Our Precious Possessions
Introduction: In the movie, National Treasure, thieves try to break in and steal the Declaration of Independence. Yet, the document is set in a sealed compartment for the viewing of the public protected by heat sensors, an intricately array of lasers, guards, bulletproof glass, and security cameras….We spend millions of dollars a year in its protection. Why all the trouble for a piece of paper? Someone, somewhere considers the document to be a precious thing.
As believers, there are things which we possess that are truly precious. Material wealth that we esteem will one day perish. However, we have been given some very precious things by the Lord that will never perish or be taken away. I would like to share these precious things with you tonight. To accomplish this, we are going to have to travel through both of Peter's epistles. However, it is a journey worth taking. Notice with me…
OUR PRECIOUS POSSESSIONS Text: 2 Pet. 1:1-4
I. THERE ARE PRECIOUS TRIALS - 1 Pet. 1:7
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
A. Trials Have a Way of Helping Us
1. Peter refers to the refining process that is used to purify gold….removing the impurities.
2. Trials bring us closer to God. (The image of the refiner seen in the molten liquid)
B. In the Valley, We’re Reminded of Truths We often forget when life is going good.
1. We are reminded that Jesus is always with us - Heb. 13:5. (Disciples / storm)
2. We are reminded that even our valleys are planned by the Lord - Rom. 8:28; Isa. 45:7.
3. We are reminded that our trials are helping us grow in the Lord - 2 Cor. 4:17
4. We are reminded that even when times are bad, God is still good - Job 1:20-21.
C. We Will Know the Lord Better After Having Gone Through Them (Stronger in Faith)
1. If there had never been a storm, the Disciples would have never known that Jesus could walk on water.
2. If there hadn't been a fiery furnace, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would never have known that God would come to their aid.
3. If there had never been a flood, Noah would have never known that God could keep him safe in the ark.
4. If Lazarus hadn't died, Mary and Martha would have never known that Jesus could raise the dead.
· The valley shows us a side of God we could never see otherwise.
II. THERE IS PRECIOUS BLOOD - 1 Pet. 1:18-19
· We are redeemed…"with the precious blood of Christ…"
A. Peter - something that is of great price is to be held in honor and great esteem.
B. What is it about the blood of Jesus that makes it so special?
1. It is the price of redemption - 1 Pet. 1:19
2. It is the proof of God's love for us - Rom.. 5:8
3. It is the purging agent that God uses that cleanses our sins - Rev. 1:5; 1 John 1:7.
4. It is pure blood that was shed by an innocent men. His blood and His death were accepted in place of our own by the Father in Heaven. His blood is precious blood!
C. The cross doesn't save anyone! It was what happened at the cross that makes the difference.
1. It was when the Lamb of God poured out His life in His blood that sin was forever atoned for, and redemption completed!
· We must se to it that there will always be a group somewhere that is preaching and teaching that the blood, and the blood alone, makes me right with God. His blood is precious blood and we need to cherish, protect and proclaim the blood of Jesus.
III. THERE IS A PRECIOUS SAVIOR - *1 Pet. 2:6-7
"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,"
A. Peter is telling us that Jesus is valuable to those who believe.
1. In fact, His value to us is beyond all human comprehension.
B. Why Jesus is precious to the saints of God.
1. Because He loves us - Jer. 31:3.
2. Because He cares about us - 1 Pet. 5:7.
3. Because He understands our needs - Heb. 4:15.
4. Because He is always near to help us - Psa. 46:1.
5. Because He paid the ultimate price to save us - John 15:13.
· People will fill you; you you love will let you down; people will not understand what you’re facing in life; Jesus knows, understands, and cares.
C. When I came to Him for salvation, carrying all the baggage of my sins, He still wanted me.
1. Times I have failed and many opportunities that I have wasted, but not once has the Lord turned me away when I came to Him with a repentant heart. – 1 Jn. 1:9
IV. THERE IS A PRECIOUS FAITH - 2 Pet. 1:1
"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:"
Bridge: Grew up hearing about the cross/ blood / the plan of salvation…take it for granted.
A. Why Precious? - It’s the Only Belief System That is Valid in the Eyes of God
1. All the people involved in all the other religious systems in the world are being deceived by their false doctrines.
a. There is only one means of salvation and that is through faith in Jesus Christ, John 14:6.
B. Why our faith is precious:
1. It is free - Rev. 22:17.
2. It is open to all - John 3:16.
3. It is totally the work of God - Eph. 2:8-9.
4. It is eternal - John 6:37.
C. We should promote it and protect it against the evils of our day.
1. You see, the way we believe is being attacked by the world.
a. We are called intolerant & narrow-minded because we say that Jesus is the only way.
b. So we must cherish our faith: Living it out, seeing the value in it, protecting it, and passing it the next generation.
V. THERE ARE PRECIOUS PROMISES - 2 Pet. 1:4
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
A. Peter's last statement about precious things.
B. Allow me to just remind you of a few.
1. There is the promise of His Love - Rom. 8:38-39
2. There Is the promise of His Presence - Matt. 28:20
3. There is the promise of His Provision - Phil. 4:19
4. There is the promise of His Grace - 2 Cor. 2:9
5. There is the promise of His Heaven - John 14:1-3
C. It has been said that there are over 7,000 promises in the pages of the Holy Scriptures.
1. Every promise God ever made, He will bring to pass!
2. People change, their promises fail, but the promises of God are forever!
3. In a world of recalled cars, recalled dog food, failure all around - They will never fail…that makes them precious.
Conc: God has indeed given us some very precious / valuable things. Are you cherishing them as you should be? Are you guarding the things of God and passing them along to others so that there will be another generation that knows God and will walk with Him?
Maybe you need to claim one of His promises tonight, they still work! Maybe you need to come and thank Him for being faithful to you. He is worthy of your praise.