Scripture Texts: Joshua 5:1-3; 6:1-6
Speaker: Ps. Chia Beng Hock
Date: 14 June 09
INTRODUCTION:
(1) Investment: $950 per franchise – selling
hamburgers.
Ray Kroc: Macdonald’s
Ray Kroc took the step of faith to join the franchise and now he has the Macdonald’s chain and earn billions of dollars.
(2) A “C” grade business concept plan
Fred Smith: Federal Express
Fred Smith, invested his life savings to start the delivery business from small and now his company is one of the top delivery company.
Both Kroc and Smith took risks.
TAKE OFF THE LID AND STEP OUT
3 things required:
(1) Commitment Established
Joshua 5: 1 –3 (Israel Is Circumcised)
1Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel. 2At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”3So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.
(a) Evaluate our relationship with God
- Putting aside risk (circumcision involves pain on the men and as they just cross over Jordan, they need to defend themselves from the enemies), God wanted them to put right their covenant relationship with Him
(b) Repent and Renew our commitment
- Change of mind, heart and direction: turn back to God.
(c) Calculated Risk: Based on our conviction that God can be trusted.
(d) Get right with God so that we can take off the lid and step-out.
(2) Consider the risks
(a) What keep us from taking off the lid and step out?
- Fear of uncertainty
- Fear of failures
- Fear of embarrassment
- Not wanting to step out of our comfort zone
Joshua 6:1-6 (The Conquest of Jericho)
1Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one came in. 2The LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors. 3“You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. 4“Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5“It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead.” 6So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.”
Calculated Risk: Based on our conviction that God can be trusted.
- When we take risk, we are stretching beyond what we think are our limits to achieve desired results.
(3) Consider the results
- Joshua & Caleb (went into the promise land)
- Ruth (followed Naomi)
- Peter (walked on water)
- Paul (risked his life to preach the Gospel)
- Sta (or Santa) Barbara Church, Philippines (situated among the staunch Roman Catholics, threw stones and blast their music at them when the Service start, survived persecution and grew to be one of the strong church)
- Bethel Community Outreach (TCM, Film Outreach, etc.)
- Mentoring (Youth, Young Adults, Young in faith).
Calculated Risk: Based on our conviction that God can be trusted.
Consider the results: The blessings HE has prepared for you!
