Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 4

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

Print Download

“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.”

Adult Sabbath School Resumes November 6

Four vital elements of the early church’s growth are still very much in season: teaching, fellowship, prayer and sharing meals (see Acts 2:42). They were Love on the Move “in the beginning”—and they still capture our mission of Love on the Move today.

The good news is after a long pandemic hiatus, these four vital activities resume for the adult Sabbath School program and classes at Pioneer—Sabbath, November 6, 2021, 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary.

Whether you once belonged to one of the Bible study classes or you would like to be part of a new class, you’re invited to join Melchizedek Ponniah and his team of leaders and teachers in a new season of mid-morning study and fellowship.

If you were one of the regular pre-pandemic adult class teachers and are interested in leading a study group again or if you are new and interested in assisting or leading a new Bible class, please contact Melchi Ponniah (melponniah@gmail.com) or Heidi Ha at the church office (269-471-3133).

Love on the Move may yet be masked—but it will not be stopped. Invite a friend to join you in a new beginning November 6.

Offering for October 23, 2021

Michigan Advance Partners — McMillan Church

In early 2020 the McMillan Northwoods church began considering how they might reach into the community and also have a way to draw the community in. They wanted to begin having a bigger footprint in their district.

As the world began to shut down due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the desire to have a stronger digital presence and the need for equipment to present, prepare and distribute digital media became stronger. The only thing standing in the way was a severe shortage of funds. Times had been hard, and special appeals had been made to help get the church back on a good financial footing.

Many were the projects that needed attention. With work needed on the roof, the need for a ramp, and the changes taking place in the world, was this what the Lord wanted them to do? Prayer and several meetings later, the consensus came that if the Lord would provide the way, the church would move forward.

A request was made and MAP was able to be the answer to their prayer. Now the church has internet access, a streaming computer and has participated in both Hope Awakens and Revelation NOW! Members have been blessed, the worship experience enhanced, and the online videos and DVDs they are sharing with their friends and neighbors are helping the Gospel look even more attractive.

Several connections have been made in the community and Bible Studies have been initiated.

This is the mission of MAP, giving opportunity for every member to be able to help expand the reach of the gospel thru local projects. Whether it is maintaining the current facilities or current projects, or beginning something new, your gift to MAP is going to help keep the Gospel fresh and relevant and take it to the world. Thank you for your support, as Michigan continues to Advance through Partnering together to spread the gospel until Jesus comes.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Jean Drive: Give Your Jeans a Second Life By Giving Them to a Woman In Need

Pioneer Memorial Church and the Center for Faith Engagement are partnering with Paris' Purse to sponsor a jean drive. On November 6, during either church service, you're invited to bring in a pair of jeans. Your jeans will be given a second life by helping a woman in need. They can be jeans for men or women. We'll have donation bins by the entrance awning, the welcome center in the children's wing, and the narthex. If you forget to bring in jeans on that day, you can also bring them to the Center for Faith Engagement. You can also give a financial donation to Paris' Purse (501c3) at www.parispurseinc.com

Memorial Service for Dr. Steven Tarangle

A memorial service for Dr. Steven Tarangle will be held in the Sanctuary on October 30, 2021, 3:00–5:00 PM

PAUSE: Prayer, Remembrance, and Healing for our AU Family

AU Wind Symphony Fall Concert

The AU Wind Symphony presents its fall concert, "Hands Across the Sea" on Saturday, October 23rd, at 8:00 PM in the Howard Performing Arts Center. The international theme of this program includes the titular march emphasizing the friendship of nations, as well as music from Russian, Scotland, Armenia, Norway, the Andean region of South America, Japan, Korea, and even the planet Jupiter. You won’t want to miss this concert as the Wind Symphony performs its first full concert of the 2021-2022 season. Audience members in attendance will be required to wear a mask, but there are no limits on seating capacity, so please join us in-person to experience live music once again!

The Darkness Will Not Overcome Series Archives

The Darkness Will Not Overcome series archives are now available at pmchurch.org/overcome. Videos and podcasts are now available on your favorite podcast provider. Start sharing today!

–Pioneer Media Department

Helping Neighbor to Neighbor

Did you know that Neighbor to Neighbor provides clothing, furniture, food, supplies for infants, counseling services, and so much more to people in need across Michiana? That's why we're excited to invite you to be a part of a very special project. On Sunday, October 24, a group of volunteers led by contractors and experienced roofers are going to put new shingles on the original Neighbor 2 Neighbor building and we invite you be a part of this. For more information and to register, text N2N to 269-281-2345. We’ll see you there.

Vacancy - Thrift Store Associate

Neighbor To Neighbor is looking for a Thrift Store Assistant. If you are interested please submit a resume to Laura Meyer at lauram@n2nhelps.com

Howard Series Presents: Chi Yong Yun

Pianist Chi Yong Yun is an exceptional artist whose stellar abilities as a performer are recognized internationally and to critical acclaim. Whether as a soloist, collaborative musician, or master teacher, her skills as a pianist are exquisite. Listening to a concert performed by Chi Yong Yun is an experience not to be missed. Go to http://howard.andrews.edu for ticket prices.

Storm