Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Since 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

Part 7 of this 7-part series.
Saturday, March 05, 2016
Program: 
As We Begin
All Creatures of Our God and King • Charles Callahan
Introit
Shout for Joy! • Daniel Davison
Praise
Prayer
Jeanmark A'Kessler
Baptism
Davi Sampaio Barbosa with Silvano Barbosa dos Santos
Children's Story
The Gift of Love • Traditional Melody / John Rutter
Worship in Music
Declare Your Maker's Praise • Lloyd Larson
Sermon
“Charmed into Righteousness: The Most Righteous Lord” • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less • 522
As We Depart
Guide Me: Strong Deliverer • Kenneth Logan

More In This Series

02/27/2016
Part 6 of this 7-part series.
02/20/2016
Part 5 of this 7-part series.
01/30/2016
Part 4 of this 7-part series.
01/16/2016
Part 3 of this 7-part series.
01/09/2016
Part 2 of this 7-part series.
01/02/2016
Part 1 of this 7-part series.

“Charmed into Righteousness: The Most Righteous Lord”

www.newperceptions.tv

A Story

  • Zechariah 3:1-5
  • Isaiah 64:6—“ All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
  • Isaiah 61:10—“ I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of   and arrayed me in a robe of , as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
  • Ellen White: “Whatever may have been your past experience, however discouraging your present circumstances, if you will come to Jesus just as you are, weak, helpless, and despairing, our compassionate Saviour will meet you a great way off, and will throw about you His arms of love and His of righteousness. He presents us to the Father clothed in the white raiment of character. He pleads before God in our behalf, saying: I have taken the sinner’s place. Look not upon this wayward child, but look on Me. Does Satan plead loudly against our souls, accusing of sin, and claiming us as his prey, the blood of Christ pleads with power.” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing  8-9)

Christ Our Righteousness

  • 1 John 2:1 NKJV—“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the .”
    • Jeremiah 23:6 NKJV—“Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR .”
  • 1 Corinthians 1:30—“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our , holiness and redemption.”
  • Christ is our .
  • N. T. Wright:  “[God’s righteousness] is an outward-looking characteristic of God, linked of course to the concern for God’s own glory but essentially going, as it were, in the opposite direction, that of God’s creative, healing, restorative . God’s concern for God’s glory is precisely rescued from the appearance of divine narcissism because God, not least God as Trinity, is always giving out, pouring out, lavishing generous on undeserving people, undeserving Israel and an undeserving world. That is the sort of God he is, and ‘God’s righteousness’ is a way of saying, ‘Yes, and God will be true to that character.’” (Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision 70-71)
  • Wright: “. . . God’s righteousness is that quality or attribute because of which he his people. His ‘acts of righteousness’ are thus the acts he performs as outworkings or demonstrations of his covenant faithfulness.” (71)
  • Wright: “Indeed, it is because God will be true to that outward-facing generous, creative that he must also curse those ways of life, particularly those ways of life within his covenant people, which embody and express the opposite [of his creative love]. . . . and therefore [he] must curse everything that thwarts and destroys the blessing of his world and his people.” (71)
    • So what is a loving and righteous God to do now?
    • John 3:16—“For God so the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
    • 1 Timothy 1:15—“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to sinners—of whom I am the worst.”
    • Romans 3:25-26—“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his   . . . so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”
    • How did this loving and righteous God pull it off?
    • 2 Corinthians 5:14, 21—“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for , and therefore died. . . . God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the of God.”
    • White: “Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. ‘With His stripes we are healed.’” (Desire of Ages 25)
    • Romans 5:19—“For just as through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man [Christ] the many will be made .”
    • Wright: “The language of ‘righteousness’ in the Old Testament regularly refers to the lawcourt, or quasi lawcourt situations. . . . Let us imagine a fictitious scenario in ancient Israel. Azariah and Bildad go to law before Gamaliel, acting as a judge. Azariah accuses Bildad of stealing a sheep. Gamaliel hears the case and finds in favor of Bildad: the court declares that the accusation is unfounded and that Bildad is innocent. That ‘finding in favor,’ that declaration, is ‘’; its result is that Bildad is now ‘righteous,’ that is, ‘in the .’. . . He is, in other words, the vindicated defendant.” (68-69)
    • Romans 5:18—“One righteous act resulted in and life for all people.”
    • White: “With His own blood [Jesus] has signed the emancipation papers of the .” (Ministry of Healing 90)
    • White: “[Christ] took in His grasp the world over which Satan claimed to preside as his lawful territory, and by His wonderful work in giving His life, He restored the race of men to favor with God.” (Selected Messages 1:343)

