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

Part 3 of a 3 Part Series
Saturday, November 16, 2013

More In This Series

11/02/2013
Part 1 of a 3 Part Series
11/09/2013
Part 2 of a 3 Part Series

“Don’t Cry for Me”

www.pmchurch.tv

Hebrews 5:7

  • Anne Lamott: “There are three things I cannot change: the , the

    , and .” (Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential

    Prayers 31)

  • But can prayers and tears change ?
  • Hebrew 5:7—Jesus “offered up prayers and petitions with fervent

    to the one who could save him from death, and he was .”
     “Abba, Father—everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet

    not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36)

 C. S. Lewis: “It is clear from many of His sayings that Our Lord had long

foreseen His death. He knew what conduct such as His, in a world such as we have made of this, must inevitably lead to. But it is clear that this knowledge must somehow have been withdrawn from Him before He prayed in Gethsemane. He could not, with whatever reservation about the Father’s will, have prayed that the cup might pass and simultaneously known that it would not. That is both a logical and a psychological impossibility.” (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer 42)

  • But the prayer of Christ did not the mind of God.

Hebrews 5:8

  • “He learned from what He suffered.”
  • Philippians 2:8—“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming to death—even death on a cross!”
  • “Submission to the will of God is the great secret of prayer.” 
  • “The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in His earthly ministry, prayed much to His Father. He was frequently bowed all night in prayer. . . .The dew and frost of night fell upon His head bowed in prayer. His example is left for His followers. . . . Jesus could heal the sick and raise the dead. He was Himself a source of blessing and strength. He commanded even the tempests, and they obeyed Him. He was unsullied with corruption, a stranger to sin; yet He prayed, and that with strong crying and tears.” (2T 508)
  • Rabbi Yehudah: “All human things depend on repentance and the prayers which men make to the holy blessed God; especially if tears be poured out with the prayers. There is no gate which will not pass through.”
  • Tears don’t change God’s mind—they change my .
  • Desire of Ages: “Three times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has humanity shrunk from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now the history of the human race comes up before the world’s Redeemer. . . .The woes and lamentations of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending fate, and His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life.” (690,693)
  • Philip Yancey: “A person prays, said Augustine, ‘that he himself may be , not that God may be instructed.’ I examine my own erratic prayer life and see it as a time when God has indeed worked to lop off the protuberances and smooth the rough edges. I see defeats and victories both. Like a child who quits badgering a parent, I have sometimes found that I get an answer to my persistent request after I have learned to do without it. The answer then comes as a surprise, an unexpected gift of grace. I seek the gift, find instead the , and eventually come away with the gift I no longer seek.” (Prayer: Does It Really Matter? 154)
  • Ira Stanphill:
    He washed my eyes with tears that I might see, The broken heart I had was good for me;
    He tore it all apart and looked inside,
    He found it full of fear and foolish pride.
    He swept away the things that made me blind And then I saw the clouds were silver lined; And now I understand 'twas best for me
    He washed my eyes with tears that I might see.

“I will do a new thing. . . . I will pour water on those who are thirsty and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.” (Isaiah 43:19/44:3)

Prayer doesn’t change God’s mind— it changes mine. 

Offering for June 7, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Author Melvin Santos Speaking: For many years gardening was often a challenge to us. It seemed like the vegetable plants we planted and cared for preferred to die! We never harvested anything. It was very disappointing. Every year, we would try again but with the same results.

Finally, after watching enough YouTube channels on how to garden successfully, we learned that you need to have the right soil, watering system, and care. So we followed the recommendations. For the first time, we were able to grow tomatoes, kale, and zucchinis. We were amazed to see such a big harvest. Gardening became one of our favorite hobbies in the summer!

One of the things we learned was to plant several dozen varieties of vegetables. Not just one kind! We wanted to produce enough crops so we could share with our neighbors. We were able to do just that this past summer.

The apostle Paul used farming terminology to convey the principles of giving. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6, NKJV). Likewise, remember that when we return our tithes and offerings, every time we give liberally, we are sowing bountifully so we can also reap bountifully. God will multiply the funds we give back to him. His miracles will abound! 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Adventist Seniors of Michiana Meeting June 8

Seniors 55 and up are invited to join the Adventist Seniors of Michiana meeting on Sunday, June 8, for a feast for the eyes as well as a good meal. Daniel Weber, Chair of the Department of Film and Communication at Andrews, will inspire and delight us with "Thousands of of Pictures, Thousands of Stories from around the world: Looking through the lens of a photographer”. Come with a dish to share at the potluck starting at 1:00 PM in the Village Church Fellowship Hall. Call Cheryl Doss at 269-277-0767 with any questions.

Iris Bloom Time

 The iris bloom time has started, the sign is out at 8875 Kephart Lane, Berrien Springs, come see and smell the many iris that will be blooming in the next few weeks. Share with your friends.

Something in Common Sabbath School

Something In Common Sabbath School presents The Five Love Languages DVD series.

  • June 7- Love Language Four: Acts of Service
  • June 14- Love Language Five: Physical Touch
  • June 21- Growing in Love

Everyone is welcome to join us in PMC Room 141 each Sabbath morning from 10:30 - 11:30 AM.

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/.