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

Saturday, September 03, 2016
Program: 
As We Begin
Praise to the Lord • Johann Walther Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) • Craig Courtney
Praise
Majesty • How Great is Our God • We Fall Down
Prayer
Sabine Vatel
GO Project: Our2Cents
Rodlie Ortiz
Tithes & Offerings
Jesus, My Joy / Jesus, Guide Our Way • Johann Crüger / Adam Dreese
Children's Story
Hope Trending: Watch Parties
Sabine Vatel & José Bourget
Worship in Music
Within These Walls • Stephen Caracciolo
Sermon
#RxF4Now—Dead Man Walking • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
Hymn
Just as I Am • st. 1-2, 5-6 of 313 (sung to 314)
As We Depart
Bless the Lord, O My Soul • Charles Wood

 

#RxF4Now—Dead Man Walking

www.newperceptions.tv

 

  • The Self-portrait—Romans 7:7-24
    • Psalm 38:5 NLT—“My wounds fester and because of my foolish sins.”
    • Isaiah 1:6 NLT—“You are from head to foot—covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds—without any ointments or bandages.”
    • Martin Luther: “Human nature is like a peasant. Lift him into the saddle on one side, over he topples on the other side.”
    • Philippians 3:4-6—“If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day . . . in regard to the law, a Pharisee; . . . as for righteousness based on the law, .”
    • Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28: “‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder” [6th Commandment] . . . But I tell you that anyone who is with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. . . . You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery’ [7th Commandment]. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his .’”
    • The Tenth Commandment (“You shall not covet”) radically shifts our focus on the Law of God/Ten Commandments from compliance to obedience.
    • Psalm 119—David sings about the Law of God:
      • v 97—“Oh, how I love Your ! I meditate on it all day long.”
      • v 172—“May my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your are righteous.”
      • v 127—“I love Your more than gold, more than pure gold.”
      • v 18—“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your .”
      • v 64—“The earth is filled with Your , O LORD; teach me Your decrees.”
    • Romans 7:12—“So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and .”
    • John Bunyan, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: “I was more loathsome in my own eyes than was a toad; and I thought I was so in God’s eyes too; sin and corruption, I said, would as naturally bubble out of my heart, as water would bubble out of a fountain. I thought now that everyone had a better heart than I had; I could have changed heart with anybody; I thought none but the devil himself could equalize me for inward wickedness and pollution of mind. I fell, therefore, at the sign of my own vileness, deeply into despair.” (quoted in Camron Schofield Heralding the Loud Cry 32).
  • The Savior—Romans 7:25
    • The purpose and point of the Law is to us to .
      • Galatians 3:24—“Therefore the law was our tutor [guardian] to us to Christ.”
      • To throw the Law out, to get rid of the Ten Commandments—as some are inclined to teach and to do—is to cut your soul off from the very Law Giver who is your only .
    • Christ’s Object Lessons: “His law is a transcript of His own , and it is the standard of all character. This infinite standard is presented to all that there may be no mistake in regard to the kind of people whom God will have to compose His kingdom.” (315)
    • Camron Schofield: “So if you did everything right in your whole entire life, will the law be satisfied? It can’t be satisfied because your right-doing [the definition of “righteousness”] is not what the law wants. What the law wants is God’s right-doing, God’s perfect life—and we, in ourselves, do we have it to offer? We don’t. Is there any room for you in this picture? Can you satisfy the law? Can you? Have you in your life attained unto the very perfection of God? To do that you would have to be God yourself. Are you God? You’re not God!” (Heralding the Loud Cry 33)
      • “We CAN NOT. We can do nothing to effect our own salvation. And it’s a frightful realization when we meet the law as it really is. We are dead men walking.” (35)
      • “The question is: are you bad enough to come to Christ, because if you don’t think that you are too bad, you won’t come to Christ.” (35)
    • Steps to Christ: “If you see your sinfulness, do not wait to make yourself better. How many there are who think they are not good enough to come to Christ. Do you expect to become better through your own efforts? . . . There is help for us only in God. We must not wait for stronger persuasions, for better opportunities, or for holier tempers. We can do nothing of ourselves. We must come to Christ just as we are.” (31)

 

“Just as I Am”

 

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

Primary & Junior Sabbath School Relocations

As we begin essential pipe and HVAC renovations in the Primary and Junior Sabbath School (SS) wings, we want to thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility. To ensure all our children and young people continue to have a meaningful Sabbath School experience, several classes will be temporarily relocated beginning Sabbath, July 5, 2025:

New Sabbath School Locations During Renovations Kindergarten 5 & 6 Sabbath School will now include Grade 1 children until the Primary Grade 1 room is ready. Primary Grades 2 & 3 will meet together in the Kindergarten room used by the Something in Common class. Junior Grades 4 & 5 will meet together in the center section of the Commons. Junior Grade 6 will meet in the sanctuary end of the Commons. Young Adults Sabbath School will meet in the Youth Chapel end of the Commons. Something in Common will meet in the Board Room.

Facilities Use During Construction During renovation months, the Commons and kitchen, Primary and Junior SS rooms will be unavailable for reservations, and the central hallway will be closed under the Sanctuary. We are grateful for your continued prayers, understanding, and support during this important project. Your generosity is helping provide a safe and comfortable environment for all ages to worship and grow in faith. 

District Nine Family Camp

Register soon for an uplifting and spirit-filled weekend at Camp Au Sable. The annual District Nine Family Camp is Labor Day weekend, August 29 - September 1, 2025. For the first time this year, registration will be available online at www.midistrictnine.com,  beginning July 20, at 10:00 AM through August 17, at 12:00 PM.

Offering for July 19, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Someone came to their pastor and complained, “Pastor, we can’t afford to give our tithes and offerings. We’re just barely making it from week to week. I wish we just had extra money to give, but we don’t.”

When finances are tight, it requires more faith to return your tithes and offerings. Some will rationalize, “God really does not need my funds.” That’s true, our God is wealthy. But it is especially important to remember that when funds are tight, that is when it is critical that you return your tithe and offerings. We can’t expect to steal from God and be blessed. We all need God’s blessings.

Tough times force us to demonstrate our faith that God as our Partner will come through to provide even when it seems impossible. This is His part of the covenant. Trust in the Lord that He will provide as He promised.

"The more we bring to God's treasure house, the more we shall have to bring; for He will open ways before us, increasing our substance"(Our High Calling, p. 197).

Millions of Christians have put their faith into action with God. Not once has He failed to make it possible. Let’s live in faith so that God can bless us beyond our wildest imagination!

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

God's Hands 4 Kids

 "Love on the Move" is more than just a slogan. It is a way of life. It is at least for God's Hands 4 Kids. We work closely with Berrien County Department of Health and Human Services as well as other area agencies. We extend our caring to other counties as well. There are many ways you as a caring person can make a difference in our community. Today I will suggest two ways you can make that difference. You can do respite, take care of foster kid(s) for a few hours or a few days. No foster license required. Or you could offer to drive someone to an appointment. For more information email Godshands4kids@gmail.com

Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church

 You are invited to a hymn sing on July 19 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont St., Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A freewill offering will help support the church. For more information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.

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.

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

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