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Storm

Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 4

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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, February 04, 2017
Program: 
As We Begin
Fanfare and Flourishes (We Praise You) • James Curnow
Praise
Whom Shall I Fear • It Is Well With My Soul • No Longer Slaves
Prayer
José Bourget
Tithes & Offerings
Variations on a Shape Note Tune • John Vinson
Children's Story
John Kent, Andrews Academy
Bible Reading
Hebrews 5:7-9 NIV
Worship in Music
Precious Lord, Take My Hand • James Dorsey / Robert Smith
Sermon
“STORM: Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark”—4 • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
Trust and Obey • 590
As We Depart
Alleluia Laudamus Te ( We Praise You) • Alfred Reed

More In This Series

03/11/2017
Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 7
02/25/2017
Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 6
02/11/2017
Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 5
01/28/2017
Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 3
01/21/2017
Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 2
01/07/2017
Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 1
All Sermons
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“STORM: Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark”—4

www.newperceptions.tv

 

  • Two four-letter words
    • 1 Samuel 15:22-23—“To is better than sacrifice . . . for rebellion [disobedience] is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry [the worship of ].”
      • At the heart of our trouble with the 4-letter word “obey” is our trouble with the 4-letter word “ .”
      • After all doesn’t “obey” mean you must accept someone else’s authority over your ?
    • Romans 6:16-18—“. . . you are slaves of the one you —whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to , which leads to righteousness.”
      • Bob Dylan is right—“You’re gonna have to serve somebody”—so pick your  carefully.
    • John 15:5—“‘I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you abide   and I , you will bear much fruit.’”
    • John 14:15—“‘If you   Me,   [obey] My commandments.’”
  • One four-letter example
    • Obedience is by —i.e., obeying God comes through God.
    • Hebrews 2:13—“I will put My trust in Him” is called “the   of Jesus.”
    • Hebrews 5:7-9
      • F. F. Bruce: “. . . Son of God though he was—even he was granted no exemption from the common law that learning comes by suffering.” (Hebrews 130)
      • “Son though He was, He learned from what He suffered.”
      • “He became the source of eternal salvation for all who Him.”
      • F. F. Bruce: “We learn to be obedient because of the unpleasant consequences which follow disobedience. It was not so with him. . . . He set out from the start on the path of obedience to God, and learned by the sufferings which came his way in consequence just what obedience to God involved in practice in the conditions of human life on earth.” (Hebrews 131)
    • Yes, but what if the Tempter comes to me and whispers, ‘Indulge your desire’—what do I do then?”
      • You call upon “the faith of Jesus.”
      • “How do I do that?”
      • Repeat the 7 words: “I will put my trust in Him.”
      • And then walk away.
      • “But what if the devil follows me?”
      • Keep repeating “the faith of Jesus”—“I will put my trust in Him.”
    • Illus: Desire of Ages 668: “All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims [Christ in us], so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will [we in Christ], that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. . . . When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of obedience. Through [1] an appreciation of the character of Christ, through [2] communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.”

 

“I will put my trust in Him.”

 

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
Andrews University Week of Prayer - "We Believe"

Join us for an inspiring Week of Prayer as we explore what We Believe and celebrate how God is actively working in our lives and our community. Each session will feature powerful testimonies and messages from university faculty and students, sharing how their experiences with God have shaped their faith and beliefs.

Come and be reminded of the amazing ways God reveals Himself to us—and how He continues to move in our lives today.

Join us at the Pioneer Sanctuary at 11:30 AM to hear from Andrews University faculty as they reflect on their journeys of faith:

Monday Vanessa Corredera
Tuesday Anthony Bosman
Wednesday Lucille Sabas
Thursday Shawna McNeily
Friday Doug Taylor

 

You can also join us at Lamson Hall Chapel for evening sessions at 7:30 PM to hear students share their testimonies of faith and the moments God has shown up in their lives.

Monday Evan Keyes
Tuesday Leo Aguilara
Wednesday Nick Gunn
Thursday Jea Erazo

 

Friday night vespers will be in the Pioneer Sanctuary with Professor Rodney Palmer at 7:30 PM.

Master Guide Club

Do you want to complete your Master Guide Program? If so, please consider joining the Master Guide Club that meets weekly on campus to help you complete the requirements.

For more information or to join, please visit cye.org/toolbox

Offering for January 25, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

God is the Creator and Owner of everything, and we were created for His glory and honor.

In His divine design God’s purpose for us is to be His managers on earth. As we work closely together with Him, we take part in His divine nature, His mercy and love.

After sin entered, this relationship became vital for God’s work to restore His divine image and character in us. God uses the church for our restoration process. Giving offerings becomes more than just a religious obligation. It’s a personal journey of growth, learning, and transformation. It’s a way of life that brings us closer to the God’s divine image and character. Giving and sharing is participating in this larger purpose, our worship and relationship.

This is the main reason for giving offerings. God wants us to participate actively in helping people restore their relationship with their Creator. God designed tithing to be a blessing to His people who carry it out to the end of time. “Our heavenly Father did not originate the plan of systematic benevolence to enrich Himself, but to be a great blessing to man. He saw that this system of beneficence was just what man needed” (Counsels on Stewardship, p.67).

Everything we have is a blessing from God, and in return, we are to be responsible stewards and pass it on to others.

