Our Precious Faith

Today we will be starting our fall series. It will not surprise you that we will be doing a series of messages from the sequel to 1 Peter which is 2 Peter.

As a sequel to 1 Peter, 2 Peter is quiet different than its prequel part (1 Peter), where 1 Peter was addressing those who where scattered through out Asia Minor and experiencing persecution. 2 Peter addresses the rise of false teachers and encourages those who “have obtained like precious faith” to grow in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

This is why we will call this series “Growing in Grace and Knowledge” which is something Peter says in this Epistle at the very end of this letter in 2 Peter 3:18

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Now today’s sermon title is Our Precious Faith

So lets begin by reading today's text from 2 Peter 1:1-2

2 Peter 1:1–2 NKJV

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

Before we get into any points that will be made based on today’s text let me start by share a personal testimony with you.

(Share briefly your salvation experience focusing in on the “obtaining the same kind of faith as Peter, James, or John and even Paul)

Our faith in Jesus Christ is a precious gift from God that enables us to experience His grace and peace in abundance.

Which brings out the first point in today’s message and that is...

Faith is a precious gift from God

Again lets look at vs. 1

2 Peter 1:1 NKJV

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

Let it be noted that Peter, who by the way was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, who had his ups and downs and struggles with faith, belief and standing firm in Christ, is now in his latter years, with no reservation, identifying himself as “a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ”

A bondservant is a slave - a person who is legally owned by someone else and whose entire livelihood and purpose is determined by their master.

The apostle Paul also identified as a slave of Jesus Christ (GOD)

Titus 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,

James did like wise

James 1:1 NKJV

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

Here is the noted point: A follower of Jesus Christ must deny themselves, turn over all rights, will, and desires and become a slave to Christ. (Not a popular concept is it?)

Now back to the main point: Faith is a precious gift from God. What does Peter mean when he says to those whom he is writing, you “who have obtained like precious faith with us”

Let’s break it down word by word:

OBTAINED

How many of you are familiar with Zacharias the father of John the Baptist. We know of him from Luke 1 he has a wife whose name is Elizabeth and it says in Luke 1:6

Luke 1:6 NKJV

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

then it goes on to day

Luke 1:7 NKJV

7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

Now here comes the main point for bring up Zacharias look in vs. 8-9

Luke 1:8–9 NKJV

8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

You see the words “his lot fell” this is same Greek word that Peter uses which reads in English - those who have OBTAINED.

What this Greek word implies is Chosen, Chosen by God.

Our faith is not by accident, it is not obtained by works of man, or by merit but by the righteousness and grace of God.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Grace is the free gift of God and so is faith. How does one come by recieving faith?

Romans 10:14–17 NKJV

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We receive faith and grace by God’s mercy and kindness.

Are you of this kind of faith? Not all faith is the same. Many people are fulled into believing that they have the faith that is required unto salvation. If that be true explain to me what Jesus means by saying

Matthew 7:21–23 NKJV

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Again Peter says, “To those who have OBTAINED” (been given a gift) that gift of course is “Precious Faith”

Now the Greek word for “precious” means of equal merit - having the same value or worth. This Greek word is only used in the NT right here. Making it precious, unique, beautiful, more valuable that gold or silver.

Let me ask you something, has God given you this kind of faith, do you have this precious faith living inside of you? If you do its because it “BY the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

The last point we need to make before we conclude is this....

Faith enables us to experience God’s grace and peace

2 Peter 1:2 NKJV

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

These series of messages from 2 Peter is going to focus on our great need to grow in the knowledge of God and the only way you can do that is for you to be in the Word of God. For in God’s Word there is life, truth and knowing the true way to God which is by His one and only Son Jesus who is the Christ.

It is true genuine faith leads us to know God more intimately and personally as our Father and Savior.

John 17:3 NKJV

3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

It is true genuine faith brings us peace with God through the forgiveness of our sins and the reconciliation of our relationship with Him.

Philippians 4:7 NKJV

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It is true genuine faith increases God’s grace and peace as we grow in knowledge of God and His Son.

Colossians 3:15 NKJV

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

You may be questioning this morning whether you are one of the “Those who have obtained a precious faith”

I hope we are all asking that question. For it shows that you truly are concerned and being concerned about these things is always a good start in discovering the truth on the matter.

But let tell you a story that I hope will help draw you closer to understanding and seeking the Lord for the faith needed to receive His precious gift of salvation through His grace.

It is the story of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. He was a devout Christian who preached and served as a missionary, but he still doubted his salvation and felt no assurance of God’s love. He wrote in his journal:

"I went to America to convert the Indians; but oh! who shall convert me?"

It was not until he attended a meeting in London where someone read Martin Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans that he felt his heart “strangely warmed” and he trusted in Christ alone for his salvation.

He later wrote: "I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."

His faith in Jesus Christ changed his life and ministry, and he became one of the most influential evangelists in history.

Do not put faith in anything other than in Christ. Not your works, deeds, perfect church attendance, etc… Cry out to God, the Lord, to give you the gift of obtaining the precious faith by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

With our heads bowed and eyes closed in the posture of humility if you feel lead by the Spirit of God to pray, pray this prayer, these are not magic words but they are words from a broken heart seeking God to save. If you desire to place faith is Christ pray this prayer to the Lord.

Lord God, created of Heaven and earth, I come to you with a broken and contrite heart, confessing my sins and asking for your forgiveness.

I have rebelled against you and gone my own way, ignoring your commands and your love. I have hurt you and others by my words and actions.

I am sorry, Lord, and I repent of my sins.

I believe that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for me, to pay the penalty for my sins and to give me eternal life.

I believe that he rose from the dead and is alive today, interceding for me at your right hand.

I believe that he is the only way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to you except through him.

I invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.

I surrender my life to you, and I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit, who will guide me, teach me, and empower me to live for you.

Thank you, Lord, for saving me and making me your child.

Thank you for your grace and mercy that are new every morning.

Thank you for your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Help me to grow in my relationship with you and to share your love with others.

In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.