LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH
By Steve Shelton

(Pastor of Central Avenue Baptist Church, St. Petersburg, FL)
 

Text: (2 Peter 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:


INTRODUCTION

We live in a day in which there are many who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many would say: Oh yes I believe in Jesus Christ. Oh yes I am a Christian. I am a follower of Jesus Christ.  There are many kinds of faiths which claim to be the true one    They all have their different beliefs concerning Jesus Christ and what he taught. Someone will ask - what is one to believe?  How can you be sure? Well the first thing one must determine is: what is the grounds or basis for faith. Is it going to be the ideas or teachings of men or the word of God?  I would say to you the only grounds for true faith is the Word of God.

This morning for just a few moments I want to speak to you on the subject: Like Precious Faith.  Peter, in writing to the saints of God in his second epistle, describes them as follows:  "to them that have obtained like precious faith with us"  The ones to whom Peter wrote to had the same kind of faith - like precious faith.

Transition: In considering our subject, I would like to consider first:

A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR FAITH

Their faith was in Jesus Christ.

Just like Peter and all the other apostles, these folks believed in Jesus Christ.   In the gospel of Matthew chapter 16, we have the Lord asking his disciples:   Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  The answer given was:  Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  The Lord proceeded by asking a second question: But whom say ye that I am?   Peter answered:  Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Thou art the Anointed of God, the Messiah, the one we have been waiting for. So these folks who had like precious faith, they believed in Jesus Christ and believed like Peter and all other Apostles. They believed Jesus Christ to be the Christ, the Son of the living God.   They had like precious faith.

They believed He was the only Savior.

In the book of Acts chapter 4 we have Peter and John standing before the high priest, Caiaphas, rulers, elders, and scribes. They are standing there because they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. They had been thrown in jail because of this. Peter filled with the Holy Ghost said in verses 8-12 "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, {9} If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; {10} Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. {11} This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. {12} Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

They believed in the resurrection.

Peter in his first epistle wrote in (1 Pet 1:3) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"  These folks like Peter and the other apostles believed Jesus Christ rose from the dead and through his resurrection there was the hope of their own resurrection and eternal bliss.

They believed in the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ

Peter when he was at the house of Cornelius preached forgiveness of sins through the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Acts 10:34-43) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: {35} But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. {36} The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) {37} That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; {38} How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. {39} And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: {40} Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; {41} Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. {42} And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. {43} To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Peter in his first epistle wrote:

(1 Pet 1:18-20) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; {19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: {20} Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

THE OBTAINING OF THIS FAITH

Peter in addressing the saints of God described them as "them that have obtained like precious faith with us.  How did these folks obtain like precious faith?  The word "obtained" here means: to receive by Divine allotment

It was not by chance

Beloved these folks did not just by accident began to believe on him.  It was not by chance that they heard the message of Jesus Christ.  It was not by chance that when they heard the message they believed upon him.  For nothing takes place by chance.  The Almighty Sovereign of the Universe is in controls of all things which take place
I would draw your attention back to the passage found in Matthew 16 where the Lord asked the question: Whom do men say that I Son of man am? And Whom say ye that I am?    Peter answered and said:  Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.    We are told in the very next verse: (17) "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."  The Lord told Peter: You are blessed of God.   The Lord told Peter "flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee" -   the truth which you have stated.  You are blessed of God because the Father has revealed to you the truth concerning me.  The Father hath revealed me as the Christ, the Son of the living God unto you.

It was a Supernatural Faith

Beloved, the faith which Peter had and these ones to whom he wrote was a supernatural faith. It was a faith given to Peter. God blessed him - showed grace unto him by opening his eyes that he might see Jesus Christ as the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  It was a faith obtained by the grace of God.  Paul wrote in (Eph 2:8-9) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast. The word "that" refers back to the faith in the previous phrase.

THE CHARACTER OF THIS FAITH

Peter describes the character of this faith as being: "precious"  The word "precious" speaks of something which is costly. Diamonds are precious - they are of great worth. The faith which Peter and those to whom he wrote to was precious.

Precious because it was not the false faith of the heretics, the feigned faith of the hypocrites, and the fruitless faith of the mere professors of salvation.

Their faith was based upon truth.  The truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Their faith was real.  It was not hypocritical.  It was one which they lived.   Their faith was fruitful.  Their faith was proved by their works.

Precious because it was through faith in Jesus Christ they became the children of God.

Paul wrote in (Gal 3:26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.   It is by faith in Jesus Christ we come to know the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life.  John tells us in (1 John 5:1) "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."

Precious because it is impossible to please God without it.

(Heb 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Precious because it is through faith we enjoy the promises of God.

(2 Cor 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  Oh what promises we have in Jesus Christ.  The hope of eternal bliss, an eternal home.    Peter wrote in (1 Pet 1:3-6) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {4} To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, {5} Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. {6} Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:"

Precious because it by faith in Jesus Christ we are cleansed of our sins.

(Acts 15:9) And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
 

Precious because it is a gift of God.  A gift of God's grace.


CONCLUSION

In closing I would ask you the question: Do you have this "Like Precious Faith"?  If the answer is: no, I would call upon you to repent and turn from the wicked path you are treading, I would call upon you to look by faith to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Bow to him today.  Trust in him now for the free pardon of sin and hope of eternal bliss.  May God grant you grace to do so.

If you do you have this "Like Precious Faith" are you sharing it with others?   Mom and Dad - what about your son or daughter?   Have you spoken to them of their eternal soul and need of the Lord Jesus Christ?   Brother or Sister - Have you spoken to your brother or sister about the Lord Jesus Christ.  Have you told them of your faith in Jesus Christ and hope of eternal bliss?

December 5, 1999 Central Baptist Church  - Pastor Stephen Shelton