True forgiveness of God.

Intro:

True repentance never gets old.

we are to constantly repent before God

Our Disobedience

Is there someone who is too far gone for God?

Example: Someone who grew up in a culture that is all about violence, drugs, and murder. Niki Cruise

Example: Someone who valued reason and science, found atheism to make more sense. C.S Lewis

Example: A serial killer, a rapist, a liar. Know as one of the most notorious serial killers. Ted Bundy.

With examples such as these, we are reminded that no one is. The Gospel is for everyone, and true restoration is only found in Jesus.

Jesus came for the sick not for the righteous.

If we know this is the case, then why do we find our selves believing its true for someone else, but not me.

how can we accept someone else's repentance but not our own

God loves and forgives others, but is mad and upset with me, thats why i don’t want to come to him.

Revelation 12:10

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

The job of satan is to “accuse” us.

not only once, twice, but every single day, all day. 24/7

So why then are you surprised that you have these guilty feelings? these thoughts or worthlessness, its because someone is constantly accusing you of being that.

and in reality, you are. on your own, through your own actions.

BUT, GOD MADE PEACE ON EARTH

Revelation 12:11

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death

But, Jesus has given us a way out. Satan has every right to accuse us, because we are sinners. But Jesus is called the “advocate” and steps in and dismantles satans accusations.

No one is too far gone for the lord. Not even you. no matter how you feel.

lets take a look at a man in the old testament.

2 Chronicles 33

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD,

For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had broken down, and he erected altars to the Baals, and made Asheroth, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem shall my name be forever.”

And he burned his sons as an offering in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the people of Israel.

Manasseh was seen as the worst kings of Judah. He was credited to be responsible for the fall of Judah

Example: A perfect concoction for disaster: Fell off a bike and scrapped my knee.

One commentator said, “If Manasseh had searched the Scriptures for practices that would most anger the Lord and then intentionally committed them, he could not have achieved that result any more effectively than he did”

He followed practices of the nations (Deut 18:9), He rebuilt shrines destroyed by Hezekiah (2 Kgs 18:3–4), He built altars to Baal (Jer 11:13), He placed image of Asherah in the temple (Deut 16:21), He worshiped the host of heaven (Deut 4:19; 17:3; Jer 8:2; 19:13; Zeph 1:5), He burned his son as an offering (Deut 12:31; 18:10; 2 Kgs 17:17; 23:10; Jer 7:31; 32:35), He practiced illicit forms of divination: (Isa 2:6), consulting false prophets (Jer 14:14; Ezek 12:24; 13:6, 9, 23; 21:26, 28), and necromancy (Deut 18:11; Isa 8:19; 19:3)

Repentance

God’s love doesn't make sense to us at times. But in the end once complete, understood.

what was seen in the testimonies above?

2 Chronicles 33

10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention

If God’s voice isn't getting your attention, maybe something else will...

11 Therefore the LORD brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh with hooks and bound him with chains of bronze and brought him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.

The hook in his nose would serve to humiliate him completely before his captors

in our mind we would think its too late. look at what you have done.

God shows his mercy and love. in the old testament

When Manasseh was in distress he ran to God. But not everyone does.

when under stress, fear, even death, some don’t turn to God.

Ahaz’s Idolatry Ch. 28 V.22

In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the LORD—this same King Ahaz. 23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. 24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and he shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 In every city of Judah he made high places to make offerings to other gods, provoking to anger the LORD, the God of his fathers.

Ahaz was beginning to rely on his own strength, he didn't humble himself. He didn't see the weakness.

HE doubled down.

Humility: That is what the lord is looking for.

Manasseh was humble, he humbled himself, came to his true self that he is wrong and was always wrong.

true repentance is rooted in humility

New Testament Example: Peter v. Judas

Peter humbled himself before the lord when Jesus Called. Judas couldn't live with his decision

both Men experienced the love, power, and mercy of God first hand.

One man knew the lord and humbled himself, the other knew of him and had to take matters into his own hands.

Judas committing suicide means he took the responsibility into his own hands.

i need to resolve this decision, i need to make it right.

Peter realized that only Jesus can make all things right.

Jesus is asking for all of our burdens, asking for us to trust him.

2 Chronicles Ch. 7 V. 14

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land

This was the lords promise in the beginning to his people. He will heal us and restore us.

This is what happened after Manasseh humbled himself, he began to rebuild the lords land.

Christmas Peace

“peace on earth, and good will to man”

God made peace with us.

You’re not too far gone for the Lord

What does this story of Manasseh teach us?

Shows us the restorative power of Christ.

there were still consequences to his actions, but the important matters of the heart were resolved.

Listen to Lord when he is trying to get you attention

Humble yourself before God and he will forgive you.