Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 4

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Program:

As We Begin

Fanfare and Flourishes (We Praise You) • James Curnow

Praise

Whom Shall I Fear • It Is Well With My Soul • No Longer Slaves

Prayer

José Bourget

Tithes & Offerings

Variations on a Shape Note Tune • John Vinson

Children's Story

John Kent, Andrews Academy

Bible Reading

Hebrews 5:7-9 NIV

Worship in Music

Precious Lord, Take My Hand • James Dorsey / Robert Smith

Sermon

“STORM: Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark”—4 • Dwight K. Nelson

Connect Card

Trust and Obey • 590

As We Depart

Alleluia Laudamus Te ( We Praise You) • Alfred Reed

More In This Series

03/11/2017

Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 7

02/25/2017

Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 6

02/11/2017

Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 5

01/28/2017

Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 3

01/21/2017

Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 2

01/07/2017

Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 1

All Sermons

Print Download

“STORM: Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark”—4

www.newperceptions.tv

Two four-letter words
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23—“To is better than sacrifice . . . for rebellion [disobedience] is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry [the worship of ].”
  - At the heart of our trouble with the 4-letter word “obey” is our trouble with the 4-letter word “ .”
  - After all doesn’t “obey” mean you must accept someone else’s authority over your ?
- Romans 6:16-18—“. . . you are slaves of the one you —whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to , which leads to righteousness.”
  - Bob Dylan is right—“You’re gonna have to serve somebody”—so pick your carefully.
- John 15:5—“‘I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you abide and I , you will bear much fruit.’”
- John 14:15—“‘If you Me, [obey] My commandments.’”
One four-letter example
- Obedience is by —i.e., obeying God comes through God.
- Hebrews 2:13—“I will put My trust in Him” is called “the of Jesus.”
- Hebrews 5:7-9
  - F. F. Bruce: “. . . Son of God though he was—even he was granted no exemption from the common law that learning comes by suffering.” (Hebrews 130)
  - “Son though He was, He learned from what He suffered.”
  - “He became the source of eternal salvation for all who Him.”
  - F. F. Bruce: “We learn to be obedient because of the unpleasant consequences which follow disobedience. It was not so with him. . . . He set out from the start on the path of obedience to God, and learned by the sufferings which came his way in consequence just what obedience to God involved in practice in the conditions of human life on earth.” (Hebrews 131)
- Yes, but what if the Tempter comes to me and whispers, ‘Indulge your desire’—what do I do then?”
  - You call upon “the faith of Jesus.”
  - “How do I do that?”
  - Repeat the 7 words: “I will put my trust in Him.”
  - And then walk away.
  - “But what if the devil follows me?”
  - Keep repeating “the faith of Jesus”—“I will put my trust in Him.”
- Illus: Desire of Ages 668: “All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims [Christ in us], so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will [we in Christ], that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. . . . When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of obedience. Through [1] an appreciation of the character of Christ, through [2] communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.”

“I will put my trust in Him.”

Church Access for Attendees with Physical Challenges

Pioneer is pleased to announce that transportation will be provided for Sabbath services for attendees with physical challenges who would have trouble in negotiating stairs.

Pioneer Traffic and Deacon teams will transport attendees by golf carts from the canopy entrance to the doors at the east entrance (JN Andrews statue). At the end of the service, attendees will be invited to return to the door and alert a greeter to contact the cart that will transport them to their cars.

If you would like to be picked up from your car at the start of the service instead of at the canopy entrance, please call the church office on (269) 471-3133 by Friday at 10:00 AM and supply the following information:

Name(s) of attendees
Service attending
Make, model, and color of car
Estimated time of arrival

We hope that this interim measure will be a helpful blessing to you.

Summer Grow Groups are Ready to Join!

This summer we have some great leaders who are looking forward to sharing a wide variety of groups, both online and in person. All are welcome to join--Grow Groups are for everyone! Summer groups will meet from June 5-July 30. Head to our digital catalog here, or text JOIN to 269-281-2345 to check out our available groups. Contact growgroups@pmchurch.org if you have questions or need assistance.

