Our precious possessions

Expository Preaching Outline on 2 Peter 1:1-4 – Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained likewise precious faith with us through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Seeing that his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his glory and virtue, by which he has 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,

Introduction to 2 Peter 1:1-4

Five times in his two epistles, Simon Peter mentions possessions that are precious to God’s people. When we think of something precious, we think of something valuable, worthy of being guarded carefully and treasured above all else. We all consider our children to be precious. Some even feel the same way about their spouse. We value, protect and honor them. Some of you have precious objects – a family heirloom, a piece of jewelry or a car. Whatever it is, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

I remember visiting the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. In the Museum of Natural History, there is a stone called the Hope Diamond. This jewel is considered priceless. If you go to see it, you have to look through bulletproof glass, inside a vault protected by an alarm system and armed guards. Why take so much care over a simple stone? To me, it didn’t even seem that special. The reason? Someone, somewhere, considers the Hope Diamond a prized possession.

As believers, we possess truly precious things. All the material wealth we value will one day perish. All the people we love will also leave. Even the Hope Diamond, with all the money spent protecting it, will be destroyed. However, God has given us eternal treasures that will never perish. Today, I want to share these precious possessions with you. To do so, we will need to go through Peter’s two epistles. But it’s a worthwhile journey.

I. 1 Peter 1:7 – PRECIOUS TESTS

“That once the value of your faith has been confirmed, which is far more precious than gold that perishes, even if it has been refined by fire, it may be a cause for praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

A. Peter says that the trials of life are precious. We may find the valleys of life terrible, but they help us.

Just as gold is refined in the fire, trials purify our faith (James 1:3).
It is often in difficult times that we draw closer to God.

B. In the valleys, we remember truths that we forget when life is easy:

Jesus is with us (Hebrews 13:5) – Like the disciples in the storm (John 6:16-20).
God is in control (Romans 8:28; Isaiah 45:7).
Trials make us stronger (2 Corinthians 4:17).
There is something better ahead (Romans 8:18).
God is good, even when life isn’t (Job 1:20-21).

C. Trials aren’t easy, but when we come out of them, we get to know God more deeply.

The disciples only saw Jesus walking on the water because they faced the storm.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego only experienced God in the furnace because they were thrown into it.
Mary and Martha only saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead.

Trials show us a side of God that we would never see otherwise.

II. 1 Peter 1:19 – PRECIOUS BLOOD

“But through the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

A. The blood of Jesus is precious – priceless, worthy of honor.

B. Why is the blood of Christ so special?

It is the price of our ransom (1 Peter 1:19).
It is proof of God’s love (Romans 5:8).
He is the only one who purifies sin (Revelation 1:5; 1 John 1:7).
It is the pure blood of an innocent Lamb – accepted by God in our place.

C. The blood of Jesus deserves to be guarded and proclaimed.

Some want to take the blood out of the hymns and preach a “clean” gospel, without the cross.
But without the shedding of blood, there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22).
We must defend this truth: only the blood of Jesus saves us!

III. 1 Peter 2:6-7 – A PRECIOUS SAVIOR

“For thus it is written: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it will never be put to shame.’ To you therefore who believe, it is precious.”

A. Jesus is precious to those who believe-His value is incomparable.

B. Why is he so precious?

He loves us (Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 8:38-39).
He cares about us (1 Peter 5:7).
He understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15).
He is always near (Psalm 46:1).
He gave his life for us (John 15:13).

C. Even when we fail, He never rejects us (John 6:37; 1 John 1:9).

He is faithful to forgive and restore.
That’s why he is a precious Savior!

IV. 2 Peter 1:1 – A PRECIOUS FAITH

“Simon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith as precious as ours.”

A. Our faith (the gospel we believe) is precious-unique and valuable.

B. Why is our faith so special?

It’s free (Revelation 22:17; Isaiah 55:1).
It is for everyone (John 3:16; Romans 10:13).
It is complete (Hebrews 7:25).
It is God’s work (Ephesians 2:8-9).
It is eternal (John 10:28).

C. The world calls us intolerant for saying that Jesus is the only way (John 14:6).

But the Bible confirms it: only He saves!
We must keep this faith and pass it on.

V. 2 Peter 1:4 – PRECIOUS PROMISES

“Through them you share in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world.”

A. God has given us precious promises-firm and eternal.

B. Some of them:

His love (Romans 8:38-39).
His presence (Matthew 28:20).
His care (Philippians 4:19).
His grace (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Heaven (John 14:1-3).

C. There are over 7,000 promises in the Bible, and God fulfills them all (Hebrews 6:18).

In this uncertain world, His promises are our anchor!

Conclusion of 2 Peter 1:1-4

God has given us eternal treasures:

Trials that refine us.
Blood that purifies us.
A Savior who loves us.
A faith that saves us.
Promises that sustain us.

Do you value these things?

Maybe I need to embrace a promise today.
Or give thanks for His faithfulness.
Or even coming to Jesus for the first time.

He is precious. His gifts are eternal. Don’t neglect them!

Our precious possessions – 2 Peter 1:1-4