The Christmas Gospel: Born of the Seed of an Adulterer

It's the shortest Christmas story in the world. An ugly story. A beautiful story. Long on good news. (Christmas homily on Romans 1:3)

Saturday, December 25, 2004

More In This Series

09/04/2004

Thirsty for God?

Amos predicts global starvation for more than physical food. Do you hunger and thirst for the right thing? Because if you do, you'll get it. (Whetting the appetite for a study of Romans.)

09/11/2004

New Slavery - No Shame

"We might think of ourselves as converted slaves. . . ." (Henri Nouwen). Three characteristics of a converted slave of Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:1-7)

09/18/2004

No Shame At All

Righteousness: the R-word of "spiritual magnificence." How did a struggle over the meaning of this word turn Christianity upside down? Has it done so to you yet? (Romans 1:16-17)

10/02/2004

The Sunny Side of Wrath

"The wrath of God" has instilled fear or been written off by the majority. A clearer sermon on God's wrath you could not hope to hear. (Romans 1:18-32)

10/16/2004

The Pain of Circumcision

An age-old religious practice comes back to stare us square in the face, reminding us that Seventh-day Adventists face the same danger as did the Jews of old. (Romans 2:17;-3:8)

10/23/2004

Twice Set Free

How would you explain the gospel? Three scriptural axioms that once you hear, you will never forget. Perhaps the clearest explanation of the gospel you will ever hear. (Romans 3:9-28)

10/30/2004

Can God Rig an Election?

On the eve of the divisive 2004 presidential election, Pastor Dwight reflects on God's relationship, and our responsibility, to government and national leadership. (Romans 13:1-7)

12/04/2004

A Christmas Gift for the Pagan Majority

A world of six billion people, less than half of which are Christian. What will happen to the non-Christian majority? How will God judge pagans? Examine the scriptural evidence, if you dare! (Romans 2:12-16)

12/11/2004

A Universe-All Christmas

Universalism: the mistaken teaching that all will be saved. But the Bible does teach its own brand of "universalism". Biblical "universalism" and the final judgment; what could they possibly have in common? (Romans 3:23-24)

01/15/2005

Father Abraham, King David and Other Such Ungodly (Like Us)

"I find no fault in Him." Pilate said it of Jesus. Oh, that God could say such a thing of us! But then we know ourselves all too well, don't we? Which is why we must discover the true and full meaning of "justification!"

01/22/2005

Never Forget: God Is Able!

A message that both challenges a core, unspoken tradition of many Seventh-day Adventists and confronts us with the profound and practical question, "Is anything too hard for God?"

02/05/2005

A Niagara Falls for Your Own Soul

When a weak, ungodly sinner and enemy of God is swept over the Niagara Falls of the New Testament it's not just good news, it's better than good. "Eternity itself can never fully reveal it." Yet we must never cease our pursuit to understand it.

03/05/2005

How Much of All Is All?

Because of one, we are born lost and rebellious. Because of the other, we are born found and redeemed. Bill Gates illustrates the point. The "everlasting gospel" keeps getting better the more it's understood!

03/12/2005

I Done It for Love

Social theory research has discovered that personal losses hurt more than personal gains satisfy. Discover the fascinating insight this provides into the "everlasting gospel,""If one died for all, then all died."

03/26/2005

It's Time for a Second Resurrection - Reflections on an Empty Tomb

Easter. Baptism. Is there a connection? Remarkably so! Death and resurrection to walk in newness of life. Do you remember yours? Here's why it's important to remember. (Romans 6:1-10)

04/02/2005

Repeat after Me -"I Reckon I'm Dead"

Sanctification. Ho hum? Anything but! The key is getting the DONE and DO in the right order, and accepting the amazing anomaly of the gospel. Because you can't be truly free until . . . . (Romans 6:5-22)

04/16/2005

Unrelenting Battle - the Al Qaeda of the Heart

Once upon a time there was an apostle who struggled, really struggled, with sin and was honest enough to talk about it. And because he was, there is hope, real hope, for the rest of us. (Romans 7:7-25)

04/23/2005

Putting on Heirs for Love

Are you prepared to suffer? Why would anyone long, as Paul did, to "fellowship with Christ in His sufferings?" The best news about suffering you may ever hear! (Romans 8)

05/14/2005

Journeying with the Jews: When God Cuts the Work Short

Are you aware that "the chosen people" and "the remnant" are not necessarily the same people? Who indeed are the remnant? And what role do the remnant play in God's final evangelization of the world, seeing as God has already committed Himself to cut His work short in righteousness? (Romans 9)

05/21/2005

Journeying with the Jews: When Chosen Means Choosing

Israel rejects Jesus, the gospel goes to the Gentiles and the church is born. So, does Israel still have a role in God's plan to save the world? And where does the SDA church fit in? A stimulating study that could change your mind, and your heart.

