Attitudes for Success
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on Attitudes, Sermons on SuccessDate written: June 23rd, 2007
Scripture ref: Joshua 1:1-9
SUBJECT: Bible Success
TITLE: Attitudes for Success
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we’ll note and study the attitudes that God wanted Joshua to have prior to his entering the land of Canaan. In essence God tells Joshua to do the following 1) Adopt Aplomb, 2) Avoid Anxiety, 3) Accept Assurance.
OBJECTIVE: That each would know God’s formula for spiritual success as it was given to Joshua and be able to apply these principles to our lives so that we may be successful in our Christian walk with God and in our life each day.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Joshua 1:1-9
2. About the Text:
1) It was a time of uncertainty for Israel.
2) Moses had just died and been buried on Mount Pisgah..
3) Joshua had just taken the reins of leadership in Israel.
4) He was to lead the children of Israel through the promised land.
5) To whom was he going to turn? What would he tell the people? Where would he go first? There must have been a million questions going through his mind.
6) Then, God speaks directly to Joshua.
7) He tells Joshua to go over the Jordan and claim the land that God had given to them.
8) He tells Joshua to observe the law and keep it faithfully.
9) He then tells him to 1) be strong and of good courage, 2) be not afraid, neither be dismayed, and 3) the Lord thy God is with thee wherever he goes.
10)In essence he gives Joshua to keys to success.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: If we desire to be spiritually successful we must . . .
I. ADOPT APLOMB
1. The word aplomb signifies an imperturbable or great amount of self confidence.
1) God tells Joshua to be strong.
2) God tells Joshua to be courageous.
3) Courage was something that he would need in facing his enemies.
4) Strength was what he needed to motivate his friends.
5) He would need both to be successful in leading the children of Israel into the land of Canaan.
2. As Christians we need to be courageous.
1) Courage is to be brave or bold in adverse circumstances.
2) We need to be bold, brave, and courageous to speak the truth in the face of opposition.
3) The apostles prayed for such, “And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,” ( Acts 4:29).Paul tells us in Hebrews 13:6 that we can be courageous when we know that the Lord is our helper.
4) Paul often asked for prayers on his behalf so that he would speak boldly.
5) Ephesians 6:19-20 he request prayer for others “And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
3. We also need strength as Christians to live faithfully and encourage our brethren.
1) Ephesians 6:10 states, “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.”
2) Putting on the whole armor of God helps us to be strong.
a. Gird our loins with truth.
b. Breastplate of righteousness.
c. On our feet the preparation of the gospel.
d. Shield of faith.
e. Helmet of salvation.
f. Sword of the Spirit.
3) Strength for the Christian, however, may come from the unlikliest of sources.
4) Consider 2 Corinthians 12:10 “Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
5) We can always be assured, however, that with Christ we can do anything because He strengthens us ( Philippians 4:13).
4. Let us adopt aplomb, an indomitable spirit, with imperturbable confidence.
II. AVOID ANXIETY
1. Anxiety is worrying about things over which we have no control. It leads to fear and dismay.
1) God told Joshua to have no fear and be not dismayed.
2) When we have this kind of fear, we will fail to act.
3) To be dismayed is to be like a deer looking into the headlights.
4) When we have such an attitude, we will be overcome and fail.
2. As Christians we must avoid anxieties.
1) Jesus tells us not to be anxious for food, clothing, and shelter but instead, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” ( Matthew 6:33).
2) Paul would write, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” ( Philippians 4:6).
3. There is a type of fear that we must have, namely, fear of God.
1) Matthew 10:28 “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
2) This is a respectful fear, an awe of One so mighty and powerful.
4. As Christians, however, we are not to fear what man can do to us.
1) Hebrews 13:6 “So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?”
2) 1 Peter 3:14 “But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled;”
3) 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
5. Let us avoid anxieties.
III. ACCEPT ASSURANCE.
1. God assured Joshua.
1) God said that He would be with Joshua wherever he went.
2) What a great assurance knowing that God is on one’s side!
3) The Creator, the Ruler of the Universe, the All Powerful – He is here and present with me!
4) Could Joshua have greater assurance than that?
2. Jesus gave His disciples the same assurance.
1) In Matthew 28:20 Jesus promised to be with His disciples until the end.
2) In John 14:23 Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
3. The churches were also encouraged by God’s present in the first century.
1) Paul says in Philippians 4:9 “The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
2) He wrote in Ephesians 4:6 “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
4. We need to accept God’s assurance that He is with us and get busy doing His will in our lives regardless of what comes our way.
CONCLUSION:
1. God gave Joshua three attitudes for success. If we adopt these attitudes then we will be successful as well.
1) Adopt Aplomb
2) Avoid Anxiety
3) Accept Assurance.
2. Invitation