Topic: The Power of Excellence
Text: Daniel 6:1-4
Preacher: Pastor Belemina Obunge

1st Service

Daniel 6:1-4

1  It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

2  And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

3  Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

4  Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

I’m yet to see anyone who doesn’t want to excel in life. People love to excel, but somehow, they are missing out of the whole concept of excellence. They probably don’t know how to excel, or maybe along the line, have given room for mediocrity.

When we talk about power, we are talking about the ability to work. Daniel 4:1-2 “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage”. Most times, when you want to go with excellence, there are some people that don’t like it. An example is shown in Scriptures, how that some persons rose against Daniel because of his excellence.

God demands excellence. Philippians 1:10. When you are doing anything, always approve excellence. People should know that as far as you are concerned, your standard is excellence. 1 Cor. 8:7 (NIV) “But since you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you –see that you also excel in this grace of giving”. You excel in everything. You may ask yourself if it is possible to excel in everything; the answer is: it is possible if you believe. Those that don’t excel have a challenge of not believing that it is possible to excel. They always come up with excuses that supports their failure.

OUR GOD IS A GOD OF EXCELLENCE

1.            His way is Excellent. The path God takes is excellence. Psalm 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”. When the Lord is also leading you in a path of life, He desires that we move in excellence. Psalm 18:32, Prov. 12:26

2.            His works are Excellent. Isaiah 28:29 “This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working”. So, when God is working out things for you, He works it out with excellence. Deut. 32:4. Because his workings are excellent, he also desires excellence in our workings. Heb. 13:21.

3.            His will is Excellent. His will talks about his desire. What God desires for you is excellent. Rom. 12:1-2, Col. 4:12. Many at times, we miss it and then fall into error because we are not asking God for what his will is. It is God’s will that is excellent. We miss it in our will because the flesh comes in. When we are talking about excellence, we are taking about that which is exceedingly, but we must realize that as far as God is concerned, his was, his workings, his will are all excellent.

4.            His word is Excellent. When God speaks to you, whatever he says to you is excellent. Psalm 18:30 “”. That’s why in every situation in life, ask God for his word. Many at times you wait and hear the opinion of others rather than seeking God. Then we fall into error.

God desires excellence is every area of our life. Phil. 1:10 “That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ”. These are areas in which God demands excellence in our lives:

• Assignment: Joseph Gen 39:1-4; Daniel 6:1-4
• Academics. Daniel   Dan 1:17, 20; Dan 5:12
• Administration. Daniel 39:1-4; Solomon 1 King 5:4,12
• Artisan. David 1 Sam 16:17; Huram-abi 2 Chron 2:13-14
• Accountability. Samuel 1 Sam 12:3-5; Daniel Dan. 6:3-4
• Attributes. Job 1:1,8; 2:7; 27:5
• Attitudes. Phil 4:8
• Aspirations/Ambitions (Elisha not Gehazi)
• Approval. Phill. 1:10

As far as God is concerned, whatever you do, your trademark should be excellence

THE PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE

i. Desire

ii. Decision

iii. Determination

iv. Devotion

v. Deliberate

vi. Detailed Orientation

vii. Development (Self investment)

viii. Doggedness

ix. Discipline

x. Divinity

CONCLUSION

Paul says we must excel in all things. There may be alternatives but you must choose to excel.  We must desire, decide, determine and involve divinity to excel in all things we do.

PRAYER POINT

• My father, my father, you are the God of excellence, please help me to excel in all things.
• Oh Lord, in any are of my life I have given room to mediocrity, please forgive me.