Are You Ready For Success?

Preaching No.: 01

Key Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9
Other Verses: Deuteronomy 6:3-5; Psalm 1:1-3; Luke 10:25-28
Date Created: 01-01-06

SUCCESS

1. fortunate accomplishment; attainment of desired object, or result; triumph (Pocket Dictionary)
2. an event that accomplishes its intended purpose; "let's call heads a success and tails a failure"; an attainment that is successful; "his new play was a great success"; a state of prosperity or fame; "he is enjoying great success"; "he does not consider wealth synonymous with success"; achiever: a person with a record of successes; "his son would never be the achiever that his father was"; "only winners need apply"; "if you want to be a success you have to dress like a success" (Google Dictionary)
3. Success to me is having ten honeydew melons, and eating only the top half of each one. (Barbra Streisand)
4. Success goes thus invariably with a certain plus or positive power: an ounce of power must balance an ounce of weight. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
5. The more defects a man may have, the older he is, the less lovable, the more resounding his success. (Marquis de Sade)
6. Your success story is a bigger story than whatever you're trying to say on stage.... Success makes life easier. It doesn't make living easier. (Bruce Springsteen)

All of us want to be successful in all that we do. We do things with careful consideration that it could lead us to the path we desire. In a secular distinction, success is perceived as an end towards which all men wants; and should attain before death comes. But what is the real meaning of “success”? Can success cover up all the failures that one had in his past? How much success can God give/allow to His children? Are there any secrets to attain success? Is success really a relative matter? All these and more questions would somehow clear our concept of success. However, amidst these entire enigmas, the big question remains----ARE YOU READY FOR SUCCESS?

God in His ultimate capacity can give us the answers to all our questions about success. Hence, it is also important to really assess ourselves if we are really ready for success. More than how we define success, or how we could be successful in life, God wants to see our heart attitudes concerning this matter. We could have achieved most of the things that we want, or we could be praying to achieve at least some of those. Yet, getting ready for success is not an ordinary way of preparation. We should take into consideration that inasmuch as we live, we continue to achieve and desire more in life. Success is a never-ending issue as long as you live. Death could only measure it through the things that you left. Whether they may be a legendary memoriam or leaving skeletons in your closets----all of these will be taken into account. Moreover, how do we handle the standards that men put up to measure success? Are we giving in, or have given up, or haven’t been prepared for such things?

God revealed the secrets of success through the life of Joshua. When Moses died, Joshua took over to lead the Israelites into the land which God promised to give them. It was a tough job for Joshua, as Moses’ successor, considering all the achievements that Moses did before. Though faced with such difficulty, Joshua showed and acted upon God expectation and instruction. It was really a challenge for someone like Joshua to continue in leading the Israelites at the peak of their journey. But Joshua was prepared for it, for he had the right heart attitude in facing challenges, failures and successes. God’s instructions made Joshua, the man ripe enough for success.

In Joshua 1:1-9, the Bible tells us how God instructed, prepared and revealed the secrets of success to Joshua, being the new leader of the Israelites. During this time, Israelites were left with Joshua, being the chosen successor of Moses. Their journey through different places such as the wilderness made the Israelites become desperate and apathetic to achieve the land that God promised them. Joshua was left for a quest to lead and prepare these people for success. But through God’s grace, Joshua handled this matter very well. Joshua showed what he’s really made of.

In verse 1-5, it tells us about the turnover of leadership from Moses to Joshua. It also tells about how God entrusted the Israelites into Joshua’s leadership (v.2). God also made a recap of the itinerary that they took since the time of Moses until the leadership of the Israelites was transferred to Joshua (v. 3-4). God gave Joshua the same promise of success that He gave to Moses before; it was also the promise that worked for Joshua and the Israelites (v.5).

But how did Joshua manage to succeed despite the challenge of leading the stubborn Israelites? It is because God prepared, instructed and revealed the secrets of success to Joshua; and these made Joshua ready for success. In verse 6-9, we can see how God made Joshua ready for success and why God prepared Joshua for success.

HOW GOD MADE JOSHUA READY FOR SUCCESS:

1. God boosted Joshua’s confidence; and he was encouraged. (v.6-7a)
2. God instructed Joshua to obey and keep the laws He gave to Moses. (v.7-8)
3. God reminded Joshua of His faithfulness to the Israelites in the past. (v.9)

WHAT MADE JOSHUA READY FOR SUCCESS:

1. Assurance of the fulfillment of God’s promise. (v.6b; 9b)
2. Full trust and obedience to God’s instructions. (v.7b-8a)
3. Submission in the will of God (v.8b)

WHY GOD PREPARED JOSHUA FOR SUCCESS:

1. God saw the right attitude of Joshua’s heart. (v.5)
2. God’s will for him was his will and he did not hesitate.
3. To go “all out” for God was already habitual with (Joshua); it is unfailing prerequisite of eternal success.

**This is just an outline of my first preaching experience at DAR Christian Fellowship. Aside from being a worship leader, I also preach there if there are no pastors available. At first, it was so hard. But through God's grace, I was able to make it through. Thank God!! It's very different from my other preachings because of the crowd/congregation that it caters to. I'm used to preach for the youth and young professionals before. And now, God let me experience to preach for the adults and professionals. Thank God for the wisdom, strength, confidence and grace. Enjoy! More of these soon! God bless!