Not Bound!

Not bound!

Matthew 27:1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

2 Timothy 2: 8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

They bound Jesus, but 2000 years later and the Word of God still stands!

They bound Jesus, but over 13 years ago it was Jesus that set me free!

They bound Jesus, but the fact is that although they bound Him they could not hold Him down, not even with the chains of death!

The desire of the Jews carried out by the Romans was to finish Him off, and they thought that by their own might that they would place Him on the Cross.

I have always been amazed at the fact that just one week before the multitudes yelled crucify Him, that the multitudes were yelling “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest”

How can the feeling in the air change that drastic in that short of time?

They yelled, “crucify Him”

As if by their own power and might they placed Him upon that Cross……

They did bind Him, but only because they were being used as instruments to carry out the Will of God.

I wish that I could stand and proclaim to every government official, to every school board, to every Hollywood film maker, to every liberal skeptic, and to every so-called atheist that Jesus Christ is not bound! He will never be bound again!

Matthew 27: 11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Pilate wasn’t the last governor to put the Name of Jesus to the trial, The Name of Jesus goes to trial it seems like on a daily basis in this country.

I heard the other day that a military chaplain is held to certain laws that forbid him to be in uniform and speak the name of Jesus Christ in prayer unless it is during a church service.

The same thing was also forbidden of Daniel!

I would hope that our whole military realizes that unless God fights our battles we will not prevail!

Jesus stands there bound before Pilate, fulfilling Scripture, and carrying out the Will of Almighty God!

It wasn’t the physical bonds of man that held Him before Pilate, but it was the perfect bond of Love that He had for us before the foundation of this world!

Matthew 27: 19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

I believe as this event was taking place that all Heaven was looking on, all of the fallen angles and their leader the devil was also seeing this event unfold…….

It seems at this point that Fate of Jesus was in the hands of Pilate.

Did Pilate, a man that was bound himself to the opinion of the crowd, really think that He could hold the Fate of Jesus in his own hands?

I say to you the people that were really bound here was every Roman soldier that beat, spit, and mocked, bound was every Jew that cried out “crucify Him”, bound was Pilate all to God’s perfect plan that would lead our Saviour to His Cross!

23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

I can’t help but think that as these people died off one by one when their appointed time had come… that they remembered saying this and wishing that His Blood really was upon them and their children!

I would like to say to every liberalistic, modern preacher out there that if you can’t preach The Blood of Jesus Christ then you have nothing important to say!

It is the Blood covering that redeems us!

This is what my Salvation is held to and this is what I was called to preach my friend!

26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 31And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

There in Pilate’s Judgment Hall they thought that they had finished this Man called Jesus.

They thought that with their little government that they could stop the convicting Words from His Mouth.

They thought that they had sealed his fate………

But what they did not realize is that from the foundations of the world there was a Holy Destiny calling Jesus to a hill called Mount Calvary!

They could have done nothing to set this event in motion!

They could have done nothing to hinder it, stop it, or alter it in any way at all.

This day had been prophesied from centuries before.

The Trinity had planned this day out before there was ever an Adam or an Eve!

Revelation 13: 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

There is a lot of controversy today over the word “predestined” but my friend there was One Who was predestined to go to a Cross on Mount Calvary’s Hill, and men had absolutely nothing to do with it!

They thought as He hung there upon the Cross that He was finished, not believing His Words concerning this…

John 2: 19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21But he spake of the temple of his body. 22When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
They thought that they had finished Him, but then came Sunday!

A few weeks ago aired a presentation on TV that poked and proded at the Precious Doctrine that we hold fast to.

They tried in their weakness to prove that Jesus never arose, but I rejoice in my heart that I have the risen Saviour in my soul today!

They say that they have now found the bones of Jesus……. I’ve got news for them NOT MY JESUS!!!!!!

My Jesus arose and took His Body with Him!!!!!

You may have the same heart of skepticism about the Risen Saviour.

We could spend hours defending this truth, but look at the false evidence itself!

You can’t tell me that all of the controversy after His Resurrection that led to the death of so many Christians during that time would have happened had it not been for an EMPTY TOMB!

If the disciples had taken the Body of Jesus and hid Him, then tell me why they died for faith in a dead Jesus!

Tell me why that Peter wasn’t afraid anymore to be associated with Jesus and began to preach His Name everywhere!

Tell me why Paul stopped his persecution and began to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Tell me Who this is that has answered my prayers, solved my problems, carried my burdens, and watched over my family!

Tell me Who is This that moved into my soul in late 1993 and fills me with an everlasting peace that has never left!

If this Hollywood film-maker be right, then why do we bother gathering together at Church?
If the Skeptics are right then what is the purpose of Christianity my friend, there would be no hope!

1 Corinthians 15: 12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

If you don’t believe that Jesus Christ is risen and alive today then you are lost and on your way to hell!

Romans 10: 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

This brings us back to our text in 2 Timothy…

2 Timothy 2: 8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Jesus Christ was bound into that hands of men and slain upon Calvary’s Cross, His Blood flowed from His Body and has covered my sin!

