Pastor’s Corner October 2011

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

Crossing boundaries

Having recently preached on Jesus’ interchange with a gentile woman who belonged to a particularly despised group of people reminded me of the spiritual fruit that comes when we cross artificial human boundaries to minister Christ and the gospel. Boundaries are artificial limits we have regarding who we’ll interact with. I don’t think we do it mindfully, but rather fall in to it. Boundaries create a sense of comfort for us, and we all want to be comfortable. I like hanging with people somewhat like me. I don’t like to feel socially awkward. You can see how staying in such boundaries severely limits the amount of people I interact with. When I stay within my comfortable boundaries, I grow in reliance upon myself. Operating inside our social and cultural safeguards doesn’t develop faith in God, but rather faith in self.

Jesus models stepping across boundaries for the sake of His name and kingdom often. In Mark 7 we witnessed him travel to gentile territory and engage a gentile woman. The end result is a remarkable display of God-provoked faith on the part of the woman and a model of what often happens when we cross artificial boundaries for Christ.

When we serve and minister people who are outside our boundaries, our self-reliance is reduced. When we are in socially awkward situations we are unable to put up a polished front and we are left with only Christ. That’s exactly the place we need to be- empty of self- this is where God uses us for His glory.

So, I challenge you in the life of Redeemer to cross boundaries you may have erected in order to minister in Christ’s name and for His sake. Try ministering across the artificial boundary of age- serve the elderly of our congregation, in the nursery, or helping Brian with youth group meetings. Try ministering across geographic boundaries by inviting a Missourian to your house to lunch after church some Sunday…or by inviting a Kansan to yours! How about crossing the boundary of race and culture by serving The Oasis ministry on Monday nights serving refugees from multiple countries? Maybe a cross cultural mission trip is in your discipleship future? Cross the boundary of socio-economics and serve the poor through a place like City Union Mission. Take a moment to think of what artificial comfort boundaries exist in your life, then ask God to give you opportunity to cross them for the sake of ministering in Christ’s name!

In the Lamb,
Pastor Tony Felich