North Platte Berean Church
Unity in Action
All over the world today, we can see the 80/20 rule at play, where 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people. It shows up in businesses, in clubs, and sadly…even in the church. But the truth is, there's no such thing as a Christian whose role is just sitting on the sidelines. The church is commonly called "the Body of Christ" because – just like in our physical bodies – Every Part Plays a Part. But how do we find our part to play? And how do we step into it well? Join in as we look at the necessity of Unity in Spirit, which leads to Unity in Serving and Unity in Generosity. Let's not be an 80/20 church, but a body where 100% of us play the part we were designed to play.
Locations & Times
North Platte Berean Church
202 W 8th St, North Platte, NE 69101, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:15 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
ConnectCard
We’d love to connect and be a spiritual resource for you – please fill out a ConnectCard (in seat pocket or npberean.org/cc). If you’re new, bring it to the information center for a welcome gift.
https://npberean.org/ccThe Latest
• Blood Drive: Thu., 8/1, 1-7 p.m.
• Save the Date: Sun., 8/11, Kindergarten Sneak Peek & Sun., 8/18, Kids Connect Kick Off
• New giving provider
For details, see https://npberean.org (scroll down to The Latest).
• Blood Drive: Thu., 8/1, 1-7 p.m.
• Save the Date: Sun., 8/11, Kindergarten Sneak Peek & Sun., 8/18, Kids Connect Kick Off
• New giving provider
For details, see https://npberean.org (scroll down to The Latest).
Office Info
• Hours this week: Mon.- Thu. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed Tue. 12:15-2:30 p.m. for staff meeting)
• Contact us: npberean.org, npberean@npberean.org, 308-532-7448
• Hours this week: Mon.- Thu. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed Tue. 12:15-2:30 p.m. for staff meeting)
• Contact us: npberean.org, npberean@npberean.org, 308-532-7448
New Here?
• Sunday large gatherings: 8, 9:15, 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. (livestream info: npberean.org/live)
• Bibles: available free at information center
• Sound levels: assisted listening devices and earplugs available at sound booth
• PDF bulletin: npberean.org/sundayprint
• Bibles: available free at information center
• Sound levels: assisted listening devices and earplugs available at sound booth
• PDF bulletin: npberean.org/sundayprint
Worship as a Family
• Mother's Room: Care for your baby and still connect to the gathering via livestream – follow signs north of auditorium.
• Children (infant-grade 6): First Look (infant-PreK) available at 9:15 and 11 a.m. – check-in upstairs from foyer. 252 (K-5) and 252 Tween (6th grade) on break for summer. Kids also welcome in large gatherings; activity bags at back of auditorium to help them engage.
• Students (grades 6-12): Sola is on break for summer – will resume in August.
• Children (infant-grade 6): First Look (infant-PreK) available at 9:15 and 11 a.m. – check-in upstairs from foyer. 252 (K-5) and 252 Tween (6th grade) on break for summer. Kids also welcome in large gatherings; activity bags at back of auditorium to help them engage.
• Students (grades 6-12): Sola is on break for summer – will resume in August.
Worship through Prayer
• Summer Prayer Walking: In week 7, we’re praying for repentance on behalf of the city. Check out the prayer prompts at npberean.org/pray.
• Prayer space: Drop in anytime during office hours to pray quietly in the Auditorium.
• This week: Pray for a good wrap-up to the women’s Summer in the Psalms series this Wednesday evening. Ask the Lord to continue growing us as a church in connecting well with each other and welcoming others to join in, too.
• Prayer space: Drop in anytime during office hours to pray quietly in the Auditorium.
• This week: Pray for a good wrap-up to the women’s Summer in the Psalms series this Wednesday evening. Ask the Lord to continue growing us as a church in connecting well with each other and welcoming others to join in, too.
Worship in Song
• Firm Foundation (He Won’t) – Cody Carnes
• Battle Belongs– Phil Wickham
• Here I Am to Worship – The Worship Initiative
• Death Was Arrested – Aaron Shust
• Battle Belongs– Phil Wickham
• Here I Am to Worship – The Worship Initiative
• Death Was Arrested – Aaron Shust
Worship by Giving
• Sunday: Use wooden boxes by auditorium doors.
• Online: npberean.org/give
• Text: Text any amount to 84321.
• Mail: 202 W. 8th St., North Platte, NE 69101
• Online: npberean.org/give
• Text: Text any amount to 84321.
• Mail: 202 W. 8th St., North Platte, NE 69101
This Week's Sermon: Unity in Action
John Stott's Church Dream:
Biblical Church
I have a dream of a church which is a biblical church—
which is loyal in every particular to the revelation of God in Scripture,
whose pastors expound Scripture with integrity and relevance,
and so seek to present every member mature in Christ,
whose people love the word of God,
and adorn it with an obedient and Christ-like life,
which is preserved from all unbiblical emphases,
whose whole life manifests the health and beauty of biblical balance.
