Scripture: II Chronicles 7:17-22

C.I.: Its Never Too Late

In this series… - In our Lord’s lineage He had royalty & He had rogues (some were both!).
What is the name of the king who served longest in Judah? – He is given less than a chapter. – But he teaches us

I. A Life Characterized by Extremes

A. True Evil

1. (v. 1), “…was 12 years old when he became king, and he reigned 55 years in Jerusalem.”
a. His father was one of the last great kings and reformers in Judah.
1) When he was 7 – he saw his father miraculously (shadow on steps) healed (Isa. 38)
2) When he was 8 – he saw 185,000 Assyrians slain in 1 night (Isa. 37)
b. Sadly God’s blessings made little impression upon him – for he is blamed for the fall of Judah,
(II Kgs. 24:3), “Surely at the command of the Lord - destruction came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight – because of the sins of Manasseh, - according to all that he had done.”

2. If he lived today – this man would be President of the “Politically Correct” crowd.
a. The cornerstone of P.C. – is not simply tolerance – but acceptance of the validity of everything.
1) v. 3,“He rebuilt high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; - he also erected altars for the Baals & made Asherim & worshiped all the host of heaven & served them
2) v. 6, “And he made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom; - and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery [into all the occult], - and dealt with mediums and spiritists. – He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him.”
3) There was no religious group - that did not find a friend & supporter in king Manasseh.
b. The problem of being “P.C.” - trying to please everyone – is that ultimately we will displease God
1) (Matt. 6:24), “No one can serve two masters; – for either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will hold to one and despise the other.”
2) (Gal. 1:10), “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? – Or am I striving to please men? – If I were still trying to please men, - I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

3. When God’s people lose their distinctiveness before the world – they cease to be God’s people…
a. There had been only one place in the world – God had caused His name to dwell – …until now!
1) (vs. 4-5), “And he built altars in the house of the Lord – of which the Lord had said, ‘My name shall be in Jerusalem forever.’ – For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.”
2) (v. 7), “Then he put the carved image of the idol which he had made in the house of God, - of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, - ‘In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, - I will put My name forever.’”
3) Manasseh had done the unthinkable – he had made Jehovah just 1 god among many!
b. What Manasseh did for himself was bad – but what he caused others to do – was truly evil!
1) (v. 9), “Thus Manasseh misled Judah & inhabitants of J. – to do more evil than the nations...”
2) God takes very seriously – what our actions do to others – (Matt. 18:6), “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, - it is better that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, - and he be drowned in the depth of the sea!”

c. We may be like other in some ways (Coloradoans, Americans, employers/employees, students, homemakers, etc.) – but in our lifestyle – we are called to live lives of distinction.
1) (Matt. 5:14-16), “You are the light of the world …let your light shine…!”
2) (Rom. 12:2), “Do not be conformed to this world – but be transformed…!”
3) (I Cor. 3:16), “D you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit…?!”
4) (Phil. 2:15), “…prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of light…!”
5) If a Xn is not different from everyone else – except for going to church – SHAME!

B. True Repentance

1. Actions have consequences – so choose your actions wisely…
a. (v. 11), “The Lord brought the commander of the army of the king of Assyria against them, - and they captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze chains, - and brought him to Babylon
b. We get to choose our consequences – (Gal. 6:7-8), “Do not be deceived – God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows, this shall he also reap. – For whoever sows to the flesh, shall…”
1) History is replete with examples of evil men – who are ultimately brought to ruin; - Hitler, king Saul, Mussolini, the Prodigal son, Saddam Hussein, Judas Iscariot…!!!

c. Yet even in these consequences – whether good or bad – we still find the grace of God
1) (vs. 12-13), “And when he was in distress, - he entreated the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. – When he prayed to Him, God was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, - and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. – Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.” – IT ISN’T TOO LATE!!!
2) It wasn’t the Baals, Asherim, stars of heaven or anything else that could save him – only God.
3) God brings consequences for our good, (Heb. 12:6, 11), “Everyone whom … All discipline…”

C. True Reformation

1. True repentance is characterized by reformation (i.e., a changed life)!
a. (Matt. 3:7-8), “When John the baptizer saw the Pharisees & Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? – Therefore bring forth fruit….’”
b. Manasseh’s change of heart was shown by his change in actions…
1) (vs. 15-16), “He removed the foreign gods and the idols from the house of the Lord, - as well as the altars which he had built on the mountain of the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, - and he threw them outside the city. – And he set up the altar of the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it; - and he ordered Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel.”

2. The most reprobate life is not beyond the grace of God – for those who are willing to obey Him!
a. At our Lord’s hour of greatest need – Peter denied knowing Him – but was later used greatly.
b. The Apostle Paul says – (I Tim. 2:15-16), “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, - among whom I am foremost of all. – And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, - as an example for those who would believe in Him for E.L.”
c. All of us in the room find ourselves placed somewhere along the lifespan of Manasseh: either we are still living in sin – or we are seeking God’s forgiveness – or we are living a life changed by His grace!
1) Manasseh proves that it is never too late … (Mk. 16:15-16).
2) He also shows that God can forgive His children - if they will pray & humble themselves.
3) Today, if you need to come to God…!!!