A Story

  • “The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through [Pastors] Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of . They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.” (91-92)
  • Romans 1:16—“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. . . . For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed.”
  • Psalm 33:6, 9—“By the of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the of his mouth. . . .For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”
  • John 6:63—“‘The   I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.’”
  • 2 Timothy 3:16—“All   is God-breathed and is useful for teaching . . .”
  • E. J. Waggoner: “When the word of God names something, then the thing that is named is formed. Whatever is described by the word, exists in that word. Thus it is impossible for God to lie, for His word makes the thing so.” (Living by Faith 13)
  • Hebrews 1:3—“The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful .”
  • Waggoner: “The breath of God, which has creative energy in it, is that which gives us the precepts and promises of the Bible. That creative is the power of the Gospel. . . . The power of redemption is the power of , for redemption is creation. . . . To declare is to speak, so when God declares His righteousness in Christ for the remission of sins [Romans 3:25], righteousness is spoken into and on you, to take the place of your sins, which are taken away. And it is not simply a passive righteousness that is declared on you, but real, active righteousness, for the word of the Lord is alive, and God’s righteousness is real and active.” (14-15)
  • Hans LaRondelle: “However, justification implies more than a mere legal transaction. The righteousness of Christ is a power, ‘it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct.’—The Desire of Ages p 556. Many have too abstract and narrow a view of forgiveness and justification. This led E. G. White to state: ‘God’s forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin, but reclaiming from sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the heart.’—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing p 114.” (Christ Our Salvation: What God Does for Us and in Us 47)

“My hope is built on nothing less 
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.”

Answers

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
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.

Fellowship Dinner

There will not be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath.

Offering for March 30, 2024

Pioneer Operating Budget

I remember it like it was yesterday. I got a call from a close friend saying that they had gotten an incredible job in an incredible city that would be their dream come true. I celebrated with my friend, while also feeling the sting of pain from my own disappointment from recently being rejected from yet another job for which I was qualified, but not hired.

Disappointment and rejection can be hard things to deal with. One thing that God taught me and my family during that season of our lives was that though it may not be “my turn” for the blessing of my dream job, it is always “my turn” to serve God and those around me by doing my best, no matter what position I’m in.

One thing that has blessed me and many others during tough times is the support local churches offer to those who are struggling just to make it. I’ve been in small group Bible study where other members prayed for me and supported me in many ways, both with physical and spiritual needs. Today’s offering will go to support our local church budget, which supports ministries that are the heartbeat of our church all week long, not just on Sabbath. “The Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35, NIV).

By Heather Thompson Day

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Strength to Keep Going: A Multilingual Worship Celebration

The Andrews University Haitian Association and the Groupe Francophone D'Andrews invite all to participate in a special, multicultural worship experience on April 13 in the Seminary Chapel. Sabbath School at 10:30 AM, divine service at 11:45 AM. Join us in praising God in English, French, and Creole! Children and families welcome, as well as language learners.

BSHS Non-Perishable Food Drive

Our Pioneer students from Berrien Springs High school are holding a non-perishable food drive, the proceeds of which will go directly to the Feeding America Charity to help people with food insecurity. Please visit PM church’s welcome desk on the second floor by the front entrance to the sanctuary from March 25-30 to donate your non-perishable goods to people in need.

RMES Kindergarten Parent Night and Kindergarten Visitor Day

Parents with students who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2024, are invited to come meet our Kindergarten teacher on April 2, tour the classroom and school, enjoy refreshments, meet other Kindergarten parents, etc. Kindergarten age children are invited to visit our Kindergarten classroom on April 3. They will enjoy singing and worship, physical education, Spanish and music class, along with outdoor play time. Please call us at 269-471-3225 to let us know you are coming!

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.

Lebanon Mission

This week the PMC Youth Missions team has been conducting the week of prayer on two campuses in Beirut, Lebanon. They are sharing the theme "Faces Around the Cross" with students at Middle East University and Adventist secondary school in nearby
Bouchrieh. The team has presented 4 chapel services a day, starting at 7:30 AM. The 11-member team of Andrews students and PMC members has been learning a lot as they serve in this challenging mission field. Your prayers and support of PMC Youth Missions are indispensable.

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.

2nd Annual Community Messiah Sing

Community Messiah Sing - The Eau Claire SDA Church is celebrating the sacred glory of the Easter season by hosting a inter-faith Community Messiah Sing-Along. You are invited to this Christian sing-along in celebration of the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. We will sing the Easter portion of Handel's Messiah to the recorded “accompaniment” of a Baroque Chamber Orchestra featuring the type of instrumentation the original performance of Handel’s Messiah oratorio had. We will of course conclude the rejoicing with the "Hallelujah" Chorus. Come join us on Saturday, March 30 from 4-6 pm at 6562 Naomi Road in Eau Claire. Bring a Messiah score if you have one or one will be provided. Light refreshments will be served afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.

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