I have a dream of a biblical church.
Worshipping Church
I have a dream of a church which is a worshipping church—
whose people come together to meet God and worship him,
who know God is always in their midst
and who bow down before him in great humility,
who regularly frequent the table of the Lord Jesus,
to celebrate his mighty act of redemption on the cross,
who enrich the worship with their musical skills,
who believe in prayer and lay hold of God in prayer,
whose worship is expressed not in Sunday services and prayer gatherings only
but also in their homes, their weekday work and the common things of life.
I have a dream of a worshipping church.
Caring Church
I have a dream of a church which is a caring church—
whose congregation is drawn from many races, nations, ages and social backgrounds,
and exhibits the unity and diversity of the family of God,
whose fellowship is warm and welcoming,
and never marred by anger, selfishness, jealousy or pride,
whose members love one another with a pure heart fervently,
forbearing one another, forgiving one another, and bearing one another’s burdens,
which offers friendship to the lonely, support to the weak,
and acceptance to those who are despised and rejected by society,
whose love spills over to the world outside—
attractive, infectious, irresistible, the love of God himself.
I have a dream of a caring church.
Serving Church
I have a dream of a church which is a serving church—
which has seen Christ as the Servant
and has heard his call to be a servant too,
which is delivered from self-interest, turned inside out,
and giving itself selflessly to the service of others,
whose members obey Christ’s command to live in the world,
to permeate secular society, to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world,
whose people share the good news of Jesus
simply, naturally and enthusiastically with their friends,
which diligently serves its own parish, residents and workers,
families and single people, nationals and immigrants, old folk and little children,
which is alert to the changing needs of society,
sensitive and flexible enough to keep adapting its program to serve more usefully,
which has a global vision
and is constantly challenging its young people to give their lives in service,
and constantly sending its people out to serve.
I have a dream of a serving church.
Expectant Church
I have a dream of a church which is an expectant church—
whose members can never settle down in material affluence or comfort,
because they remember that they are strangers and pilgrims on earth,
which is all the more faithful and active
because it is waiting and looking for its Lord to return,
which keeps the flame of the Christian hope burning brightly
in a dark, despairing world,
which on the day of Christ will not shrink from him in shame,
but rise up joyfully to greet him.
I have a dream of an expectant church.
Expanded in John Stott's book The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor (IVP, 2011).
Biblical Church
I have a dream of a church which is a biblical church—
which is loyal in every particular to the revelation of God in Scripture,
whose pastors expound Scripture with integrity and relevance,
and so seek to present every member mature in Christ,
whose people love the word of God,
and adorn it with an obedient and Christ-like life,
which is preserved from all unbiblical emphases,
whose whole life manifests the health and beauty of biblical balance.
I have a dream of a biblical church.
Worshipping Church
I have a dream of a church which is a worshipping church—
whose people come together to meet God and worship him,
who know God is always in their midst
and who bow down before him in great humility,
who regularly frequent the table of the Lord Jesus,
to celebrate his mighty act of redemption on the cross,
who enrich the worship with their musical skills,
who believe in prayer and lay hold of God in prayer,
whose worship is expressed not in Sunday services and prayer gatherings only
but also in their homes, their weekday work and the common things of life.
I have a dream of a worshipping church.
Caring Church
I have a dream of a church which is a caring church—
whose congregation is drawn from many races, nations, ages and social backgrounds,
and exhibits the unity and diversity of the family of God,
whose fellowship is warm and welcoming,
and never marred by anger, selfishness, jealousy or pride,
whose members love one another with a pure heart fervently,
forbearing one another, forgiving one another, and bearing one another’s burdens,
which offers friendship to the lonely, support to the weak,
and acceptance to those who are despised and rejected by society,
whose love spills over to the world outside—
attractive, infectious, irresistible, the love of God himself.
I have a dream of a caring church.
Serving Church
I have a dream of a church which is a serving church—
which has seen Christ as the Servant
and has heard his call to be a servant too,
which is delivered from self-interest, turned inside out,
and giving itself selflessly to the service of others,
whose members obey Christ’s command to live in the world,
to permeate secular society, to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world,
whose people share the good news of Jesus
simply, naturally and enthusiastically with their friends,
which diligently serves its own parish, residents and workers,
families and single people, nationals and immigrants, old folk and little children,
which is alert to the changing needs of society,
sensitive and flexible enough to keep adapting its program to serve more usefully,
which has a global vision
and is constantly challenging its young people to give their lives in service,
and constantly sending its people out to serve.
I have a dream of a serving church.
