1. The first step to repentance and restoration is to confess your sin. Be sorrowful that you    have displeased God!

Confessed- Comes from the Hebrew to praise. This means that God is praised when His people acknowledge their sin and turn to Him! Doesn’t salvation happen in this way? Romans 10:9-10 “That if we confess with our mouth and believe…”

They were deeply affected at the thought of God’s displeasure.

James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Renew Your Commitment vv.3-5

2. The second step is to renew your commitment toward repentance. Remind yourself of your adoption in Christ and resolve that royalty does not need to engage in worldly pursuits when Christ is your supreme joy! John Owens said, “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.” Maybe it’s time to start implementing different spiritual disciplines and asking the help of an accountability partner to pray with you, walk with you through the process.

We look at their plan to do away with these foreign wives as a radical way to go about things, but it was to insure survival. Look at 9:14. Maybe we have to get radical in our approach to renewing our commitment to Christ.

Listen to David’s renewed commitment in Psalm 51:10-12 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Revive Communion vv.6-8

Ezra seeks an answer from God. (How do I seek to end this sin? Through the power of God or self?)

3. The second step is that we must revive communion with Christ. We have to renew our relationship in which we ask Him for strength to run from sin and revive our strength.

Respond Correctly vv.9-12

4. Fourthly, we must respond in obedience. We must take the corrective action to get help, run from sin, and restore our relationship with Christ.

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Forgiveness happens at the beginning of repentance, not at the end. (The prodigal son)

1. 1. Realize God is bigger than…
2. Recognize God’s Bigger Purpose

-Genesis 50:19-21 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them

-Romans 8:28  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

3. Repent of wrong thoughts, attitudes, and actions

-Acts 3:19-20 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

4. Release your unforgiveness, and anger to God

-Matthew 18:21-35

-Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you

-Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

5. Rejoice in the Lord always

-Philippians 4:4-8

6. Remember the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give abundant life -John 10:10
7. Realize you are a victor through Jesus, not a victim