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.
III. Jesus Is Bound When We Bind the Gospel of Jesus Christ by Not Providing for it.
We must support those that preach the gospel of Christ.
Romans 10:13-15
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
A. The gospel is simple
B. The gospel is sufficient
C. The gospel must be supplied
We are all "fellow helpers to the truth" see 3 John 1:6-8. God’s people have the responsibility to support the gospel
IV. Jesus Is Bound When We Bind the Gospel of Jesus Christ By Not Praying For It.
Ephesians 6:18-19
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Colossians 4:2-4
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Paul pleads, begs and covets their prayers for himself as he preached. He recognized that men may spurn his appeals, reject his message, oppose his arguments, despise his person, but they were helpless against the prayers of the church.
"The gospel moves at a slow and timid pace when the saints of God are not at their prayers early, and late, and long."
THE SPIRIT OF GOD USES THE GOSPEL OF GOD IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO OUR COMING TO THE THRONE OF GOD.
C. H. Spurgeon said, "A prayerless church member is a hindrance." - binds the Gospel of Christ
V. Jesus Is Bound When We Bind The Gospel Of Christ By Not Protecting It.
Jude, "earnestly contend for the faith"
Paul, "I am set for the defence of the gospel" (Philippians 1:17)
We are not to add to or take away from the gospel.
We must Stand up, speak up and wage war against false teaching at it relates to the gospel
Galatians 1:6-8
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
There was a Baptist preacher who when he was thirty once said -- nothing better than the gospel. At forty and the years of his life slipping away quickly said - nothing as good as the gospel. At fifty and had silently crept into his home and there was now an empty chair at the table and he said -- nothing to compare to the gospel. When sixty and the years of his life had swiftly flown by said -- nothing but the gospel.
This is the way Paul felt and you and I should feel likewise.
Conclusion:
1. I have dealt with the way believers bind Jesus, but can unbelievers also bind Jesus. Yes, they bind Him when they refuse to accept His payment for sin and trust His finished work on the cross of Calvary.
2. Are you guilty of binding the hands of Jesus?
