One of the most admired guitarists in music today, Phil Keaggy continues to delight audiences all over the US, performing primarily acoustic shows and occasional concerts with a band. Aware that God gave him a calling to deliver the Gospel through his music, Phil has been grateful to do just that for the last 40 years, and will hopefully continue to do so. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.
The Galilean
The Galilean: Grace Notes for Dis-Grace - 5
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
“The Galilean: Grace Notes for Dis-grace”
W. H. Auden:
“I know nothing, except what everyone knows— if there when dances,
I should dance.”
Philip Yancey:
“Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us . And grace means there is nothing
we can do to make God love us .”
(What’s So Amazing About Grace 70)
□ Matthew 26-27: A Tale of Two Young Men
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Desire of Ages: “Now [Judas] pretends to have no part with them. Coming close
to Jesus, he takes His hand as a familiar friend. With the words, ‘Hail, Master,’ he kisses Him repeatedly, and appears to weep as if in sympathy with Him in His peril. Jesus said to him, “, wherefore art thou come?” His voice trembled with sorrow as He added, ‘Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?’ This appeal should have aroused the conscience of the betrayer, and touched his stubborn heart; but honor, fidelity, and human tenderness had forsaken him. He stood bold and defiant, showing no disposition to relent. He had given himself up to Satan, and he had no power to resist him. Jesus did not refuse the traitor’s kiss.” (696)
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Desire of Ages: “While the degrading oaths were fresh upon Peter’s lips, and the shrill crowing of the cock was still ringing in his ears, the Saviour turned from the frowning judges, and looked full upon His poor disciple. At the same time Peter’s eyes were drawn to his Master. In that gentle countenance he read deep pity and sorrow, but there was no anger there. The sight of that pale, suffering face, those quivering lips, that look of compassion and , pierced his heart like an arrow. Conscience was aroused. Memory was active. . . . Peter had just declared that he knew not Jesus, but he now realized with bitter grief how well his Lord knew him, and how accurately He had read his heart, the falseness of which was unknown even to himself. A tide of memories rushed over him. The Saviour’s tender mercy, His kindness and long-suffering, His gentleness and patience toward His erring disciples—all was remembered. . . . Once more he looked at his Master, and saw a sacrilegious hand raised to smite Him in the face. Unable longer to endure the scene, he rushed, heartbroken, from the hall. He pressed on
in solitude and darkness, he knew not and cared not whither. At last he found himself in Gethsemane. . . . On the very spot where Jesus had poured out His soul in agony to His Father, Peter fell upon his face, and wished that he might die.” (712, 713
- Desire of Ages: “Judas now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him to be the Son of God, and entreating Him to deliver Himself. The Saviour did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent; his confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God, and denied the Holy One of Israel. Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas, and said, For this hour came I into the world.” (722)
□ What made the difference?
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David Seamands: “Many years ago I was driven to the conclusion that the two
major causes of most emotional problems among evangelical Christians are these: the failure to understand, receive, and live out God’s grace and forgiveness; and the failure to give out that love, forgiveness, and grace to other people. . . . We read, we hear, we believe a good theology of grace. But that’s not the way we live. The good news of the Gospel of grace has not penetrated the level of our emotions.” (Yancey 15)
- Intellectually we Grace—but emotionally we do not Grace.
- Anne Lamott: “Not forgiving is like drinking and then waiting for the rat to die.” (Traveling Mercies 134)
- George Herbert: “He who cannot forgive another breaks the over which he must pass himself.” (Yancey 82)
- Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice: “How shalt thou hope for , rendering none?” (Yancey 88)
- Jesus: “Freely you have received; freely .” (Matthew 10:8)
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Desire of Ages: “It is the gospel of the of God alone that can uplift the soul [from its dis-grace].” (47)
“Amazing grace
that saved a wretch like me”
Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet. They champion both new music and timeless repertoire. With a repertoire spanning contemporary compositions and transcriptions of classical masterworks, the quartet seeks to establish the saxophone quartet as a leading voice in 21st century classical music. Among many other awards, the quartet has recently received the Gold Medal in the 2025 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets; or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.
Michigan Advance Partners
Some think that asking for offerings needs to be a polished “sales pitch” to convince people to give or give more. There are two types of givers. One group says, “they give until it hurts!” and the other group says, “every time they give, it hurts!”
The apostle Paul says we should give “not out of necessity or grudgingly. For God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NKJV). The Bible is clear about not making people feel guilty or obligated to give. Otherwise, they will give with an attitude that is not pleasing to God.
So how does one become a cheerful giver? The Bible tells us that our offerings must be given willingly and freely. This springs from the principle of love for Christ. As our love for God grows with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will want to share His love with other people so they, too, can learn of God’s love. This should prompt us to be giving a “love” offering or a “free will” offering that is not “urged” or “begged.”
When we do this, God will fill our hearts until they’re completely free of earthliness and blend with the divine. He removes selfish motives. Let’s give cheerfully, gladly, willingly, while being thankful that we advance God's kingdom in the world.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Overcoming Emotions that Destroy - a DVD series with Chip Ingram
We all struggle with angry feelings, brought on by tension, pressure, and the blocked goals and frustrations of day-to-day life. The broken and stressed relationships that result from these feelings can overwhelm us. But there is hope. With the right help, you too can overcome those emotions that destroy. Everyone is welcome to join us each Sabbath through October 11. We meet in PMC Board Room.
Pioneer Children and Family Discipleship is excited to embark on a special journey of intentionally experiencing the delight of the Sabbath during the 2025-2026 school year. Please sign up for occasional notices about Pioneer-sponsored Sabbath Delight events as well as ideas for things you and your family can do to cultivate a deeper appreciation for Sabbath. We will also look forward to hearing from you about what you and your family are doing each week to call the Sabbath a delight. All are welcome. To sign up for the challenge, please text SABBATH to 269-281-2345.
Join us for the Midweek House of Prayer, held online every Wednesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark. Come and see how your contributions can benefit everyone in the group! The Zoom link is https://andrews.zoom.us/j/9889172131.
There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.