I did teach a sermon a number of years ago on 'precious' but now as I reviewed the notes (of an interest from last week's bird sermon on precious seed), I see that by understanding Paul's teachings, we see there is actually a way to consider the word 'precious' that is more perfectly than the general teachings of 'precious.'

The way of God more perfectly.
Acts 18:26 - And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Precious
1828
1.  Of great price; costly; as a precious stone.
2.  Of great value or worth; very valuable.
3.  Highly valued; much esteemed.
other - 4.  Worthless; in irony and contempt.

Modern definition:
1. Of high cost or worth; valuable.
2. Highly esteemed; cherished.
3. Dear; beloved.
4. Affectedly dainty or over refined: precious mannerisms.

Psalm 49:8

• redemption of their soul

• death o his saints
• (also see Ecclesiastes 7:1b)
• saints are Jews - but Ephesians reconciles us to the Jew - NOW our death can be, as well.

• precious seed
• Jews
• words of God, etc.
• KJB today!!

• the sum of his thoughts
• Isaiah 55:8 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
• KJB today!!

• wisdom
• KJB Today!!! - knowledge - read it and memorize, etc.
• Rightly dividing - Paul's riches of understanding
• = Wisdom
• A big price we pay today
• called enemy
• loved less
• mocked
• lose friends
• should even reject friends - withdraw from, from such turn away, have no fellowship with...

• substance of a diligent man
• Ezekiel 16:49 - we don't strengthen their hand - we just have giveth and welfare!
• KJB Today!! - But you have to read AND study!

• lips of knowledge
• KJB Today!!

• a good name
• KJB today is the only way to find the correct name!

• precious corner stone
• Jesus Christ, of course!
• Jews, but now we also get in.  Ephesians 2,3 - reconciled
• Romans 9:32, 33 - Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

• Hezekiah's precious junk in his home he showed off to others.
• Trusted in riches instead of living God - I Timothy 6:17
• living God - within and from the KJB!

• of course, the devil can get into the picture because of his precious stone as his covering!
• the antichrist - angel of light - in the music today - in the worship - and the flesh loves it!
• not from God today!

• Thus we can see these things becoming more and more reality!
• We still don't have the consequences or threats of these verses TO us today.
• So we can still see the 'application' then that has some merit even today!

• trial of our faith
• but we have no trials today compared to what they will have then.
• their salvation depends on their victories!
• to whine about trials today just makes us wimpy whiny Christians today!
• our faith is our shield today - Ephesians 6:16!

• precious blood of Christ!
• of course - that is a 'fact' that is evident throughout the whole NT.
• important illustration for 'TO" and "FOR" - still read TO and For - but just know it doesn't all apply TO us today!

• chief corner stone - precious to those that believe!
• those folks will have to pay a lot more than we will ever know.
• Seems like a costly thing to folks today, though!
• old days - "We had everything but money"
• today - "We have nothing except money!"
• tomorrow - we will have neither!  'nothing and no money!

• precious faith
• there IS faith needed in the tribulation as is today
• So that is why preachers try to bring I II Peter, etc. TO us today.
• It makes for good scary guilt producing sermons!
• Does it work?
• No - people are losing interest
• heading for the new stuff!

• exceeding great and precious promises
• having escaped the corruption that is in the world
• We have not escaped those - they will HAVE to escape.
• We have promises, as well, but now we know which ones are to us today!

• New Jerusalem

Our works, IF they are Paul's!

Precious
1.  Of great price; costly; as a precious stone.
2.  Of great value or worth; very valuable.
3.  Highly valued; much esteemed.
 

• I Corinthians 4:17 - For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
• Philippians 4:9 - Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
• II Timothy 3:10 - But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
• I Corinthians 3:10-12
• According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 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.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
• KJV - the fire - the word of God! Jeremiah 23:29 - Is not my word like as a fire?  saith the LORD;