Introduction:     1 Peter = outward pressures shacking their faith. 2 Peter focus on inward pressures that are shaking their faith. The importance of the right foundation. How much can people take before their faith is shaken to the core? The key is having the right foundation. Don’t wait until trouble comes to construct the foundation – it must be in place before the storm! “Like precious faith” (v.1) our “saving” faith in Jesus Christ that brought us into relationship with God. He calls it “precious” faith – it is of great value! It is that personal saving faith in Jesus Christ that is going to get me through – that is my foundation; that is my anchor; that is what I stand on with the storms of life come howling. When the going gets tuff and you just want to know how to get through it - you had better have your foundation in place or you’re not going to make it! What must we do to have a firm foundation? What did Peter do?

I.          EXERCISED HIS FAITH

I have to do something with my faith! Doing something with our faith results in:

            A.        Truly Changed

“Simon / Peter” A faith that doesn’t change you is not saving faith! (Illus: Peter – before and after)

            B.         Totally Committed

“A servant” = bond slave (a slave by choice). Time, talent, and treasure. This type of slave was:

• Property of their master.
• People without time (at the master’s beckon call).
• Their master’s word was the only law they knew (it wasn’t the law of the land; it was the law of the one they were enslaved to).

If you think you are going to survive the storms of life and you are not totally and fully committed to Jesus Christ (doulos) lashed to Him by faith, you are not going to make it! Our invitation is not only for the lost to be saved, but that Christians will stop playing at this thing and will completely surrender their lives to the Lordship of Jesus!

            C.        Tremendously Focused

“Apostle” He knew where he was going and he knew haw to get there. He had the full authority of his master. (Illus: Ambassadors are themselves are not powerful – their power lies in the country and its resources they represent). You do not have to roll over when the storms of life come - you can take authority – you have been sent by Jesus Christ into this world to make a difference and all of heaven is at your disposal!

You will never have a firm foundation until you exercise it in this way!

II.         EXALTED HIS FAITH

“Obtained” = not worked for – I got saved because Jesus gave me my salvation! “Precious” = of great value.

            A.        Unique Faith (“like”)

Everyone that gets saved is saved through this same kind of faith.

            B.         Unchanging Faith (“with us”)

We’re saved today with the same kind of faith they had 2000 years ago. (Illus: methods may change, but not the message!) We stand today on the same faith that Christians have stood on down through the ages. 

III.       EXPLAINED HIS FAITH

Some will say, “I’d like to stand strong in the storm.” There is only one way my friend and that is only on the foundation of saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Some may say, “My faith is weak.” Beloved, it is not the strength of your faith, but the object of your faith that matters! When my faith is in the living Christ all things are possible! So what do I get in this relationship with Jesus Christ that will help me through these tuff times?

            A.        His Righteousness

Our God and Savior Jesus Christ has imputed to us His righteousness. (Illus: defeating the devil when he tells us we’re no good by reminding him that it is not up to us by on Christ’s righteousness.)

            B.         His Grace

Saved by grace / sustained by grace! (Illus: God will not give you the grace to go through the storm until the storm comes.)

           C.                 His Peace

“Peace” = bound together – confidence. When you stand on the finished work of Jesus Christ – when you claim no righteousness but His – when the accuser of the brethren tries to defeat you – when you draw on God’s unlimited resource of grace – the peace which passes all human understanding is going to flood your soul. But, there is not going to be any peace as long as you are trying to plow through; dig through life. You’re going to have peace when you just STAND! God is not asking you to run – to climb – to swim – to fight – or jump through hoops! God is asking you to stand still on that precious faith and know that He is God!

Conclusion:       A firm foundation can be yours today through the experiential knowledge of God our Savior Jesus Christ.