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Biblical
references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon
outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible.
Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James
version of the Bible.
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Introduction.
1. As we listened to the reading this morning, it is easy for our hearts to be filled with sadness, and even with a touch of righteous indignation for that crowd that bound Jesus in such a way!
2. And yet, there are few of us, if any who today who are not guilty of binding the hands of Jesus in a figurative way!
Body.
I. Refusing to obey the gospel.
A. In his great love for us, Jesus stretched out his hands and died for our sins.
1. Even today, through His gospel, He pleads with all to take advantage of His suffering.
2. He does not want us to suffer for the guilt of our own sins.
3. The invitation of Matthew 11:28-30 is still being offered today.
B. But when one refuses to obey the gospel.
1. The hands of Jesus are bound!
2. There is no way such a person can then receive the benefits of Jesus death!
3. For him or her, the death of Jesus was in vain!
C. Is this true of you?
1. It is - if you have not yet accepted the gospel by obeying the commands of Jesus -
Mark
16:15-16; Acts
2:38.
2. And if it is, then you will one day have to face the righteous indignation of Jesus Himself! -
2 Thessalonians
1:7-9.
II. Refusing to be transformed.
A. Christ's will is that we are transformed.
2. This renewal occurs as we read, study, and meditate upon the Word of God - 1 Peter
1:23-2:2; Philippians
4:8.
B. But many Christians neglect the instrument by which we can be renewed!
2. Allowing other things to take precedence in our lives, we so bind the hands of Jesus that we do not change!
C. Are we guilty of this?
1. We are, if we neglect to study the Bible on our own!
2. We are, if we fail to take advantage of opportunities to study with others!
3. Neglect the transforming power of the Word of God, and we are just as guilty of binding the hands of Jesus as were those who delivered Him to Pilate!
III. Refusing to pray.
A. Jesus has become our high priest.
1. He became man for this very purpose - Hebrews
2:17-18.
2. He has made it possible for us to boldly approach God's throne of grace in prayer -
Hebrews
4:14-16.
3. As our high priest:
a. He is able to save those who come to God through Him - Hebrews
7:25.
b. He ever lives to make intercession for us - Hebrews
7:25.
B. When we don't pray as we should.
1. Jesus cannot be our high priest, our intercessor!
2. Figuratively speaking, we have taken the praying hands of Jesus and bound them behind His back!
C. Are we doing this?
1. If so, what a travesty this is!
2. For here is Jesus.
a. Who lives to intercede for us.
b. But Who can't, because we prevent Him from doing so by our failure to pray!
IV. Refusing to do our part in the Church.
A. The church is described as the body of Christ - Ephesians
1:22-23.
1. As His body, we are individually members of one another - 1 Corinthians
12:27.
2. As members of one another, we are to care for one another - Ephesians
4:15-16.
3. It is through such mutual edification, that Christ provides much of His help for the members of His body!
B. But when we fail to do our share, again Jesus is bound!
1. Just as our physical head can do little if our bodily members fail to follow its leading, so it is with Jesus and His church!
2. Jesus could do so much more for His members, if only more of the members did THEIR part!
C. Have you ever considered it this way?
1. That by failing to do our part, we handicap the body of Christ?
2. That because of our neglect, or apathy, or lukewarmness.
a. Either the whole body of Christ suffers,
b. Or others are forced to do double duty in order to make up the difference?
V. Refusing to share the gospel with the lost.
A. Jesus has made his disciples to be his hands in taking the Gospel to the lost.
2. In every case of conversion recorded in Acts, Jesus used a disciple to tell the good news.
3. Jesus works the same way today!
B. But to the degree that we keep the good news to ourselves.
1. We have bound the hands of Jesus once again!
2. We hinder Jesus from telling others of His wonderful grace!
C. Are we binding the hands of Jesus in this way?
1. Every day, countless souls die with no hope of eternal life.
2. This need not be, if more would make the sharing of the gospel the primary concern in their lives!
3. Sadly, in too many cases the primary concern of Christians is the pursuit of pleasure and acquisition of worldly treasures!
Conclusion.
1. Yes, one does not have to literally bind the hands of Jesus to be guilty of the same sort of offense that we read about in
Mark 15:1; as we have seen, there are many other ways as well!
2. Why not today, resolve to loose the hands of Jesus so that IN us and THROUGH us He may accomplish His full desire?
a. To SAVE us!
b. To TRANSFORM us!
c. To USE us.
-- Don Treadway, March
2002 -- |
