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North Platte Berean Church

Rationalization

Do Christians need to bother studying the Old Testament? How can Israel's history even be relevant for us today? Join us as we dig into the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel and discover a shocking truth – just as Israel longed for a king, we actually still long for a king to rule over our hearts today! Of course, for many of us, the king on the throne is ourselves. But what kind of king is actually good for us? What does the heart of that king need to be like? How can we find a king who will truly protect, love, and serve us? Join us as we explore these questions!

Locations & Times

202 W 8th St, North Platte, NE 69101, USA

Sunday 9:00 AM

Sunday 11:00 AM

Sunday 6:00 PM

Welcome!

We'd love to connect with you, pray for you, and answer your questions – please fill out a ConnectCard at npberean.org/cc (or use paper copy from the seat pocket in front of you).

http://npberean.org/cc

New Here?

• Large gatherings: Sundays 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m. • ConnectCard: Bring to information center in foyer for free cookies! • Sound levels: Assisted listening devices and earplugs available at sound booth in back of auditorium. • Find out more: Visit information center in foyer, go to npberean.org, email npberean@npberean.org, or call 308-532-7448.

For New Families

• Mother's Room: A private room where you can care for your baby and still listen in on the gathering – north of auditorium (follow signs). • Kids Connect (infant-5th grade): Check-in upstairs from foyer. Kids also welcome in large gatherings; activity bags available in back of auditorium. • Sola (6th-12th grade): Main gatherings Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Garage Café (across Vine St.). Middle school also meets Sundays at 11 a.m. upstairs.

Giving at NPBC

• On Sunday: place cash or checks in wooden boxes at back of auditorium • Online: npberean.org/give • Text: text any amount to 84321 • Mail: 202 W. 8th St., North Platte, NE 69101

Creating Spaces

We believe that by 2022, through God’s grace and power, we will see 2,000 people baptized and growing in relationship with Jesus through the Word, prayer, and community. One key step? Creating spaces to reach more faces. Find out more:

http://npberean.org/creating-spaces

Coming Up

See the weekly announcements on our web site, Facebook, or Twitter:

http://npberean.org/announcements/

Talk It Over

For questions to reflect on the sermon and discuss with your Grow Group, visit:

http://npberean.org/group-resources/

Let's Read the Bible Together (March)

Read Plan

1 Samuel 15:1-35

Sometimes God commands hard things

1 Samuel 15:1-3

Genesis 12:3

Deuteronomy 25:17-19

Exodus 34:6-7

Luke 6:27-28

Hebrews 13:4

And then please hear me when I say as graciously as I can: we Africans are not children in need of western enlightenment when it comes to the church’s sexual ethics. We do not need to hear a progressive U.S. bishop lecture us about our need to 'grow up.' Let me assure you we Africans, whether we have liked it or not, have had to engage in this debate for many years now. We stand with the global church, not a culturally liberal, church elite, in the U.S. We stand with our Filipino friends! We stand with our sisters and brothers in Europe and Russia! And yes, we stand with our allies in America. We stand with farmers in Zambia, tech workers in Nairobi, Sunday School teachers in Nigeria, biblical scholars in Liberia, pastors in the Congo, United Methodist Women in Cote d’Ivoire, and thousands of other. United Methodists all across Africa who have heard no compelling reasons for changing our sexual ethics, our teachings on marriage, and our ordination standards! We are grounded in God’s word and the gracious and clear teachings of our church. On that we will not yield! Unfortunately, some United Methodists in the U.S. have the very faulty assumption that all Africans are concerned about is US financial support. Well, I am sure, being sinners like all of you, some Africans are fixated on money. But with all due respect a fixation on money seems more of an American problem than an African one. We get by on far less than most Americans do; we know how to do it. I'm not so sure you do. So if anyone is so naïve or condescending as to think we would sell our birth right in Jesus Christ for American dollars, then they simply do not know us. We are seriously joyful in following Jesus Christ and God’s holy word to us in the Bible. And in truth, we think many people in the U.S. and in parts of Europe could learn a great deal from us. Please understand me when I say the vast majority of African United Methodists will never, ever trade Jesus and the truth of the Bible for money. Amen.

Dr. Jerry P. Kulah

1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 15:29, 1 Samuel 15:35

James 1:17

Hebrews 13:8

Malachi 3:6

We naturally rationalize disobedience

Partial Obedience
Blame-shifting
Justifying the means by the ends

North Platte Berean Church

Rationalization

Locations & Times

Welcome!

Creating Spaces

Coming Up

Talk It Over

Let's Read the Bible Together (March)

1 Samuel 15:1-35

1 Samuel 15:1-3

Genesis 12:3

Deuteronomy 25:17-19

Exodus 34:6-7

Luke 6:27-28

Hebrews 13:4

1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 15:29, 1 Samuel 15:35

James 1:17

Hebrews 13:8

Malachi 3:6

1 Samuel 15:13-21

Genesis 3:12-13

1 Samuel 15:22-30

James 1:14-15

Romans 5:19