Did you lose something? Or someone? Come hear Frank Hasel, from the Biblical Research Institute, share his story of loss on October 25 at 6 PM at the AFM Training Center, Morgan Hall. 10652 Rangeline Road, Berrien Springs. Refreshments will be served after the presentation, and books will be available for purchase (cash only). Sponsored by Caring Hearts and Pioneer Women's Ministries.
How To Quantify Your Happiness
How To Quantify Your Happiness: Mutiny on the Bountiful
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight 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
More In This Series
“How to Quantify Your Happiness: Mutiny on the Bountiful”
- □ “Mutiny on the Bounty”—The Tale
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□ “Mutiny on the Bountiful—The Truth
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Luke 12:16—“The of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.”
Psalm 24:1—“The is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the , and all who live in it.”
- Psalm 50:12—“The is Mine, and that is in it.”
- “He’s Got the Whole in His Hands.”
- “ gave a certain rich man an abundant harvest.”
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David Redding: “You and I are rich beyond the wildest dreams of most [people] on
earth—rich in groceries with freezers full of fresh vegetables right out of the garden in January, rich in health with magic immunity, miracle medicines and fabulous hospitals filled with Florence Nightingales for T.L.C. We are rich in hundreds of gasoline horses faster and far more comfortable than any camel—rich in houses with huge staffs of mechanical servants to do the laundry and the dishes and furnish whatever weather we wish inside. This parable begins with a little bit of our own autobiography. ‘The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully.’” (The Parables He Told 127)
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Luke 12:16-19— times through the first person pronoun this rich man takes all the credit.
It is no more a sin to be , than it is a virtue to be .
- Jesus neither condemned , nor did He commend .
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Deuteronomy 8:10-14—“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your
God for the good land He has given you. Otherwise your heart will become
and you will the LORD your God who redeemed you.”
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Luke 12:20, 21
David Redding: “This parable is very sad, but sad to shock us into happiness—to make us stop and take stock as the shadows lengthen over our lives. I think it is agreed that Americans are not so bad. But the question this story raises is not are we good or evil, but are we squandering eternity for a pocketful of pleasure.” (130-131).
- Christ’s Object Lessons: “To live for self is to perish. Covetousness, the desire of benefit for self’s sake, cuts the soul off from life. It is the spirit of Satan to get, to draw to self. It is the spirit of Christ to , to self for the good of others.” (259)
- isthemostpowerfulantidotethereisforselfishness/covetousness.
- Ellen White: “Continual starves covetousness to death.” (3T 548)
- So if you want to be “rich toward God,” if you want to be like God, .
- The 90 Day Tithe Challenge/The 90 Day 2nd Tithe Challenge
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2 Corinthians 8:9—“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was
, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become .”
“Be rich toward Me, even as I have been rich toward you.”
“The Mutiny on the Bounty” and the PitcairnJesus: “Be rich toward God”
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Luke 12:16—“The of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.”
What does it really mean to follow Jesus?
This weekend, we’ll explore the heart of discipleship—what it truly means to walk with Jesus through life’s highs and lows. Through the ups and downs that define student life today—academic stress, identity questions, friendships, family tension, and digital noise—we’ll explore what following Christ really looks like. Not in theory, but in real life. In your life.
Jesus said, “Follow Me.” That’s more than a call—it’s a collision with everything else competing for your attention. It’s not about perfect performance or polished faith. It’s a radical invitation to walk with Jesus wherever He leads, no matter the cost. And it will cost you. Comfort. Control. Maybe even popularity. But what you gain is far greater—life with the King, purpose that doesn't fade, and hope that holds in every storm.
The question is not just, “Is He calling?”
The question is: How will you respond?
Please join Pioneer and GYC for a special weekend series October 24 and 25 to learn more.
Church offices will be closed for the Columbus Day Holiday on Monday October 13.
We are launching our Graduate/Young Professional Sabbath School on October 18th. The class will be held in the Student Center's leadership lab. If you have any questions contact Chaplain Jacob Gibbs.
Andrews Academy invites you to ALUMNI WEEKEND, October 17-19, 2025. Come and reunite with your AA family. Remember the defining moments of your past and reconnect with old friends. We look forward to seeing all of you once again at our Alumni Reunion! (All are invited, this year’s honored classes end in 5 and 0).
Please, support the AA Freshman class by ordering pupusas and more by October 17th. Pupusas freeze well! Order for future dinners!!!
Do you love serving children? If so please prayerfully consider joining the Pioneer Youth Mission team of college students and church members. We will be serving at the Hogar de Niños in Honduras from January 2-12, 2026. Question, contact Scott Schalk or Glenn Russell at glenn@andrews.edu
On Sunday, October 26, beginning at 9 am in Johnson Gym, 400 people will have the opportunity to help pack 7,000 bags for our Christmas Behind Bars event. Join us for this fast-paced, fun, and family-friendly event sponsored by Pioneer Memorial Church and Andrews University. Use this link to sign up: https://forms.gle/H9pHrvudPiex8yns5 (Your presence and invitation to others helps to support our strategic initiatives for PIONEER.)
Michigan Radio Ministries
In the parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus talks about a person who was poor spiritually because he invested in the wrong things in life. Despite his worldly affluence, he is deemed spiritually impoverished because he hoards wealth for self-gratification, while neglecting to invest in God’s kingdom.
Jesus concludes the parable with a warning, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:13-21, NKJV). So, the key is to be rich toward God? How do we do that? It means treasuring what He treasures: our relationship with Him and others, love and compassion for hurting human beings, and a heart that seeks to do good and be generous.
Paul echoes this sentiment in 1 Timothy 6:18, urging believers "to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." This is not just about charitable acts or monetary donations, but rather about an attitude of generosity that permeates all aspects of our lives, reflecting God's own generosity towards us.
Remember, we are most like God when we are generous with our money and our actions. What has God given you to invest in others?
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
One of the most significant problems people face today is loneliness. Even though they live in nice houses and drive new cars, people are alone inside their homes and cry inside their cars. There are many problems with alcoholism in American families, and the pressures of social media on young people are getting stronger. No one shows who they really are; everyone is taught to create a facade that makes them appear happier and more complete, but the reality is that people are becoming increasingly depressed and anxious. The two nights of preaching with Pastor Alejandro Bullón will bring messages to the heart about how Jesus is the only solution to American society's problems and today's world. There is no other way out but the word of God. There is no one else but Christ to bring true peace and security to our lives. He is the only one who can take us out of a life of loneliness and connect us with him and other people who live for him.
Please join us at Pioneer on October 17 at 7:00 PM and on October 18 at 5:30 PM. (Programs will be in Spanish with translation via App, please bring your smart phone and headphones if you will need translation).