Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Since 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

Part 3 of a 4 Part Series
Saturday, November 03, 2012

More In This Series

10/13/2012
Part 1 of a 4 Part Series
10/20/2012
Part 2 of a 4 Part Series
11/10/2012
Part 4 of a 4 Part Series

“Three Angels, One Warning: American Confusion”

www.pmchurch.tv

□ Revelation 14:9-11—Angel #3

 “The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel’s message.” (The Great Controversy 449)

□  Revelation 13:11-17—Power #2

  •   What power on earth sprang into existence and began its comparatively rapid growth into global dominance around the (see Matthew 13:17 for same verb)?
  •   What power on earth sprang into existence from the waters, from the masses and multitudes of the great nations of the Middle Ages (compare with Revelation 17:15)?
  •   What power on earth sprang into existence with those credentials and today holds sway?
  •   Given the historical background as well as the time frame for its emergence, there is only one international power that fits the prophetic description of Revelation 13—late 1700s, away from Europe and the masses, growing rapidly into eventual global dominance—the .
  •   “The Lord has done more for the than for any other country upon which the sun shines.” (Maranatha 193)

□  Catalysts of American Confusion

 #1—The mistaken belief that the United States is God’s chosen .

 Paul Dean: “Most American Christians believe that America has a special place in God’s heart. ‘God and Country’ are inseparable in the minds of many to the point that to be a good Christian is to be a good American and vice versa. . . . [However] we must learn to think biblically about ‘God and Country’ and the connection between the two. We must debunk the popular notions that America is a Christian nation (the is the only Christian nation according to the Scriptures); or that America is the New Israel; or that America will one day establish a Christian government and be the light of the world; or that to be a good Christian is to be a good American. . . . You can be a good Christian anywhere in the world and love your country of origin. The issue is not what country we love but whether we truly love .” (www.crosswalk.com/blogs/dr-paul-j-dean/the-shining-city-on-a-hill-americ...)

 #2—The mistaken belief that any is God’s chosen agent.

  Loren Seibold: “It has become virtually impossible to get elected as a Republican without leaning in some way toward conservative Christian values and promising governmental advocacy for the ideas that conservative Christians hold dear. I should clarify that many of these Christian values are also mine. However if were running for president today, it’s unlikely he could even be nominated by his own Republican Party. He was a member of no church, never publicly confessed a creed, and never publicly used religious beliefs to justify his policies.” (“Is God a Republican?” Signs of the Times November, 2012)

  “Jesus never placed much value on occupying an earthly throne. His kingdom, He insisted, wasn’t anywhere on this earth (John 18:36). Who ruled the nations down here was far less important to Him than that everyone understood the character and purposes of the of the universe.” (Ibid)

  “Suppose, for example, that a politician decided that everyone should worship on Sunday (an idea that has been proposed from time to time through history). That would be fine for most Christians, but it would put Jews and Seventh-day Adventists (who observe the seventh day of the week) in a situation where they’d have to choose between obeying a human law or their understanding of obeying God’s law. The politicians who give one religious group what they want may be taking from another.” (Ibid)

  “When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government . . .” (5T 451)

□ The Prayer of John Knox

“Give me America or I die!” 

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
Fruit Delivery Next week

If you ordered fruits during the Pathfinder Fruit Fundraiser and requested shipment to PMC, the orders are anticipated to arrive on Tuesday, December 5th. The fruits may be picked up between 6 PM and 8 PM in the PMC Commons.

Fellowship Dinner

There will be a fellowship dinner, following the second worship service in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are always welcome.

Offering for December 2, 2023

Pioneer Operating Budget

December starts off the Christmas season in earnest for many people, even if merchants have been pushing the need to buy gifts for weeks already. What makes the Christmas season special for you? Is it the music, the decorations, special foods, family gatherings, or the gifts—what you might receive, as well as what you might give?

Gift-giving can be problematic. What if someone gives you a gift, but you don’t have one to give in return or vice versa?! Which matters more: the amount of money you spend on the gift or giving a “perfect gift” to a particular person? Let’s reverse that; what if someone gives you a gift and it’s not something you’ve ever wanted or will ever use? Should you put on a happy face and say something like, “How can I ever thank you enough for this gift?”

Each Sabbath we collect an offering as you give your gifts to God. We don’t limit this to the Christmas season because Christmas happens every time we come to church. We come to worship the greatest gift of all time—the gift of God coming to this earth in the form of Jesus Christ.

Our gifts, whether they are wrapped in beautiful Christmas paper or given as cash or checks or through online giving with a credit card, show our thankfulness to God.

So, “Merry Christmas!” And let’s take this opportunity to give our gifts to God.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Soup for Students

Pioneer Young Adult Ministries is hosting Soup for Students. All Collegiate-aged individuals are welcomed to attend and enjoy soup and a touch of home while studying for finals.  Volunteers can contact Prescott Khair (prescott.khair@pmchurch.org)

You Visited Me

Jesus said, "When I was in prison, you visited Me."  If you have a heart for reaching out to a lonely person in need of encouragement while incarcerated, have I got a person for you!  Please contact Sue Wein (whitewsu@andrews.edu).  I will give you the details and help you in connecting with her.

Bring a Toy, Spread some joy.

In just a few weeks, on December 9, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service every year where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. These gifts will go to families in our community who are not able to purchase gifts. This is yet another way that Pioneer can be Love on the Move!

4th Annual "First Advent" Reflections

It is time to join the 4th Annual "First Advent Reflections". This Christmas season the Pioneer Women’s Ministries Team is delighted to invite you to reflect on Handel's "Messiah".

A daily email and a text will be sent to the ladies who sign-up. To register text the word "Hallelujah" to 269-281-2345

Wind Symphony Christmas Concert: Christmas Through the Ages

Bring in the sounds of the season with the Wind Symphony’s Christmas concert, “Christmas Through the Ages” on Saturday, December 2nd at 8:00 PM at the Howard Performing Arts Center. The program will feature familiar holiday tunes that will have you tapping your toes and singing along! Selections include a lively version of Carol of the Bells by Sean O’Loughlin, a fun arrangement of a famous John Philip Sousa march, Christmas and Sousa Forever by Julie Giroux, the ever popular Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, as well as a few other surprises. We look forward to having you join us as we begin to celebrate the Christmas season.

Love on the Move - GH4K

Would you like to show "Love on the Move" to foster, adoptive, kinship families in our community? This is your invitation to join God's Hands 4 Kids in doing just that. Could you make a pan of lasagna for GH4K's Connect Support Group Christmas Celebration on December 8 delivering ready to serve. For details and to sign up go to our website GH4K.org There will be more opportunities to give shared there. Godshands4kids@gmail.com

Belong Ministry Thanksgiving Baskets

Did you know that 30% of our students are facing hunger on our campus? Belong Ministries is partnering with CFE and other campus ministries to begin bridging the gap of hunger on campus. You can be a part of this initiative by providing a Thanksgiving basket full of microwavable foods and treats. If interested in donating a Thanksgiving basket we'll provide a list, please sign up by scanning the QR code

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