Pastor Jason’s sermon at Gospel Light Christian Church on March 29, 2026, focused on the biblical imagery of Jesus as the cornerstone, stumbling stone, and living stone. He referenced Deuteronomy 32 and First Peter 2:4-8 to illustrate Jesus’ foundational role in the church and the dual nature of human choice and divine predestination in salvation. Jason emphasized the importance of repentance and belief, the church’s role as a spiritual house, and the need for believers to live holy, hopeful, and honest lives, proclaiming God’s excellencies through their actions and sacrifices.

Famous Rock Formations and Biblical Imagery

• Pastor Jason begins by testing the audience’s knowledge of famous rock formations from around the world, including Uluru in Australia, James Bond Island in Thailand, and Ephrodite Rock in Cyprus.
• He then introduces the biblical imagery of God as a rock, referencing Deuteronomy 32 where Moses likens God to a rock.
• Pastor Jason explains that the apostle Peter, in his letter First Peter, describes Jesus as the rock, quoting Isaiah 28, Psalm 118, and Isaiah 8 to emphasize Jesus’ role as the cornerstone.
• He discusses how Peter’s understanding of Jesus as the stone is rooted in the Old Testament and how Jesus himself referenced Psalm 118 during his rejection by the religious leaders.

Jesus as the Cornerstone

• Pastor Jason elaborates on the significance of Jesus as the cornerstone, explaining that a cornerstone sets the foundation and direction for a structure.
• He uses the analogy of a BTO (Build-To-Order) flat to illustrate the importance of a solid foundation, emphasizing that Jesus is the rock-solid foundation of the church.
• The quotation from Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22 is highlighted, explaining that Jesus was previously rejected by the builders (the nation of Israel) but is now the cornerstone.
• Pastor Jason shares a story about St Paul’s Cathedral to illustrate how a seemingly useless stone can become the perfect cornerstone, likening it to the rejection of Jesus by Israel.

Jesus as the Stumbling Stone

• Pastor Jason transitions to discussing Jesus as the stumbling stone, referencing Isaiah 8:14, which states that some will stumble over Jesus and take offense.
• He explains that people will stumble because they disobey the word, as mentioned in First Peter 2:7-8, and that this rejection is their own fault.
• The concept of God’s destined purpose is introduced, suggesting that while people’s rejection of Jesus is their fault, it is also part of God’s plan.
• Pastor Jason uses the analogy of a pulley to explain how man’s choice and God’s will are interconnected, emphasizing that both are necessary for understanding salvation.

The Balance of Man’s Choice and God’s Will

• Pastor Jason delves deeper into the balance between man’s choice and God’s will, citing various biblical passages that support this idea.
• He explains that while belief in Jesus is necessary for salvation, it is also a result of God’s work, as seen in John 1:12 and John 3:8.
• The concept of God’s election and predestination is discussed, with Pastor Jason emphasizing that God’s sovereignty does not negate human responsibility.
• He encourages the audience to repent and believe, rather than becoming passive, and to preach the gospel with confidence in God’s elect.

The Living Stone and the Church’s Purpose

• Pastor Jason introduces the concept of Jesus as the living stone, explaining that Jesus died and rose again, giving life to those who believe in him.
• He emphasizes that through Jesus, believers can become living stones themselves, participating in the spiritual house and temple of God.
• The Greek tense of the word “come” is discussed, highlighting that faith in Jesus is an ongoing, enduring relationship.
• Pastor Jason explains that the church is meant to be a spiritual house and temple, with believers offering spiritual sacrifices to glorify God.

The Church as a Chosen Race, Nation, and People

• Pastor Jason explains the imagery of the church as a chosen race, nation, and people, referencing Old Testament passages like Isaiah 43 and Deuteronomy 7.
• He emphasizes that God chose Israel and the church not because of their merit but out of his mercy and sovereign will.
• The Greek words “genos,” “ethnos,” and “laos” are explained, highlighting the church’s heritage, identity, and ownership by God.
• Pastor Jason clarifies that the church is not replacing Israel but fulfilling its purpose, with both having a special place in God’s economy.

The Royal Priesthood

• Pastor Jason introduces the concept of the church as a royal priesthood, explaining that every believer is a priest, offering spiritual sacrifices to God.
• He contrasts the old priesthood, which focused on animal sacrifices in a physical temple, with the new priesthood, which offers spiritual sacrifices in a spiritual temple.
• The royal aspect of the priesthood is explained, highlighting that believers belong to both the priestly and kingly line through Jesus, who is both king and priest.
• Pastor Jason references Melchizedek, the king-priest, to explain the greater priesthood of Jesus and the corresponding priesthood of believers.

Proclaiming God’s Excellencies and Offering Spiritual Sacrifices

• Pastor Jason explains that proclaiming God’s excellencies and offering spiritual sacrifices involve living a holy, hopeful, and helpful life.
• He emphasizes that worship is not just about singing songs but also about living a life that reflects God’s character and glorifies him.
• The importance of being honest, hardworking, and filled with hope in sharing the gospel is highlighted.
• Pastor Jason concludes by encouraging the audience to live out their faith actively, participating in the spiritual house and offering spiritual sacrifices to God.