Expectant Church
I have a dream of a church which is an expectant church—
whose members can never settle down in material affluence or comfort,
because they remember that they are strangers and pilgrims on earth,
which is all the more faithful and active
because it is waiting and looking for its Lord to return,
which keeps the flame of the Christian hope burning brightly
in a dark, despairing world,
which on the day of Christ will not shrink from him in shame,
but rise up joyfully to greet him.
I have a dream of an expectant church.
Expanded in John Stott's book The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor (IVP, 2011).
________ ____________ a ___________?
(Who, plays, part)
(Who, plays, part)
______ do we _________ a ________?
(How, play, part)
(How, play, part)
How do we play a part?
1. Corporate Devotion
(To things of FIRST importance)
1. Corporate Devotion
(To things of FIRST importance)
_______ ___________ a __________?
(Why, play, part)
(Why, play, part)
How do we play a part?
1. Corporate Devotion
2. Unusual Generosity
1. Corporate Devotion
2. Unusual Generosity
2023-24 Budget: $980,000
2023-24 Given YTD: $1,020,000
2023-24 Given YTD: $1,020,000
2024-25 Budget: $1,080,000
2024-25 Missions Budget: $216,000 (20%)
2024-25 Missions Budget: $216,000 (20%)
How do we play a part?
1. Corporate Devotion
2. Unusual Generosity
3. Grateful & Unified Hearts
1. Corporate Devotion
2. Unusual Generosity
3. Grateful & Unified Hearts
Beyond Sunday
Growing with Jesus isn’t just for Sundays. Make it an everyday, everywhere, with everyone mission by going “beyond Sunday”!
Engage in these resources on your own and with your Grow Group*, family, or a friend:
Grow
• Reflect on the biblical meaning of “fellowship” with this short GotQuestions.org article: npberean.org/beyond8.
• To gain context for today’s passage, read this BibleProject article: npberean.org/beyond9.
Share
• Today’s passage tells of the radical generosity of Jesus’ followers. Consider one (even small) way you could be generous toward another person this week. Then commit to do it!
• Summarize Acts 2:42-47 in your own words. What’s one part of this that you can live out more fully through your words or actions this week?
Connect
• How can what we learned today help you and others be devoted to the same things the early church was? What would that look like practically?
• Why were the corporate devotion and radical generosity of the early church so attractive to outsiders? In what ways are we as the people of NP Berean similarly attractive (or could be)?
* Connecting in community with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth. Explore group options at npberean.org/gg
Growing with Jesus isn’t just for Sundays. Make it an everyday, everywhere, with everyone mission by going “beyond Sunday”!
Engage in these resources on your own and with your Grow Group*, family, or a friend:
Grow
• Reflect on the biblical meaning of “fellowship” with this short GotQuestions.org article: npberean.org/beyond8.
• To gain context for today’s passage, read this BibleProject article: npberean.org/beyond9.
Share
• Today’s passage tells of the radical generosity of Jesus’ followers. Consider one (even small) way you could be generous toward another person this week. Then commit to do it!
• Summarize Acts 2:42-47 in your own words. What’s one part of this that you can live out more fully through your words or actions this week?
Connect
• How can what we learned today help you and others be devoted to the same things the early church was? What would that look like practically?
• Why were the corporate devotion and radical generosity of the early church so attractive to outsiders? In what ways are we as the people of NP Berean similarly attractive (or could be)?
* Connecting in community with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth. Explore group options at npberean.org/gg
Next Week's Sermon
In the first half of Romans, Paul laid out the foundations of the gospel (ch. 1-4) and the fruit it bears in our lives (ch. 5-8). He ended in the highest heights, delighting in the gifts we have through faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit. Adoption into God's family. Future glory to which our present sufferings pale in comparison. And the assurance that NOTHING can separate us from God's love – it's a covenant he has made with us through the death and resurrection of his Son!
But wait…didn't God make promises to Israel, who were also his covenant people? And not all Israel received Jesus, so did God's covenant fail? How are we to think about this – about Israel, about God's faithfulness? As Paul addresses these questions, he seems to hold God's election (choosing) in tension with human responsibility (to choose God)…how do we make sense of that? Above all, can we really trust that God is faithful, even when we're struggling to see it? (Spoiler: we absolutely can!)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+9%3A1-13&version=ESVBut wait…didn't God make promises to Israel, who were also his covenant people? And not all Israel received Jesus, so did God's covenant fail? How are we to think about this – about Israel, about God's faithfulness? As Paul addresses these questions, he seems to hold God's election (choosing) in tension with human responsibility (to choose God)…how do we make sense of that? Above all, can we really trust that God is faithful, even when we're struggling to see it? (Spoiler: we absolutely can!)