The First Step

Sermon Summary: Drawing from Psalm 120, the first of the Psalms of Ascent, this sermon opens a series titled "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction," based on Eugene Peterson's book of the same name. The central argument is that the Christian life is a lifelong pilgrimage, not an instant transformation, and that every such journey must begin with repentance. The world, under the influence of the enemy whose native language is lies, constantly deceives people into pursuing false gods of success, wealth, approval, and pleasure. The psalmist's cry of distress over dwelling too long among liars and those who hate peace serves as a model for the moment of spiritual awakening that precedes genuine repentance. True repentance is not merely sorrow for sin but a complete change of mind and direction, a turning away from the lies of the world and a turning toward Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. The Holy Spirit, described by Jesus as the Spirit of Truth, is the guide and companion for this journey. The sermon concludes with a call to recognize one's "too long" moment and take the first step toward God.

Key Points:

- The Christian life is a pilgrimage, a long obedience in the same direction, not an overnight transformation

- The Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120 through 134) were songs sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem and serve as a guide for the modern believer's spiritual journey

- Every sin begins with believing a lie, as demonstrated by the deception of Adam and Eve in the Garden

- The enemy's native language is lies, and the world is saturated with deception that points people away from Christ

- Repentance is far more than sorrow for sin; it is a complete paradigm shift, a change of the entire way one thinks (the Greek word metanoeo)

- A person must become thoroughly disgusted with the ways of the world before finding the motivation to set out on the Christian journey, as Eugene Peterson argues

- Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth sent to guide believers

- The question is not whether one has arrived but whether one has begun

- The first step of repentance is the hardest and most important step on the journey

- Weekly communion is a necessary act of remembrance that keeps Jesus central in a world that constantly pulls believers toward lies

Scripture Reference:

- Psalm 120 (primary text, the first Psalm of Ascent)

- John 14:6, where Jesus declares himself the way, the truth, and the life

- John 8:44, where Jesus describes the devil as a murderer and the father of lies

- John 15:26, where Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth

- Philippians 2, referencing Christ's obedience to the Father even unto death

- 1 John, referencing the incompatibility of loving the world and loving the Father

- Luke 19, referencing Jesus weeping over Jerusalem as he approached the city

Stories:

- The Fall in the Garden of Eden, used to illustrate how the first sin entered the world through the enemy's lie that contradicted God's direct command

- The testimony of Deion Sanders, the Hall of Fame athlete who won two Super Bowls, attempted suicide shortly after, and later came to faith in Christ, used as a modern illustration of the emptiness that follows worldly achievement

- Jesus weeping over Jerusalem as he approached the city, used to illustrate grief over a people who did not know what would bring them peace

- The anecdote about a church member struggling to leave for a trip, used as a lighthearted illustration of how difficult it is to take the first step on any journey