First Things First

First Things First

The Lesson from the Trail

Imagine going on a family hike in the Rocky Mountains. You’re confident it’ll be a simple, scenic walk—something called the “Chippy Trail” sounds easy enough. But soon you realize it’s steeper and longer than expected. So you make a “brilliant” plan: send the family down the trail while you rush back up to get the car and meet them at the bottom. Only, when you reach the end of the trail, they’re nowhere to be found.

After a frantic search filled with bear warnings, wrong turns, and running up and down mountains, you finally find each other—only to discover that the trail forked halfway through. You each took different paths and missed one another completely.

If only you’d checked the map first!

That experience taught a powerful truth: it’s always wise to keep first things first. And that’s exactly what we learn from God’s people in Ezra 3.

Setting the Scene

When we arrive at Ezra 3, the Israelites have finally returned home after decades in Babylonian exile. Their temple is in ruins, their city destroyed—but their hearts are ready to rebuild.

In chapter 1, God stirred King Cyrus to allow their return.

In chapter 2, around 50,000 Israelites made the long journey home.

Now, in chapter 3, they take their first steps toward restoration.

And what do they do first? They don’t start with city walls, homes, or temple foundations. They start with worship.

From their example, we learn three key priorities for keeping first things first in our spiritual lives.

1. Engage with God’s People

“When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem.” — Ezra 3:1

Their first instinct wasn’t isolation—it was community. They gathered “as one man,” united in heart and purpose.

They’d just endured a 1,000-mile journey—roughly from Pittsburgh to Dallas—on foot. You’d think they’d want a break. But instead, they came together to worship. Why? Because shared struggle builds shared strength. When you walk through difficulty with others toward a common goal, unity grows naturally.

We need that same togetherness today. In a world where loneliness and isolation are at all-time highs, Scripture calls us not to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). Faith thrives in community.

If you want to get closer to God, get closer to His people. Join a group. Show up. Participate. You’ll find encouragement, accountability, and joy that you simply cannot experience in isolation.

2. Elevate the Priority of Worship

“Then arose Jeshua…and Zerubbabel…and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses.” — Ezra 3:2

The first thing they built wasn’t the temple—it was the altar. Before they laid a foundation, they reestablished worship.

They knew that their true foundation wasn’t stone—it was God’s presence.

We often reverse that order. We get the job, the house, the schedule in place first, and then we try to “fit God in.” But when God becomes secondary, everything else eventually unravels.

One couple visiting Pathway once said they were looking for a church before a job. They wanted to make sure they were planted in the right spiritual community before anything else. That’s what it looks like to keep first things first.

When fear surrounded the Israelites, they didn’t build walls—they built an altar. They trusted God to be their protector and provider. The same is true for us. Before we strategize, problem-solve, or plan our next move, we must worship first.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

The first thing we do under pressure reveals where our faith truly lies.

3. Embrace Rhythms of Faithfulness

“They kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written…and from the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord.” — Ezra 3:4–6

Even before the temple foundation was laid, worship was already happening. The people reinstated the rhythms and feasts that shaped their spiritual life.

The seventh month was one of Israel’s most sacred times, filled with celebration and remembrance:

• Feast of Trumpets — A call to repentance

• Day of Atonement — Atonement for sin through sacrifice

• Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) — Remembering God’s provision and presence in the wilderness

These weren’t just holidays—they were spiritual rhythms reminding God’s people who He is and who they were called to be.

We need rhythms too. Spiritual health doesn’t come from occasional “big” moments—Christmas, Easter, or the occasional worship service. It comes from consistent, faithful habits of worship, growth, and service.

That’s why we talk about Worship. Grow. Serve.

• Worship weekly with God’s people.

• Grow consistently in God’s Word.

• Serve faithfully in His mission.

Those rhythms form a healthy, thriving faith.

You don’t stumble into spiritual health. You choose it. You build it. You keep first things first.

A Call to Keep First Things First

When Israel prioritized worship, God met them there.

When you prioritize Him, He’ll meet you too.

Don’t wait for life to get sorted out before turning to God. Start with Him, and let everything else fall into place.

First things first.

SERMON DETAILS

Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: Ezra
Sermon Title: First Things First
Date: Oct 5, 2025

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

• Ezra 3:1–6

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