1. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture

2. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture Central Text: 1 Peter 1:3-4 Theme: Be hopeful in hostility because we have an eternal inheritance!

3. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture 1Pet. 1:3-4 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

4. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture I.Cause of the New Birth: God’s Mercy 1Pet. 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

5. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture Communicable attribute- an attribute of God for which at least a partial counterpart can be found in humankind

6. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture II. Means: Resurrection of Jesus Christ 1Pet. 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

7. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture How should the truth of the resurrection affect our confidence in this living hope?

8. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture III. Results of the New Birth

9. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture 1Pet. 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1Pet. 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 1Pet. 1:5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

10. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture III.Results of the New Birth A. Living Hope

11. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture 1Pet. 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

12. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

13. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture What does the word living convey about the quality of hope the Christian enjoys?

14. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture What is the key to appropriating such hope in our lives? - FAITH! - We cling to Christ (2 Pt. 1:3-8) by maintaining a firm grasp upon His Word (1 Pt. 2:3).

15. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture B. Eternal Inheritance 1Pet. 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

16. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture What is the background of the term inheritance?

17. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture Lev. 20:24 But I said to you, “You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the nations.

18. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture 1. QUALITY 1Pet. 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

19. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture 1. QUALITY a. Imperishable b. Undefiled c. Unfading

20. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture 2. Security 1Pet. 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

21. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture How should the quality and security of our eternal inheritance affect our Christian service? MOVE US OUT IN JOYFUL OBEDIENCE!

22. Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture Next week: “Be Joyful because we are guarded by God.”