Stories in the Rearview Mirror

Why I Believe We’re Running Out of Time

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

As we enter into a new year, we see a world still fraught with the troubles and turmoil of the year just ended. Yet if we dig even further into history, we find a small band of devoted Christ followers living in the United States who were willing to sacrifice all for His kingdom. What lessons can we glean from them as we begin a new chapter of our own?
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Program: 
As We Begin
Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying
Wayne Wold
Hello
Praise
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee
Indescribable
How He Loves
Beautiful
Oh Lord You’re Beautiful
Prayer
José Bourget
Children’s Story
Rich Aguilera
Worship in Music
O, When Shall I See Jesus? • from The Sacred Harp, 1844
Sermon
“Stories in the Rearview Mirror: Why I Believe We’re Running Out of Time”
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes, & Offerings
Closing Hymn
You Will See Your Lord A-Coming • 438
As We Depart
We Have This Hope
Wayne Hooper

More In This Series

03/07/2015
When a young physician undergoes a conversion through the work of the Holy Spirit, he joins forces with a comrade and proceeds to bring about a revolution to point the focus back to Christ. What kind of transformation can the Third Person's Last Rain bring about in our lives today?
02/28/2015
In the 19th century, a young woman was called by God to a ministry that would eventually become a worldwide movement. What does her legacy mean for us today?
02/21/2015
"We entered upon this work penniless, with few friends, and broken in health.” - James White. What does a God who sacrificed all for His children ask of those who wish to follow Him today?
01/31/2015
Deep in the heart of an unknown Asian country lives one of the most explosive spiritual growth movements on the planet. What is their secret and how can we apply it to our own lives right now?
01/24/2015
On Sept. 26, 1874 the first Adventist missionary set foot on the shores of Europe. It was the first step towards building what would become a global movement. What step should we take today?
01/17/2015
In 1832, a man named Joseph Bates decided in the sight of God that he must take a stand for those who were oppressed. The world has changed much since then, but one thing remains: The oppressed are still with us. What can we learn today from the stance taken by that old sea captain so many years ago?

“Stories in the Rearview Mirror:

Why I Believe We’re Running Out of Time”

www.pmchurch.tv

 

  • A Prediction
    • Soren Kierkegaard: "In a theater, it happened that a fire started offstage. The clown came out to tell the audience. They thought it was a joke and applauded. He told them again and they became more hilarious. This is the way, I suppose, that the world will be destroyed—amid the universal hilarity of wits and wags who think it is ."
  • The Prediction of Jesus
    • Matthew 24:32-35, 30
  • Story in the Rearview Mirror: William Miller
    • September 11, 1814 letter: “Sir: It is over, it is done. The British fleet has struck the American flag. Great slaughter on both sides—they are in plain view here where I am now writing. . . . The sight was majestic, it was noble, it was grand. This morning at 10 o’clock the British opened a destructive fire upon us, both by water and by land. . . . You have no idea of the battle. . . . You must conceive of what we feel, for I cannot describe it. . . . I am satisfied that I can fight. I know I am no coward. . . . Three of my men are wounded by a shell which burst within two feet of me.” (Quoted in Francis D. Nichol, The Midnight Cry 25)
    • “I saw that the Bible did bring to view just such a Savior as I needed; and I was perplexed to find how an uninspired book should develop principles so perfectly adapted to the wants of a fallen world. I was constrained to admit that the Scriptures must be a revelation from God; they became my , and in Jesus I found a .” (Apology and Defence 5)
    • “I then devoted myself to   and the reading of the word. . . . I commenced with Genesis, and read it verse by verse, proceeding no faster than the meaning of the several passages should be so unfolded. . . . Whenever I found anything obscure, my practice was to compare it with all collateral passages; and by the help of Cruden [a concordance] I examined all the texts of Scripture. . . . Then by letting every word have its proper bearing on the subject of the text, if my view of it harmonized with every collateral passage in the Bible, it ceased to be a difficulty.” (Ibid 6)
    • “I was thus brought, in 1818 . . . to the solemn conclusion that in about twenty-five years from that time all the affairs of our present state would be wound up. . . . O how bright and glorious the truth appeared. . . . I became nearly settled in my conclusions, and began to wait, and watch, and pray for my Saviour’s coming.” (Ibid 11-13)
    • The Millerite movement:
      • This Baptist farmer turned preacher preached over 3,200 times.
      • By May, 1844, 5 million copies of the Millerite publications had been distributed.
      • In New York City Millerite convocations filled the Broadway Tabernacle 3,500 at a time—in Philadelphia 5,000 at a time in the Museum Auditorium.
    • The Great Disappointment
    • November 10, 1844, letter to Joshua Himes: “Although I have been twice disappointed, I am not yet cast down or discouraged. God has been with me in spirit, and has comforted me. I have now much more evidence that I do believe in God’s Word; and although surrounded with enemies and scoffers, yet my mind is perfectly calm, and my hope in the coming of Christ is as strong as ever. . . . I have fixed my mind upon another time, and here I mean to stand until God gives me more light.—And that is Today, TODAY, and TODAY, until He comes, and I see HIM for whom my soul yearns.” (Quoted in The Midnight Cry 266, 267)
    • William Miller’s three passions:
      • Passion #1—for the .
      • Passion #2—for the of the Savior.
      • Passion #3—for the of all.
    • How can they become our passions, too?
      • Go to the .
      • Go to your .
      • Go to the .

