JESUS IS PRECIOUS

 

JESUS IS PRECIOUS

1 Peter 2:6-8 (KJV)  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.[7] 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,  [8]  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

The word “Precious” is used twice in our focal text today. It is used first in Peter’s quotation from Isaiah 28:16. Peter wrote in verse 6:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded”

Peter uses the word again in verse 7: “Unto you therefore which believe He is precious”

In both cases that which is “Precious” is a “He” not an “It”. In our world today we consider things to be precious. That word “Precious” is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as:

“Of great value or high price”  “Highly esteemed or cherished”   “Excessively refined” - Jesus is more precious than silver or gold.  Jesus is a Person.

Jesus is a Precious Person.  Is He precious to you and me?   He that believes on Him shall not be confounded. (shall not be ashamed)  NIV

JESUS A PRECIOUS TO ALL

1 Peter 2:7 New International Version

”Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

Psalm 118:22 – “Now to you who believe, this stone is precious, But to those who do not believe, the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.”

1. A Precious Corner Stone

What is a Corner Stone?

It is the capstone is also known as the “keystone”. It is the stone in the centre of an arch that holds the arch in place by withstanding the pressure from both sides.

a) In some circles the capstone is also known as the “keystone”. It is the stone in the center of an arch that holds the arch in place by withstanding the pressure from both sides.

b. If a capstone is too large, the two sides of the arch will fall outwards. If it is too small, the arch would cause the stone to be crushed by the pressure and the arch would fall in on itself.  Take away the capstone everything will collapse. He is important and precious.

2. God has made us each unique, like stones; but it is Jesus, the capstone, the keystone that hold us all together building relationships, beginning ministries, growing a church. If we have no one willing to work with children and youth, we will have none. If we have no place for families with children, we won’t reach them. The arch of our church needs every stone, uniquely shaped to fit into its place in the arch with Christ at the centre.  Notice Jesus is the Door.

2. A Precious Blood

1 Peter 1:18,19

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

The blood is precious because it is sinless and a lamb without blemish or defect.  No blood of mankind that God accepts, but it’s the blood of His Son

Jesus only can take away the sins of the world. The blood of Christ is precious to us because it pays. Not only does the blood of Christ earn righteousness but it also pays the debt of our unrighteousness. The Scriptures universally declare that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 3:23)

Now today, the precious blood has power to overcome the power of the devil. Every sickness and diseases – Jesus paid for it. It has to ‘GO’.

What does the blood do? The Precious power of the blood has 5 benefits:

Propitiation: To Remove God’s Righteous Wrath

Justification: To Extend God’s Full Acceptance

Redemption: To Purchase Our True Freedom

Forgiveness: To Restore Our Best Relationship

Pacification: To Make Peace with God Himself 

3. A Precious Faith

The precious faith of the believer

2 Peter 1:1 -  Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours”

1 Peter 1:7   KJV

“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”

Worldly men look upon riches and prestige, and power, and pleasures, and possessions — but however highly they may be prized, the Christian possesses something infinitely more valuable. He has "precious faith" in Christ, which secures him a saving interest in the "favour of God which is life," and in his "loving-kindness which is better than life."

Earthly honours, dignities, grandeur, estates, etc. — are but fleeting vanities, and unsatisfying in their nature.

But that which "precious faith" gives to the Christian shall exist forever. That faith looks not at the things which are seen, which are temporal — but at the things which are not seen, which are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18.

This faith of our is going to be tested by fire – with that strong faith it will give praise and honor and glory to God at His coming.

4. A Precious Promises   

God precious promises given to us – 2 Peter1:4

“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.”

4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

These are precious promises given to us to be partakers of God divine nature to escape the corruption of this world.

 2 Peter 1:3 – “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” 

To be a partaker of the divine nature means that the characteristics of God’s nature become my own – through His creating work in me!

God says I am going to exchange this corrupted nature in you and put my divine nature to you. So you can be like Jesus.

5. A Precious Character

1 Peter 3:4 English Standard Version

4 “but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

A Precious Character of God in you.  The hidden person that is beautiful of a gentle and quiet spirit which in God sight is very precious. This speaks of God precious character.  There are more to God’s character – His gentleness, righteousness, mercy, grace, love, peace, long suffering and forgiving nature. 

We are to that spiritual goal – your goal is to be like Jesus. 1 Peter 3:3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

PRAYER:

Lord JESUS, keep me free today from evil, sin, temptation, enemies attacks and afflictions, fear of darkness, fear of man, sickness, diseases, doubts, anger, all calamities and from all that is not of thy Kingdom.

Draw me to your precious blood and promises and let my precious faith reign with You forever more.  Let your divine character manifest in my whole being as I live for you.  Thank you, Jesus, Amen.

BENEDICTION:

May the Lord go with you and give you peace.

May the Lord bless you and your family forevermore. Amen.