The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation

"I, a Poor, Stinking Bag of Dung"

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, 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."

Piping Project Update

Dear Church Family, We have much to be thankful for as we near the completion of our piping project. God has blessed us with skilled hands and willing hearts who gave their time and talents to make this project possible. We are deeply grateful to R.W. LaPine, who replaced the piping and completed the work two weeks before the schedule. We also thank Randal Mack of Randy’s Quality Painting, who refreshed the children’s Sabbath School classrooms with his excellent painting work. Matthew Karpinski also deserves our appreciation for reinstalling the ceiling grids. Last but certainly not least, a very special thank you goes to William Colwell, our maintenance manager. William’s leadership, faithfulness, and diligence have been central to seeing this project through. William has been a steady and reliable force throughout the process, from assisting me with coordinating each step of the work to replacing the ceiling tiles and other relevant tasks. If you see him around, please take a moment to thank him personally for his tireless commitment to our church. Where are we now? Most ceiling tiles are in, and while there are other minor tasks, the final major task ahead is the installation of new carpet. We’ve been informed that the carpet is expected sometime in November, bringing us very close to the joyful completion of this entire project. Thank you, church family, for your prayers, encouragement, and support during this time of renewal in our building. We look forward to celebrating once everything is complete!

Howard Center Presents: Reggie & Ladye Love Smith

Reggie and Ladye Love Smith are two of the world’s most sought-after vocalists. They have been performing as part of the award-winning “Gaither Gospel Series” which airs weekly on television networks all over North America and Europe. Reggie is currently a member of the Gaither Vocal Band and Lady is touring with the band as a soloist on their nationwide tours. With unending energy, plus a wealth of talent and a genuinely sweet spirit, this couple makes beautiful music wherever they go. Join us at the Howard Performing Arts Center on November 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm and enjoy an exceptional evening of Christian music. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.

Offering for October 4, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

My wife and I were committed to teaching our children to be self-reliant from an early age. We encouraged them to master basic tasks such as washing hands and dressing, and to take responsibility for their life choices, including choosing life partners and careers.

However, while cultivating their independence was a priority, we also wanted them to understand the importance of spiritual dependence. In a spiritual sense, the Bible does not promote self reliance.

Instead, it champions the idea of depending on God in all aspects of life. It teaches us that we must learn to trust God completely and surrender our worries and plans to Him. In our pursuit of self-reliance, we often find it difficult to let go and trust God.

We worry about our jobs, our health, our finances, and our future. We fret over things we cannot control, which leaves us anxious and stressed. This anxiety and stress consume our thoughts and energy, diverting us from the time we should be devoting to prayer, worship, and service to others.

We must learn to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV). This reliance on God is achieved when we place our complete trust in Him, rather than depending on our own wisdom. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Annual Hayride

The Family Life Committee invites our church family to the Annual Hayride at Five Pines Ministries. Come enjoy hayrides through the woods, a bonfire with s'mores, warm food, and even warmer fellowship. Sunday, October 12, 5-7 PM, 6597 Smith Rd in Berrien Center. Join us for this fun, autumn tradition!

With This in Mind...

 Suicide is the third leading cause of death among individuals 15 to 29-year-olds. Sadly, more than 720 000 people die due to suicide every year with 49,000 reported in the USA. According to the World Health Organization, in wealthier countries, suicide is often linked to mental health conditions like depression, alcohol problems, or a history of suicide attempts. Still, many suicides happen suddenly in moments of crisis, when people feel unable to cope with challenges such as money troubles, relationship conflicts, long-term pain, or illness. Suicide is preventable and help is available. Call 988 for assistance if you or someone needs immediate intervention. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Rom, 15:13).

Pizza and Parables

Pizza & Parables, Where faith meets flavor! Every Wednesday from 6:30–7:30 PM, high school students are invited for pizza, Bible study, and friends. Come hungry for both food and the Word! Meet in the Pioneer Youth Chapel.

Free 4D Ultrasound

The Lake Michigan College Sonography Program at the Benton Harbor campus is offering a free 4D Ultrasound for pregnant volunteers. Appointments are available on Tuesdays in October and November. Volunteers must be between 21 and 35 weeks at time of scan. This free opportunity helps to support the LMC sonography students.

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Memorial Service for Dr. Russell Staples

A Memorial Service for Dr. Russell Staples, Professor Emeritus and longtime Pioneer member who passed away in April will be held on Sunday, October 5, at 2:00 PM, in the Seminary Chapel.

House of Prayer
Pioneer Earlyteen Loft

Please join us for House of Prayer Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the Earliteen Loft for a time of singing, Bible study and prayer.

Grow Groups are Ready to Join

Small groups for PMC, known as Grow Groups, are now beginning for the fall semester. Please text "JOIN" to 269-281-2345 to view the groups and choose one or more that interests you. If would would like to lead your own group, text "LEAD" to the same number, and complete and submit the form.

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