Contentment with what we have—whether it is possessions, or station in life, or mental and physical activities—is worth far, far more than all the things we don’t have. A multimillionaire reportedly was once asked how much money was enough, to which he replied, ‘One dollar more.’” (Transforming Grace 78)

 

 

Stuff

VBS at Niles Westside Church

Keepers of the Kingdom - Standing Strong in Today's Battle for Truth. July 14-18, from 9 - 11:45 AM at Niles Westside Adventist Church (1105 Grant St, Niles) for kids in Pre-K (age 4) - 6th grade. Please register early online at www.nileswestside.org. Email nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com or call 269-683-5998 with questions.

Offering for June 28, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

Author Melvin Santos Speaking: For the longest time, in my early years, I quietly disagreed with this Bible passage in Acts 20, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NKJV).

I wondered how people can say, “I receive a blessing when I give.” On the contrary, in my younger years, I always enjoyed receiving gifts. To pay for the gift and give it to someone wouldn’t bring me joy. That would cost me time and money.

When I fell in love, got married, and had children, I finally learned that when you’re in love, there is a greater joy in giving gifts to your wife and children. I would do anything for them because I love them.

Then I understood that this is the Spirit of Christ, who sacrificed all to share His love with us. When I participate in giving, or helping someone in need who cannot reciprocate the deed or pay me back, I’m sharing the love of Jesus. Now, that’s the heart of Jesus.

Just seeing the smiles on my family’s faces was enough for me to experience this passage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Today, let’s share our gifts with a generous heart.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

"Speed Friending" and Dulcimer Concert

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.

Hymnsing at the Old Rugged Cross Church

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.