Introduction The word “precious” occurs 77 times in the Bible. Old Testament (61 times): “choice of excellent things.” New Testament (16 times): “costly, very expensive, of great value.” Precious things that are tangible: precious gems, metals, pets, children, mementos, etc. Precious things that are intangible: precious words, thoughts, etc. We preserve and cherish that which is precious to us.

A Dozen Precious Things 2 Peter 1:2-4

A Dozen Precious Things The Word of the Lord Notice 1 Sam. 3:1 Difficult time like today: Judges 21:25 God’s word remains precious today: Builds up: Acts 20:32 Produces faith: Rom. 10:17 Reconciles: 2 Cor. 5:19 Sanctifies and cleanses: Eph. 5:26 Begets: Jas. 1:18 Saves: Jas. 1:21 Brings about growth: 1 Pet. 2:2 A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things Death Difficult to believe death can be precious, but notice Psa. 116:15 Death not always precious: 1 Cor. 1:2 Have you been “baptized into Christ” ? Have you “put on Christ” ? Gal. 3:27; Eph. 1:3; Rom. 6:23; 2 Tim. 2:10 Outside of Christ is a dark, barren, and terrifying place! Heb. 9:27; Matt. 22:13; 25:41; 1 Tim. 2:4; Ezek. 33:11; Rom. 5:8 Make your death precious! Obey the gospel! A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things Seed Notice what the Psalmist wrote: Psa. 126:6 Parable of the sower and the seed: Lk. 8:11; Rom. 1:16 Many expect a miracle to convert them: 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 1 Pet. 1:23 Don’t wait on God to wave a magic wand and make you a faithful Christian…”it ain’t happenin!” A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things Unity Consider the “unity” Psalm: Psa. 133:1-2 Unity is good, pleasant, and precious! Gal. 5:14-15; Jn. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10 Unity requires our constant effort! Eph. 4:1-3 Unity requires our humility! Phil. 2:1-8 A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things God’s Thoughts Psalmist exclaims it: Psa. 139:17 God’s thoughts are on a far higher plane than ours: Isa. 55:8-9 Most “Christians” don’t hold God’s thoughts precious; evidently they think they can “read” God’s mind: 1 Cor. 2:9-11 A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things Wisdom Notice what Solomon had to say about wisdom: Prov. 3:15 A good place to start searching for wisdom is in the book of Proverbs: Prov. 9:10 World’s definition of wisdom usually wrong; e.g., “Trump philosophy”: Jas. 3:13-17 A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things A Good Name The Preacher spoke of it: Eccl. 7:1 Many trade a good name for something of far lesser value: Prov. 22:1 World says nobody has the right to examine or evaluate their name. Polar opposite of what the scriptures teach: Matt. 5:13-16; 2 Cor. 3:2 A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things Trial of Faith Peter penned: 1 Pet. 1:7 Written in a time of severe persecution. We won’t escape persecution: 2 Tim. 3:12 Our faith will be tried sooner or later: Jas. 1:2-3 When your faith is tried, will it prove genuine? 1 Cor. 3:12 A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things The Blood of Christ Peter spoke of it: 1 Pet. 1:18-19 Jesus shed His blood on the cross: Jn. 19:34 Remits sins: Matt. 26:28 Justifies: Rom. 5:9 Redeems: Eph. 1:7 Makes nigh: Eph. 2:13 Brings peace: Col. 1:20 Purges: Heb. 9:14 Sanctifies: Heb. 13:12 Cleanses: 1 Jn. 1:7 Washes: Rev. 1:5 Purchased church: Acts 20:28 A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things Christ His preciousness the subject of prophesy: Isa. 28:16 Peter applied this to Christ: 1 Pet. 2:4-7 Christ is not precious to everyone! The world holds Christ in contempt; consider him of no value! 1 Cor. 1:18-25 A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things Faith Note what Peter says: 2 Pet. 1:1 Have you thought of the preciousness of your faith? Rom. 10:17 Purifies: Acts 15:9 Justifies: Rom. 5:1 Saves: Eph. 2:8 A Dozen Precious Things

A Dozen Precious Things God’s Promises Note what Peter says: 2 Pet. 1:2-4 God is a promise-making, promise- keeping God! God’s promises are “exceeding great and precious” because…Titus 1:2 Do you spend time contemplating eternal life?! A Dozen Precious Things

Are these precious to you? Conclusion We’ve considered a dozen precious things: Are these precious to you? Matthew 16:26 The Word of the Lord A Good Name Death Trial of Faith Seed The Blood of Christ Unity Christ God’s Thoughts Faith Wisdom God’s Promises