When God Says Now

a sermon outline by Loren Horst, President of Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10
Location: Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, Praise Fellowship
Date: February 2, 2003

Introduction

• I was the product of mission
• In fact all of us are products of mission. The old definitions are breaking down.
• Our story—one of mission for 2000 years

Outline

1. God is on a mission. The whole story is God’s story (creation, forgiveness, redemption). God is the real missionary.
2. Whenever God gets excited about something, God always seems to involve us.

God moves, we’re implicated

1. Our timing is lousy. God’s timing is perfect. Illustration: “Just now,” an expression that is used in Trinidad

So: God is on a mission, involving us, but on God’s schedule

To the story

Retell the story of Moses at the burning bush, Exodus 3:1-10, drawing out the three points of the outline from the story

1. God is on a mission: God essentially says to the people, “I have seen, I have heard, I have compassion, I am coming down to rescue.” (v. 7-8)
2. When God gets excited, God always seems to involve us. The result is God saying, “So now I am sending you!” (v. 10)
3. Our lousy timing but God’s timing is perfect. Compare Moses’ early attempts to deliver Israel (and failure to do so) with God’s perfect timing and methods used many years later.

Illustrations

• Cast Your Bread on the Waters: Willard Eberly’s story about how the gospel was reaching Albania long before people knew, and how it later bore fruit.
• In the February, 2003, issue of Christianity Today, Ram Cnaan tells us that the average congregation spends $184,000 per year on social services. (“Tallying Compassion,” Ron Cnaan, interviewed by Agnieszka Tennant)

Additional Scripture References

• Romans 13:11, Now is the time to wake from slumber
• II Corinthians 6:1-2, Now is the time of God’s favor
• Matthew 9:35-38, The harvest is plentiful

When is “Now?”

• When people are open
• When leaders are ready
• When the need is great
• When God says, “Now!”

Conclusion

• Illustration: Sister Parbatee in Trindad said, “You don’t know how long I’ve prayed for a Christian witness in Esperanza, and now you are here.”
• Words of African Pastor: “I won’t give up, shut up, let up…..And when he comes for his own, He’ll have no trouble recognizing me. My banner will be clear.”

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