2. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3

3. Uphill Living in a Downhill World I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14 NIV) 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3

4. Uphill Living in a Downhill World I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14 NIV) 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3

5. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Key Signs: - Losing our joy Key Signs: - Losing our joy

6. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Key Signs: -Losing our joy -Giving up on uphill living Key Signs: -Losing our joy -Giving up on uphill living

7. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3

8. Uphill Living in a Downhill World Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3

9. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3

10. Uphill Living in a Downhill World Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3

11. Uphill Living in a Downhill World For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3

12. Uphill Living in a Downhill World Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3

13. Uphill Living in a Downhill World Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self- controlled … 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle?

14. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle?

15. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle?

16. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle?

17. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle?

18. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle?

19. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle?

20. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? A better question … How does God want me to grow in or demonstrate his holiness in or through this?

21. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? Holy: “Separate” … “Set apart”

22. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? Holy: “Separate” … “Set apart” Purity – “ultimate ethical beauty & moral perfection

23. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? Holy: “Separate” … “Set apart” Purity – “ultimate ethical beauty & moral perfection Saint: “Set apart one”

24. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? Holy: “Separate” … “Set apart” Purity – “ultimate ethical beauty & moral perfection Saint: “Set apart one” Sanctify:

25. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? What does it mean to live in “holy” hope? It means seeing … and believing the special status I have in God’s eyes … and giving myself to live up to it

26. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? What does it mean to live in “holy” hope?

27. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? What does it mean to live in “holy” hope? For this is God’s will: that you should become holy -that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you know how to possess his body in holiness and honor... – 1 Thessalonians 4

28. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? What does it mean to live in “holy” hope? For this is God’s will: that you should become holy -… brotherly love.. – 1 Thessalonians 4

29. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? What does it mean to live in “holy” hope? For this is God’s will: that you should become holy -Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands … – 1 Thessalonians 4

30. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? What does it mean to live in “holy” hope? Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks truth from his heart … who swears to his own hurt and does not change … – Psalm 15

31. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q1: What is the nature of the uphill battle? What does it mean to live in “holy” hope? “Referability” Habits: - Show up on time - Do what you say - Finish what you start - Say ‘Please’ & ‘Thank you’ (The Strategic Coach)

32. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q2: How can I keep my mind prepared for the uphill battle?

33. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q2: How can I keep my mind prepared for the uphill battle?

34. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q2: How can I keep my mind prepared for the uphill battle? 1)I need to change the question in my mind: From: “Is it worth it?” To:“How will I live because in Jesus’ death God has declared me worth it … and has made me worthy?”

35. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q2: How can I keep my mind prepared for the uphill battle? Stages of Growth In Holiness: 1)Should … but why would I? 2)Should … and want to … but can’t Should … and worth it … but can’t Should … and must … but can’t 3)Can... and will … because it’s through him Stages of Growth In Holiness: 1)Should … but why would I? 2)Should … and want to … but can’t Should … and worth it … but can’t Should … and must … but can’t 3)Can... and will … because it’s through him

36. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q2: How can I keep my mind prepared for the uphill battle?

37. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q2: How can I keep my mind prepared for the uphill battle? 2) Refine & replace inner cravings with a craving for God’s Word Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

38. Uphill Living in a Downhill World 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 Q2: How can I keep my mind prepared for the uphill battle? 4 Questions to Let Hope Keep Pulling You Upward 1)Does it conform to the excellence of God (1:14- 17) 2)Is it in keeping with the trajectory of the wonderful salvation I have been given (1:18-21) 3)Does it help add to the love quotient (1:22-2:1) 4)Am I delightfully submitting to God’s Word (2:2,3)