Binding Jesus

Binding Jesus

1 Corinthians 9:12 "If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?"

Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

Introduction:

1. Jesus is bound after the betrayal of Judas and led to Annas the ex-high priest. Annas, the high priest during the year in which Jesus was arrested bound Him and sent Him to Caiphas the high priest who in turn questions Him and finding no reason to condemn Him sent Jesus to Pilate.

2. It is amazing to read that the enemies of Jesus bound Him.

They bound Him that He might be impeded in any attempt to escape.

3. Had Jesus so chosen He could have passed through the midst of them and gone His way as He had done on a previous occasion.

4. He comes from the garden; there was no difficulty finding Him. He told who He was; there was no need for the traitor’s kiss, When Peter drew his sword, Jesus rebuked him, and then He held out His hands and permitted His assailants to bind Him.

5. It was not their fetters, but the cords of love which held Him prisoner. He was not bound against His will. He willingly submitted to having His hands bound. It was not within the mobs power to bind Him; but His own power. His pity and love for fallen man kind drew Him to both the judgment hall and the Cross.

6. The binding of Jesus was a literal binding; but may I suggest to you that there are very few today who are not guilty also of binding the hands of Jesus in a figurative sense.

7. The gospel is the good news about Jesus. In content, the gospel declares that Jesus died, was buried, and that he rose again the third day. In extent, the gospel declares that Jesus died for the sins of the world. In intent, the gospel declares a salvation from an eternal hell.

Paul states in 1 Thessalonians that he was "allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel." Paul is saying that God committed to his hands as well as our hands the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Are we guilty of binding the hands of God as believers with regard to the gospel of Jesus Christ ? I think so.

I. Jesus Is Bound When We Bind The Gospel Of Jesus Christ By Not Proclaiming It

The last orders of the Saviour were to go into all the world and preach the gospel.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.

Amen.

A. The directive is plain - "Go......preach the gospel "

B. The duty is personal -"ye"

C. The dynamic is provided - "The Lord working with them" ---

Acts 1:8

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

The gospel is the believer’s trust. When we don’t proclaim it, we are disobedient to a command and dishonest in a trust.

II. Jesus Is Bound When We Bind the Gospel of Jesus Christ by Not Practicing it.

1 Corinthians 2:1, 4 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

(4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

"Profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him."

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ"

Conduct befitting of a Christian

Conduct becoming of a Christian

A soldier in the army of Alexander the Great was once charged with misbehavior. He was brought before Alexander about his conduct. Alexander asked him, "What is your name?" With a trembling voice, the soldier replied, "Alexander, sir." Alexander the Great asked him again, "What is your name?" Again the soldier trembling answered, "Alexander, sir." Alexander then shouted at him and said,’Either change your name or change your conduct."

You are writing a Gospel,

A chapter each day,

By the deeds that you do

And the words that you say.

Men may read what you write,

Whether faithful or true:

Just what is the Gospel

According to you.

If we could keep all the unChristlike Christians out of sight, the greatest hindrance of the Gospel would be eliminated.