The Bondage Breaker

The Bondage Breaker: How to win (and help your friends win) the battle of addiction

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

Innocently deceived. Ruthlessly held. This series will take a closer look at the Enemy's tactics in this raging spiritual warfare, and how freedom is not just possible, but promised.
Saturday, March 29, 2014

More In This Series

04/05/2014
No matter where you go on this planet there are always three things that people universally love. Could the greatest blessings God gave to humanity be the very things the Enemy uses to enslave us?
04/12/2014
Does addiction seem like an unbeatable challenge? Here are 7 steps you can take to turn your defeats into victory.
04/19/2014
Feeling trapped by addiction? What if the very same power that freed Jesus from the tomb was available to free you from you're own bondage?
04/26/2014
The same One who can break your bondage to sin can also wash you clean and keep you that way for the rest of your life.

“The Bondage Breaker:
How to Win (and Help Your Friends Win) the Battle of Addiction”

www.pmchurch.tv

  • □  One Story
    •   The American Society for Addiction Medicine: “Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain

      reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.” (http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction)

    •   “The secret cause of the affliction that had made this man a fearful spectacle to his friends and a burden to himself was in his own life. He had been fascinated by the pleasures of sin, and had thought to make life a grand carnival. He did not dream of becoming a terror to the world and the reproach of his family. He thought his time could be spent in innocent folly. But once in the downward path, his feet rapidly descended. Intemperance and frivolity perverted the noble attributes of his nature, and Satan took control of him.” (Desire of Ages 256)
    •   Mark 1:21-28
  • □  Seven Truths
    •   #1—We are in a between two invisible .
      •   Ephesians 6:12—“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers . . . the authorities . . . the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual of evil in the heavenly realms.”
      •   Neil Anderson: “There is no inner conflict which is not , because there is never a time when your mind, emotions, and will are not involved. Similarly, there is no problem that is not . There is no time when God is not present. . . . The Bible presents the unseen spiritual world just as real as the natural world we see with our eyes [2 Corinthians 4:18].” (The Bondage Breaker 21)
    •   #2—The primary weapon of Satan is .
      •   John 8:44—“ . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, [the devil] speaks his native language,

        for he is a and the father of lies.’”

      •   Duane McBride: “Cultural leveling, Dr. McBride explains, describes the tendency of a minority

        group to gradually conform or change to reflect

        the attitudes of the majority group.” (Student Movement 3-5-14 p 3)

      •   If the devil can put your conscience to sleep, you will do under the influence what you

        wouldn’t think of doing in your right and sober mind!

      •   Duane McBride: “‘Responsible alcohol use? I’m not sure how much “responsible” there is. . . .

        The clarity and quality of our relationship with God depends on, essentially, sobriety and a

        mind that functions.’” (Ibid)

      •   The only defensible position for a Christian to take is abstinence.
    •   #3—The primary weapon of Christ is .
       John 8:32—“Then you will know the , and the will set you free.”  John 8:36—“So if the sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
    •   #4—The showdown at the decided the of the war.
      •   Colossians 2:15—“Having disarmed the powers and authorities, [Christ] made a public

        of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

      •   The Great Controversy: “In the Saviour’s expiring cry, ‘It is finished,’ the death knell of Satan

        was rung. The great controversy which had been so long in progress was then ,

        and the final eradication of evil was made certain.” (503)

      •   Read Matthew 27:24-54—every day.
      •   “Tell [Satan] of the blood of Jesus, that cleanses from all sin. You cannot save yourself from

        the tempter’s power, but he trembles and when the merits of that precious blood

        are urged.” (5T 317)

    •   #5—You must decide your .
  •   #6—To not decide is .
  •   #7—You must call on the B B.

     Steps to Christ: “As you see the enormity of sin, as you see yourself as you really are, do not give up to despair. It was sinners that Christ came to save. We have not to reconcile God to us, but—O wondrous love!—God in Christ is ‘reconciling the world unto Himself.’ 2 Corinthians 5:19. He is wooing by His tender love the hearts of His erring children. No earthly parent could be as patient with the faults and mistakes of his children, as is God with those He seeks to save. No one could plead more tenderly with the transgressor. No human lips ever poured out more tender entreaties to the wanderer than does He.” (35)

    “Free indeed!” 