Today, let’s not hoard our blessing but instead, let’s share it! Our offering is for Michigan Advance Partners.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Oasis Public School Ministry

Oasis Public School Ministry provides a safe community for real talk, good food, fun activities, and building relationships between students, leaders, and God. This ministry is open to any public school student in grades 7-12 and meets Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 PM in the Commons, beginning January 21. For more information, contact Diane at simplestirrings@yahoo.com.

AU Wind Symphony & SMC Brass Band Winter Concert-Of Legend andLore: Traditions & Cinematic Stories

Time honored traditions and cinematic stories are the theme of this exciting “Of Legends and Lore” musical evening with the Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) Brass Band and the Andrews University (AU) Wind Symphony. Under the direction of Mark Hollandsworth, the SMC Brass Band will present music that represents Scottish and Welsh traditions and legends and lore. The traditional Brass Band sounds and unique instruments are sure to please. In the second half, the AU Wind Symphony, under the direction of Denisse Santos, will present a series of cinematic stories including An American Symphony from Mr. Holland’s Opus, Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission, and themes from How to Train Your Dragon. Join us for this dramatic evening of traditions and cinematic stories on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM. Tickets available at howard.andrews.edu.

Master Guide Tool Box

The Center for Youth Evangelism will be running a special training weekend where Adventurer Basic Staff, Master Guide Leadership Skills, and Staff Leadership courses will be offered on Febuary 7 and 8.

For more information or to register, please visit cye.org/toolbox

Spelunker Quest: Unearthing the Lost Sanctuary
Pioneer Youth Chapel

Calling all youth! Join us for Spelunker Quest—an escape room adventure! Uncover missing artifacts from the Biblical sanctuary by solving puzzles in a cave system. Experience the Escape Room at one of the time slots every hour starting at 2 pm. Each time slot can accommodate up to 16 participants.

Youth: Please register for a start time by texting "ESCAPE" to 269.281.2345 .

Want to help with decorating on Jan. 25 at 6:30 pm? Contact Pastor Lindsey at lindsey.pratt@pmchurch.org or just join us in the youth chapel.

New Children's Sabbath School Curriculum

Pioneer families with 0 to 3-year-olds are the first to enjoy the new Seventh-day Adventist Church Sabbath School Alive in Jesus Bible lessons. This curriculum will roll out in phases:

2025: Baby Steps (0-18 months) and Beginners (1, 2 & 3 year olds)
2026: Kindergarten (4-6 year old) and Primary (Grades 1-3)
2027: Junior (Grades 4-6) and Earliteen (Grades 7-8)
2028: Youth (Grades 9-12) and Young Adult

Here’s what’s new this year.
Baby Steps Lessons: Our Nursery division begins the first-ever Baby Steps lessons. Our program will continue a half-hour interactive Bible learning for infants and a half-hour of parent training and community building. Download free parent and teacher guides at babies.aliveinjesus.info.


 

Beginners Bible Lessons: Both Beginner rooms and the Kindergarten 3-Year division have begun the new Beginner lessons for 1, 2, and 3-year-olds. This new Adventist curriculum features beautifully illustrated lessons, inspiring stories, practical tips, craft ideas, and activities to support family worship and Bible learning at home. Parent spiritual nurture and community-building activities will also be incorporated.

A new year brings new opportunities! It’s a chance to renew our commitment to spending time with God and helping our children grow in their relationship with Him. Reading and discussing Sabbath School lessons in family worship at home will deepen everyone’s faith.    
Children’s Sabbath School family guides are available at the Welcome Center in Pioneer’s lower entry hall during the first month of each quarter. They are also freely available online for families and teachers, along with engaging songs (Nursery and Beginners Alive in Jesus), videos (for Kinder and Primary GraceLink), and podcasts (for Junior PowerPoints). From a device, you can enjoy lessons anywhere and anytime.

We pray that 2025 will bring a closer walk with God for each member of our church family. May Sabbath School lesson study be a blessing to your home, strengthen faith and family bonds, and welcome friends to join you on this adventure!

Children's Sabbath School Superintendent Team

Howard Center Presents: The King's Singers

England’s premier choral ensemble has long had an unsurpassed tradition of vocal music with roots in both religious and secular singing.  Setting the gold standard in acapella singing on the world’s greatest stages for over fifty years, the King’s Singers are renowned for their unrivalled technique, musicianship and versatility, which stem from both the group’s rich heritage and its drive to bring an extraordinary range of new and unique works, collaborations and recordings to life. They consistently delight audiences around the world with their incomparable musicianship, wit, and charm. Join us for the King's Singers concert at the Howard Performing Arts Center on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM.  Tickets are available at our website: howard.andrews.edu, or by calling our box office at 269-471-3560.

Howard Center Presents: SELAH

 Selah, a contemporary Christian vocal trio, became known for transforming old Christian hymns into songs with a more modern style complete with powerful vocals and beautiful harmonies. Having sold over 4 million records, won 11 Gospel Music Association Dove awards and has over 900 million streams across all digital music platforms, they are now working on their 22nd album in 27 years of performing. Join us on February 2, 2025 at the Howard Performing Arts Center for an inspiring Christian concert. Tickets are available at our website: howard.andrews.edu, or by calling our box office at 269-471-3560.

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