2. 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.

3. A Dozen Precious Things 2 Peter 1:2-4

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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