Sermon – Experiencing Freedom From Darkness

Sermon – Experiencing Freedom From Darkness

Scripture -1Peter 2:6-9 “As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

Introduction -1 Peter 2:6-9 signifies that Jesus is the precious cornerstone for believers, but a stone of stumbling for those who reject Him. Jesus is a "stone of stumbling" for those who reject Him because the very message and nature of the cross are offensive to human pride and worldly expectations, making His path the foundation of salvation for believers but an unavoidable obstacle for unbelievers. This means that a person's disbelief and rejection become their own downfall, causing them to "stumble" over the same figure who is the "rock of salvation" for others. For those who believe, this cornerstone provides a secure foundation, ensuring they will not be put to shame. On the other hand, those who are disobedient and reject Jesus will stumble and face God's appointed judgment. This passage concludes by identifying these believers as a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" called to proclaim God's praises.

Jesus is the Cornerstone and the sure foundation for the Christian Faith. The cornerstone was a crucial foundation stone for a building's stability. For believers, Jesus and His finished work is precious and the secure base for their faith. For those who reject Jesus, he becomes a Stone of Stumbling. They refuse to believe in the rock, God has sent. Because they reject Jesus and will not believe that Jesus is God’s answer, God’s foundation they will stumble and fall. Their disobedience to God’s message leads to their fall and ultimate judgment. Those who trust in Christ and believe on God’s Son will not be put to shame. Believers stand on a solid foundation, a cornerstone that will not fail them. Besides that, believers receive a new identity in Christ. This passage describes the believer as a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's own precious possession." This new identity positions the believer to "proclaim the excellencies of God who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light." Believers are called to live lives that glorifies God and testify to His Greatness.

1. Darkness Has No Real Power. Darkness is the absence of light. Believers must live out their faith in a world of darkness. What do you do when the lights go out? Have you ever experienced a power outage at night? Those first moments can be unsettling. In an instant, what once brought ease and comfort disappears into the shadows. Familiar walls and objects become stumbling blocks, and every step feels uncertain. Fear creeps in, and suddenly, you feel vulnerable from every angle.

Life can feel the same way, but remember darkness has no power. Even as people of faith, we sometimes find ourselves in seasons of deep darkness. This darkness can come in various ways, whether through our own doing. It may be disobedience, addiction, or complacency, through unexpected suffering, or when life weighs us down. At its worst, it becomes a pit of miry clay and fighting our way out on our own feels nearly impossible. In Psalm 40:2, David testifies about God's deliverance from desperate situations. God pulled David up from a "horrible pit" and out of "miry clay" to place him on a solid rock. God knows how to rescue believers from a state of ruin and despair, provides a secure and stable foundation, and establishes their path forward. God will bring us out of darkness into the light, establish our going and rescue us from every kind of crisis.

John 10:10 reminds us that we have a real enemy. It reads, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full". This is a verse that contrasts the destructive nature of evil with the life-giving purpose of Jesus, who came to offer "abundant life." Jesus offers us a life that is more complete, meaningful, and eternal. Satan seeks to keep us trapped in darkness by convincing us we lack the power or authority to escape. He’ll have believers to believe their darkness will never end, their past will always define them and that their efforts to overcome will fail. Yet Satan’s power only lies in darkness, smoke and mirrors. Though the darkness may seem deep, engulfing, and suffocating, it has no real hold on the believer. The believer has been called out of darkness into the marvelous light.