His Blood is not bound….

His Blood has flowed through the pages of this written Word and is laid in my hands for the presentation of the Gospel!

It has been laid into my hands and into yours and despite all the skeptics IT IS NOT BOUND!

Hollywood can produce all of the deception that they can muster up that they might bind up the truth but it will never happen!

In the heart of every Blood bought, Born again Believer the Word of God has penetrated to the depths of the soul where the hell bound skeptics can not reach!

You can go as far as you can, but the Word of God will still find you!

The Word of God can reach into the jail cells as well as the churches, It is not bound!

You can stop the mouth of this preacher, but you can’t stop the Word that is preached!

Your outlook on your church may not be good, but you see the Word of God is not bound.

Your outlook on a certain individual may not be so good, but His Word is not bound.

Hebrews 4: 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

The Gospel call has went out loud and clear from country to country, from town to town, from house to house, and from pulpit to church pew.

The Lord has made it possible for all to be saved, none left without opportunity.

I have watched as people have passed up opportunity time and time again.

I would like to ask you…. How do you respond to this unbound Word, the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

This Word of God, This Gospel that I present unto you is reaching your eyes by reading, but is It reaching your heart?

Are you really heeding God's Word?

2 Corinthians 4: 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1: 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

It’s not an easy thing for a preacher to preach week after week and see no moves made toward Christ.

Although it seems sometimes as if nobody is applying the sermon to their life we must remember that God’s Word penetrates the heart and convicts in ways unexplainable.

Isaiah 55: 6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

1 Corinthians 1:21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

One of the greatest preachers this world has ever known was the Apostle Paul.

I see in this man’s preaching that there was a boldness given from God.

Paul preached the Gospel without compromise.

I want to look at a few people that he preached to and their reaction to the unbound Gospel:

The Jews:

Acts 22: 22And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

The Word of God was just too strong for the Jews and so the Jews wanted Paul dead because he preached IT.

Felix:

Acts 24: 24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

First of all, look what Paul was preaching….. verse 25

“righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come”

Felix trembled and wanted Paul to go…..he said “when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee”

Festus:

Acts 26: 22Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

Festus thought Paul was mad….

Notice that Paul said that the Crucifixion was not done in a corner!

Neither is this Gospel hid in a corner! It is not bound!!!!

Neither is this Bible, God’s Holy Word hid in a corner!

2 Timothy 2: 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Agrippa:

Acts 26: 28Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.


How about you?

Does this Gospel that we preach make you angry?

Hey, Felix, are you still awaiting that convenient day? Do you think that you will get saved at your own convenience?

Hey Festus, do you really think were crazy, do you really think we are mad, you call us Jesus fanatics and rightfully so, but I am wondering what are you crazy about?

I am wondering oh king Agrippa if you realize that being almost saved is still entirely lost!

I am glad that I am not almost a Jones, I am a Jones.

I am glad that I am more than almost going to Heaven.

I am bound to Heaven because the unbound Word of God told me of the Saviour Who was once bound to a Cross to unbind my destiny with hell, whereof I am bound eternally to His Side through His precious Blood!

I have watched as people try to wiggle out of a conversation about our Lord and Saviour.

I have watched as they try to ignore the preached Word, but because Jesus was bound to an old rugged Cross, He left behind His Spirit.

His Spirit is not bound!

John 16: 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Where you and I can’t go the Spirit can go.

The Spirit of God is not bound by any means, sometimes we see evidence in our church service that He has been here.

Capital Hill can make all the laws they want regulating our outward witness of faith but they will never be able to regulate and bind up the convicting power of the Holy Spirit!

This world offers all kind of religions but if they are not trusting in Jesus Christ they are yet bound in their own sin!

They are bound to a false belief in their works.

Some say that you must confess to the priest, eat the cookie, count the beads, and pray to Mary.

Some say that you must go door to door handing out watch towers.

Some say that you must follow the teachings of Joseph Smith and follow his “new” revelation.

Some think that you have to kill, such as running planes into buildings, and blowing people up in order to get to Heaven.

Some say that you must say a creed.

Some say that your salvation is based also upon baptism.

Here in America I believe is one of the most dangerous deceptions yet….. that is that all you must do to get to Heaven is to be good and follow the golden rule.

I want to know what Jesus has to say in His Word concerning the matter of getting to Heaven.

May I remind you as we read these Scriptures that His Word is not bound by any denomination.

Not bound by any religion.

Not bound by any government or country.

Not bound by any document or creed!

May I present unto you for a few moments the unbound Gospel…

John 3: 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 5: 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 6: 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6: 40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6: 47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 7: 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 8: 24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 11: 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

My question to you Christian is what are you doing with this unbound Gospel that has been laid in your hands, that has been laid to your responsibility?

Thank God today that He was once bound to the Cross for us, resurrected and then gave us the unbound, perfect Word of God!