The Method of Missions

Acts 13:1-3

Scripture Reference

Acts 13:1-3 – Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Introduction

Title: “The Method of Missions” — preached by Dr. Terry LeQuieu.

We live in a world that is lost without Christ, and the Scriptures show us a clear, repeatable method for reaching it. In Acts 13 we see the first significant model of sending missionaries from a local church. This sermon examines the biblical pattern for missions so every believer — especially young adults — can understand how the local church, the called worker, and the supporting churches cooperate under God’s direction. The goal is to encourage commitment to study, to prayer, and to active service so that each of us grows into mature disciples willing to see the Gospel spread everywhere.

In everybody’s heart, especially you young people. Listen, as you grow up, right now, it’s easy to serve God. Your parents are making you come to church. As you get older, you’ve got to make decisions for yourself. We’re faced with a lot of temptation. We’re faced with a lot of different things. And I hope with everything inside of me, every one of you keep that same desire. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve seen what this world offers. I’ve seen friends that grew up in the ministry and today aren’t serving God. I’ve watched the direction of their lives and the end result of that. And I wouldn’t trade what I have for anything that they’ve got. I thank God so much for what he’s done. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Quote from Preacher

The above excerpt is the preacher’s introductory quote from the transcript. It sets a personal tone: missions flow from hearts committed to Christ over comfort, and the preacher’s conviction is both a warning and an encouragement.

Outline

God Calls the Missionary
1. Call follows service — Acts 13:2 shows that God called Barnabas and Saul while they were ministering and fasting. The biblical pattern is not to send idle people, but proven servants (Acts 13:1-3).
2. Call is confirmed by the Holy Ghost — Divine direction and confirmation matter; God speaks, and the Spirit guides the sending (Acts 13:2).
3. Encouragement to young believers — If you sense God’s call, first be faithful locally; prove your faithfulness in ministry and then watch God confirm and open doors.
The Local Church Sends
1. Sending is corporate, not merely personal — The church at Antioch fasted, prayed, laid hands and sent Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:3). Sending is a church action, showing responsibility and endorsement.
2. The church is God’s chosen instrument — The New Testament local church is the organism God uses to plant, support, and bless missionary work.
3. Practical consequences — A faithful church body should examine character and service, then prayerfully commission those God calls.
Other Churches Partner
1. Support network among churches — Paul’s missionary efforts were supported by other faithful churches (2 Corinthians 8–9). Missionary success depends on broader fellowship generosity, not only one congregation.
2. Cheerful, faith-filled giving — 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 teaches principles of sowing and God’s provision; giving by faith invites God’s sufficiency to abound to every good work.
3. Faith Promise model — Giving by faith toward a mission goal reflects Scripture’s principle: God honors sacrificial, obedient giving and supplies needs.
Missions Demands Three Essentials: Vision, Burden, Sacrifice
1. Vision
  1. Vision of God’s desire — 2 Peter 3:9 and Matthew 28:18–20 show God’s heart that none should perish and the command to go, baptize, and disciple.
  2. Vision of the field’s depths — Acts 1:8 maps evangelism from town (Jerusalem) to region (Judea), to neighboring cultures (Samaria), to the world (uttermost). Understand your local “Jerusalem” but never forget the global “uttermost.”
  3. Vision of multiplication — One-on-one discipleship multiplied over years can reach billions (illustration of one person discipling another doubling each year).
2. Burden
  1. Mind vs. heart — Vision informs the mind; burden moves the heart. We must move from sympathy to empathy that compels action.
  2. Know God’s will — Matthew 28:18–20 spells the activity God expects: go, win, baptize, and teach. A burden is the heart’s obedience to that revealed will.
  3. Compassion leads to witness — The Christian is a “spiritual firefighter” (Jude 22–23); we must be ready to act and rescue those spiritually burning in sin.
3. Sacrifice
  1. True sacrifice is costly — Not sentimental discomforts but real willingness to deny comforts, alter lifestyle, and give sacrificially so others may hear the Gospel.
  2. Two ways to sacrifice — Go yourself or send sacrificially so others may go in your place (proxy sending). Both are honored by God if done in faith.
  3. Gifts beyond money — Time, prayers, talents, and intercession are sacrifices that sustain missionaries; 2 Corinthians 8–9 includes the call to cheerful, faith-based giving.
Practical Steps in the Sending Service
1. Discernment in calling — Evaluate a candidate’s service record and spiritual maturity before endorsing.
2. Church endorsement — Commissioning includes prayer, fasting, laying on of hands, and public sending (Acts 13:2–3).
3. Support plan — Partner churches commit financially and in prayer (2 Cor. 8–9), understanding missions as corporate stewardship.
Why Our Participation Matters
1. Spectator vs. participator — The faithful participator rejoices in eternal fruit. Are you content to cheer or will you step into responsibility?
2. Every believer has a sphere — Your “Jerusalem” responsibility (family, workplace, town) is as important as supporting global outreach.
3. Multiplication is biblical — The disciple-making model is simple, reproducible, and God-empowered—start with one soul, disciple, and repeat.

