Boundaries for Becoming a Disciple

1 Corinthians 6:12–20 NIV84

12 “Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Introduction A. Engage the audience by relaying the necessity of boundaries in life B. Explain the purpose of the sermon – to teach on the importance of boundaries in becoming a devoted disciple

1. We need Boundaries to become a disciple of Jesus

A. Respect and Uphold the boundaries set by those before us

Proverbs 22:28 “28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.”

B. Boundaries help us avoid harmful situations and focus on beneficial pursuits

1 Corinthians 6:12 “12 “Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.”

C. There will be challenges in keeping your boundaries

Romans 7:15 “15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

2. There are Boundaries Disciples Must Set

A. Establish a Relationship with God

Matthew 16:24 “24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Setting your personal desires aside to follow the path of Christ

B. Dedicate Time for Prayer and Study

2 Timothy 2:15 “15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Devoting regular time to study the Word and prayer as a boundary to pursue

C. Cultivate Relationships with fellow believers to grow spiritually

Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

3. Disciples must maintain boundaries

A. Disciples persevere under trial

James 1:12 “12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Encourage the congregation to endure the struggles and maintain their boundaries, having in mind the reward of eternal life

B. Boundaries help Disciples stay hot when others grow cold

Matthew 24:12–14 “12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

C. Disciples must keep their eyes on Jesus

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 “16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”