God Revives His People through Conviction

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, ‘The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices. . .. They have taken some of the daughters as wives from themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness. ‘When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and bead and sat down appalled.” (Ezra 9:1-3)
      Passage: James 2:8-10

        When a person receives Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell permanently within his or her life. The conviction of leaving the old life and embracing the new is typically strong, but over time, it is not unusual for that conviction to wane. The reason is the old, sinful nature still works to pull a believer away from growing toward maturity in Christ and service to Him. It’s easy to get caught up in rituals versus relationship or to become complacent and comfortable without being faithful in pursuing the purposes of God.   
       One key to revival is for the Spirit of God to bring conviction to the hearts of believers who have slipped back into worldliness and religious ritual. Who do church out of duty instead of being the church with delight. It’s easy to think all is okay because one is not doing some “sinful” things in action, but ignoring sinful things in attitude. The revival for God’s people in Ezra’s day began with conviction of their sin. It still does.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)