Summary

The Method of Missions in Scripture is clear and reproducible: God calls, the local church sends, and other churches partner to support. Missions requires three essentials in the believer and the church—vision (God’s desire and the field’s depth), burden (heartfelt compassion that compels action), and sacrifice (real giving of money, time, and talent). The pattern in Acts and the pastoral instructions in Corinthians and Matthew show a plan that works when Christians obey it by faith. If we will embrace these biblical principles, the spread of the Gospel can proceed with the power and blessing of the Lord.

We’re going to try to do a lot more teaching tonight than preaching, but hey, if we get preaching, we’ll get to preaching. Amen.

Quote to Ponder

Dr. LeQuieu’s pastoral heart shows that missions is both instruction and invitation: it requires deliberate teaching but must move us to heartfelt action.

Application for the Week

Practical, actionable steps to live out the Method of Missions this week. Pick those that challenge you and commit to follow through with prayer and accountability.

Pray Daily for Missions (Vision & Burden)
1. Pray five minutes each morning for missionaries our church supports. Ask God to give you a burden for one unreached people group or a specific missionary family.
2. Use a missions prayer guide (church packet or online resource) to focus your requests: evangelism, protection, families, national workers, and provision.
Engage Locally (Jerusalem)
1. Identify one person in your everyday life (work, school, gym, neighbor) you can share the gospel with this week. Pray for divine appointments and be ready to ask a simple question that opens spiritual conversation.
2. If you don’t know how to share, learn the simple gospel presentation and practice it with a Christian friend.
Give Sacrificially (Sacrifice)
1. Complete a Faith Promise or missions commitment card this week. Decide on an amount you will give by faith for missions over the next year. Start small if needed, but be consistent.
2. Choose one small personal luxury to give up this month (one restaurant meal, one streaming service, or one coffee treat) and redirect that money to missions.
Get Informed (Vision)
1. Attend the missions conference nights or watch missionary presentations. Let their slides and testimonies shape your vision of the field and stir your heart.
2. Read Acts 13, Matthew 28, Acts 1:8, and 2 Corinthians 8–9 this week. Mark what God highlights to you and journal how He moves your heart.
Participate Publicly (Send & Support)
1. If you are sensing a call to go, speak with the pastor or missions committee this week. Start a plan of training, discipleship, and practical steps.
2. If you cannot go, commit to one of the missionaries by name: send an encouraging note, commit to regular prayer, and add a monthly gift if possible.
Be a Spiritual Firefighter (Burden & Sacrifice)
1. Do one tangible act of witness this week: give a gospel tract, invite someone to church, or have a spiritual conversation. Be ready to “pull someone out of the fire.”
2. Set a reminder to follow up with any person you speak with about the Gospel—care and discipleship begin with persistence and love.

Make a plan with one accountability partner this week. Pray together, check on your commitments, and encourage one another to follow through. Missions is a joyful calling that the Lord enables when we obey and sacrifice by faith.