All Sermons

The Heart Series

Church of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?

Resources

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, March 03, 2018
Program: 
As We Begin
Voluntary on the Doxology • attr. Henry Purcell
Praise
Majesty • To God Be the Glory • Worthy Is the Lamb • Open the Eyes of My Heart/Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz
Children's Story
The River of the Water of Life • Malcolm Archer
Worship in Music
Amazing Love • David Rasbach
Andrews University Music Festival Choir; Stephen Zork, director
Sermon
"Church of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?"
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
Tithes & Offerings
Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service • 363 (tune of 12)

More In This Series

03/10/2018
Teach Your Heart to Sing Again
02/24/2018
King of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?
02/10/2018
Game of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?
02/03/2018
Tell Your Heart to Beat Again
01/06/2018
Bring Your Heart to Life
All Sermons
Print Download

"Church of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?"
www.newperceptions.tv

  • Two Theories
    • The Church as a Field
    • The Church as a Force
  • One Teaching
    • Matthew 13:1-3
    • Matthew 13:24-30
    • Matthew 13:36-43
      • It is not the mission of the Church to weed the field—it is the mission of the Church to love the field.
      • Matthew 13:47-50
  • Ellen White: "[Christ] has not committed to us the work of judging character and motive. He knows our nature too well to entrust this work to us. Should we try to uproot from the church those whom we suppose to be spurious [fake] Christians, we should be sure to make mistakes. Often we regard as hopeless subjects the very ones whom Christ is drawing to Himself." (Christ's Object Lessons 71-72)
  • "Were we to deal with these souls according to our imperfect judgment, it would perhaps extinguish their last hope. Many who think themselves Christians will at last be found wanting. Many will be in heaven who their neighbors supposed would never enter there. Man judges from appearance, but God judges the heart." (72)
  • Jerry Cook: "The minimal guarantee we must make to people is that they will be loved—always, under every circumstance, with no exception. The second guarantee is that they will be totally accepted, without reservation. The third thing we must guarantee is that no matter how miserably they fail or how blatantly they sin, unreserved forgiveness is theirs for the asking with no bitter taste left in anybody's mouth. . . . A church that can make that commitment to every person is a church that's learning to love and a church that will be a force for God." (Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness 11, 13)
  • Clare De Graaf's The 10-Second Rule— "Just do the next thing you're reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do—and do it within the next ten seconds."
  • A Pledge

I make this commitment to you, . I will love you—always, under every circumstance, with no exception. I will accept you—totally and without reservation. And no matter how miserably you fail or how blatantly you sin, I offer unreserved forgiveness to you for the asking. I choose to love you as Jesus loves me.

Offering for April 11, 2026

Hope Chanel International

Did you know that in the Middle East and North Africa region, there are only 6,614 Seventh-day Adventists among a population of 612 million? Even if every church member reached one person every day, it would take 254 years to share the gospel with everyone. The need is overwhelming, but through media, Hope Channel is reaching the unreached today.

In Ethiopia, a 14-year-old girl had been separated from her family because of the active war. Alone and uncertain of the future, she found comfort in Hope Channel. When fear crept in, she turned to programs that reminded her of God’s presence. Even though war kept her from her family, nothing could separate her from Christ’s love.

Hope Channel is the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s global media ministry, broadcasting in more than 100 languages. In the 10/40 Window – covering regions like the Middle East, Ethiopia, and India, where billions have little or no access to the gospel – Hope Channel is sharing Jesus where in-person evangelism is impossible. Through television, digital platforms, and online Bible study programs, people are discovering the hope found in Christ.

Revelation 14:6 tells us that the gospel will go to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. Through media, Hope Channel is making that a reality. Because of your generosity today, more people will have the opportunity to experience the love of Christ – no matter where they live. Thank you for supporting this mission.
 

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Sunday Music Series...Dmitry Rachmanov

Dmitry Rachmanov 4:00 PM Sunday, April 12, 2026 Free Admission A sought-after performer, master class clinician, adjudicator and lecturer, Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov is Chair of Keyboard Studies at California State University, Northridge.  A proponent of Russian repertoire, his April 2014 all-Scriabin program at Carnegie Hall was described as “a poem of ecstasy” in every sense. Rachmanov is a recipient of numerous awards, and a founding member and President of the Scriabin Society of America. 

Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!

Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700. 

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.