Renowned Bible teacher, Apostle Joshua Selman, has challenged believers to re-examine their understanding of greatness, stating that true Kingdom greatness begins with a redefinition of value, purpose, and service.
He spoke on the theme “Redefining Greatness” at the Recharge Conference 2026 hosted by Pastor Yemi Davids of the Global Impact Church, Lagos.
Apostle Selman grounded his message in Scripture, noting first that “God is a great God,” and therefore His children have a destiny of greatness in Him, as seen in the lives of the patriarchs, beginning with Abraham.
He also referenced Matthew 20:20-28, where Jesus addressed the request of John and James, to show the Kingdom’s distinct picture of greatness, which is anchored on service and not on being served.
World’s vs. Kingdom’s Definition
In defining greatness in a general sense, Selman listed achievement, mastery of craft, character, impact, service, acquisitions, influence, and spread as common hallmarks of greatness.
Speaking further, he asked, “Why should believers be interested in the subject of greatness?” He then explained, “Greatness is an expression of dominion,” adding that God is glorified when believers walk in greatness, because believers carry the mandate to transform society (Matt. 5:14) and to walk in love.
Selman acknowledged the importance of the hallmarks of greatness as generally understood in the world, but he raised a caveat, “When we talk about greatness in the Kingdom, we mean a rearrangement of the features mentioned according to the priority of the Kingdom.”
He noted that value is determined by alignment with God. For him, greatness is “an orientation that starts with value and worth”. In the Kingdom, he said, value is not intrinsic but is only meaningful when it aligns with God’s priority and purpose.
“So, whatever may be so valuable according to the world system, if it does not align with God’s programme or purpose, it is useless. Everything is valuable in the Kingdom once it aligns with God’s purpose,” he emphasised.
He explained that a believer’s talent, beauty, resources, tears, pain, success or failure becomes valuable in the Kingdom once it aligns with what God is doing to accomplish His divine purpose, echoing Romans 8:28 which says that all things work together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
The Central Aim: Glorifying Jesus
According to the Leader of Koinonia, an Abuja-based apostolic ministry, “The central purpose for the pursuit of anything by any believer must be about revealing Jesus and bringing Him glory.”
He added: “Greatness in the Kingdom starts with an orientation that redefines value and worth, incorporates purpose and is a blessing to humanity, with a strong emphasis on service and making a difference. You cannot become great in the Kingdom if you (the believer) become the focus of greatness.”
Some other ministers who spoke at the conference earlier, laid out their perspectives which Selman affirmed, essentially making a distinction between the world’s understanding of greatness and the Kingdom view.
Only God Appoints to Greatness
For Pastor Godman Akinlabi of The Elevation Church, Kingdom greatness is not the same as worldly greatness, as God possesses the power to determine who becomes great.
“If a man appoints himself to greatness, he will fight to defend that greatness. But if God appoints a man to Kingdom greatness, He will defend that man in time of crisis.”
Drawing from the life of Joseph, Akinlabi emphasized that Joseph’s promotion was not for himself but for God’s agenda for the people of Israel. He said whenever God calls a person to greatness in Kingdom work, it is not about the person but about His purpose.
He said Kingdom greatness enables the person involved to manifest capacity to add value, multiply resources, influence authorities, create solutions and remain grounded. These features, he said, were manifested by Joseph in Egypt.
Pastor Sola Osunmakinde of the Household of David, Lagos, took the subject further, maintaining that every born-again Christian has been born great by virtue of being born of the Spirit of God. According to him, what remains for the believer is manifesting the greatness God has deposited into him or her.
Citing the example of Daniel in Babylon, he clarified: “Greatness in the Kingdom that the believer in Christ manifests is not about personal agenda but that of God; that is to compel the kingdoms of this world to bow to the Kingdom of God.”
He said God’s ultimate goal is that wherever believers in Christ are, their lives should manifest such light that the world would feel their impact.
The five-day conference which started on July 1 and ends on July 5, 2026 is also featuring a Youth Conference. It is aimed at training young people in biblical principles, leadership ability, creativity and practical tools for influencing society positively, attracting ministers, professionals, creatives and youth influencers.