2024 Advent Devotionals

 Pioneer Women's Ministries invites you to share in the joy of the season by registering for this year's Advent devotionals, "Why Did Jesus Come? Going beyond John 3:16." Join us as we dig deeper into God's amazing love, care, and deep desire to spend eternity with us. Devotionals will be sent daily December 1-25, 2024. You can receive a brief synopsis of each day's devotional by text and the full devotional by email by texting the word ADVENT to 269.281.2345. We look forward to sharing this blessed season with you.

Fellowship Dinner

Following the second worship service, there will not be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath.

Offering for November 23, 2024

Michigan Advance Partners

“Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”(Exodus 40:34) Years ago, members of Metropolitan Church in Plymouth, Michigan, decided to build a “tabernacle” to praise His holy name!

Unfortunate things happen on this side of eternity – sometimes to earthly tabernacles. Regrettably, water dripping from a leaking roof drenched the carpeting in various parts of the church building. This prompted the church to initiate a fundraising campaign for the repairs and updating of the church interior. Simultaneously, an indoor pipe burst, producing serious flooding to the entire interior, which caused the immediate need for major repair of the entire church interior.

Given the serious water damage, the Church Board requested financial assistance from the Michigan Conference MAP Department. It was inspiring to witness firsthand the benefits of the monthly, sacrificial giving to MAP by the members of the Michigan Conference. The church was granted $8,536.50, which was used to defray part of the large expense of roof repair. Michigan Advance Partnership is integral to sustaining our churches in Michigan. True to its name, it does act as a Partner when one of the churches requires assistance. Funds used to assist the churches are generated through generous donations by members of all Michigan churches during a special appeal made every last Sabbath of every month. Therefore, when you contribute – you are MAP.

The Book of Exodus records; “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do, and the people were restrained from bringing more . . . “(Ex. 36:5-7) Thank you for your faithful support of MAP and all of our sister churches.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Women and Friends Outdoors Group— Walk With Us!

Would you enjoy meeting sister outdoors-people? Group membership is for women but members are welcome to bring along friends or family members on the hikes. We welcome people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. No experience needed. During the winter we will hike once a month.

The Crayon Box Annual Christmas Concert

All are invited to our annual program, "Joy to the World," as our children (ages 0–12) celebrate everything that makes this joyful holiday season: Thanksgiving, Winter, Christmas and New Year's! Following the concert, a donation will be collected for our center. "Joy to the World" will be held in the Howard Performing Arts Center.

"Reminiscence" Voice Recital

Come and enjoy music performed by Raleigh Pettey, baritone, and Jonathan Clough, pianist—an evening celebrating God's gift of music through singing.

Grow Groups Ministry Meeting

On Sabbath, November 23, at 3:30 PM in the PMC Commons, there will be an organizing and planning meeting for Grow Group leaders and for those who are interested in small group ministry.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

We invite you to take part in the Feed the Need, Pioneer’s annual Thanksgiving food collection coordinated by the Evergreen Pathfinder club. The club dropped bags in the community last weekend. They will return to pick them up on November 17.

You can also bring your donation of non-perishable food to church on Sabbath November 23. As part of "A Feast of Hymns" Pathfinders will collect the food bags during the Procession of Thanksgiving.

If you know of a family in the area who needs food this upcoming holiday season call Pioneer at 269.471.6565 to submit their name to receive a food bag/box.

10th Annual 'We Sing' Voice Vespers: A Tribute to Hale & Wilder

Join the AU Department of Music voice students for their annual 'We Sing' Voice Vespers. This year marks the 10th year and features a tribute to the iconic singing duo 'Hale & Wilder'. Robert Hale and Dean Wilder sang over 4,000 sacred concerts. The voice
students and special guests will present selections from their repertoire. Marcelo Martins joins as a guest accompanist.

Dinosaur Encounter

Dinosaur Encounter is coming to Berrien Springs High School on December 7, 2024. Reserve your tickets at dinoencounter.com/pmc 


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