Be Careful What You Copy by Brother Curtis Hansen

         We are going to have two scriptures to read that is for our message today. The first scripture is going to be Hebrews chapter 8 verses 3 through 7.

        3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

        4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

        5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.

        6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which established upon better promises.

        7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

        Last weeks message was about what is the model you should use for your walk. The message today is be careful what you copy. If you want to learn another language or play an instrument, there are processes and steps you learn over time through practice and repetition. You ultimately will learn enough you will begin to copy the teacher in order to master what you are working on. There is a right way to copy things. The principles of earth are a reflection of heaven. The principles have been written in the Bible. There are things and patterns what God loves and what God hates. Moses had to learn what to model in leading the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promised land of Canaan. Joshua would pick up the mantle of leadership from Moses in going forth into the promised land.

        When you start making a copy from a copy it is diminished in quality and clarity. This is the key point of our scripture reading in Hebrews. It is of necessity that Jesus would give his life. Verse 4 there were priests already on earth that would be sacrificing animals. God had set this sacrifice of animals for sin all the way back in the book of Genesis with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God sacrificed an  animal to cover their nakedness.

        Jesus is our example to copy in our daily walk. The writer of Hebrews is speaking to an audience who had been copying off of bad copies. Mentally they were all tied into the small details of the law, yet their hearts were not into it. It is an exercise handed down from generations that separates them from other nations. There's a mirror of going through the motions in applying the law in today's context where there are denominations having a person reciting a sinner's "prayer", walking away thinking grace has been applied to their life and they have arrived into glory. Watch what you copy. You could think you are copying God, and you are actually copying a copy of a copy of a copy. Without mercy, there is no returning back to your walk and full restoration. We do not deserve anything God gives us, saying this knowing there are people who think they can go strong arm the almighty into giving them physical wealth. The first thing you need to do is admit you are wrong and repent. Two pride swallowing and humility driven acts. Second thing is to be baptized in Jesus name. The third thing is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit with tongues. The Holy Spirit is present and a seal during baptism, yet there needs to be edification of the spirits indwelling. 

        Man twists, turns, and perverts God's word to make it their own thing. Only look at the multitude of bible translations as a physical truth to this statement. Verse 5 is speaking about God dictating the tabernacle to Moses on Mount Sinai. The tabernacle had explicitly detailed instructions that had to be followed, We cannot create whole cloth in life, we manipulate our creation.

        Do not copy the culture around you. Meditate on this mindset. From the mountain to the Monday. As Moses descended from the mountain shining in glory only to find the people's celebration of the golden calf below. The thing to learn and put into practice is how to carry what you have attained on Sunday into Monday. God was speaking to Moses about contentment while coming down he mountain with the 10 commandments. 

        Be careful who you want to copy. Every person has problems and issues. They have feet made of clay. Some have selfish intentions or ulterior motives in their walk. There are a lot of frauds, phonies, and charlatans you could emulate which will lead you way completely from God if you are not careful. Know that you will never be an identical copy of duplicate of a saint.

        We will turn to Joshua the 1st chapter. Verses 5-7;

        5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

        6 Be strong and of good courage: for unto this people shall divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them.

        7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 

        God is speaking to Joshua. Verse 5 No man will overthrow you. Moses had issues during the time in the wilderness with different tribes plotting to overthrow him. As I with Moses is a good example. Verse 6 Be strong and of good courage- Joshua will lead the people into battle and divide the land to fulfill the promise. Verse 7 is the copy to follow-"observe to do according to the law" The success of Joshua is observing the law written and not in Moses. The law is from God perfect and good. The instruction of turn not from it to the right or the left is one that applies to us today.