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 2 of a 3 Part Series
Saturday, May 18, 2013

More In This Series

05/11/2013
Part 1 of a 3 Part Series
06/01/2013
Part 3 of a 3 Part Series

“The Prayer: ‘I Will Do a New Thing’”

www.pmchurch.tv

  • □  Isaiah 43:19; 44:3
    •   God: “I will do a new thing . . . for I will pour water on those who are and My Spirit on your children.” (Isaiah 43:19; 44:3)
    •   Sons of Korah: “Just like a deer that streams of water, my whole being you, God. My whole being for God, for the living God. When will I come and see God’s face?” (Psalm 42:1, 2 CEB)
    •   Ellen White: “Let your heart for the longing it has for God, for the living God.” (Christ’s Object Lessons 149)
    •   Janet Ledesma: “Thus, my prayer for us today is that our for God may never

      cease to be unquenchable.” (5-13-13 email)

  • □  Isaiah 66:8
    •   God calls His people “Zion” in the Old Testament and “” in the New

      Testament—they are the “called out” or “chosen” ones.

    •   What God is declaring through Isaiah 66:8 is that as soon as Zion (the church) is in travail or in

      labor, she will give birth to her .

    •   I.e., a new spiritual generation of children will not be birthed without or

      laboring in the church.

    •   Paul: “My little children, for whom I in birth again until Christ is formed in you.”

      (Galatians 4:19)

      • NLT: “But oh, my dear children! I feel as if I am going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.” (Galatians 4:19)
    •    for the revival of a university is like going through labor pains—it is “travailing” or before God on behalf of the young.
    •   But unless the community of faith invests significant spiritual energy to labor before God on their behalf, a new generation will not be spiritually .
    •   A prayer will not deliver a single child.
    •   Wesley Duewel: “The great need of our world, our nation, and our churches is people who know

      how to prevail in prayer. Moments of pious wishes blandly expressed to God once or twice a day will bring little change on earth or among the people. Kind thoughts expressed to Him in five or six sentences, after reading a paragraph or two of mildly religious sentiments once a day from some devotional writing, will not bring the kingdom of God to earth or shake the gates of hell and repel the attacks of evil on our culture and our civilization [and our ]. . . . Prevailing prayer is holy work, fervent labor.” (Mighty Prevailing Prayer 20, 21)

    • o Isaiah 43:22
    •   John Polkinghorne’s laser beam analogy
    •   Ellen White: “We are encouraged to pray for success, with the divine assurance that our prayers

      will be heard and answered. ‘If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matthew 18:19, 20). ‘Ask of Me, and I will answer your requests.’ The promise is made on condition that the prayers of the church are offered, and in answer to these prayers there may be expected a power than that which comes in answer to private prayer. The power given will be proportionate to the unity of the members and their love for God and for one another.” (9MR 303)

    •   “I will join you in praying every day this summer for God to fulfill His promise to do ‘a new thing’ in our midst this coming school year.”

      Travail and Prevail with Jesus 

Offering for May 16, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

Our churches should be sanctuaries, places of safety, not only in their physical structure but also in their psychological and spiritual atmosphere. Every person who enters, whether a regular attendee or a visitor, should feel genuinely welcomed and valued. We must be careful not to judge or criticize others based on appearances or perceived shortcomings. The church is not a place for the perfect—it is a hospital for sinners in need of healing and grace. Kathryn Davis, host of the Magnify podcast and seminary teacher, reminds us that “hiding our imperfections or harshly judging ourselves or others for those imperfections can be [harmful] to our mental health.”1

Jesus Himself faced criticism for spending time with sinners. His response was clear: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17, NIV).

As a church, our mission is to reflect Christ’s love and create a space where people can grow in faith without fear of rejection. Jesus was patient and kind, while Satan, the “accuser of the brethren,” seeks to bring shame and make us feel unworthy. Yet, Jesus reassures us, just as He did the woman condemned by the Pharisees: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no
more” (John 8:11, NKJV).

As we return our offerings today, let us also recommit to supporting a church that embodies Christ’s love—a safe and welcoming home for all.

1 https://www.ldsliving.com/how-to-make-our-church-communities-the-safest-place-to-make mistakes/s/11798

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Something in Common Sabbath School

Join us for the “Love Like You Mean It” Series! Sessions will be held in the Pioneer Commons each Sabbath morning from 10:30 to 11:30. Everyone is welcome!

  • March 28: Session One - Everything Minus Love = Nothing
  • April 11: Session Two - Love is Patient
  • April 18: Session Three - Love is Kind
  • April 25: Session Four - Love is Humble
  • May 2: Session Five - Love is Generous
  • May 9: Session Six - Love is Easy Going
  • May 23: Session Seven - Love is Virtuous
  • May 30: Session Eight - Love is Honest
  • June 6: Session Nine - Love is Tenacious
  • June 13: Session Ten - Love Never Fails