There will be fellowship dinner this Sabbath following second service in the Commons on the lower level. Visitors are welcome to join.
Galaxy Three: Why What Is Happening a Billion Light Years Away Right Now Matters to You
Galaxy Three: Magnificence in the Middle
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Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonSince 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
More In This Series
“Galaxy Three: Magnificence in the Middle”
□ Job 16:19-21
• “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My is my
as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man
pleads for his .” (NIV)
• I.e., He is my —just as I am His .
□ Hebrews 3:1/2:17-18; 4:14-16; 7:25
• Four adjectives about the High Priest in Hebrews:
o (3:1)
William Johnsson: “Because we have such a high priest, the doors of heaven’s temple swing
open wide to welcome us. The command center of the universe no longer holds fear and
uncertainty for us—we there.” (The Abundant Life Bible Amplifier: Hebrews 105)
o (2:17)
Peter O’Brien: “Nowhere else in the Greek Bible are priests or high priests explicitly said to be
. But again and again the Old Testament asserts that Yahweh is
[Exodus 34:6—the first word of His self-revelation]. . . . The Gospels picture Jesus perfectly
reflecting the character of Yahweh, the one. Jesus is often entreated to
have ‘mercy’ (Matt. 9:27; 15:22; 17:15, and parallels), while this theme turns up in his teaching
(Matt. 5:7; 18:33; Luke 16:24).” (Hebrews 119-120)
o (2:17)
F. F. Bruce: “He is merciful because through his own sufferings and trials he can sympathize
with [ours]; he is because he endured to the end without faltering.” (Hebrews
87-88)
o (4:14)
William Johnsson: “Our faith rests on something solid, on Someone. . . . We have a great high
priest in heaven, and He guarantees that what we profess isn’t a matter of feeling or
philosophy, of speculation or possibility. At the heart of our religions stands a Man, and His
name is Jesus—a Man, but much more, for He is God’s Son!” (Hebrews 103)
• Two adverbs about the High Priest’s actions in Hebrews:
o Saves
Desire of Ages: “The Lord would be so bountiful to His human family that it could not be said
of Him that He could do more. In the gift of Jesus, God gave all heaven. . . . The atonement
for a lost world was to be full, abundant, and complete. Christ’s offering was exceedingly
abundant to reach every soul that God had created. . . . There must be enough and to spare.”
(565)
o Intercedes
Amazing Grace: “As our Intercessor, His office work is to introduce us to God as His sons and
daughters. Christ intercedes in behalf of those who have received Him. . . . And the Father
demonstrates His infinite love for Christ, who paid our ransom with His blood, by receiving and
welcoming Christ’s friends as His friends.” (68)
• Our merciful, faithful and great High Priest is interceding for us in order that He might save
us forever. Therefore, “my is my .”
□ “Magnificence in the Middle”
• At Calvary: John 19:18—“There they crucified Him, and with him two others—one on each side and
Jesus in the .”
• In Heaven: Hebrews 7:25
o John 16:26, 27—“The Father Himself you.” (John 3:16; Romans 8:32, 38-39)
o Zechariah 3:1-4—We do need an Intercessor to convince God on our behalf—we need an
Intercessor to silence on our behalf.
o 1 John 2:1,2—“My dear children, if anybody does sin, we have an advocate [ ] with
the Father—Jesus Christ, the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world.”
“My Intercessor and My Friend”
Pioneer Operating Budget
Offerings Speak Loudly!
Exodus 29:1 “This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect.”
We worship God with our offerings because they are sermons without words. After building the tabernacle from the people's freewill offerings, it was time to set apart Aaron and his sons for the holy ministry. Exodus 29 provides details about the ordination service of the first priests in Israel. Interestingly, Moses, the leader, did not deliver a special speech or preach a sermon for this occasion. But one thing was prominent, offerings of various kinds: Sin-offering, a burnt offering, and wave offering. What were the messages conveyed by these offerings?
The sin offering was for the atonement of sin. The priests were reminded that they needed God’s grace and forgiveness to qualify for their duty. The burnt offering was burned completely on the altar. It pointed to the total commitment that was required from those called to service. Finally, wave offering was presented in a waving-type motion, elevated and swung to and fro toward heaven. It symbolizes the priest’s dedication to God’s service and about God’s provision for those who sacrificed themselves in service to Him. Through these multiple offerings, they learned the true meaning of their ordination.
Do we have some doubts about the pertinence of worshipping God with our offerings? If a local church already has enough financial resources to support its ministries, should it maintain offerings as an element of the worship service? Offerings have a value far beyond monetary. Offerings are sermons without words. They represent acts of worship and convey essential spiritual lessons. Among other things, they remind us of God’s gift of salvation, His daily blessings, and our adequate response of total commitment. It would be unwise to silence God’s voice by renouncing from practicing offerings. This week as we worship with our tithe and regular offerings let us be attentive to God’s voice.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Beginning on Wednesday (7PM), August 17, House of Prayer/PM will slowly climb the summit of the Bible, Romans chapter 8. It will be a simple word by word reflection. Through discussion and meditation you’re invited to recover and revisit the heart of the gospel, the heart of God. Join the conversation and prayers in the youth chapel any Wednesday you’re free.
Evergreen Pathfinder Club registration is now open! Parents, To access registration forms please text PMCEP to 269-281-2345. Staff, to register by text, text EPSTAFF to 269-281-2345. We look forward to the Pathfinder 2022/2023 year with you!
Summer is rapidly coming to an end, and soon it will be time for Fall Grow Groups! Right now we’re looking for dedicated individuals who are excited to share their passions and grow their faith by leading small groups. Fall Grow Groups will meet September 18-December 10, 2022. If you’re interested in leading, text LEAD to 269-281-2345 or visit pmchurch.org/grow. The deadline to register a group is August 20. Feel free to email growgroups@pmchurch.org with any questions.
Would you like to be a blessing to someone during difficult times? Sign up to be placed on the list to donate food for funeral receptions. This is an easy way to share and such a blessing for the families. Call the church office at 269-471-3133 (Heidi Ha) with your name and phone number or email them to members@pmchurch.org.
Future Family DVD series with Andy Stanley Family. We all have one. While some of us loved our "growin up" years, others of us couldn't wait to move out and start fresh. Either way, we want our Future Family to be a step up from our families of origin. Most of us want something better for our children.
July 23--Ideally Speaking
July 30--Power Down
August 6--Common Cause
August 13--All the Fixin's
August 20--Our Way, A Way
August 27--The Echo
Come join us in PMC room 141
Register now for an uplifting and spirit-filled weekend at Camp au Sable. The annual District Nine Family Camp is Labor Day weekend, September 2-5, 2022. Application materials can be found at http://districtnine.wix.com/home.
Join us as we beautify our building and grounds for the beginning of the new school year.
Berrien County Department of Health and Human Services Director, Emersond Jean-Baptiste, has a challenge to every church in Berrien County to find ways to be a cornerstone in impacting the lives of children and families. There are 60 foster homes in
our county and over 200 kids in foster care. This is a great opportunity to make a "Love on the Move" difference in the life of a child. Reach out to me and together with Emersond we can discuss ways to do exactly that. For more information contact Carol Jordan at godshands4kids@gmail.com.