8/24/25 - Living Backwards - 1 Peter 1:13-21 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Church family, this Sunday we come to a single verse that has the power to reframe your entire perspective on life: “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13). It’s easy to get stuck looking at the hood of the car rather than the road ahead. We are distracted by the immediate problems, deadlines, or notifications. But Peter lifts our eyes to the horizon and calls us to live with a mindset that is alert, sober, and anchored in the coming grace of Jesus. This isn’t vague theology, it’s deeply practical. The battle begins in the mind, and Peter challenges us to gird up our thoughts, to be mentally and spiritually ready for the life God has called us to live.

We’ll explore how the hope of Jesus’ return should change how we live today, specifically in how we pursue holiness and reverence. Holiness isn't about perfection; it’s about living set apart for God. And reverence means honoring the weight of what Christ has done for us. Peter reminds us that we were ransomed, not with gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ. When we see the price of our salvation clearly, it should shape every decision, every desire, every moment of our lives. This passage asks us to live backwards: with eternity in view, living today in light of the heavenly glories that are yet to come!