“HOW DOES THE GOSPEL FIT?”

>>>Thanking NHA (families/staff)

>>>NHA is a valued ministry of NHBC

>>>“North Henry Academy exists as a ministry of North Henry Baptist Church to partner with parents to provide an excellent, quality, Christ-centered education.”

*This is the NHA mission statement-how NHA teaches/leads/operates. It is the guiding factor.

>>>Struggled in what to say but then reflected on this statement, what NHA is to the church, the year it has been, and the environment NHA has.

A YEAR OF SUCCESS

>>>This year has had successes.

*Graduating 4 seniors (able to give spiritual retreat)

*New teachers (helped w/5th grade)

*Year has operated smoothly.

*Inaugural year of a track team

*First time combined chapel-all staff/students able to worship

A YEAR OF CHALLENGE

>>>The year has also provided challenges.

*Still looking/praying for a principal

*Discipline

*Seeing the struggles of students/families (grades/life challenges-all aspects of life)

>>>In all these things, how does the gospel fit?

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>>>Paul wrote this letter to a group of believers who were facing both success and challenge, and he takes up the first three chapters laying out what it means to be a Christian.

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

>>>This verse is understood by looking at five key words-unashamed, gospel, power, salvation, believes.

*(not) ashamed-Paul was bold w/the gospel.

*gospel-good news; the good news that Jesus came, died for our sins, and rose again! He has brought hope.

*power-might/strength; the gospel is the power of God. Only God can make it work.

*We all seem to fall under a mindset that we are ok/good people.

*(Illust.) Man in Mexico-watching baseball camp w/village.

*I was told we were doing a good thing for the village-we were going to Heaven bc of baseball camp.

*He says that he doesn’t believe in anything-just tries to be a good person.

*This is a LIE-no one is good.

*Jesus says that murderers will be condemned-and those who have anger; those who cheat on spouse-and those w/lust; all of us will give an account for every careless word spoken.

*NONE are good. We are all sinners/cannot be saved by our own power. God is able to save through the good news of Jesus-showing us our sin, dying on the cross, and rising again.

*salvation-deliverance; being delivered from our sin.

*believes-not believing something is real; believing means to trust in, follow, live by. Believing the gospel is to have a changed life that now lives for Jesus.

*The Bible never says “be a Christian”. Jesus says “follow Me.” The Bible says “be reconciled to God.”

>>>God is able to save us through the good news of Jesus if we follow Him.

>>>This is how the gospel fits. We can celebrate God’s provision/blessing in success but have hope in challenge.

*Our teachers are loving not because they are good people, but because they are bad people who have been changed by the gospel.

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>>>There are those here who have never placed faith in Christ. Today is the day to do that.

*No greater decision.

*Fathers: no greater thing for fam.

*Students: no greater joy/life.

>>>Who in here is hearing the gospel saying “I want to follow Jesus”?

>>>The Bible says that if you believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and confess Him as the Lord you will be saved.

*In your heart you want to follow Christ, and you express that to Him.

*No fancy prayer/words-just meeting w/your Creator.