A rabbit should never need to be bathed, and they will never get used to water. They can keep themselves perfectly clean on their own. However, if something does seriously soil their fur or would be harmful to them if licked off, I think a bath is a necessary evil. But I would never soak a whole bunny, only use an inch of warm water for butt baths or running just the soiled section under a warm tap for spot fixing.
I agree with the others; what is this sticky stuff you speak of and why is your bunny regularly getting it on his fur?