Experiencing the Preciousness of Christ in Faith

 

Summary

Summary:

In reflecting on the preciousness of Christ, the heart is stirred by the profound personal experience of knowing Him. The journey of faith is not merely an intellectual exercise but a deeply personal and transformative relationship with Jesus. Believers are called to appreciate Christ not just for His teachings or the doctrines surrounding Him, but for His very person. This appreciation is rooted in personal experience and the profound changes He brings into one's life. Christ is precious because He delivers us from the guilt of sin, transforms our character, and changes the very direction of our lives. He is the anchor in times of doubt and the comfort in times of trial.

Faith in Christ is not inherited or borrowed; it must be personal and experiential. It is not enough to believe in Christ because of tradition or familial influence; one must know Him personally and trust Him fully. This personal faith leads to a life of devotion, where Christ becomes the center of all thoughts and actions. The believer's life is marked by a willingness to suffer loss for His sake, to make sacrifices, and to speak boldly of His love.

Christ is not only precious in the past and present but also in the future, as believers anticipate the hope of resurrection and eternal life with Him. This hope is grounded in the historical reality of Christ's resurrection, which assures believers of their own future resurrection. In a world filled with doubt and unbelief, the believer's faith in Christ stands as a testimony to His enduring preciousness.

Key Takeaways:

1. Personal Faith and Experience: True faith in Christ is deeply personal and cannot be inherited or borrowed. It requires a personal encounter and relationship with Jesus, leading to a transformative experience that changes one's life direction and priorities. This personal faith is essential for salvation and eternal life. [13:40]

2. Christ as the Anchor in Trials: In times of doubt and trial, Christ serves as an anchor, providing stability and hope. The believer's relationship with Jesus offers comfort and strength, enabling them to endure hardships with patience and faith. This reliance on Christ is crucial for navigating life's challenges. [19:22]

3. The Transformative Power of Christ: Christ's presence in a believer's life leads to profound transformation, breaking the chains of sin and changing the character and desires of the individual. This transformation is a testament to the power of Christ's love and grace, making Him precious to those who have experienced it. [16:56]

4. The Hope of Resurrection: The resurrection of Christ is a foundational truth that assures believers of their own future resurrection. This hope provides comfort in the face of death and encourages believers to live with the expectation of eternal life with Christ. [23:19]

5. Boldness in Proclaiming Christ: A genuine appreciation of Christ compels believers to speak of His love and salvation. This boldness in sharing the gospel is a natural outflow of a heart that treasures Christ, and it challenges believers to be active in spreading His message. [30:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction and Personal Reflection
- [01:50] - The First Sermon Experience
- [03:18] - Believers and Their Faith
- [04:58] - Understanding Belief in Christ
- [06:24] - The Nature of Saving Faith
- [07:54] - Personal Creed and Trust in Christ
- [09:24] - The Believer's Appreciation of Christ
- [12:00] - Personal and Experiential Faith
- [14:37] - Christ's Deliverance from Sin
- [16:56] - Transformation Through Christ
- [18:26] - Living for Christ's Glory
- [20:39] - The Preciousness of Christ in Trials
- [22:44] - Expectation of Resurrection
- [25:20] - Boldness in Faith and Witness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 2:7

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of personal faith in Christ, and how does it differ from inherited or borrowed faith? [13:40]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of Christ as an anchor during times of doubt and trial? [19:22]

3. What examples are given in the sermon to illustrate the transformative power of Christ in a believer's life? [16:56]

4. How does the sermon explain the hope of resurrection and its importance to believers? [23:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean for faith to be personal and experiential, and why is this emphasized as essential for salvation? [13:40]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christ provides stability and hope during life's challenges? [19:22]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the changes in character and desires that occur when Christ transforms a believer's life? [16:56]

4. How does the historical reality of Christ's resurrection provide comfort and assurance to believers facing death? [23:19]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal faith journey. How have you experienced a personal and transformative relationship with Christ? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship? [13:40]

2. Think of a recent trial or period of doubt in your life. How did you rely on Christ as your anchor during that time? What can you do to strengthen this reliance in future challenges? [19:22]

3. Identify a specific area in your life where you have experienced Christ's transformative power. How can you share this testimony with others to encourage them in their faith journey? [16:56]

4. How does the hope of resurrection influence your daily life and decisions? In what ways can you live with a greater expectation of eternal life with Christ? [23:19]

5. Consider how you can be bolder in proclaiming Christ's love and salvation. What practical steps can you take to share the gospel with someone in your life this week? [30:19]

6. Reflect on the sacrifices you are willing to make for Christ's sake. Are there areas in your life where you can be more devoted to living for His glory? [28:23]

7. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for Christ's presence in your life, both in times of joy and in times of trial? What practices can help you maintain this focus? [20:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Personal Encounter with Christ
True faith in Christ is not something that can be passed down or borrowed from others; it is a deeply personal and transformative experience. This faith requires an individual encounter with Jesus, where one comes to know Him personally and intimately. Such a relationship with Christ leads to a profound change in one's life, altering priorities and life direction. It is through this personal faith that believers find salvation and the promise of eternal life. The journey of faith is marked by a personal commitment to Christ, where He becomes the center of all thoughts and actions. This personal relationship with Jesus is essential for a life of devotion and spiritual growth. [13:40]

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19, ESV)

Reflection: Think about your personal relationship with Christ. How can you deepen this relationship today through prayer, study, or service?


