(Re)Build: Stronger - Ezra 9-10

When a fault is found in the foundation of a building project, work is immediately stopped and the problem is removed. When sin appears in our lives we tend to not do the same thing. We go on living, trying our best to pretend that nothing has happened. If this goes on too long we lose our hatred of sin, we cease to be aware of its damaging effects and we wonder what could have caused the problems in our lives. When the Israelites returned from exile to rebuild the Temple, they knew they had to get rid of the sin in their midst that had been plaguing them for generations. If we are to rebuild our relationships with God, we must rid ourselves of the sin that has weakened that relationship in the past. It is not enough just to rebuild, we must ReBuild Stronger than before.

• Confront
• Contrite - Isaiah 66:2b
  
• Appalled at our sin - Ezra 9:3-4
  
• Bothered by its impact - 9:7
  
• Concerned for a future with sin - 9:14
  
• Confess - 1 John 1:9
  
• Admit we did wrong - 10:2
  
• Blame only ourselves -
  
• Call on God for Forgiveness
  
• Control - Hebrews 10:22
  
• Actions - 10:3
  
• Conscience
• Bow to God as Lord