BEING THE OUTLINE OF THE GRADUATION LECTURE DELIVEREED BY AMO-ODAFE A. OKOTIETIE TO THE GRADUATING “MINISTERS OF THE PRESENT TRUTH” OF P.I.B.S. AT THE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

ON 24^TH MAY, 2025

TOPIC: MINISTERS OF THE PRESENT TRUTH: MEANING, IMPLICATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS – TEXT: 2 PETER 1:1-12

1. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS:
2. “Minister”

WHO IS A MINISTER

“Simon Peter, a bondservant and an apostle of Jesus Christ,…” (2 Peter 1:1).

Hebrew – “Sarat” – Minister or Servant. As Moses’ right hand man, assistant, Joshua is referred to as “Minister” (KJV), “servant” (RSV, JB, NASB); while the NEB translates the same word as assistant (Ex. 24:13).

Greek: “diakonos” = a servant, attendant, deacon or minister e.g. see Mark 10:43; Rom. 13:4; 15:8; 1 Cor. 3:5.

Angels are referred to as God’s ministers who do His pleasure. Thus every minister is a servant mandated to serve God, do his will and serve mankind (Psalms; 103:21; Hebrew 1:14).

• “Present Truth”:

“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.” (2 Peter 1:12).

Since the word of God is eternal and hence is unchanging what then is “the present Truth?” It is the word of God rightly divided for the present need and time. In other words, it is a specific understanding of biblical teachings considered relevant and vital to the current time and situation. It is not a new gospel. It is a deeper understanding of existing truths that gain significance in the context of present events and historical circumstances.

It is important to understand the truth of God’s word in the context of the ‘now’ – that is of your own time- the here and now. The “Present Truth requires proper interpretation of God’s word (exegesis and hermeneutics) in the light of current events (ie., where are we in God’s calendar for this age), and applying same appropriately. This is effective contextualization. It is not contradicting existing biblical doctrines/standard, but applying the truth of the word of God in a meaningful way to the present time and the events happening around us.

To everything there is a season. God has so ordained his creation such that there is a time for every purpose under heaven (Eccl. 3:1). Consider Joshua at the Jordan and at Gilga (Joshua 3:5; 5:3-9). David and the Philistines (2 Sam. 5:17-25). In Luke 19:4-44 – Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they did not know their “day of visitation.” They missed their present truth.

• WHY GRADUATION LECTURES?
• An attempt to sensitize the graduating students to what lies ahead, so that they might realize that God has an expectation of their life and ministry beyond the four walls of the seminary.
• Graduating at any level is not the end of the journey but is the beginning of another phase. Don’t think you have arrived. The journey has just begun and is far and great. (I Kings 19:4-8).
• The various graduation lecture themes from year to year are prophetic indicators of God’s particular burden and hence the direction he is spelling out for emphasis (Jer. 8:20-22; 23:29).

In the new normal, postmodern world of today there is scarcity of the true gospel. The greatest need now is the undiluted word of God for the present need. We must preach it and live it out (Matt. 5:16; Php. 2:15; Acts 1:1).

• NECESSITY OF APPROPRIATE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

PROV. 9:10; 2 PETER 1:2, 3; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:15.

The greatest knowledge and understanding any one can have and should strive for is knowledge of God and Jesus as Lord. This makes a man to be humble not puffed up. “…knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.”

• CONSCIOUSNESS OF BEING PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE

2 Peter 1:4; Heb. 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15

Every creature behaves according to its nature. We must be conscious of this fact, otherwise we will behave just like anyone else and miss the mark.

• NO ROOM FOR STAGNANCY – 2 PETER 1:5-8.

Continuous fruitful growth necessary and commanded in scripture.

• NEED FOR DILIGENCE – 2 PETER 1:10, 11; JER. 23:18, 21-25.

There is need for diligence now than ever before, to make our election sure (i.e., to prove that God has called and chosen you).

• A CALL TO BE SONS OF ISSACHAR – 1 CHRON. 12:32.

“Ministers of the present Truth” is a call to be sons of Issachar in our generation.

THE BENEFITS:

1. Know and do the will of God.
2. Authority over men, and all situations.
3. Able to help all in their generation Acts 26:16-18; Isaiah 50:4
4. Consistent communion with God, knowing the mind of God and hence able to turn men from their evil ways (Jer. 23:22).