There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath in the commons.
The Bondage Breaker
The Bondage Breaker: The Easter Rout!
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 Bondage Breaker: The Easter Rout!”
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□ The Resurrection
• Matthew 28:1-6
• Frederick Buechner: “If we are to believe [Christ] is really alive with all that that implies, then we have to believe without proof. And of course that is the only way it could be. If it could be somehow proved, then we would have no choice but to believe. We would lose our freedom not to believe. And in the very moment that we lost that freedom, we would cease to be human beings. Our love of God would have been forced upon us, and love that is forced is of course not love at all. Love must be freely given. Love must live in the freedom not to love; it must take risks. Love must be prepared to suffer even as Jesus on the Cross suffered, and part of that suffering is doubt.” (The Magnificent Defeat) -
□ The Evidence
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#1—The of Jesus (Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-33; John 2:19-
22)
It was common knowledge in Jerusalem that this Man predicted He would rise from the dead(Matthew 27:63).
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#2—Many “” proofs (Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:5-9)
The NT records at least 10 such appearances
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#3—The conversion of witnesses—James and Paul
James, the step brother of Jesus, publicly declared that Jesus was “out of His mind” during Christ’s ministry (Mk 3:20-21—but see Acts 1:14).
Saul/Paul was the archenemy of the infant church (Acts 9:1; but see 9:22).
- #4—Fearful to
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#5—The tomb
Even the soldiers, assigned to guard that tomb, testified that it was empty—to which the chief priests concocted the lie while the soldiers slept Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body (but how would a sleeping soldier know who had stolen the body?).
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#6—The existence of the (Acts 2:23-24; 3:14-15; 4:10-12; 4:33; 5:30-31, et al) Tim Chaffey: “The reality of the Resurrection was central to the message the apostles
preached. The book of Acts, almost universally recognized as reliable history of the period,
claims that these men spoke about the Resurrection repeatedly.” (Answer April-June 2014)
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#7—Principle of
Why would writers of history invent details that do not seem to help their cause?
Tim Chaffey: “Either the writers were quite foolish or exceedingly clever or they wroteprecisely what happened.”
- #8— hearts in later generations
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#1—The of Jesus (Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-33; John 2:19-
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□ The Change
• Ephesians 1:18-20; 2:1, 4-5
• Paul’s inescapable point: The power that freed Christ from His is the identical powerthat can free us from our .
• The devil can no more hold you in your sepulcher of than he could hold Christ in thetomb of .
• “Christ’s death and resurrection have opened before every soul an unlimited source offrom which to draw.” (RH 11-5-1901)
Unlimited!
On Sabbath, December 13, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. Each year we partner with "Christmas Care" in providing gifts to 300+ families in our community who are not able to purchase their own. This is yet another way that Pioneer can participate in the 2nd part of our PIONEER strategic plan of Interacting and partnering with those in our community.
The annual Christmas Banquet for Seniors (ages 55+) is taking place on December 14 in the Village SDA Church fellowship hall at 1:00 PM. Pioneer members wishing to attend please call the church office to sign up at 269.471.6565 by Monday, December 8.
Thank you for choosing a tag from our Angel Trees! Please remember to text “BLESS” to 269-281-2345 to let us know who you selected. This helps us stay organized and coordinate gift collection if you won’t be dropping off your unwrapped gift during one of our services on Sabbath, December 13.
This Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 4:00 PM, join the Andrews University Department of Music for a memorable Christmas Extravaganza to welcome the season! Featured performances will include the University Singers, Chorale, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, along with talented students from the Piano Studios of Chi Yong Yun and String Ensembles from the Studio of Carla Trynchuk. In the spirit of giving, our Christmas Extravaganza will also feature a brief segment and opportunity to support our talented music students through the music student scholarships. Celebrate the spirit of the season through uplifting music, including selections from The Christmas Song, Christmas Dinner, and Sleigh Ride, capturing the spirit and joy of the season. Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 @ 7:30 PM Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025 @ 4:00 PM (repeat performance). Tickets and information can be found at howard.andrews.edu

Pioneer Operating Budget
In my younger years, my fascination with mathematics, particularly with the concept of multiplication, was immense. I was especially excited learning the principles of multiplication because it was one of the fastest ways to reach a higher total. Multiplication is a mathematical process that adds a number to itself repeatedly a specific number of times.
This mathematical principle later found an analogy in my spiritual journey. I realized that the growth of God's kingdom often resonates better with multiplication than addition.
For example, it is better to have five people each doing one ministry and teaching others to do the same, rather than for one person doing five ministries by himself. This is the essence of “disciplers” — disciples who train other disciples. Another way to step into the realm of such multiplication is through generous offerings to God.
When we present our offerings to God, He multiplies them, extending the blessings to many. We need not dwell on the mathematics of our giving or attempt to rationalize the outcomes. Merely giving in faith is sufficient. Reflect on the promise, “He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting” (Desire of Ages, p. 371).
Let’s see how God multiplies the gifts we give to Him.
—Melvin Santos, Kansas/Nebraska Conference in partnership with the North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School is happy to announce that we have been officially granted accreditation by the Global Accreditor: The Middle States Association. This is in addition to accreditation by the National Council for Private School Accreditation and the Adventist Accrediting Association.
Andrews Academy will be presenting the 52nd annual Feast of Lights program on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The community is invited to attend this spectacular night of music, Scripture and drama honoring the King of Kings. It is an evening of lights, bells, instruments, choral singing, congregational singing, shepherds, a Nativity scene, and the retelling of a glorious Christmas story. Chorale and Orchestra will end the program with the Hallelujah chorus. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in Christmas lighting. The program will speak to your hearts of His wondrous love. All are invited to attend this free program held at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University.

Walk into the advent story... Share in the expectation... Experience God's Glory... Journey to Bethlehem - Come join take this FREE 1 hour walking journey through the Advent Story on December 14 from 5-8 PM. Meet shepherds, the wisemen, Roman soldiers, a Biblical marketplace, Mary and Joseph and discover why Christ came to this earth. Groups Leave from the Student Activity Center located at 6295 W Main St, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Tours leave every 10 minutes between 5 & 8 PM, December 14. No Reservations required, ALS interpreter available, please contact us in advance. Wheelchair accessible journey on paved sidewalk. Questions? Call or text 269-405-5026 or email us at Eauclairecritters@gmail.com.

Soup for Students is just around the corner! Sunday, December 7, at 6 PM in the PMC Commons. We’d love to know what you’re planning to bring—soup, bread, your smile, or all of the above! Simply text “NOURISH” to 269-281-2345 to sign up



