There can be no forgiveness without repentance.

“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lk 13:3).

God “now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).

Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, was about as evil as he could be.

In Kings, there is not a single positive things said about Manasseh.

“He did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations

of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of

Israel” (2 Ki 21:2).

But, Manasseh repented.

Manasseh teaches us a good bit about repentance.

Humility before God

leads to repentance.

2 Chronicles 33:1-20

Leading others to sin is very serious business.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin,

it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck,

and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt 18:6).

“If food makes my brother stumble [sin], I will never again eat meat,

lest I make my brother stumble” (1 Cor 8:13).

There must always be a shift--change in behavior--when

someone repents.

“Bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Lk 3:8).

“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working

with his hands what is good” (Eph 4:28).

Humility before God leads to repentance.

Let’s think about that principle in light of evangelism.

You never give up.

I would likely have written Manasseh off.

In Scripture, several folks steeped in sin came to the Lord.

Abraham came from a family of idol worshipers (Josh 24:2), but he is the

“Father of the Faithful.”

Zacchaeus likely defrauded people, but after he encountered Jesus, he

gave half of his goods to the poor and paid restitution (Lk 19:1-10).

Paul was a murderer of Christians, but he became the apostle to the

Gentiles.

Action:

Pray for that individual at least three times a day--morning, noon,

and night.

Prayer for the lost is as biblical as it can be.

“My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be

saved” (Rom 10:1).

After you’ve prayed for several days, make that approach again.

You never confront without truth.

Manasseh was clearly confronted with truth.

“The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen”

(v 10).

If Manasseh and his people refused to listen, why say that we must

confront people with the truth?

One: God made it obvious that the disaster about to come to Judah--including

the king’s arrest--was the result of their sin (2 Ki 21:10-15).

Two: As Manasseh carries out reforms, it’s very clear he knew God’s truth (vv

15-16).

Until someone understands the seriousness of his sin, he cannot

come to the Christ who died at Golgotha!

When did those at Pentecost want to know what they should do (Acts

2:37)?

After Peter had said, “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God

has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

When did Simon the sorcerer, a child of God who had sinned, ask Peter

and John to pray for him (Acts 8:24)?

Only after Peter had said, “Your heart is not right in the sight of God” (Acts

8:21).

When did Saul ask the Resurrected Christ what he should do (Acts 9:6).

Only after the Christ had said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

(Acts 9:4).

When you confront, you must do so in love.

We are to be “speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15).

When you confront, you need to use Scripture.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

(2 Tim 3:16).

“The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-

edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of

joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of

the heart” (Heb 4:12).

You never convert someone without humility.

“When [Manasseh] was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God,

and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers” (2

Chron 33:12).

Pride kills people spiritually.

Nebuchadnezzar learned that lesson the hard way.

He went out on his palace roof and declared, “Is not this great Babylon, that I

have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my

majesty?" (Dan 4:30).

Nebuchadnezzar was driven out of his mind until he, in humility, acknowledged

the sovereignty of God (Dan 4:31-37).

The Pharisee who prayed arrogantly was not justified (Lk 18:9-14).

When people are humiliated before God, they can repent.

When Peter saw Jesus after he had denied the Lord three times,

the disciple “went out and wept bitterly” (Lk 22:62).

Paul referred to himself as the chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15).

How do you help people be humble before the Lord?

Sometimes life humbles people.

I believe we can help bring people to humility.

How?

Who can stand arrogantly when you gaze at the dying Lamb of Calvary?

He went there for my sins.

Is 53:5-6.

“This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the

remission of sins” (Matt 26:28).

Jesus went to that cross

because of your sin!

Do you need to come and serve Him in thankfulness and

humility?

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