BINDING JESUS?

John 18:12_27

Mark 15:1

("hinder the gospel" _ I Corinthians 9:12)

Jesus is bound after the betrayal of Judas and led to Annas, the ex-high priest. Annas , the high priest that year sends Jesus bound to Caiphas the high priest who in turn questions Him and finding no reason to condemn Him sends Jesus to Pilate.

It is amazing to read that the enemies of Jesus bound Him. They bind Him that He might be impeded in any attempt to escape. He could have passed through the midst of them and gone His way as He did before, if He had so chosen. He comes from the garden, there shall be no difficulty finding Him. He tells who He is; there shall be no need for the traitor's kiss, When Peter draws his sword He rebukes him, and then He holds out His hands and lets them bind Him. 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 their power, but His own pity which drew Him to the judgment hall and the Cross.

This was a literal binding of Jesus 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.

Now the gospel is the good news about Jesus. In content the gospel declares how that Jesus died, that he 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 I Thessalonians that he was "allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel." Paul is saying that God has 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 regards to the gospel of Jesus Christ ? I think so.

I. Binding the Gospel of Jesus Christ when we don't proclaim it.

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

See Mark 16:15, 20

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 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. Binding the Gospel of Jesus Christ when we don't practice it.

I Corinthians 2:1, 4

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 un Christ like Christians out of sight, the greatest hindrance of the Gospel would be eliminated.

III. Binding the Gospel of Jesus Christ when we don't provide for it.

Support those that preach the gospel of Christ.

Romans 10:13_15

A. The gospel is simple

B. The gospel is sufficient

C. The gospel must be supplied

"fellow helpers to the truth" see III John 6_8. God's people have the responsibility to support the gospel

IV. Binding the Gospel of Jesus Christ when we don't pray for it.

Ephesians 6:18,19

I Thess. 3:1

Colossians 4:2_4 Paul pleads, begs, and covets their prayers for as he preached. Paul recognized that men may spurn his appeals, reject his message, oppose his arguments, despise his person, but they were helpless against the church's prayers.

"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 prayer less church member is a hindrance." __binds the Gospel of Christ

V. Binding the Gospel of Christ when we don't protect it

Jude, "earnestly contend for the faith"

Paul, "I am set for the defense of the gospel" (Philippians 1:17) add to or take away from the gospel Stand up and speak up wage war against false teaching at it relates to the gospel

(Galatians 1:6_8)

Old Baptist preacher who when he was

thirty once said __ nothing better than the gospel

forty and the years of his life were slipping away quickly said __ nothing as good as the gospel

fifty and death had silently crept into his home and there was now an empty chair at the table said __ nothing to compare to the gospel.

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:

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.

Are guilty of binding the hands of Jesus?