The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation

"I, a Poor, Stinking Bag of Dung"

Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Since 1983, Dwight Nelson has served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. He preaches on the “New Perceptions” telecast, teaches at the theological seminary and has written some books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.

Offering

Saturday, October 14, 2017
Program: 
Praise
Bless His Holy Name • Blessed Be the Name of the Lord Medley • Breathe
Prayer
Sharon Terrell
Tithes & Offerings
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God • Max Reger
PMC Operating Expense • Sharon Terrell
Children’s Story
Dwight K. Nelson
Worship in Music
Fortress Variations • Jay Bocook
Sermon
"'I, a Poor, Stinking Bag of Dung': The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation" • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less • 522
As We Depart
Crown Him With Many Crowns • James Swearingen

More In This Series

"The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation:
'I, a Poor, Stinking Bag of Dung'"

www.newperceptions.tv

  • 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
    • Roland Bainton: "The man who thus called upon a saint was later to repudiate the cult of the saints. He who vowed to become a monk was later to renounce monasticism. A loyal son of the Catholic Church, he was later to shatter the structure of medieval Catholicism. A devoted servant of the pope, he was later to identify the popes with Antichrist. For this young man was Martin Luther" (Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther 15).
  • 4 Takeaways/Legacies for the New Reformation
    • #1—Only .
      • Luther: "I was a good monk, and I kept the rule of my order so strictly that I may say that if ever a monk got to heaven by his monkery it was I. All my brothers in the monastery who knew me will bear me out. If I had kept on any longer, I should have killed myself with vigils, prayers, reading and other work." (Bainton 34).
      • James Kittelson: "Anfechtung was what Luther later called this grinding sense of being utterly lost. By it he intended the idea of swarming attacks of doubt that could convince people that God's love was not for them. Later he considered this sense of being irredeemably evil to be the work of Satan, who sought to make a Christian's sins, doubts, and anxieties too much even for the grace of God. At such moments just the rustling of dried leaves in a forest sounded like the legions of hell coming to seize one's soul.” (Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career 56)
      • Derek Wilson: "Certainly Luther went through periods of black depression when he retreated into himself and spoke to no one. He never fully shrugged off this particular demon and to the end of his days would retire into a room by himself when problems weighed heavily upon him." (59)
      • Luther: "I greatly longed to understand Paul's Epistle to the Romans and nothing stood in the way but that one expression, 'the justice of God,' because I took it to mean that justice whereby God is just and deals justly in punishing the unjust. My situation was that, although an impeccable monk, I stood before God as a sinner troubled in conscience, and I had no confidence that my merit would assuage him. Therefore I did not love a just and angry God, but rather hated and murmured against him." (Bainton 49)
      • Luther: "Then [one day] I grasped that the justice of God is that righteousness by which through grace and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole Scripture took on a new meaning, and   . . . now it became to me inexpressibly sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul ['the just shall live by faith'] became to me a gate to heaven." (Bainton 49-50)
      • H. M. S. Richards once declared: "I have only one doctrine: I am a great —but I have a great ." And when asked “What is the Adventist message?" he replied, " only."
    • #2—Only .
      • Luther: "The wounds of Jesus are safe enough for us.” (Kittelson 99)
      • Ellen White: "The lower you lie at the foot of the cross, the dearer and more exalted will be your conception of your Redeemer." (Review and Herald 10-16-1888)
      • Ellen White: "The theme that attracts the heart of the sinner is Christ and Him crucified. On the cross of Calvary Jesus stands revealed to the world in unparalleled love." (Maranatha 99)
    • #3—Only .
      • Derek Wilson: "Within decades of Luther's death... all Europe was awash with Bibles in contemporary languages.... This was the richest part of Martin Luther's legacy. He bequeathed to the peoples of the world a collection of religious writings and invested them with supreme authority (or, as he would have said, recognized the supreme authority they manifestly possessed)."(363)
      • Luther: "God's word cannot be without God’s people, and God’s people cannot be without God’s word. . . . For it is the word of God which builds the Church. . . . [W]here that is heard, where baptism, the sacrament of the altar [the Lord’s Supper], and the forgiveness of sins are administered there hold fast and conclude most certainly that there is the house of God and that there is the gate of heaven." (Wilson 364)
      • Ellen White: "But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority—not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain 'Thus saith the Lord' in its support." (The Great Controversy 595)
    • #4—Only .
      • Proverbs 4:18
      • Ellen White: "The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world's history. Luther had a great work to do in reflecting to others the light which God had permitted to shine upon him; yet he did not receive all the light which was to be given to the world. From that time to this, new light has been continually shining upon the Scriptures, and new truths have been constantly unfolding." (The Great Controversy 148-149)
      • John 16:12-13

"We are all beggars."

