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!
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