Our Blessings Are Precious We will look at the value of precious things today as used in the Scriptures.

INTRODUCTION The word "precious" is used in its many forms about 73 times in the Bible. There are many definitions drawn from the word and its use, such as: Desire - Desirable objects - Good - Rare - Held in Honor - Very Expensive - Costly - Of Great Value - Dear.

INTRODUCTION Quite often the apostle Peter used the word "precious" when referring to the blessings we have in Christ. Surely we should recognize the value of what God has given us. Therefore, we should pay special heed to that which He calls "precious." Since Peter speaks so much of the precious gifts of God, let us study some precious things that he names in his writings.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS PRECIOUS. Look at what Peter says in: 1 Peter 1:18,19: “Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable thins like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of CHRIST”. The events at Calvary were not accidents! Christ purposed to die for us, to shed His blood to cleanse us from sin. Note what He said in: John 10:17,18: “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on my own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father”.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS PRECIOUS. His death was voluntary, He gave Himself. Why? Because: Hebrews 9:22: “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. Only because of His blood can we come to God. Look at what is said in Hebrews 10:19,20: “Since therefore brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh”.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS PRECIOUS. By His blood we are justified, Romans 5:9: “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him”. And by His blood we are reconciled to God, Colossians 1: Look at what John says: 1 John 1:7 “but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin”.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS PRECIOUS. Yes, the blood of Jesus is precious, it is very valuable to us. Look at Acts 20:28: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood”.

JESUS CHRIST IS OUR PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE. Look at what Peter says: 1 Peter 2:4-7. Throughout the Bible Jesus is called that cornerstone. That He is "the Christ, the Son of the living God", is the stone on which the church is built. (Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hades shall not overpower it”).

JESUS CHRIST IS OUR PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE. Paul writes that Christians are "built upon the foundations of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone." Ephesians 2:20: “having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone”. 1 Corinthians 3:10,11: “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ”.

JESUS CHRIST IS OUR PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE. In ancient buildings, every stone was "laid to" and measured from the corner stone. It was the standard, the base, for the entire building. So it is with Christ. To build our lives "upon the rock" Matthew 7:24-27, means to use Him as our standard; to do otherwise is to suffer loss. Note what Peter says in Acts 4:11,12.

OURS IS A PRECIOUS FAITH. Look at what Peter tells us in: 1 Peter. 1:7 “that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”. This "precious faith" does not come from within us. Jude 3: “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith of which was once for all delivered to the saints”. This precious faith results from hearing the precious words of God. Romans 10:17: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”.

OURS IS A PRECIOUS FAITH. He tells us that there is "one faith" Ephesians 4:5. Peter echos this in 2 Peter 1:1 “Simon Peter, a bond- servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ”. We are justified by faith, Romans 5:1: “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” And we are saved by faith, Ephesians. 2:8 :For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God”.

OURS IS A PRECIOUS FAITH. Paul also tells us that, "We walk by faith" 2 Corinthians 5:7, And we "live by faith" Romans 1;17: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, But the righteous man shall live by faith”. So, to share in "the like precious faith" which was "once for all delivered unto the saints" is a great blessing. Yes, how precious is our faith!

THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE PRECIOUS. God made promise to Noah to save him, if Noah would do as God directed him. God kept His promise. He made promises to Abraham, and He kept them every one. Look at what Peter says in, 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance”.

THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE PRECIOUS. But how abundant and glorious are those promises we find in the Gospel? He promises us that we can be His children, that our sins can all be forgiven, that He will strengthen and keep us, that we can live with Him forever. 1 John 3:1; Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 8:31-39; John 14:1-6. Peter wrote of these precious promises in: 2 Peter 1:3,4.

THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE PRECIOUS. His promises make possible our living the kind of life He wants us to live. We can have assurance as we strive to serve Him. Hebrews. 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;”. The Lord promised, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20. Truly, His promises are precious.

Conclusion Precious things are valuable to us. The precious blessings of God should be treasured in our hearts and minds. Many things in scripture are described as precious. But our salvation in Christ should be the most precious of all.