Today
is the first of the month and therefore the day I write out some
checks. Like most of us, I dislike having to do this, but
nevertheless, it has to be done. Today, is special because it is my
wife’s birthday; so naturally, I took her out to eat. So, its 7:45,
dark and I am just sitting down to work on my blog. Well, I saw this
check and thought about how much is said in so small a space and
thought it might be useful for a post. So…
What
is this?
A
check for would-be disciples
Mark
16:15-16 ( World English
Bible )
[15] He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good
News to the whole creation. [16] He who believes and is baptized will
be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.
Matthew
28 ( WEB )
[18]
Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has
been given to me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go, and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all things
that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end
of the age.” Amen.
A
Routing ( our example to follow )
Acts
2 ( WEB )
[37] Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and
said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall
we do?” [38] Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every
one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins,
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the
promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off,
even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” [40] With
many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save
yourselves from this crooked generation!” [41] Then those who
gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day
about three thousand souls. [42] They continued steadfastly in the
apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and
prayer.
[43] Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were
done through the apostles. [44] All who believed were together, and
had all things in common. [45] They sold their possessions and goods,
and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. [46] Day
by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and
singleness of heart, [47] praising God, and having favor with all the
people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were
being saved.
When
was it written?
Written
at the cross of Calvary
1
Corinthians 15 ( WEB )
[1]
Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to
you, which also you received, in which you also stand, [2] by which
also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to
you—unless you believed in vain.
[3] For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that
he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the
Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
[6] Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of
whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. [7] Then he
appeared to James, then to all the apostles, [8] and last of all, as
to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
Matthew
26 ( WEB )
[1] It happened, when Jesus had finished all these words, that he
said to his disciples, [2] “You know that after two days the
Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be
crucified.”
Who
wrote it?
Jesus,
the Christ
Matthew
26 ( WEB )
[63] But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, “I
adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the
Christ, the Son of God.” [64] Jesus
said to him, “You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell
you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand
of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.”
What
does
Jesus
do?
Provides
Mediation
between God and sinners
1
Timothy 2 ( WEB )
[5]
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all; the
testimony in its own times;
Redemption
by by his blood
1
Peter 1 ( WEB )
[18] knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things,
with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from
your fathers, [19] but with precious blood, as of a faultless
and pure lamb, the blood of Christ
Provides
for our forgiveness
of sins
Acts
2 ( WEB )
[38] Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of
you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus wrote the check, when we became Christians, we cashed it and
the good news is – there is never any need for another check. Now,
someone could probably write a book on this, but just consider the
message a simple check can convey. Check out (look at) that check
once again and think what a nice gift it would make, so copy the
picture and share it. You will make someone very happy!