Transcript ppt - ICEL
Do What You Want ICEL Sounds Scandalous • The cross itself is scandalous: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1.18 (NIV) ICEL Sounds Scandalous • Modern Satanism: “Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law” • This is relativism and nihilism… This is not my message! ICEL Reversals? • God demonstrates his omnipotence, through weakness • He defeats death by death • He reverses our conceptions of power ICEL Romans 7.15 (NIV) “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do – I do not do, but what I hate – I do.” ICEL Paul’s Message • Deeply connected with habitual sin • Is there a way out? Have you ever had a sin in your life which you could not escape? ICEL Romans 12.2 (NIV) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ICEL How to Renew the Mind (?) ICEL Dopamine • Reward based pleasures • Methamphetamines • Cocaine • Sex • Eating • Checking off a “to-do” list ICEL Dopamine Habits Trigger (Dopamine Lack) Response (Get Dopamine) Reward (Increased Dopamine) ICEL Dopamine Addiction Cycle ICEL “I do the thing I hate” • Paul is saying that this cycle is “doing the thing he hates.” • We hate that we are addicted to alcohol, porn, overeating, over-exercising, etc… • We don’t want to do these things!!! ICEL Kick the Habit • Neural Pathways • How do we do we rewire? • How do we do the thing we want? ICEL Oxytocin • Oxytocin is the hormone which gives a deep seated bond of intimacy. • When a mother delivers a child • When a person helps a person in need • Who receives the oxytocin? The helper, the helped & the witness. ICEL Oxytocin • Everyone benefits from these activities, though they are “painful” to initiate. • A mother “labors”? • The hairstylist “looks silly”? (cf. Pastor Kees from 2 wks ago) • The star basketball player “giving credit” to the guy who simply passed the ball? (cf. Pastor David from last week) ICEL Ending the Pleasure-Pain Cycle • God became incarnate in Jesus Christ, and sought the pleasure of the Father. • We are able to join Christ, by his grace, be renewed in our mind, seeking the pleasure of the Father, and approving what God’s will is…. • and his will is that we do what we actually want. ICEL Why are 12 Step Programs so Successful? http://archives.drugabuse.go v/NIDA_Notes/NNVol14N5 /12Step.html ICEL Why are 12 Step Programs so Successful? • Person admits powerlessness apart from God. (Romans 7.15) • It establishes mini goals…each mini goal gives a surge of dopamine. • It establishes commitment towards one another and God (oxytocin) • But most importantly is the final step… ICEL The 12th Step • It is the step of evangelism • The step of helping another person • Oxytocin for all involved! ICEL Challenge: • I encourage you, if you have an addictive behavior: • Look into the 12 steps • Fill in the blanks with your own habitual sins & seek a trusted friend to share ICEL You have Christ living in you. You are a new and beautiful creation. Say yes to him by doing what you want and not what you hate. ICEL