A Blueprint for Biblical Missions
Reggan Jett   -   October 5, 2025

A Blueprint for Biblical Missions
Text: Acts 14:21–23 (ESV)

Main Idea: God’s blueprint for missions lays a foundation in disciple-making, raises a framework of strengthened faith, and completes the work in establishing healthy churches.

  1. The Foundation: Making Disciples (v. 21)
  2. Gospel proclamation is central

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 ESV)

“But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles…” (1 Corinthians 1:23 ESV)

  1. Missions is about disciples, not just decisions

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20 ESV)

“The work of ministers is not only to bring men to the knowledge of Christ, but to establish them in it.” — John Gill

“To make men converts is but half the work, to make them disciples is the complete end of the ministry.” — Charles Spurgeon

  1. The goal is maturity in Christ

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28 ESV)

  1. The Framework: Strengthening Disciples (v. 22)
  2. Strengthening through the Word

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV)

“The soul is strengthened through doctrine. Shallow teaching produces shallow believers. Robust teaching produces resilient believers.” — John MacArthur

  1. Encouraging perseverance in the faith

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” (Hebrews 12:1 ESV)

  1. Preparing believers for difficulty

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV)

“Tribulation is not a detour on the road to glory—it is part of the road itself.” — John MacArthur

  1. The Finishing Work: Establishing Churches (v. 23)

 

  1. The priority of church planting

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5 ESV)

“The work of missions is not complete until churches are established. Christianity is not an individualistic religion; it is lived out in the community of the church.” — John MacArthur

  1. The urgency of biblical leadership

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2–3 ESV)

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17 ESV)

“The local church is the focal point of God’s plan for displaying his glory to the nations.” — Mark Dever

“Churches must be planted and trained to stand, that they may be witnesses for Christ in their own communities.”— John Broadus

  1. Dependence on God through prayer

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1ESV)

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” – (Revelation 7:9–10 ESV)

Final Thought – May our missional blueprint follow God’s design – May we lay the foundation of discipleship, erecting the framework of perseverance, and finish the work of establishing churches—for the glory of Christ.