WHAT IS GOD’S GOAL FOR US?
Text: Gal. 2:20
Intro:
1. If you had someone close to you who was addicted
to something that was literally destroying
his/her life which of the two following options
would you prefer:
a. an immediate “fix” which would bring the
person’s conduct under control?
b. for the person to change internally in ways
that weakened or destroyed the addiction?
2. The stress of a situation can be so great, so
destructive or devastating that we grasp at
anything to help.
3. We look for a “quick fix” of behavioral
modification. We seek a change in behavior.
4. However, we know that such a “quick fix” isn’t
long lasting, because it doesn’t address the real
causes of that behavior.
5. Just like you wouldn’t paint a car because it has
engine problems, you wouldn’t put a Band-Aid on
someone who needed heart surgery, the quick fix
of behavior modification is not the solution to
our sin problem.
I. WHAT IS BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION?
A. Behavior modification is a field in
psychology that seeks to change behavior by
reinforcement principles.
1. negative reinforcement for bad or
unwanted behavior: scolding, removing of
privileges, etc.
2. positive reinforcement for good or
desired behavior: compliments,
encouragement, added privileges, etc.
B. Behavior modification applies external
rewards or punishments in an effort to
control outward behavior
C. There is a place for this and it is used with
some success
D. Parents use this when children are young, but
to use this exclusively as they get older is
to their detriment; young people need to know
the why behind the what.
II. ONE OF THE MOST IF NOT THE MOST DEVASTATING
TRANSITIONS IN CHRISTIANITY CAME WHEN
BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION REPLACED
CONVERSION
A. Behavioral modification is the basis for “you
can’t do that” preaching and “that is wrong”
teaching. “God will get you,” and “God only
loves good boys and girls,”
1. I certainly believe in teaching right and
wrong behavior
2. But I also believe when we teach right
and wrong behavior without helping
understand the “why” of that behavior we
contribute to Satan’s lies about
ourselves
B. Conversion is a heart response of a person
who sees his need for God and desires to
change from the inside and thus changing the
behavior.
1. It is based on awareness of sin: distrust
of God and elevation of self
2. It is based on awareness of the need for
Jesus Christ to restore the relationship
lost because of sin.
3. It is based on the willingness to submit
to God’s offer of pardon and forgiveness.
4. it is based on the desire to be a
different person, thankful to God and
wanting others to know the same.
III. THE CONVERSION OF PAUL ILLUSTRATES THE
DIFFERENCE IN WHAT WE ATTEMPT SOMETIMES
AND WHAT GOD WANTS.
A. The most extensively documented conversion,
Paul wrote several times of the great and
profound effect Jesus had on his life,
1. I Tim. 1:12-16
2. Gal. 2:20
3. Eph. 4:20-24
4. Col. 3:9-11
B. Consider his life before conversion:
1. Ax 7:58, 8:1 contributed to the
massacre and devastation of Christians.
2. Ax. 8:3 dragged people from their houses
to persecute them, trying to protect the
Jewish faith and way of life
3. Ax 22:19,20 Ananias objected to going to
Saul because of his reputation
4. Ax 26:9-11
C. Consider Paul after his encounter with Jesus
1. put in prison for preaching Christ.
2. Suffering mightily, II Cor. 11:23-33
3. After Paul was converted do you think he
would held the clothes of any who wanted
to persecute a Christian? NO
4. Do you think Paul would have led or been
a part of any house to house search to
find and punish Christians? NO
5. The critical and important question is:
WHY WOULD THE CONVERTED PAUL NOT DO SUCH
THINGS?
a) if your answer is simply behavioral
change, then
you don’t understand Paul’s message.
1) Paul’s message was not, “God will
get me if I do this.”
2) Paul’s message was not “I will go
to hell if I do this.”
3) Paul’s message was not “God will
love me if I do good,”
b) you never read anything by the apostle
regarding his thinking this way.
b) Paul tells us “why” he would not do
those things; he was a changed man,
1) Rom. 7:7-25 in his struggle with
sin, only Jesus can rescue him
2) Rom. 8 Life controlled by the
Spirit gave him reprieve from
condemnation
3) II Cor. 5:17ff Jesus reconciled
him to God
4) Paul was a changed man on the
inside, cf. Rom. 12:2, Gal. 2:20,
Christ lives in him!!
IV. GOD’S GOAL IS NOT JUST THE CHANGE OUR
BEHAVIOR, BUT TO TRANSFORM US FROM THE
INSIDE OUT
A. Conversion is not about changing religions or
changing one behavior for another.
B. Conversion is about changing who you are
inside.
C. Let’s illustrate the difference:
1. Suppose/pretend you had $1 million to do
what you pleased for one week, on a
secluded island where no one would know—
not even God—and you could engage in any
behavior you heart desired and their
would be no consequences of any kind.
2. If you chose to fulfill this dream simply
because you wouldn’t suffer any
consequences you don’t understand
conversion.
3. If you would refuse such a thing because
to do so would disappoint and dishonor
God and it’s not who you are, then you
understand conversion.
D. God’s message is not:
1. “if you live in poverty and horrible
conditions, become a Christian and all
that will change.
2. “if you live in a communistic society,
become a Christian and all that will
change.
3. “if you live in an area of starvation and
injustice, become a Christian and all
that will change.”
E. God’s message is:
1. “Get to know my Son, He will help you
walk through tough times.” Ps. 23, Jn. 10
2. “Circumstances change, my grace and help
does not.” Cf. Heb. 4:14-16
3. “let me change who you are and you can
overcome anything in this world,”
Cf. I Jn. 5:4,5
4. “keep your focus on Jesus and be
transformed into his likeness,” II Cor.
3:18 “Because in him I am well
pleased.”
F. This is what Jesus was getting at in his
sermon on the mount, Mt. 5
1. To curb murder, deal with anger, a heart
issue.
2. to alleviate adultery and divorce, don’t
covet and keep your commitments—both of
which are heart issues,
3. Maintain a lifestyle which supports your
word, you won’t need to swear oaths.
G. A person doesn’t just add another set of
behaviors to his life—he changes his behavior
to match his new belief system –the good news
of his salvation!!
Concl.
1. God desires that all men come to repentance and live with
him through eternity. II Pet. 3:9
2. That is the goal of the gospel, it is God’s power to save,
Rom. 1:16, not ours.
3. It isn’t a quick fix, but a lifetime of change.
4. God calls you to be converted, Ax. 3:19, not just change
your behavior.
5. We are here as a people to help you in that endeavor.
(heavily influenced by David Chadwell at Westark church of christ, Ft. Smith, AR)