 

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

 

We Mourn

 Lorraine Drew, a long-time member of Pioneer, passed away on May 14, 2025. A celebration of her life will be held on May 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM, in the Pioneer Sanctuary. Visitation will be held in the Narthex at 3:00 PM.

Offering for May 24, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

The COVID-19 pandemic caused thousands of deaths around the world and made people rethink their purpose in life. We’ve all been affected by this. Recent wars displaced millions from their homes creating major cultural, political, and population shifts. These crises created openness in spiritual things.

People are searching for meaning and peace. They’re hungry to make sense out of all the chaos in the world. Churches in our conference can be that haven and point of contact for people to hear about Jesus.

Offerings collected monthly for Michigan Advance Partners give opportunities for ministries in all churches to be funded so it can plant seeds of hope and love. Now is the time to invest in God’s work. Why not ask God for bigger requests so He can bless us abundantly? We don’t need to wait until we have more to give more. We can flex our faith in God now.

Note the promise, "The time has come when we are to expect large blessings from the Lord. We must rise to a higher standard on the subject of faith... The Word of God is our endorsement. We must take it, simply believing every word. With this assurance we may claim large things, and according to our faith it will be unto us” (That I May Know Him, p. 226). Today, let’s lay all on the altar and give our all to God. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Widow and Widowers Bird Watching Brunch
11356 S Lake Chapin Rd, Berrien Springs, MI 49103

We are inviting all widows and widowers to join us for a nature walk at 9:00 AM, June 1, at the home of Dave and Terri Village. We will also be having a vegetarian potluck and a birdwatching presentation with boat rides to follow. We hope to see you there! 
 

Andrews Academy’s Graduation Weekend Events

Congratulations, Andrews Academy seniors! May the same Lord who got you here lead you into the uncharted adventure ahead! “I am with you always,” is His promise.  Everyone is invited to attend graduation weekend events.

  • Class Night May 22, 7:00 PM at Andrews Academy
  • Consecration May 23, 8:00 PM at Village SDA Church
  • Baccalaureate May 24, 11:45 AM at Pioneer Memorial Church
  • Commencement May 25, 11:00 AM at Pioneer Memorial Church

Something in Common Sabbath School

Something In Common Sabbath School presents The Five Love Languages DVD series.

  • May 17- Love Language One: Words of Affirmation
  • May 24- Love Language Two: Quality Time
  • May 31- Love Language Three: Receiving Gifts
  • June 7- Love Language Four: Acts of Service
  • June 14- Love Language Five: Physical Touch
  • June 21- Growing in Love

Everyone is welcome to join us in PMC Room 141 each Sabbath morning from 10:30 - 11:30 AM.

House of Prayer Series Led By Pastor Dwight Nelson

“How to Pray for Rome NOW: Following Jesus in Today’s Headlines” 

House of Prayer Spring Series, 7 PM, Pioneer Earliteen Loft, May 2025 

  • May 7 “The Sea Beast and Jesus” (Revelation 13) 
  • May 14 “The Little Horn and Jesus” (Daniel 7 & 2 Thessalonians 2) 
  • May 21 “The Purple and Scarlet Woman and Jesus” (Revelation 17) 
  • May 28 “The Babylonian Queen and Jesus” (Revelation 18) 

“Prophecy is fast fulfilling. More, much more, should be said about these tremendously important subjects. The day is at hand when the destiny of every soul will be fixed forever. This day of the Lord hastens on apace. . . . Great pains should be taken to keep this subject before the people. The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised. Let no one's interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that this great event is near at hand.” (Fundamentals of Christian Education 335)

AdventistGiving Online (AGO) Contributors

 Your faithfulness is very much appreciated.  To ensure that your donations are properly credited to your account, when contributing through Adventist Giving, please log in under your name, instead of contributing as a "Guest."

Music Camp at Pioneer!

The Institute of Young Musicians for Christ is excited to be having a music camp at Pioneer Memorial Church! At our music camps young people ages 6-17 are offered an immersive, week-long musical experience. Our quality musical training—combined with fun, friends, and faith-building encounters— provides a truly incredible opportunity. The camp offers tracks for children 6-12 with or without musical experience and a track for teenagers with significant musical experience. To learn more and register, visit iymcsda.org/michigan. We hope to see you there!

Lamson Hall Upgrades with Maranatha

From May 11–June 8, 2025, Maranatha Volunteers International will be working at Andrews University to update the Lamson Hall residential rooms and suite bathrooms. Please consider volunteering and letting your family and friends know of this opportunity. All individuals (including local) should sign up at the Maranatha website: https://maranatha.org/volunteer-opportunities/.