Our Fire-starter can be found in Ezra 9 this morning. We will continue our study on when sin has been shown. 

We have already seen where the Load of sin was too heavy to bear till it brought Ezra to his knees. We also saw that he was Ashamed to even lift his face toward Heaven. Now we will see the recognition of the consequence and who's at fault for the sin. 

Notice verse 7. 

Ezra 9:7 KJV Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.



Notice how he recognizes who is at fault for their captivity. When sin has been shown to you do not try to play the blame game as so many often do. Ezra owned up to the sin. He said the reason we are in captivity today is because of the sins that we have committed. 

I guess the biggest thing in these last few days is confession. 

He confessed that the sin was weighing him down, he admitted that he was ashamed of his sin and he admitted that the consequence was on him and his people because of their sin. 

Think with me for a moment how many times do we like to play the blame game and see other people sinning and getting by with it. Have you ever thought maybe they're not even a child of the KING and if they do not get right then they will end up in a place called Hell? 

See God is going to chastise his children. Your sin and my sin will not go unpunished (Numbers 23:32) but I am thankful that he has mercy. 

I have heard alot of people mention, well, 1 John 1:9 is still in the Bible. It is!!!! Although 1 John 1:9 is still in the Bible doesn't mean the consequences will be taken away. 

Something to think about!!!

Do not let 1 John 1:9 be a crutch to you getting out of the punishment!!!!

God will chastise his children. 

you need to understand Just because you are forgiven doesn't mean you will get out of the punishment.

Ezra had to acknowledge why they were dealing with captivity and that was due to sin. 

Ever wonder why we are dealing with things in America? Have you thought maybe it's because God is punishing us for our disobedience ?

When Sin is shown 1. the load will be heavy and it will bring you to your knees 2. You ought to be ashamed of the sin and then 3. you must realize the punishment and once you realize that you will see God's grace in verse 8.

Ezra 9:8 KJV And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

Once you realize that the sin is hard to bear it will bring you to your knees looking up and you will be ashamed that you have sinned against the Holy God of Heaven then you will see the Punishment you deserve then you can see the grace and mercy Christ has shown to you. 

That is the gospel. Sin is the problem (Romans 3:10,23 Romans 5:12)and we ought to be ashamed of our sin(Isaiah 53:4-6) and we must realize the consequence of our sin and who brought the consequence on (Romans 6:23; Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21)then you can see the grace and mercy of Christ ( Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8; Isaiah 53:5) Then you must call on him (Romans 10:9,10,13)

If you do not know Christ as your Savior, accept him today if he is working on your heart because today is the Day of Salvation!!!!

Once you are forgiven things will be different!!! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Have a great Day today!!!!

Ezra 9:1-15 KJV

Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. [2] For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. [3] And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied. [4] Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice. [5] And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God, [6] And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. [7] Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. [8] And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. [9] For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. [10] And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, [11] Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. [12] Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. [13] And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; [14] Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? [15] O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.