The Weight Of Greatness by Pastor Anwinli Ojeikere: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Greatness Is Not Glamorous

Everybody prays for greatness, for influence, for favor, for elevation. But what is often forgotten is that greatness comes with weight. It is weighty. And it is not just about shining; it is about what is being carried. Before God will trust anyone with his glory, he will test them with pressure.

People admire those doing very well in business, in ministry, in their fields. They see the spotlight and say, "I want to be like this person." But they do not ask: what sacrifices did this person pay to get here?

Before there is a spotlight, there are sacrifices. Every crown has a cross. Every platform has a price.

Before anyone can be trusted with more, they will be tested with more. Luke 12:48 states: to whom much is given, much is required. Wilderness experiences, trials, and seasons of pressure precede particular levels. God does not just anoint for greatness; he conditions for it. Your trials, the tests, are so he can see whether you are trusted.

The Weight Comes Before the Win

Before Joseph ruled Egypt, he carried betrayal. He went through the pit, through slavery, through prison. Before Jesus wore the crown, he carried the cross. There is always a weight before the win.

Persecution is part of greatness. Opposition is part of the program and process. Mockery is part of the process. Hatred comes without reason as part of the process. And it must be understood.

God is intentional about taking people through this process because beneath what is being carried, beneath the seed of greatness within, he is preparing the person for what is beyond them. The process of hurts, betrayal, and hatred that looks terrible is because beneath what is being carried, he is preparing for what is beyond.

1 Peter 5:5 says to humble yourselves under God's mighty hand. Opposition humbles a person when they allow themselves to draw from the experience.

The path to greatness always passes through endurance.

The Weight Produces Capacity

Oil cannot be poured into a cracked vessel. It takes a strong, solid vessel to hold oil without leaking. Those who have not developed capacity cannot sustain greatness. The crushing is God's way of strengthening structure.

Grapes have to be crushed for new wine to be produced. So the crushing is God's way of building capacity. The heavier the anointing, the stronger the foundation must be. Storms can build capacity for prayer. Storms can build capacity into greatness. Do not run from it.

A bridge is tested by weights before people can cross it. God does the same. He adds pressure so that the structure is strengthened. The pressure is to strengthen, not to destroy.

The Weight Is Not Punishment

1 Peter 5:10 says: "After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

God does not give greatness to make someone famous. He gives it to make them faithful.

The weight being carried is not punishment; it is preparation.

Some people have dropped the weight because of how heavy it is. While they carry it, they must understand that God is trying to build strength and prepare them for more. They are learning to carry what others cannot.

Greatness Is Carried with Character

Greatness without character collapses. Greatness with character is sustained. While praying to reach the top, it is character that must sustain that level when it is reached. Falling down is not difficult. What matters is maintaining the position with integrity.

The real weight of greatness is not just the assignment itself. It is staying humble, faithful, loving, and respectful while carrying it.

Do not just pray to be great. Pray to be grounded in character.