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!”

 

Offering for August 2, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Birthdays were always a special and happy occasion in our home. When it is one of the sibling’s birthdays, we give all our kids gifts to enjoy, not just the celebrant. But when it was our birthday, our children would draw pictures and color them expressing their creativity and love for us. They didn’t have the money to purchase gifts or nice Hallmark cards. Yet when they presented them to us, we cherished those handmade cards more than all the commercial cards produced by Hallmark. Why? Because they were our children’s expression of love from the heart.

It’s hard not to express this love without giving a gift. Likewise, every offering gift should be measured by the unfathomable Gift of heaven. The greatest offering one could make would then appear as nothing in comparison. “How vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules, time, money, and love against a love and sacrifice that is measureless and incomputable!" (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.4, p.119). If we can catch a glimpse of just how much God loves us, we would faint. All self-interest and selfish motives will disappear, we will be lost in awe and wonder. It would spur us to shower our Lord with more gifts and with praise and thanksgiving.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Register Now for Andrews Academy

Andrews Academy is now enrolling students in grades 9 - 12 for the 2025/2026 school year. We invite you to join the AA family! You will be blessed by what Andrews Academy has to offer. Students consistently score above state and national levels on standardized testing, they are involved in many spiritual and service activities throughout the school year. Our Seventh-day Adventist school’s mission is to inspire our students to think deeply, live fully, serve unselfishly and to honor God completely. School begins August 18. Registration day is August 13. Financial assistance may be available. Call 269-471-3138 for more information or visit https://www.andrews.edu/aa/ and click on “apply today”. 

District Nine Family Camp - (Sub) Camp Au Sable

 Although registration for District Nine Family Camp is still open at www.midistrictnine.com, ALL rooms and RV sites have been reserved!  However, if you wish to tent there are spaces still available.  If you wish to bring your RV, there are spaces available ONLY in the Northwoods.

Help Us Welcome New Students

Many new faces will soon join us as they begin their academic journey at Andrews University. We are preparing to welcome them with our traditional Welcome Picnic on Sabbath, August 23. You can support Belong by signing up to be a table host, preparing food, becoming a general volunteer—or all of the above! Text the word “PICNIC” to 269-281-2345

Looking for a Prayer Group to Join?

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.

Something in Common Sabbath School

Better Decisions/ Fewer Regrets video series by Andy Stanley continues

  • July 19–The The Conscience Question
  • July 26–The Maturity Question
  • August 2–The Relationship Question

Everyone is welcome in PMC Boardroom off of the Fellowship Commons Room from 10:30-11:30 AM on Sabbath.

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.