Day 2: Christ as Our Steadfast Anchor
In times of doubt and trial, Christ serves as an unwavering anchor, providing stability and hope. The believer's relationship with Jesus offers comfort and strength, enabling them to endure hardships with patience and faith. This reliance on Christ is crucial for navigating life's challenges, as He is the source of peace and assurance. When faced with uncertainty, believers can find solace in the knowledge that Christ is with them, guiding and supporting them through every storm. This steadfastness in Christ allows believers to remain grounded and hopeful, even in the most difficult circumstances. [19:22]

"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a current trial or challenge in your life. How can you rely on Christ as your anchor to navigate through it with faith and patience?


Day 3: Transformation Through Christ's Love
Christ's presence in a believer's life leads to profound transformation, breaking the chains of sin and changing the character and desires of the individual. This transformation is a testament to the power of Christ's love and grace, making Him precious to those who have experienced it. As believers grow in their relationship with Christ, they become more like Him, reflecting His love and righteousness in their daily lives. This change is not merely external but deeply internal, affecting the very core of one's being. The transformative power of Christ is evident in the way believers live, love, and serve others. [16:56]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have experienced transformation through Christ. How can you continue to grow and change in this area?


Day 4: The Hope of Resurrection
The resurrection of Christ is a foundational truth that assures believers of their own future resurrection. This hope provides comfort in the face of death and encourages believers to live with the expectation of eternal life with Christ. The promise of resurrection is not just a future hope but a present reality that shapes how believers live today. It gives them the courage to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that their ultimate destiny is secure in Christ. This hope of resurrection is a source of joy and strength, inspiring believers to live with purpose and passion. [23:19]

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, ESV)

Reflection: How does the hope of resurrection influence your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more fully in light of this hope?


Day 5: Boldness in Proclaiming Christ
A genuine appreciation of Christ compels believers to speak of His love and salvation. This boldness in sharing the gospel is a natural outflow of a heart that treasures Christ, and it challenges believers to be active in spreading His message. The love of Christ motivates believers to share the good news with others, even in the face of opposition or indifference. This boldness is not about being confrontational but about being confident and compassionate in sharing the truth of Christ's love. As believers grow in their relationship with Christ, they become more passionate about making Him known to others. [30:19]

"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (Acts 4:29-30, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear about Christ's love. How can you share the gospel with them in a bold and compassionate way this week?

Quotes


The text speaks of Believers and for my part I am happy to know that a man is reckoned among Believers of any sort rather than with doubters but the Believers mentioned here are Not Mere believers they are spiritual Believers Christian believers they believe in Christ Jesus it is only to such that Christ is precious. [00:04:30]

Believing upon Him goes further for when a man believes Upon Jesus or on Jesus he trusts him he rests himself upon him for the pardon of his sin he relies upon the savior's atoning sacrifice for eternal life he rests upon the savior's immortality for his resurrection he looks to the savior's power for everything he looks to his Redeemer. [00:05:48]

Every believer appreciates Christ himself his very person unto you therefore which believe he is precious he some think the ordinances which they call the sacraments very precious so they are but only for his sake others reckon the doctrines to be very precious and always thrust Doctrine into the Forefront we will not deny that every Doctrine is precious. [00:09:20]

You must value Christ because you have tried him and know him for yourself for nothing short of a personal appreciation and a personal appropriation of the Lord Jesus by faith to your own case and in your own heart will ever bring you to heaven everything short of personal godliness falls short of eternal life remember that nobody can be born again for you. [00:13:04]

Christ is precious to us this day because we have proved him to be precious what has he done for us he has delivered us first from all the guilt of our past sins you have not forgotten the day when Laden with guilt and full of fears you crept to the Cross foot and looked up and saw him suffering for you. [00:14:32]

There is such a change in the character of some in this place to my knowledge that Christ the great Transformer must be precious to them once at the Ale House where Sinners congregate once frequenting nameless haunts of Vice once a swearer once passionate once dishonest once a liar once everything that is evil but now washed and Sanctified. [00:16:47]

He is precious beyond all price for he has taught us to live for God's glory and for the welfare of our fellow men he is precious To Us by experience because he has helped us in many a dark hour of trial I shall not tell you tonight how often he has cheered me if any Spirit here is more than ordinarily inclined to despondency. [00:18:24]

I remember slipping the cable of my belief once and being driven out to seea before a furious wind of Doubt at first I reveled in that speedy sailing across a sea of fierce unbelief but ah when I began to see with I was going and when I stood at the prow of the vessel and marked the dreary Cloud land that lay before me. [00:19:19]

We remember that Jesus Christ rose from the dead if any historical fact is certain that is there may be doubts about whether Caesar was slain by Brutus or whether Alfred was ever King in England for there are not evidences one half so positive on those points as those which prove the resurrection of the Savior. [00:23:19]

If you esteem Christ as you should you will refuse to give him up at any cost and under any circumstances you will hold to what you believe you will have to suffer loss it may be in social position or in business very well do it gladly and only wish you could suffer more for his dear sake one might almost Envy the martyrs. [00:28:05]

He who really has this High estimate of Jesus will think much of him and as the thoughts are sure to run over at the mouth he will talk much of him do we so if Jesus is precious to you you will not be able to keep your good news to yourself you will be whispering it into your child's ear you will be telling it to your husband. [00:29:34]

Every Christian here is either a missionary or an impostor recollect that you either try to spread abroad the kingdom of Christ or else you do not love him at all it cannot be that there is a high appreciation of Jesus and a totally silent tongue about him of course I do not mean by that that those who use the pen are silent. [00:30:19]

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Transcript
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