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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 Things2 Peter 1:2-4

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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. 2:2A Dozen Precious

Things

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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

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SeedNotice 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

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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

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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

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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. 3:13-17A Dozen Precious

Things

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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

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Trial of Faith

Peter penned: 1 Pet. 1:7Written in a time of severe

persecution.We won’t escape persecution:

2 Tim. 3:12Our faith will be tried sooner

or later: Jas. 1:2-3When your faith is tried, will it

prove genuine? 1 Cor. 3:12A Dozen Precious

Things

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The Blood of Christ

Peter spoke of it: 1 Pet. 1:18-19

Jesus shed His blood on the cross: Jn. 19:34

A Dozen Precious Things

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

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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

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⓫ 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. 2:8A Dozen Precious

Things

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⓬ 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

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Conclusion

We’ve considered a dozen precious things:

DeathSeed

UnityGod’s Thoughts

A Good Name

Trial of FaithThe Blood of

ChristChristFaith

The Word of the Lord

Wisdom God’s Promises

Are these precious to you?

Matthew 16:26