1. Built Up Ezra 3-4

2. The Big Idea The Lord’s restoration process is one of rebuilding things in our lives that have been destroyed by the sin we choose.

3. “Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it….” Psalm 127:1

4. 10For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. “ 11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

5. I. Altar (Preface of Worship) Why was the altar so important? And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD:

6. I. Altar (Preface of Worship) “This is the first thing that must be done before our temple- building or other undertakings can be crowned with success.... The new start that God Himself was giving would have been invalidated without the altar, which meant forgiveness for the past, and renewed consecration for the future.” (Meyer) “Thus, we see, the full establishment of religious services precedes the building of the temple. A weighty truth is enshrined in this apparently incongruous fact. The worship itself is felt to be more important than the house in which it is to be celebrated.” (Adeney)

7. I. Altar (Preface of Worship) When was the altar used?

8. II. Temple (Place of Worship) REBUILDING THE FOUNDATION OF OUR LIVES IS DONE THROUGH RETURNING TO THE SCRIPTURES IN OBEDIENCE… INDIVIDUALLY & CORPORATELY WE MUST RECALL THE LORD’S GOODNESS WE Must RESIST LOOKING BACK AND COMPARING, BUT REMAIN FOCUSSED ON THE LORD JESUS.

9. I. Altar (Preface of Worship) II. Temple (Place of Worship) III. People of Worship