Grace Lutheran Church

Sermon Easter 5A “Living Stones and other images of life in Christ”

+ In Nomine Jesu +
The Rev. Evan P. Gaertner
Easter 5A
April 20, 2008
1 Peter 2:2-10

“Living Stones built on the Living Stone”

Today’s reading from 1 Peter chapter two has three powerful images. First is the image of newborn infants that desire, crave, the spiritual unadulterated milk so that they may grow in salvation. As Christians we long for Jesus Christ because we know he is the only food by which we grow into and are strengthened in his kingdom. If you have tasted that Christ is the Lord then you crave to have this drink even more.

After tasting the good news of Jesus Christ, you should want to daily hear the good news of your baptism, that you are a child of God by the promises of Jesus.

The second image in this text today is that of you, that have come to Jesus, as living stones being built into a spiritual house, temple, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In this image we are community of believers being built up in order to be present in the space between God and the world. We become mediators of the promise of Jesus Christ, positioned in the kingdom of God to be strengthened and nourished by the good news of Jesus Christ. You are also positioned in the world to reach out to a broken and hurting community with the essential message of Jesus Christ.

The third image in this text builds off the imagery of being chosen. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God to proclaim the wondrous work of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. The imagery in this third part is defined by contrast. The contrast is who we are by the work of God. Once you were not a people, now you are the people of God. Once you did not know mercy, now you are mercy.

This image defines the space that you occupy in this world and the kingdom of God. Chosen. You have been chosen by the work of Christ. Chosen out of darkness. Chosen to proclaim the wondrous work of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

These three images together help shape our identity in this world where we will face persecution and rejection.

Capital One Credit Card marketing has understood the need for identity and confidence with their slogan, “What’s in your wallet?” The commercials for Capital One will show different historic enemies attacking you only to find them the shrink away once they find out you have a Capital One Credit Card.

You are a living stone, being built up by the Lord for a purpose. While at times you may find yourself stumbling over your Christian faith as you try to fit in this world. It is dangerous when we try to build our lives on anything other than Jesus Christ. Who we are and what we do entirely flows out of this promise, once we were not a people, but now you are God’s people. One you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. This truth is the cornerstone of history. This is why it was common to reckon the years as BC or AD. Before Christ and the year of our Lord.

In Christ the story of the world finally moves from people building without a blueprint to us the cornerstone being laid.

The truth that goes across the three images I outlined in the beginning is the Jesus Christ. He is the foundation, the cornerstone, the beginning point. He is the chosen and precious cornerstone upon which all the rest of the stones find their place in the story.

Soli Deo Gloria