Heartland Events
November 22, 2020 Sunday
8:30 am – 9:35 am Worship Service
9:50 am – 11:00 am Sunday School
10:00 am – 11:05 am Worship Service
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Biblical Studies
November 23, 2020 Monday
9:00 am – 10:00 am Grandmas in Prayer
November 24, 2020 Tuesday
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Celebrate Recovery
November 25, 2020 Wednesday
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Thanksgiving Svc.
November 26, 2020 Thursday
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Office Closed
November 27, 2020 Friday
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Office Closed
November 28, 2020 Saturday
7:00 am – 9:00 am Biblical Studies
November 29, 2020 Sunday
8:30 am – 9:35 am Worship Service
9:50 am – 11:00 am Sunday School
10:00 am – 11:05 am Worship Service
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Biblical Studies
Want to print the sermon notes? Here is the PDF printable version:
https://storage.snappages.site/P7SC73/assets/files/20-11-22-The-Advance-of-the-Kingdom-outl-24.pdf
The Advance of the Kingdom
David Livingstone was born into poverty, working 14-hour days starting when he was ten years old (6am-8pm). Thru hard work, he became a doctor and felt called to the serve the Lord as a medical missionary to Africa. There he pressed into uncharted territory, the interior of Africa, preaching the Gospel wherever he went. For six years he lost contact with the outside world, only to be found by Henry Stanley (“Dr. Livingstone, I presume.”).
Livingstone was to Africa what John the Baptist was to first-century Israel, a voice in the wilderness blazing a trail for Jesus as the Messiah. The only thing lacking in becoming all God wants us to be is all-out commitment!
Four Essentials in Fulfilling Your Potential:
Work Thru Your
“When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” —Matthew 11:2-3
Difficult trials bring doubts which can get the best of us. John asked questions and was determined to find the truth.
Jesus told John’s disciples to report what they saw and heard. When we have doubts, we are wise to look carefully at those around us who’ve been transformed by Christ. And we should look at the evidence like Lee Strobel does in The Case for Christ.
Aspire to
“I tell you the truth, among those born of women, there has not rise anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” —Matthew 11:11
“For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been.’” Don’t let this be said of you! Invest in the things that are eternal: God, people, and the Word of God.
John the Baptist lived with conviction and self-denial.
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” —Mark 8:34
Listen for
“This is the one about whom it is written, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’” —Matthew 11:10
God speaks to us all the time, but often we aren’t listening.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
“When they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking thru you.” —Matthew 10:19-20
Be
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it.” —Matthew 11:12
Our enemy is far deadlier than any earthly army. We daily face Satan and his legions of demons who will take advantage of any weakness they can find.
Daily pray for a hedge of protection (Job 1:10). Daily wield the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). Be willing to take a risk for the kingdom of God. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure…than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” Teddy Roosevelt.
When David Livingstone decided to marry in his early 30s, he longed for an English soulmate, but the pickings were few in faraway Africa. Eventually he felt led to Mary, the daughter of another missionary, whom he described as “a matter of fact lady, a little thick, black-haired girl, sturdy, and all I want.”
David & Mary soon fell fast in love. Although they were often separated for long periods of time, he wrote her passionate love letters which she treasured to the end of her life. Truly when we seek first the kingdom of God,
“all these things will be added unto you.” —Matthew 6:33