PRECIOUS INDEED

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Pastor Rick Jackson

What is it that you value? Years ago, I was staying for the summer with my brother. He had a two-car garage and in one side was his vehicle and on the other side was his new riding lawnmower. I asked him one day, without attitude, why my car was left out in the weather and his lawnmower was sitting in the garage. He replied simply and without sarcasm, "Because the lawnmower is worth more than your car!" That made perfect sense to me. It was a used car, but a new riding lawnmower and the mower actually cost more than the car and was more likely to be damaged by the weather as well.

Your vehicle is probably worth more than a bike. But your house is worth more than your vehicle (not always). But then your family is worth more than your house. If you were lost in a desert water would be more precious than a million dollars and if you were in space air would be worth more than a billion dollars! So, it is sometimes hard to decide what is precious.

Our text teaches that food is precious. Obviously if you were starving you would trade a diamond for an apple. What are some things we should consider as precious? The word "precious" (timios) here is used less than 15 times in the New Testament. What does God tell is precious?

1. A GOOD NAME

Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2. A GOOD MARRIAGE

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

3. THE SAVIOUR'S BLOOD

1 Peter 1:18-19 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; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

4. THE WORD OF GOD

2 Peter 1:4 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.

Psalm 19:9-11 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward

5. FAITH IN CHRIST

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

6. HEARTFELT SERVICE FOR CHRIST

1 Corinthians 3:11-14 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

7. HEAVEN

Revelation 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

Revelation 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;