This sermon outline serves to illustrate, by Ezra’s example, how every child of God should see to walk with God as well as to help others do the same. Spiritual leaders must be prepared to show others the way forward. They must always remember that they cannot lead someone any farther than they have gone themselves. With this in mind, hopefully this outline will help prepare folks for narrow way!
Title: “Ezra: A Prepared Man!”
Text: Ezra 7:1-10
(Ezra 7:1-10) “Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest: This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” (KJV)
Introduction:
• God used this Scribe, I believe, for one reason and one reason only!
• It was because he had prepared his heart!
• Ezra was not preparing for retirement, nor was he preparing to amass the world’s material possessions!
• Ezra was concerned and possibly consumed with being right with God!
• It was under his leadership that the law and ritual of worship was restored after the captivity!
• Such a daunting task was accomplished because a man yielded himself to God and prepared his heart!
• Could it be that such a man is here in our midst tonight! Would there be a person here that God will use mightily, if only they would surrender their souls to God!
Proposition: There are three things I want to mention about the preparations Ezra made!
I. Ezra Prepared To Seek God’s Law!
A. One must be committed to God’s Word enough to be seeking it in every facet!
B. Just as one would hold a gem to the light and admiringly seek out all of its illustrious reflections, so we must with God’s Holy Word!
C. Scripture must be sought out early, while the day is still young if one is to be effective in their walk during the course of the day!
D. Every used servant of God is characterized by this preparation!
II. Ezra Prepared To Do God’s Law!
A. It is one thing to seek out God’s law. It is entirely different to practice what is found!
B. One would be considered foolish to spend absorbent amounts of time preparing for a trip and never take the journey!
C. It would be unwise to fill the gas tank and never start the car!
D. One must be committed to follow God’s Word in whatever it says prior to reading it!
E. This should be viewed as a one way trip of no return!
III. Ezra Prepared To Teach Others God’s Law!
A. Many are just self-centered, and never consider that each one of us is commissioned to disciple others!
(Matthew 28:18-20) “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (KJV)
B. Jesus is very concerned about us seeking and following Him, but we must also be involved in training others!
C. Ezra had prepared his heart for this!
D. With all of the inconveniences this involves, he was still prepared for discipleship!
Conclusion:
To The Sinner:
• Are you prepared for death?
• Are you willing to repent and be saved?
To The Christian:
• Are you prepared for service in our Lord’s work!