05/28/2005

"I will Go to Spain"

"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" Is this Robert Browning statement mere philosophy or good religion? Is it wrong for a Christian to have bold ambitions? Is it wrong not to? Could this be what the metaphorical "Spain" is all about?

06/18/2005

Journeying with the Jews: The Second Exodus

The memory of being enslaved is deeply embedded in the psyche of any community that has once been enslaved. As is any accompanying exodus or emancipation. Ask any Jew or African American. Or any Christian? Consider the six steps anyone must take from spiritual enslavement to spiritual emancipation.

All Sermons

Introduction to Trauma Aware Workshop

You are invited to a special free event to learn about how trauma may impact the individuals and communities you serve.

Pastoral Staff Transition at Pioneer

Please see the letter below regarding a Pastoral Staff transition at Pioneer.

Letter from Elder Jim Micheff

Offering for April 13, 2024

Hope Channel International

Give hope through your offering today.

The impact of Hope Channel is evident in the inspiring stories of God’s children like Pastor Ross and baby Aurora. Ross overcame drug addiction to become an ordained Seventh-day Adventist pastor after discovering Hope Sabbath School. Following baby Aurora's brachial plexus injury at birth, she was miraculously healed thanks to our most watched Let’s Pray program and prayers on her behalf from our global community.

With your offering today, Hope Channel can continue to share the transformational love of Jesus Christ with people all over the world by producing high-quality Christian content to reach new audiences in innovative ways.

Our Hope.Study platform is online and offers Bible studies on a range of topics. So far, over 300,000 people started a course – just one year after the platform went live! People are hungering for Bible truth.

As we read in Proverbs 11:25 (ESV), "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." By faithfully supporting Hope Channel International, you are not only blessing others but yourself as well by bringing hope to those who need it most and by telling them of the love of Jesus Christ.

After celebrating 20 years of Hope Channel and reaching over 80 countries with the Adventist message, let’s make 2024 the most impactful year yet in sharing hope in Jesus with people everywhere.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Hope and Fun with Jesus

The Pioneer Women Ministries invites you explore the topic of “Hope” with us on Sunday, April 28 form 3-5 PM in the Teen Loft. The program will include fellowship time with games and puzzles. Please bring snacks to share with your table: cut fruit, pretzels, cookies, munchies be creative! Drinks will be provided! Join us for this time of encouragement. To Register text “HOPE” at 269-281-2345

Free Bibles

The lost and found ministry at PMC has placed a table in the Main Lobby (Narthex) containing Bibles which have been in lost and found for more than a year and not been claimed. Some have names on them and some do not. You are welcome to take a Bible for yourself or a friend. Please read and enjoy, For other lost and found item, there is a cupboard in the lower lobby welcome center where these items are kept. You can ask during the week for a secretary to help you check if your lost item is there. After items have been in lost and found for more than three months they are sent to Neighbor to Neighbor so be sure and check on your items soon after you lose them.

The Center for Adventist Research Book Sale

The Center for Adventist Research Book Sale is back! The 2024 Spring book sale begins April 2 with hundreds of used Seventh-day Adventist books, pamphlets, periodicals, audio-visuals, and Ellen White books for sale. There are also many phonograph records for sale.

The books are competitively priced and will be less costly than at the various online sources for Adventist used books. We accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards. The sale begins April 2 and will conclude on April 16. The sale hours will match the Center’s public hours: Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 7 PM, and Friday 9 AM to 1 PM. For more information, you may call the Center at (269) 471-3209 or email car@andrews.edu.

Quiet Activity Bags for Kids in Church

Pioneer warmly welcomes young families! Quiet activity bags for children are available to borrow, enjoy, and return each Sabbath morning. Select a larger bag for 1 to 3 year-olds or a smaller one for 3 to 9 year-olds. Pick up a bag in the Narthex or the organ side front entrance lobby. Return as soon as finished so others can enjoy.

Oasis Public School Ministry

Oasis Public School Ministry provides a safe community for real talk, good food, fun activities, and building relationships between students, leaders, and God. This ministry is open to all public middle and high school students and meets Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 PM in the 5th grade Sabbath school room. Bring a friend and check it out! For more information, contact Diane at simplestirrings@yahoo.com.

Clear Reception

Join us for Bible study and reading "Mere Christianity" an adaption of BBC radio broadcasts by C.S. Lewis during WWII. We plan to build simple radio sets like the ones people listened to Mr. Lewis on. We will meet the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7:00-9:30, in the lobby of the Simulator Building at Andrews University Airpark. Register by clicking on the 'Grow Groups" link at the bottom of Pioneer Memorial Church's web page, then select the option of "Join a Community Group".

BELONG Ministries Adopt-a-Student

Winter is coming and for many of our students these are the hardest months to get through without their families. You can help create a home away from home by joining our Belong Ministries Adopt-a-Student program. You'll build meaningful connections by hosting the student for a home cooked meal, surprising them with their favorite treats, and reminding them that they've been prayed for. The time commitment is at your discretion.

Wine and Milk Without Money