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Wine and Milk Without Money

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

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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

"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!"
Saturday, January 15, 2005

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)
12/25/2004
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)
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.
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Offering for May 17, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Author Melvin Santos Speaking: When our kids were old enough to work, it warmed our hearts when we saw them buying gifts for each other for special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas, or no occasion at all. They received great joy in seeing their siblings’ reactions when opening the gifts.

God too, loves a cheerful giver. I learned in my study of giving that our motives for giving are important. Giving results from two motives -- either from unselfish love, or for personal reward.

The gifts exchanged between couples may serve as an example of unselfish devotion. On the other hand, many gifts are not gifts at all, but a means to an end. They may be given to promote, to influence, or to bribe. Some give out of pressure or obligation.

God measures the gift by the motive of the giver. But “the offering from the heart that loves, God delights to honor…. If we have given our hearts to Jesus, we also shall bring our gifts to Him. Our gold and silver, our most precious earthly possessions, our highest mental and spiritual endowments, will be freely devoted to Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us.” (Desire of Ages, p.65) 

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Mission and Strategy Statements Town Hall Meetings

The Elders have finished! After many months of prayerful and concerted work, the draft of Pioneer's potential new mission and strategy statements are ready for your review.  

Please join us at any of the identical Town Hall/Q & A sessions listed below to hear Pastor Shane and our elders present the drafts for your feedback.  Our goal is to take your input, modify the drafts as needed, sent them back to the church board for final review, and begin implementation in the Fall.  

Please join us for any of these important and impactful meetings that will help guide Pioneer's witness for years to come!

  • May 13, Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  • May 18, Sunday, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
  • May 22, Thursday, 7:00 - 9:00 PM (Zoom only)
House of Prayer Series Led By Pastor Dwight Nelson

“How to Pray for Rome NOW: Following Jesus in Today’s Headlines” 

House of Prayer Spring Series, 7 PM, Pioneer Earliteen Loft, May 2025 

  • May 7 “The Sea Beast and Jesus” (Revelation 13) 
  • May 14 “The Little Horn and Jesus” (Daniel 7 & 2 Thessalonians 2) 
  • May 21 “The Purple and Scarlet Woman and Jesus” (Revelation 17) 
  • May 28 “The Babylonian Queen and Jesus” (Revelation 18) 

“Prophecy is fast fulfilling. More, much more, should be said about these tremendously important subjects. The day is at hand when the destiny of every soul will be fixed forever. This day of the Lord hastens on apace. . . . Great pains should be taken to keep this subject before the people. The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised. Let no one's interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that this great event is near at hand.” (Fundamentals of Christian Education 335)

Mission and Strategy Statements Town Hall Meetings
Pioneer Youth Chapel

The Elders have finished! After many months of prayerful and concerted work, the draft of Pioneer's potential new mission and strategy statements are ready for your review.  

Please join us at any of the identical Town Hall/Q & A sessions listed below to hear Pastor Shane and our elders present the drafts for your feedback.  Our goal is to take your input, modify the drafts as needed, sent them back to the church board for final review, and begin implementation in the Fall.  

Please join us for any of these important and impactful meetings that will help guide Pioneer's witness for years to come!

May 13, Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 PM

May 18, Sunday, 9:00-11:00 AM

May 22, Thursday, 7:00-9:00 PM (Zoom only)

Holding Onto Jesus

Sunday, May 25, 3-5 PM Pioneer Youth Chapel What do we do when our life is shaken by illness, a great loss, or some other devastation? How do we find God when it feels like He isn’t there? Women of all ages are invited to hear Emily Gibbs share her testimony, and explore ways that we can have resilience in the midst of difficult experiences. Register by texting TRIALS to 269-281-2345. Questions? Email women@pmchurch.org.

AdventistGiving Online (AGO) Contributors

 Your faithfulness is very much appreciated.  To ensure that your donations are properly credited to your account, when contributing through Adventist Giving, please log in under your name, instead of contributing as a "Guest."

Adventist Seniors of Michiana Meeting May 18.

Seniors 55 and up are invited to the Adventist Seniors of Michiana program to be held in the PMC Commons May 18. Bring a dish and enjoy the potluck starting at 1 PM followed by a program featuring Ken Denslow, recently retired Lake Union Conference President. His topic will be Project Amigo and Other Missions. For any questions call Cheryl Doss at 269-277-0767

Love on the Move

 Would you like to make a difference in our community? God's Hands 4 Kids has ways you can do that. GH4K loves the "True religion way to love the least of these" James 1:27. The Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner is being held on May 16 in a church in our community. We are working with the Berrien County Department of Health and Human Services to put this on.  We are looking for childcare help. Also seeking gift baskets, gifts or gift cards. For more information contact Carol Jordan at Godshands4kids@gmail.com There is a presentation this Friday evening from Unaccompanied Refugee Minors. Ask for more info if interested.

Music Camp at Pioneer!

The Institute of Young Musicians for Christ is excited to be having a music camp at Pioneer Memorial Church! At our music camps young people ages 6-17 are offered an immersive, week-long musical experience. Our quality musical training—combined with fun, friends, and faith-building encounters— provides a truly incredible opportunity. The camp offers tracks for children 6-12 with or without musical experience and a track for teenagers with significant musical experience. To learn more and register, visit iymcsda.org/michigan. We hope to see you there!

Lamson Hall Upgrades with Maranatha

From May 11–June 8, 2025, Maranatha Volunteers International will be working at Andrews University to update the Lamson Hall residential rooms and suite bathrooms. Please consider volunteering and letting your family and friends know of this opportunity. All individuals (including local) should sign up at the Maranatha website: https://maranatha.org/volunteer-opportunities/.