What Is God's Goal For Us Series

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