Boundaries for Salvation

Philippians 2:12–18 (NLT)

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing,

15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Philippians 2:12 “12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,”

1. Jesus is the Boundary to Salvation

A. The sufficiency of Jesus for Salvation

John 14:6“6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

B. The exclusivity of Jesus for Salvation

Acts 4:12 “12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.””

C. Salvation starts with faith in Jesus

Acts 16:30–31 “30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.””

2. The Boundary of Faith in Jesus for Salvation

A. Salvation is a gift of God

Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

B. You must confess with your mouth—Jesus is Lord

Romans 10:9–10 “9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

C. You are a new creation in Jesus

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

3. The transformative power of Salvation

A. The role of the Holy Spirit in setting our Boundaries

John 14:26 “26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

B. Building boundaries against sin and worldliness

Romans 12:2 “2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

C. Surround yourself with other believers

1 Corinthians 15:33 “33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.””

2 Corinthians 6:14 “14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

4. The Boundary of the Fruit of Salvation

Matthew 3:8 “8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”

A. Salvation is personal, but not private

Matthew 7:20 “20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

No one can be saved for you

You can’t enter His Kingdom based on your name, your history, your looks, your income, you charisma, your popularity

It is personal because you have to repent, no one can repent for you

It is personal because you have to confess with your mouth, no one can confess for you

Its not private because you have to share the good news

Its not private because you must produce fruit

B. Intimacy with God will produce good fruit

Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

C. Your fruit reveals your character

Matthew 7:18 “18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”

You can’t fake people

Orange trees produce oranges

Apple trees produce apples

Good produces good

Evil produces evil