EXCEEDING GREATNESS

TITLE: EXCEEDING GREATNESS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Genesis 26:12-14
"Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year a hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great."

Supporting Texts:
Psalm 75:6-7
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Proverbs 10:22
1 Peter 5:6
Genesis 12:2

INTRODUCTION:
Exceeding greatness is a dimension of divine upliftment and blessing that surpasses human effort and expectation. It is the kind of greatness that only God can give, and it manifests when a person aligns with God's purpose, walks in obedience, and experiences His divine favour. Isaac, the son of Abraham, is an outstanding example of a man who transitioned from being great to becoming exceedingly great by the hand of God. This sermon will explore how God makes a man great, using Isaac’s story as a focal point to understand the principles of divine promotion.

1. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF EXCEEDING GREATNESS
True greatness comes from God, and He alone has the power to elevate a person beyond their natural ability.

a) Divine Source of Greatness:
God is the one who promotes and lifts individuals to new levels of greatness (Psalm 75:6-7).

b) Covenant Blessings:
Isaac's greatness was rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, showing that greatness is tied to God’s promises (Genesis 17:4-5).

c) Obedience Unlocks Greatness:
Isaac obeyed God by staying in Gerar during the famine, and this act of obedience positioned him for divine favour (Genesis 26:2-3).

d) God's Sovereign Timing:
God’s timing is key to greatness. He lifts individuals according to His perfect plan (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

e) Blessings Beyond Human Effort:
Isaac’s hundredfold harvest during a time of famine was an act of divine intervention, proving that God's blessing can surpass natural conditions (Genesis 26:12).

Biblical Example:
The story of Abraham's journey is an example of how God elevates a man to greatness by covenant and divine favour (Genesis 12:2).

2. THE PROCESS OF BECOMING GREAT
Greatness in God often comes through a process, which involves sowing, growing, and trusting in His guidance.

a) Sowing in Obedience:
Isaac sowed in the land of Gerar despite the famine, demonstrating trust in God's provision (Genesis 26:12).

b) Moving Forward:
Isaac did not remain stagnant but continued to grow and move forward in faith and action (Genesis 26:13).

c) Persistent Faith:
Even when faced with challenges such as disputes over wells, Isaac kept moving forward in faith, knowing that God's favour was with him (Genesis 26:19-22).

d) Continuous Growth:
Isaac didn’t settle for small beginnings but experienced continuous growth, going from great to very great, and then to exceedingly great (Genesis 26:13).

e) God's Hand of Favour:
It was the hand of God that caused Isaac to prosper in everything he did, making his greatness evident to all (Genesis 26:14).

Biblical Example:
Joseph’s rise to greatness followed a process of challenges and tests before he was lifted to a position of influence and authority (Genesis 41:39-41).

3. GOD’S BLESSINGS MAKE A MAN EXCEEDINGLY GREAT
God’s blessing adds no sorrow and leads to overwhelming increase, positioning His people for undeniable greatness.

a) Divine Prosperity:
Isaac’s wealth and possessions multiplied, not by human effort alone but by the divine favour of God (Genesis 26:14).

b) Becoming a Testimony:
Isaac became so great that even his enemies, the Philistines, envied him. His greatness became evident to the world around him (Genesis 26:14-16).

c) Influence and Dominion:
Exceeding greatness brings influence. Isaac had so much dominion that Abimelech, the king of Gerar, sought a peace treaty with him (Genesis 26:26-29).

d) Overflowing Blessings:
When God blesses a man, the blessings overflow to others, as Isaac’s wealth and influence impacted the entire region (Genesis 26:22).

e) Peace Amidst Greatness:
Despite his greatness, Isaac’s greatness was marked by peace, as God gave him rest from his adversaries (Genesis 26:22).

Biblical Example:
Solomon’s exceeding greatness and wealth were a direct result of God’s blessing and favour (1 Kings 10:23-25).

4. GREATNESS DOESN'T COME WITHOUT CHALLENGES
Exceeding greatness often attracts opposition, but God gives the grace to overcome.

a) Jealousy from Others:
Isaac's greatness led to envy and opposition from the Philistines, who sought to stop his progress (Genesis 26:14-15).

b) Overcoming Strife:
Isaac faced disputes over the wells he dug, but he did not let contention stop him from pressing forward (Genesis 26:19-21).

c) Persistence Leads to Rehoboth:
Isaac’s persistence eventually led to Rehoboth, where God made room for him, and he prospered without opposition (Genesis 26:22).

d) Trusting God in Difficult Times:
Isaac trusted God even in the face of difficulties, knowing that God’s promise of greatness was certain (Genesis 26:24).

e) God's Intervention in Conflicts:
God appeared to Isaac, assuring him of His protection and greatness despite the opposition (Genesis 26:24).

Biblical Example:
David faced many challenges on his way to becoming king, but through every battle, God’s hand led him to the throne (2 Samuel 5:4-5).

5. STAYING HUMBLE IN GREATNESS
Exceeding greatness requires humility to maintain it and avoid pride, which leads to downfall.

a) Acknowledging God as the Source:
Isaac acknowledged God as the source of his greatness by building an altar and worshipping Him (Genesis 26:25).

b) Maintaining Integrity:
Isaac did not allow his greatness to lead him into pride or arrogance but remained humble before God and others (Genesis 26:31).

c) Being Generous in Greatness:
Isaac’s greatness allowed him to be a blessing to others, showing that God’s blessings are meant to be shared (Genesis 26:30-31).

d) Avoiding Complacency:
Isaac continued to seek God even in his greatness, showing that there is always more to achieve in God’s plan (Genesis 26:23-24).

e) Remaining Faithful to God:
Isaac remained faithful to God, keeping the covenant and following the principles of his father Abraham (Genesis 26:5).

Biblical Example:
King Solomon’s initial humility and wisdom in acknowledging God’s role in his greatness led to his unmatched prosperity and peace during his reign (1 Kings 3:7-14)

CONCLUSION:
Exceeding greatness is not just a one-time blessing but a continuous experience for those who walk in obedience and trust in God. Isaac’s life is a clear testimony of how God can make a person not just great but exceedingly great, even in the midst of opposition. When we follow the principles of faith, obedience, and persistence, we position ourselves to experience the same exceeding greatness that Isaac did.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, lift me into the realm of exceeding greatness by Your mighty hand.

2. Father, help me to trust in Your promises, even in difficult times.

3. I declare that I will experience divine favour and breakthrough like Isaac.

4. Lord, make me a testimony of Your greatness in my generation.

5. I rebuke every opposition to my rising, in Jesus’ name.

6. Father, guide me through the process of becoming great without straying from Your will.

7. I pray for the grace to sow in obedience and reap a hundredfold in all I do.

8. Lord, let Your blessings overflow in my life, bringing influence and peace.

9. I declare that no weapon formed against my greatness will prosper.

10. Father, help me to remain humble and faithful in the midst of Your blessings.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. I declare that God will make you great and exceedingly great, just as He did for Isaac.

2. You will reap a hundredfold blessing in every area of your life.

3. Every opposition to your greatness will be silenced by the hand of God.

4. The favour of God will distinguish you, and your enemies will seek peace with you.

5. I decree that you will find your Rehoboth—a place of rest, prosperity, and enlargement.

6. The Lord will establish your greatness for generations to come.

7. Your life will be a testimony of divine favour and increase.

8. Every challenge you face will lead to greater promotion.

9. The Lord will cause your influence to expand beyond your expectations.

10. You will walk in the fullness of God’s exceeding greatness all the days of your life.