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Gone Fishin'

Part 3

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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, April 22, 2017
Program: 
As We Begin
Praise to the Lord • Johann Walther | Worship Suite (Isaiah 12): Praise the Lord • Kenneth Logan
Praise
I Will Lift up Your Name • Sweet Sweet Spirit • Still
Prayer
Robert Machado
GO Projects Report
Rodlie Ortiz
Baby Dedication
Eleana Chen Meng presented by Adam & Beverly Brown with José Bourget
Tithes & Offerings
Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy • Traditional American Melody
Children's Story
Gabriel Palacios
Bible Reading
Matthew 13:47-50 NIV
Worship in Music
With a Voice of Singing • Martin Shaw
Sermon
"Gone Fishin'"—3 • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
I Will Make You Fishers of Men
Benediction
I Will Trust
As We Depart
Fantasie • Johann Sebastian Bach

More In This Series

04/29/2017
Part 4
04/15/2017
Part 2
04/01/2017
Part 1
All Sermons
Print Download

"Gone Fishin'"—3
www.newperceptions.tv

 

  • A fishing story
    • Matthew 13:47-51
    • The Big Fisherman to the little fishermen: “You must learn this lesson: you do the —I do the .”
  • Three points
    • Point #1—When the Gospel Net is let down it catches all   of fish.
    • Point #2—The fish (people) get separated at the   the world.
    • Point #3—The ones who do the sorting at the end of the world (in the Great Judgement) are the , not the .
      • “Don’t be afraid—from now on you will fish for .” (Luke 5:10)
  • Three anxiety relievers
    • Anxiety Reliever #1—I don’t have to decide who gets “netted” for .
    • Anxiety Reliever #2—I don’t have to decide who gets “netted” for .
    • Anxiety Reliever #3—Because I don’t have to do the —all I need to do is the .

Jim Cymbala:  “Christians often hesitate to reach out to those who are . They want God to clean the fish before they catch them. If someone’s gold ring is attached to an unusual body part, if the person doesn’t smell the best, or if the skin color is not the same, Christians tend to hesitate. But think for a moment about God reaching out to us. If ever there was a “reach,” that was it: the holy, pure Deity extending himself to us who were soiled, evil-hearted, unholy. God could have said, ‘You’re so different from me, so distasteful, I would really rather not get too close to you.’ But he didn’t say that. It was our very that drew his hand of love.” (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God’s Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People 141)

  • Ellen White: “[Christ] has not committed to us the work of judging character and motive. He knows our nature too well to entrust this work to us. Should we try to uproot from the church those whom we suppose to be spurious Christians, we should be sure to make mistakes. Often we regard as hopeless subjects the very ones whom Christ is drawing to Himself.” (Christ’s Object Lessons 71)
     
  • How to fish for people
    • Ask God at the beginning of every day to lead you to someone who needs what can offer.
    • Ask God to help you make an to someone.
      • “The Big Day” (September)
      • “Unlocking Revelation (October)
      • “God’s Boot Camp” (October)
    • Ask God every morning to be at work in the lives of   people you know who need Jesus.
      • A story: “This is the smell of the world I died for.”

We do the fishing—He does the sorting

 

 

 

Offering for March 28, 2026

Michigan Advance Partners

Over the history of Adventist Education we have seen a financial model that has struggled in recent times. Gone are the days when tuition income was the main contributor to financial viability. As a matter of fact, we are seeing more and more families struggle to pay for tuition and this in turn puts more pressure on the Conference, schools, and churches to make up the difference.

Unfortunately, tuition continues to rise, and will continue to do so, to match the increasing cost it takes to run and manage our institutions. Let’s be honest, Adventist Education is expensive. Yet, the cost of not having Adventist Education in these last days is infinitely more expensive. “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt 24:37)

Given what we are seeing around us it would be fair to say we are living in the last days of earth’s history. Our schools exist to help form characters in our students that will help them stand for Christ in a world without a moral compass.

Please consider the ministry of Adventist Education in your giving. Investing in a human life pays dividends this world cannot calculate. Part of your offering to Michigan Advance Partners is used to support Adventist Education in Michigan.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Sunday Music Series...Dmitry Rachmanov

Dmitry Rachmanov 4:00 PM Sunday, April 12, 2026 Free Admission A sought-after performer, master class clinician, adjudicator and lecturer, Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov is Chair of Keyboard Studies at California State University, Northridge.  A proponent of Russian repertoire, his April 2014 all-Scriabin program at Carnegie Hall was described as “a poem of ecstasy” in every sense. Rachmanov is a recipient of numerous awards, and a founding member and President of the Scriabin Society of America. 

RMES Give-Back Night – March 31

Support Ruth Murdoch Elementary School by dining at Silver Beach Pizza on March 31. When guests present the event flyer (printed or on their phone), 20% of their check will be donated to RMES. Both dine-in and carry-out orders qualify, but the flyer must be shown for the sale to count. Funds raised will support capital improvements at RMES, including projects such as roof replacement and parking lot paving. Thank you for supporting our students and school community!

Howard Center Presents...The Collingsworth Family

The Collingsworth Family April 8, 2026, 7:00 PM. The Collingsworth Family is a southern gospel group started by Phil and Kim Collingsworth and features their family as the group. Their ministry and music tours have reached all over the United States as well as internationally. Excitement, family-emphasis, and musical excellence are what you can expect when you come to The Collingsworth Family concert. Phil and Kim’s entire purpose is to give the talent God has loaned them back to their Creator as a sacrifice of praise. Tickets for this concert are available at iTickets.com

Howard Center Presents...K-Anthony

K-Anthony March 29, 2026, 7:00 PM. Kevin Anthony Fowler is a Jamaican-Canadian contemporary Christian singer and songwriter. In 2024, K-Anthony celebrated his most recent Juno Award – Canada’s equivalent of a Grammy – for Gospel Contemporary album of the year. Influenced by the island music, you can hear his love of Reggae, R&B and the sounds of his teenage years of bands such as Boys II Men. K-Anthony’s career is buoyed by faith, resilience, and the deep-rooted values of his upbringing. The underlying theme of K-Anthony’s music is his love for God and hope for the future in his return. 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.

Second Quarter Sabbath School Lessons Review

Second quarter Sabbath School lessons overview including major themes will be presented by Dr Andrew Tompkins on March 28, 4:00-5:30 PM in the PMC Commons. Although targeted to the Sabbath School teachers, everyone is invited. For additional information, contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.

Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!

Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700. 

ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026

 ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.