The Discipline of Imitation

1 Cor 4:15-16

Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

 

Heb 6:12

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

 

Heb 13:7

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

 

3 John 11

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

 

1 Peter 2:20-21

If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.   To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

 

 

We are imitators by nature.  It’s how we’re wired.  Our tendency is to look and act and speak like everyone around us.  This is especially true of younger people.  Remember when everyone started embellishing their sentences with the word “like.”  “It’s like, you know. I like did this and he like did that…”  It like drove me crazy. 

 

People who want to sell things know that we are imitators and use that knowledge to make themselves rich.  If you want to sell a certain kind of shoe all you have to do is to get a sports star to wear them, and all of a sudden everyone is Michael Jordan.

 

Back in the day when I was learning to play the fiddle I would go once a week to see Ruel Bains.  Ruel was a great fiddle player, but his approach to teaching was very simplistic.  He would play a tune and then say, “Now you do it.”  It was the most awkward thing in the world at first, but eventually, by dent of imitation, I could produce sounds roughly similar to his.  By doing so I learned how the fiddle worked,  how to use the bow, etc.  (And no, I’m not going to play at church).

 

Being imitators is not good or bad in itself, it’s just how we’re wired.  Even non-conformists look and act like other non-conformists.  It’s how we learn.

 

That is why the discipline of imitation is so important.  We can’t help but imitate, but we can decide who and what we’re going to imitate.  If you want a good marriage, find someone with a good marriage and do what they do—awkward at first, but eventually you get the hang of it.  The same goes for following Jesus in general—if you want to be a fruitful and effective follower of Jesus, find someone who is good at it and do what they do.

 

Brian

 

When God Ditches the Script

 It is possible to interpret certain passages in the Bible as a script for God.  There is a human tendency to develop formulas through which God’s behavior can be predicted.  If we are not careful this can reduce the Christian experience to a matter of discovering and unlocking the combination for divine blessings.  “If I do A then God will see to it that B happens.”
 
Therefore, if

A = give generously, raise your kids right, believe for healing, pray in faith, live a clean, moral life, etc.

then

B = financial prosperity, goods kids when they grow up, health, answered prayers, general happiness, great relationships, etc.
 
The thing is, this is generally true—there are biblical passages that teach about how God responds to our actions—e.g., give and it will be given to you.  If I give generously I can generally expect a generous response from God.  But God reserves the right to ditch the script.  It is possible for people who give generously to experience financial ruin.  It is possible for kids who are raised right to harden their hearts, turn away from God, and die in their sin.  Sometimes when we pray for healing we aren’t healed.  Sometimes when we pray, that for which we pray is not given.  Godly people can lose everything that we typically describe as the blessings of God.
 
When that happens there is the danger of making wrong judgments either about ourselves or God.  When life doesn’t go according to script we may be tempted to think that there is either something wrong with our faith and obedience, or God has dropped the ball.  It is never the latter, and not necessarily the former.  It could be that we are in the very center of God’s will and favor and end up with a life-long debilitating illness or injury.
 
We live in a war zone, not heaven.  Although the war is won, every now and then we’ll take a hit.  God will allow it because somehow it equips us for eternity and displays Christ here and now.   It is not because God has stopped loving us. 
 
If things are not going according to script, it’s a good time to take inventory.  Maybe there are some adjustments you need to make in faith and obedience.  But if your heart is right, don’t despair.  It could be that God is insisting upon being God, and giving you an opportunity to introduce him to others.
 
 
Brian
 

Bucket List

New Heights Men at New Heights Church Message from: Alex Hedgepeth Greetings from Indianapolis, where I got to do another Bucket list item for me. I went to a game at Hinkle Fieldhouse, on the campus of Butler University. This is the gym that the state chapmionship game on the movie "Hoosiers" was played in. If you have ever seen a picture of Lucas Stadium where the colts play, Lucas was built to resemble Hinkle, and Conseco, where the Pacers play was also. Beautiful place, lots of enthusiam and history, but no air conditioning. I am reading a book that details the culture of manhood in America since the Revolution. It brings out an interesting aspect that is an American invention. The Self-made man.  How our striving in the world of business and industry caused us to become with out a community of our peers, caused us to look for lots of different avenues for escape, and in general made us miserable as men. While reading this, I'm wondering, well, how are we supposed to live? The self-made man, and other images we give ourselves, being part of the world's idea for us, what is God's idea for men? The one thing that I can grab onto, that is totally opposite of any alternative the world gives, can be sumed up in one word: Dependent. Everything our culture teaches us is to be independent. Cut the apron strings, get out on your own, see the world, get away from it all. And Jesus says abide in me. Apart from me you can do nothing. There is a total dependence in the Christian life that I don't think we quite understand. It is certainly not modeled very well this day and time, most models falling either in the self-made man camp, or the other extreme, God as ever-present Santa Claus camp. I'm not saying I understand it or do it well, but it is number one on my bucket list. To abide in Christ. If that happens in my life, I'll be sure to let you know. On second thought, I may not have to. Here's to abiding, friends, Alex PS, in preperation for the identity session at the next man night, I would like for you to start noticing when you say "I am" and then note what follows. Thanks men.