Offering for May 21, 2022

Pioneer Operating Budget

Demonstrate Self Denial

1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

We worship God with our resources because of His sacrificial love. Jesus left heaven, and He embraced the plight of fallen humanity. He accomplished his mission against fearful odds and dire resistance. Finally, He offered it all, His own life. This is how He demonstrated love. As God’s representatives, a sacrificial spirit is part of our identity. That was the spirit demonstrated by our church’s pioneers, and J.N. Andrews was a leading figure among them. John Andrews was a widow with two children when he accepted a call to go to Europe as the first official Seventh-day Adventist missionary. He accepted the call without knowing what his specific salary would be. They agreed to send him money from time to time, but this was not done as regularly as needed.

For him to publish tracts, pamphlets, and the French periodical “Les Signes des Temps” he often had to use his own funds, sometimes going without food and other necessities. He contracted pneumonia in 1877, and after the examination, the physician commented: “This man is almost starved to death!” One year later, his daughter contracted tuberculosis. Andrews brought his daughter home to Battle Creek and she was treated by Dr. J. H. Kellogg, but she sadly passed away. The committed missionary nevertheless returned to Europe to continue his groundbreaking work until he died of tuberculosis at the age of 54. We are living in a time where money and other resources are hard to find.

In this context, these words of Ellen White are most relevant: “Those who profess to be one with Christ and indulge their selfish desires for rich and expensive clothing, furniture, and food, are Christians only in name. To be a Christian is to be Christlike.” (Review & Herald, Oct. 13, 1896). This week, may our tithe and regular offerings reflect a spirit of self-denial, the Spirit of Christ.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Andrews Academy's Graduation Weekend Events

Congratulations, Andrews Academy seniors! May the same Lord who got you here lead you into the uncharted adventure ahead! "I am with you always," is His promise. Everyone is invited to attend graduation weekend events. Class Night May 26, 7:00 PM at Andrews Academy; Consecration May 27, 8:00 PM at Village SDA Church; Baccalaureate May 28, 11:45 AM at Pioneer, Commencement May 29, 11:00 AM, also at Pioneer.

Join Pioneer’s Prayer Team

If you enjoy praying for others, join one of our Prayer Teams which meet in person at the church during the first and second church services (your choice). Teams will rotate on a scheduled basis. A monitor in the Prayer Room allows the teams to hear the congregational prayer and the sermon. For more information, text "PRAY" to 269-281-2345.

Fellowship Dinner Starts This Sabbath

Members with last names between Omari and Rorabeck are specifically invited to join our fellowship dinner following second worship service this Sabbath in the Commons. Next Sabbath, May 28, members with last names between Rosen and Taber are invited. If you are not on the invited list, but would like to come, you are welcome. Just bring a dish of your favorite food to share and join in the fellowship. Visitors are always welcome, too!

The Tent 2022

The Junior High students from Ruth Murdoch Elementary School will hold The Tent meetings on Friday, May 13 through 22, 2022. Meetings take place every night, except Tuesday. We invite you to support our kids by watching and invite a friend or family member to watch too, so they can get to know Jesus better.

View the Schedule

Meals for Moms

Pioneer’s Preschool Pray & Play group provides families who are welcoming new children into their homes (by birth, adoption, foster care, etc.) with meals. You don't need to cook to help out! We're in need of people who can:

make and deliver meals
order take-out and deliver it
help us identify families who are expecting new children

As we get more volunteers, we're hoping to expand this ministry to help families identify the many rich resources available to them at Pioneer and in our community. We want to be the hands of Jesus to new parents and their kids in as families grow.

To volunteer text "MOMMEALS" to 269-281-2345 or register at online. For more information, email prayandplay@pmchurch.org

Traffic Volunteers Needed

We are in need for additional volunteers for Pioneer's Traffic Ministry. The weather outside is getting warmer and this would be a great opportunity for you to show your kindness, caring, and smiles to everyone who enters our church doors for Sabbath worship. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Darryl at legoh@andrews.edu or text 732-379-1300. Thank you.

Ministry Design Project Submission

Ministry and Grow Group Leaders: We are here to help you create appealing materials both digital and in print in order to familiarize people with your ministry or upcoming event. Because we support many ministries, kindly provide us with at least 10 design days from the time we receive your project details to completion. Additional time may be needed for printing and shipping when applicable. Submit your project online today at pmchurch.org/design/submit. -Pioneer Media Ministry

Storm