May 17, 2020 - 1 Peter 2:4-10 - "The Hope of Easter Remains in the Face of Rejection

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” At the time, many who heard his words remained in spiritual darkness; they rejected Jesus’ claim and tossed him aside. That has not changed. Although the Lord Jesus remains the Cornerstone of his Church, many people stumble over his claim and choose to build their hopes upon other things. We gather this morning not because we are wiser or superior in any way. Rather, in his great mercy our God has “called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.” He chose us. He appointed us to be his royal priests. By the death and resurrection of his Son, God redeemed us from sin and death and made us to be his special possession now and forever. In fact, even in a world that rejects or ignores him, God continues to build his Church, day by day adding one “living stone” after another to his “spiritual house.” It’s no wonder we will voice our Easter hope and declare God’s praises today and all our lives!