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II CHRONICLES 33

"MANASSEH"

Intro: One of the most evil of all kings of Judah.

I. MANASSEH IN HIS SIN.
        A. Sin against early training.
                1. Father Hezekiah prayed for extension of life - God
                   granted 15 years in 3rd year Manasseh born.
                2. Those who go wrong after good training are worst
                   men in the world.
                3. Many times greatest champions of hell educated in
                   our ranks.
        B. A bold sinner.
                1. Did not put idol in some inconspicuous place, but
                   right in temple of God.
                2. Boldness is sure to win the day.
                        a. Give me a coward, you give me nothing.
                        b. Give me a bold man, he will do
                           something - it may be evil; it may be good.
                        c. If he curses God, it is with a loud voice.
        C. He led others to sin - "He seduced Judah to sin."
                1. As a king, he had great influence.
                2. He stood first in rank of idolaters.
                3. When the ungodly went to wage war against God and
                   righteousness, he led the ranks and cheered the others
                   on.
                4. He led even his own children in idolatry. "caused his
                   children to pass through the fire: - Amon his son
                   reigned in his stead for 2 years" - vs.22 (children
                   follow in vices of parents, but seldom in repentance..
        D. He shed much innocent blood - II Kings 21:26.
                1. Sought to destroy those who opposed his -wickedness.
                2. Isaiah was said to have been sown asunder by him for
                   rebuking his sin.

II. MANASSEH THE UNBELIEVER.
        A. That is an unbeliever in Jehovah God.
                1. He believed in many gods.
                2. Followed superstitions.
                3. Most credulous people in world are unbelievers
                   . . . it takes a thousand times more faith to be an
                   unbeliever.
                4. Someone tells me I am credulous because I believe that
                   God created the heavens and earth and all life forms
                   within.
                        a. How do you think they got here?
                        b. I may believe that David killed a giant with a
                           sling and that Jonah was swallowed by a
                           whale - You say "How could a whale swallow a
                           man?" Much easier than I can swallow your
                           theory of creation.
        B. Why an unbeliever?
                1. Because of his power.
                2. Because of his pride - pride is at the root of all sin.
                3. His love for sin - he lusted after evil things.

III. MANASSEH THE CONVERT. "O the depth of the riches of grace."
        A. Like the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, unbelievable.
        B. Carried prisoner to Babylon, cried unto God.
                1. He is no longer proud.
                2. He is no longer powerful.
                3. He is no longer a blasphemer.
        C. The basis of his faith "Then he knew that Jehovah was God."
                1. God had answered his prayer.
                2. God had forgiven his sin.
                        a. How did he know?