There will not be any fellowship dinner this Sabbath.
Gone to the Birds
Lessons from the Divine Ornithologist - Part 4
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonSince 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
More In This Series
"Gone to the Birds: Lessons from the Divine Ornithologist"—4
The Rooster and the Dove
www.newperceptions.tv
- The Rooster
- Mark 14:66-72
- Desire of Ages: "In that gentle countenance [Peter] read deep pity and sorrow, but there was no anger there. The sight of that pale, suffering face, those quivering lips, that look of compassion and forgiveness, pierced his heart like an arrow. Conscience was aroused. Memory was active. . . . Once more he looked at his Master, and saw a sacrilegious hand raised to smite Him in the face. Unable longer to endure the scene, he rushed, heartbroken, from the hall." (713)
- The Dove
- Mark 1:9-13
- Matthew 10:16—"'I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.'"
- 1 Corinthians 10:13—"No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
- 2 Kings 6:12—"'None of us, my lord the king,' said one of his officers, 'but Elisha the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.'"
- Psalm 50:15—"Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you!"
- John 16:13—"'But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.'"
- Conscience
- Isaiah 30:21—"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
- 1 Corinthians 8:4, 7—"So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. . . . But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled."
- Romans 14:23—"But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."
- SDA Bible Commentary: "The Christian should never violate his conscience. It may require educating. It may tell him that certain things are wrong that in themselves may not be wrong. But until convinced by the Word and the Spirit of God that a certain course is proper for him, he ought not to pursue it. He must not make others the criterion for his conduct; he must go to the Scriptures and learn for himself his duty in the matter." (SDABC 5:641)
- The Dove and the Rooster
- Our High Calling: "As we yield to the influence of the Spirit of God [the Dove], our conscience [the Rooster] becomes tender and sensitive, and sin that we have passed by with little thought, becomes exceeding sinful." (153)
- Which is why we must ask for both Gifts:
Dear God—give to me please a clear conscience sensitive to sin. I don't want to drink the Kool Aid and suck up the poison. I know full well what sin is—my conscience immediately goes into Red Alert. So please grant me Your power to obey Your Voice. And please give to me, dear Jesus, Your baptism of the Holy Spirit. Even as He came upon you, let Him come upon me, too—everyday. So that daily I might hear and obey the loving voice of Your Spirit through my Conscience, I humbly pray. Amen.
2 Birds, 2 Gifts, 1 Voice
Michigan Radio Ministries
Over 3 billion people in the world listen to radio weekly, and that number continues to trend upward despite digital media growth. Radio remains the top media format in the United States, where over 200 million people listen to radio weekly! Two of those 200 million are Ryan and Sidney.
Ryan walked into his mom’s home one Saturday evening and was captivated by a program playing on her radio, which was tuned to Strong Tower Radio, 90.7 FM, WBHL. The radio evangelist captured his attention by connecting Bible prophecy with current economic and societal problems. Wanting more, Ryan began regularly listening to Strong Tower Radio for the next several years. He compared what he heard on the broadcast with what the Bible says, and everything matched!
Ryan shared what he was learning with his girlfriend Sidney, who started listening to Strong Tower Radio to find out more. This led to Bible studies with pastor Jacob, and both Ryan and Sidney were baptized in December 2020. They married one year later and are active members of the Cedar Lake Seventh-day Adventist church! Praise God as He reaches more souls seeking Jesus through the radio broadcast!
The Michigan Conference has selected Strong Tower Radio to receive this year’s Michigan Radio Ministry offering. Your generous giving today will help Strong Tower Radio continue to reach thousands of listeners with the everlasting gospel tomorrow! By God’s grace, your decision will change the world.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
All Pioneer volunteers in ministry are requested to attend Safety Training on Sabbath, October 19, 3:00-6:00 pm in the Youth Chapel. This will include team drills for emergency preparedness. Thank you for planning to participate.
The wedding of eternity is happening soon! Are you ready? Ladies are invited to a fascinating seminar by Dr. Jo Ann Davidson, sponsored by Pioneer Women’s Ministry. We will take a fresh look at the parable of the Ten Virgins and what it means to us today. Haystack supper will be provided, with vegan and gluten free options. Space is limited so register soon! Text the word “WOMEN” to 269.281.2345 to register. Questions can be emailed to women@pmchurch.org.
We invite you to join us in an upcoming blood drive! Your donation can make a difference in the lives of those in need. The Center for Faith Engagement is partnering with Versiti to provide an opportunity for you to give the gift of life to others. We hope to see you there!
Andrews University Wind Symphony presents a concert of music that honors our past as we celebrate 150 years. We begin with an exciting piece that embodies the spirit of our pioneers, followed by two pieces composed by our very own Dr. Max Keller, Assistant Professor of Music, Theory and Composition Area Coordinator, and Chair of the Department of Music and Dr. Kenneth Logan, Organ Instructor and Minister of Music at Pioneer Memorial Church. Sharing his arrangement of Advent hymn tunes, Dr. Keller’s work weaves in The Morning Trumpet and Oh When Shall We See Jesus. Dr. Logan’s original composition, We, From Battle Creek highlights in four movements important places in Battle Creek SDA history. The second half of the program begins with a march commemorating 150 years of Michigan history, and ends with the Travis Cross arrangement of Be Thou My Vision, a collaboration with singers from the Battle Creek Tabernacle and Pioneer Memorial Church. We hope you will join us for a wonderful evening on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:00 PM at the Howard Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at howard.andrews.edu.
Please join Pioneer Memorial Church, the Center for Faith Engagement and many other groups on Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at Johnson Gym to help assemble care packages for men and women who are behind bars.
We don't often get the opportunity to respond to Jesus' invitation to serve those in prison. Families are welcome; Please fill out a separate registration for each person participating and select ALL the time slots for which you'll be present.
We also need a good crew to help with the clean-up at the end. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle. Bring a happy spirit and a heart ready to serve. "I was in prison and you visited me [with your care package]." -Matthew 25:36
A group of students from Andrews University are preparing to embark on a life-changing mission in March of 2025. They will engage in evangelism, health care, and community outreach in Cuba. This mission trip has been going on for 11 years, and the impact has been tremendous, thanks to your help. Would you support this mission once again by donating right here in your church or give at www.careforcuba.org/donate? Thank you for your prayers as they prepare to send off students to serve and share Jesus!
Healthy, Happy Holiday Meals plus International Dishes for Special Gatherings presented by leading nutritionist Evelyn Kissinger on Sunday, November 3 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM here at PMC. Discover some healthy, delicious ideas, all plant-based, for Special
Gatherings. Those who register will receive food samples. Please register by texting VEGAN to 269-821-2345. And invite a friend to register and come with you.
Adventist Seniors, 55 years old and up, are invited to come for fellowship and inspiration at the October meeting featuring Dr. Ann Hamel. Dr. Hamel’s talk about her supporting work with missionaries is entitled “Caring for the Body of Christ.” Bring a dish, a friend and join the potluck at 1 pm October 13 in the Village Church Fellowship Hall. For further information call Cheryl Doss 269-277-0767.