February 01/02, 2015 (Week 18)

The Return to Jerusalem Study
Ezra 9 & 10: “Reformation in Judah” 

========================
DIVISIONS AND PRINCIPLES
========================

========================

First Division: Ezra discovers the Exiles had violated God's law against mixed marriages.
Ezra 9:1-5; Deuteronomy 7:2-4; Micah 6:8; Luke 17:2; John 7:39; Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 7:12; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 John 11

Principle #1: We are better off suffering mortal death than leading God's children to sin because sin has eternal consequences. 

========================

Second Division: Ezra confesses the sin of the Exiles corporately.
Ezra 9:6-15; Romans 5:12-20; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 11:32; Hosea 4:6; Leviticus 10:8-11; Ephesians 6:4; Deuteronomy 6:7; Titus 2:4; 2 John 11; 1 Timothy 5:22

Principle #2: God attributes sin to us that Adam committed; so that He can attribute Jesus' righteousness to us when we believe. 

Principle #3: We share in the sin others commit when we fail to teach those we are responsible for or condone false teaching or unqualified Elders. 

========================

Third Division: Ezra's conduct and confession leads Israel to confess and repent.
Ezra 10:1-44; 1 John 1:9; 1 Corinthians 11:31

Principle #4: Believers are obligated to confess their sin, repent, and restore their victims in order to avoid God's discipline on earth, but are to forgive those who sin against them. 

========================