 

Hero Worship

Hey Guys,
It’s been a great week, hasn’t it? Championship game on Monday night, rain, great temps, not much to complain about. But we find a way, don’t we? We were stuck in a sort of malaise at the store in the middle of this week. As we sat down for our Wednesday staff meeting, I was searching and praying for some words to encourage my staff.  Yes, I recognize it for the warfare it was, and is. I may have never told you guys this before, but it has been my experience spiritual warfare is illogical. That makes a sort of sense, because we are dealing mostly with lies.

But warfare is not the point of this email which is supposed to encourage each of you in your walk as a Christian Man. The point is a topic that came out of our discussion. I asked each person who their hero was growing up. Who did they look to, to try to emulate? There were six people in the room, three women, three guys. None of the women had a hero figure, all of the guys did, and we didn’t have to think hard about who our hero was either. Interesting ramifications if it holds true across the board. So, if you will humor me, ask your wife who her hero was or not, and then tell me who yours was.
 
So let’s talk about heroes for a second. Mine was my grandfather. One of the greatest men I have ever known. Strong as an ox, yet loved everyone who would let him. Not just strong physically, but in every area of his life, he was resolute. I have lived most of my life attempting to be like him. On the other hand, I had people who I have tried NOT to be like. Most of you have heard stories about my father, and how he was married 9 times and couldn’t be counted on to do anything for you. Or my stepdad, absolutely one of the most angry, unapproachable men you would ever know. For better or worse, these men shaped my formative years and consequently, my adulthood.

Recently, as an experiment, I spent several years reading nothing of the Bible but the four gospels. Over and over.  It was an attempt to get to know Jesus better and it was an amazing thing. The things Jesus says and does, he is the ultimate hero to me. Really, I mean it. I’m not just saying it like a Sunday school teacher, because he really is the real deal. Check him out and see if I’m not right. Not a theology, not modern Christianity, not the way you do church or not, or any self-help tips on leading a better life. Just Jesus. Like you were traveling with someone getting to know them.

Enjoy the ride men.
Alex

Being the Person You Want to Become

Do you ever think about what kind of person you will be “one of these days?”  Often we fall into the trap of waiting on circumstances to change before we enter into our true identity and purpose.  “When I get a girlfriend, I’ll be happy.”  “Once I get the promotion I’ll be in a position to really make a difference at work.”  “When we have a baby our marriage will be better.”  “When we make more money I’ll be happier.”  “I’ll quit this bad habit if it ever starts to hurt other people.”

There is a tendency to think that it is okay to remain the way we are until our circumstances change.  Once our circumstances change we’ll be good to go.  Cop out!  Setting our minds to being who we will become will only hasten the process.  Not doing so will only postpone—maybe indefinitely—whatever goal we have.

My friend, Cole, recently came to grips with the need to be the man he wants to become.  Here’s his story:

God changed my life with a question. During one of my devotionals in early November, I considered what I wanted my life to look like after my graduation in December.   I wanted to be a man that loved and served Jesus Christ passionately, living life holistically devoted to him alone.  I wanted to be a man that honored God through loving and serving my future wife and children well, taking their lives on as my divine responsibility to encourage them to blossom in their faith rather than having them wither under my leadership as the head of my family.  I also wanted to be a man that served Christ's church well in the pastoral ministry that he has called me to remaining faithful to the Truth and shepherding my people with wisdom and love.

But as I looked to the man I wanted to be and observed
the one that I was, I saw a disconnect.

It wasn't that I was necessarily doing that much wrong,  I just wasn't doing much of anything.  I was struggling with sin like everyone else, reading my bible and praying every day; I had even served in youth ministry with the same students for the past 7 years.  But something was still missing.  God showed me what it was: I wasn't living my life as a real man in many areas of my life--I was still a boy.

The Holy Spirit then asked me clearly, "When are you going to start being the man that your wife respects, and your children want to be like?"  God helped me to realize that there was nothing holding me back from having the same character of the man I wanted to become in same man that I was at that very moment.   In asking me that question, God showed me that he wanted me to be that man then and now, and that the only thing that hindered me from being radically transformed daily to become like Jesus was my apathy for who God was and what he wanted to do in me.

