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

Part 4 of this 7-part series.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Program: 
As We Begin
A Mighty Fortress • Max Reger
Praise
Great is the Lord • You are Holy • Before the Throne of God Above • Great is Thy Faithfulness
Prayer
Nancy Kardos-Moldovan
Baby Dedication
Laura Violet presented by Jonathan & Hilary LaPointe with Dwight K. Nelson
GROW Groups
Jon Campbell
Children's Story
An Almighty Fortress • David Shaffer
Worship in Music
Amazing Grace • Frank Ticheli
Sermon
“Charmed into Righteousness: The Fairest Judge” • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
Give Me Jesus • 305
As We Depart
The Light Eternal • James Swearingen

More In This Series

03/05/2016
Part 7 of this 7-part series.
02/27/2016
Part 6 of this 7-part series.
02/20/2016
Part 5 of this 7-part series.
01/16/2016
Part 3 of this 7-part series.
01/09/2016
Part 2 of this 7-part series.
01/02/2016
Part 1 of this 7-part series.

“Charmed into Righteousness: The Fairest Judge”

www.newperceptions.tv

 

  • The Judge
    • Steps to Christ: “Satan [has led humanity] to conceive of God as a being whose chief attribute is stern justice—one who is a severe , a harsh, exacting creditor. He pictured the Creator as a being who is watching with jealous eye to discern the errors and mistakes of men, that He may visit judgments upon them. It was to this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of God, that Jesus came to live among men. The Son of God came from heaven to make manifest the Father.” (10-11)
    • John 1:14, 18; 3:16; 14:5-10
      • Kevin J. Vanhoozer: “The son’s humanity is the ultimate form of God’s self-presentation, Jesus is God’s definitive word and in his person and history corresponds to what it is that makes God .” (In John Peckham, The Love of God: A Canonical Model 61)
      • John Peckham: “Depictions of divine compassion in the Old Testament and New Testament are strikingly similar to that manifested by Christ in the Gospels. Thus Leon Morris contends that ‘Christ’s action is action. Christ’s love is love.’” (The Love of God 64)
  • The Judged
    • The protagonist: “Mary had been looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew the circumstances that had shaped her life. He might have extinguished every spark of hope in her soul, but He did not. It was He who had lifted her from despair and ruin. Seven she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind. She had heard His strong cries to the Father in her behalf. She knew how offensive is sin to His unsullied purity, and in His strength she had overcome.” (Desire of Ages 568)
      • “When to human eyes her case appeared , Christ saw in Mary capabilities for good. He saw the better traits of her character. The plan of redemption has invested humanity with great possibilities, and in Mary these possibilities were to be realized. Through His grace she became a partaker of the divine nature. The one who had fallen, and whose mind had been a habitation of demons, was brought very near to the Saviour in fellowship and ministry.” (Ibid)
    • The antagonist: “When Judas joined the disciples, he was not insensible to the beauty of the character of Christ. He felt the influence of that divine power which was drawing souls to the Saviour. . . . In connecting this man with Himself, He placed him where he might, day by

day, be brought in contact with the outflowing of His own unselfish love. If he would open his to Christ, divine grace would banish the demon of selfishness, and even Judas might become a subject of the kingdom of God.” (Desire of Ages  294)

  • “When he came into association with Jesus, he had some traits of character that might have been made a blessing to the church. If he had been willing to wear the yoke of Christ, he might have been among the chief of the apostles; but he hardened his heart when his defects were pointed out, and in pride and rebellion chose his own selfish ambitions, and thus unfitted himself for the work that God would have given him to do.” (Ibid)
  • John 12:1-8
    • “[Jesus’] heart was crying, How can I give thee up? The constraining power of that love was felt by Judas. When the Saviour’s hands were bathing those soiled feet, and wiping them with the towel, the heart of Judas thrilled through and through with the impulse then and there to confess his sin. But he would not humble himself. He hardened his heart against repentance; and the old impulses, for the moment put aside, again controlled him.” (Desire of Ages 645)
    • “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.” (Desire of Ages 722)
  • The Judgment
    • John 5:22—“‘The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the .”
    • 2 Corinthians 5:10—“For we must all appear before the judgement seat of , so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
    • 1 John 2:1-2
      • He who is the Savior of the world and the Judge of the world is the Advocate of the world, the of the human race.
      • Steps to Christ: “We shall have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (64)

 

“The Judge is on your side!”

Answers

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath following the second worship service, in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are welcome!

Celebration of Life

You are invited to join in the Celebration of Life for Emilie Oosterwal-Tilstra. The gathering will be Sun, June 1, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Stark Heritage Chapel in Berrien Springs

Offering for May 31, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

When God liberated the Israelites from Egypt, He instructed them to dedicate a tithe of their belongings to the sanctuary's service. This was a distinct contribution designated for a specific purpose. The tithe was reserved for supporting those who served in the sanctuary. It was to be collected from the increase of all growth, and together with gifts and offerings, it furnished resources to sustain the gospel's ministry at that time. Today, God expects from us no less. His blessings to us are not diminished, but rather greater, than they were for the Israelites. His kingdom continues to need funds and resources. The tithe is set aside to those who are directly involved in gospel ministries such as ministers, teachers, missionaries, and Bible workers.

Offerings, on the other hand, are used for the operational cost of the church and various ministries. The great commission to “Go and make disciples” and tell people about the love of God must be carried forward. God has made substantial provision for this task through tithes and offerings. He intends that the gospel ministry IS fully funded. He considers the tithe as His own, and it should always be viewed as a sacred reserve. Today, let’s fulfill the gospel commission to “Go and make disciples” by funding it with the Lord’s money.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Iris Bloom Time

 The iris bloom time has started, the sign is out at 8875 Kephart Lane, Berrien Springs, come see and smell the many iris that will be blooming in the next few weeks. Share with your friends.

Something in Common Sabbath School

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

  • 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.

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! 
 

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/.