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
Fellowship Dinner

There is no fellowship dinner this Sabbath, September 30, or on Sabbath, October 7.

Hiram Edson: The Man and the Myth

Dr. Brian Strayer, Emeritus Professor of History at Andrews University, will take a look at the life of the Adventist pioneer, Hiram Edson, who introduced the "Sanctuary Doctrine" to Adventists. The presentation will provide a synopsis of Dr. Strayer's new book by the same title as the talk. All are invited to attend this event on Sabbath, September 30, at 3:30 PM in Garber Auditorium, Chan Shun Hall, Campus.

Join a Grow Group

Fall Grow Groups are beginning, and we need you! Join online at pmchurch.org/grow and enjoy meeting with others who share your interests. (There will not be a printed brochure this fall.)

Alumni Homecoming Weekend

Alumni Homecoming Weekend is happening this week!  Highlights of the weekend include the Golf Tournament (players still welcome!), the Classic Car Show (in a more convenient location at the HPAC parking lot this year), and the Homecoming Parade.   Andy’s Eats, AU's fun new Food Truck, will be on site so you can enjoy a snack or a meal (no cash; card only).  After the International Flag Raising Ceremony Friday at 6:30 choose from a variety of Vespers programs.

Sabbath afternoon many departments and museums will be open. Then on Sunday come join the fun for the Bradley Family 5K/10K Harvest Run - a fun way to run or walk to support a healthy lifestyle. For more information and the full weekend schedule, visit alumni.andrews.edu/homecoming.

ASM Bulletin Announcement for September 30 and October 7

Come One, Come All--who are at least 55 years of age and desire to listen to an inspiring program and eat a delicious potluck on Sunday, October 8, at 1:00 PM at the Village Church Fellowship Hall. Dr. Brian Strayer will have a powerful presentation entitled "Romans were known for their Aqueducts." Come prepared to pay your dues, if you didn't already, and contribute to the donation jar so that we can have many more interesting programs in the future.

Pathfinder Fruit Fundraiser

The Evergreens Pathfinder Club will hold its annual fruit fundraiser where you'll have the opportunity to support our club by purchasing fresh fruits such as oranges, apples, pears, and other dried products. This year, the fundraiser will run from September 25th through November 10th. Stay tuned for details in the coming weeks! Thank you for supporting the PMC Evergreens!

Michigan Women's Ministries Upcoming Events

Michigan Women's Ministries is hosting two events in October. The first is our Mother/Daughter Weekend October 13-15 at Camp Au Sable in Grayling, Michigan. The guest speakers will be Nancy Hansen and her daughter, Adele. The second event is our One-Day Getaway on October 21. This year the Getaway will be held just up the road at The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor! The guest speaker is Donna Willey. For more information about the events and speakers, as well as to register, visit michiganwm.com. We look forward to seeing you at one or both of these events!

Volunteers Mentor Help Needed

"Akram & Gladys Yaqub, a Husband Wife couple, have taken on the difficult role of Principal & Vice Principal, trying to turn things around at South Bend Junior Academy, 1910 Altgeld St, South Bend, IN 46614

They are looking for a volunteer Wood Worker for Fridays, 2-3 hours. Top notch Shop, all equipment like new, neat, and tidy. Just needs an able instructor!  They are also looking for a volunteer Auto Mechanic.

Recently purchased $6000 3D printer with a Laser Engraver in acquisition process.

"Please contact, Akram at 269-362-2357, If you wish to donate your time and expertise."

Thank you!

"End of Time Kit"

Pioneer Women’s Ministries is hosting an "End of Time Life Kit" presentation by Pastor Celesta Babb. This timely presentation will be held on Sabbath (Saturday), October 7, 2023, at 4:00 PM,  in the PMC Commons. Check-in begins at 3:30 PM. We will start
promptly at 4:00 PM. What guidance does God give us about being mentally, emotionally and spiritually ready for the end of time?
During our afternoon sessions we will look at what it looks like to be ready for Jesus’ second coming as well as how to process our emotions connected to living in the last days. Vegetarian, vegan, & gluten-free salad, soup, and bread will be served. Registration is important for planning the food. To register text the word “PREPARED” to 269-281-2345. Registration deadline: October 5, 2023. For more information contact yolande.robertson@pmchurch.org.

Wholistic Healing Conference at SDA Theological Seminary

The “Wholistic Healing: Challenges and Opportunities for the Church” conference addresses fundamental health and healing issues the church is facing today, like mental, emotional, social and family health, and much more. Therefore, while God is constantly working to heal people on the deepest level, His healing power calls the church to wholeness in our brokenness.

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