So I gave up.

I prayed, "God, make me that man. Take my life, and transform me. I am sick of being a boy….  God I don't know how to be that man, show me…."

That’s a prayer that the Lord will answer.

Now is the time to be the person you hope to become.  Start today!

Brian

All In and Ready to Roll

There are some good things going on among the men at New Heights these days.  Last weekend many of us enjoyed the retreat at New Life Ranch.  (Thanks, Alex and Dog Soldiers).  The 70% chance of rain was prayed back to Sunday instead of Saturday and it was absolutely beautiful for the retreat.  On Monday evening we had our first monthly Man Night at The Warehouse—good burgers, good fellowship, good worship and teaching.
 
As I’ve been talking with many of our men lately I’m sensing a readiness to join God in what he is doing and to wage war against the evil one.  “I’m all in and ready to roll”—seems to be the attitude of a growing number of men.  They are accepting the call to be different from the world around them.  They are willing to stand alone if necessary, but they are finding many brothers to stand with them.  They are acknowledging the influence they have in the world (for good or bad) —especially in the lives of their wives and children—and are committing themselves to holiness and love.  They are learning to say “no” to their fleshly desires and to pursue the kingdom of Christ.  They are confessing their sins and committing themselves to community and service.  They are ready to be a different kind of man.
 
Satan will oppose it.
As we move out of selfishness and lazy spirituality we need to be aware that we are kicking a hornet’s nest.  We are sending an invitation to the enemy to “bring it on.”  We had better be well prepared, alert and on guard.  Acknowledging and anticipating the attack is 80% of the battle.  There will be an attack.  Don’t let the enemy catch you off guard.
 
God will bless it.
God is eager to respond to men who give their hearts to him.  He will fight for us.  He will hear and answer our prayers.  He will empower us to stand against temptation.  He will be our shield.  He will bless our efforts to serve him and to share his life with those within our reach.  He will stir up hearts to respond to the gospel, and he will be glorified.  Our lives will be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
 
Let’s roll!
 
Brian
 
 
Coming Up:
 
Band of Brothers, every Friday at The Warehouse at 6:15am.  Tomorrow is breakfast burritos, muffins and fruit, Jeff Courtway and a time of prayer and encouragement.
 
Man Night:  6:30pm, second Monday of every month.  Next one is April 9.  Feast followed by Alex Hedgepeth speaking on IDENTITY.
 
“It’s Your Call” retreat,  April 20^th-22^nd. This will be a regional retreat at New Life Ranch specifically designed to help a man find and walk in his calling. If you are at a crossroads in life, or just believe that there is something more out that for you, don’t miss this!
More info and sign-up at:  http://www.newheightschurch.com/itsyourcall

Be a Hose, Not a Bucket

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

 

2 Timothy 2:2

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

 

 

Joshua led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land.  By the mighty hand of God they conquered the inhabitants and took possession of the land.  That generation saw God’s mighty works and their hearts belonged to him.

 

The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel.  -- Judges 2:7

 

That one sentence covers the brightest spot in the history of Israel.  That generation served the Lord.

Three verses later there’s a train wreck: 

 

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.   -- Judges 2:10-11

 

What happened!?  How can a nation go to hell in one generation?  It’s because their parents were buckets and not hoses.  They received and held the knowledge and blessings of God, but they failed in passing it on to their children.  The sweet, pure water of God’s favor filled up their lives; but it didn’t run through their lives to the next generation.

 

The same danger threatens the church.  Someone has said, “The church is always one generation away from extinction.”   That won’t happen.  Jesus is building his church and the gates of death will not prevail against it.  But the church will be stronger or weaker depending on our obedience to the great commission.  If we don’t pass on our faith to the next generation we’ll pass away like a mist and many will be lost. 

 

To be effective at making disciples we need to have several spiritual generations in view.  We must not be content with being disciples.  The Lord’s command is that we make disciples.  Just to be safe, let’s be sure we are making disciples who will make disciples.  Not only are we to teach the way of Christ, we must teach our students how to teach the way of Christ.

 

I have not truly learned until my students are teaching others how to teach.

 

 

 

 

Manly things coming up:

 

March 9-10—New Heights Men’s Retreat at New Life Ranch

Food, worship, teaching, outdoor stuff, building friendships.

Sign up this Sunday at church or online at https://newheights.ccbchurch.com/w_form_response.php?form_id=47

Cost:  $70 (students $55)

 

Monday, March 12—Man Night at The Warehouse

The first monthly meeting for men designed to help equip men to be men of God

Grilled burgers (suggested donation $5)

Worship,  teaching, and group discussion.