Introduction:

1. Is God trying to get your attention?

Is there a sin in your life that God wants to cleanse you of?

Do you believe that true change is possible?

2. Illus. Story about a young man and alcohol

3. 2 Chronicles 33:1-10; 2 Kings 21:10-16

Proposition: True change is possible (repeat for emphasis)

Transition: Notice v. 10, God did let the people know that what they were doing was wrong they chose not to listen; the same was true in the life of the young man I was telling you about earlier.

Illus. (continued) How God got this young man’s attention

2 Chronicles 33:11, the idea “bound with thorns,” is figurative of the humiliation with how he was taken away.  The idea signifies that he was subdued as a wild beast was; as brass ring is placed through the nose of a wild beast in order to control them.  This is how humiliated by the Assyrians Manasseh was.

God affected Manasseh on a personal level to finally get his attention.

True change is possible; there are two foundational truths which I would like to show you from the next few verses.

I. Man’s Responsibility [vv. 12-13a]

A. Manasseh literally sought the face of God

(Besought the Lord his God)

B. We are to pray

“And prayed unto him…”

Manasseh submitted himself to God, he knew what he did was wrong

C. We are to plead to God for change

“…and he was intreated of him…”

Manasseh pleaded before God: the idea is to ask for something that you know you do not deserve, i.e. another chance.

II. God’s Responsibility [v.13b]

A. He will hear you

“…and heard his supplication…”

God hears our requests

B. He will respond to you

“…and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom…”

Result:       Our relationship with God is strengthened

“…Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.”

The idea here is a more personal knowledge, through this situation Manasseh literally knew more about God.  He acquired a personal truth about God that had life altering effects.  Manasseh intimately learned that God is sovereign in his life.

App. If God has gotten your attention earnestly seek his face, get on your knees and pray, plead with God to help you.

Conclusion:

1. True change is possible look at the change in Manasseh’s life [2 Chronicles 33:14-20]

Illus. (concluded) Who young man is; proof of change.

2. God knew how to get Manasseh’s attention and he knows how to get your attention and he knows how to get mine.

3. App. I urge you; if God has gotten your attention earnestly seek his face, get on your knees and pray, plead with God to help you.  Humbly submit yourself to Him for He will listen and He will respond.