An Effective Baptist Sermon Outline on Mission

Baptist Sermon Mission Theme Overview:

The Baptist church’s, all churches really, mission is to proclaim God’s love through Jesus Christ, serve the broken whom He served, and extend His kingdom through intentional outreach.

The days of walking up to people asking: “do you have a church home” and kingdom building in that manner is over and done with. Not only do so many of us not attend church any longer, but we also scoff at the idea of believing in God at all.

This sermon explores how Jonah, Paul, and Esther responded to God’s call to mission, referencing the book of Jonah 3:1-5, Acts 9:15-16, and Esther 4:12-16. Their stories reveal the urgency, courage, and obedience required for the church to engage in missional outreach which does more than get butts in the pew rather leads people to Christ.

Sermon Outline Contextual Presentation:

In a world marked by political and denominational division, despair, and spiritual hunger, the church is called to be a beacon of hope and truth. Like Jonah, we may resist God’s call to reach the ‘undesirable.’

Furthermore, and like Paul the apostle, Christians feel unworthy but are still chosen to carry the gospel boldly. I would argue two things with respect to that: first, it I that unworthiness which keeps us thankful for Jesus and second, He choose us because we are thankful and will pass it on to others!

Like Esther, we face moments requiring courage to act ‘for such a time as this. These biblical figures show us that mission is not optional—it’s the heartbeat of the church, compelling us to go beyond our walls to love, serve, and share Christ.

Scriptural Overview:

• Jonah 3:1-5: “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah arose and went… And the people of Nineveh believed God.”

• Acts 9:15-16: “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings… I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’”

• Esther 4:14-16: “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place… And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ Then Esther said… ‘I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.’”

• Supporting biblical texts: Matt. 28:19-20 (“Go therefore and make disciples…”), Isa. 6:8 (“Here am I! Send me”), 2 Cor. 5:20 (“We are ambassadors for Christ”).

Three Key Points:

• Obey God’s Call to Mission (like Jonah)

• Embrace God’s Purpose for Outreach (like Paul)

• Act with Courage in God’s Timing (like Esther)

Three Big Ideas per Key Point:

• Obey God’s Call to Mission

  • God Pursues the Reluctant: Jonah fled, but God gave him a second chance (Jon. 3:1). The church must overcome fear or prejudice to reach those God loves.

  • Mission Requires Action: Jonah’s obedience led to Nineveh’s repentance (Jon. 3:5). Our outreach—whether local or global—starts with saying “yes” to God.

  • God’s Heart is for All: Nineveh, an enemy city, received mercy (Jon. 4:11). We’re called to share the gospel with everyone, no exceptions.

    
    

• Embrace God’s Purpose for Outreach

  • God Chooses the Unlikely: Paul, a persecutor, became God’s instrument (Acts 9:15). No one is beyond God’s use in mission.

  • Outreach Involves Sacrifice: Paul’s call included suffering (Acts 9:16). Sharing the gospel may cost us comfort, but it’s worth it.

  • The Gospel is Universal: Paul carried Christ’s name to Gentiles and kings (Acts 9:15). The church’s mission crosses cultures and boundaries.

    
    

• Act with Courage in God’s Timing

  • God Positions Us for Impact: Esther was placed “for such a time as this” (Esth. 4:14). The church must seize opportunities to serve and speak.

  • Courage Overcomes Risk: Esther risked death to save her people (Esth. 4:16). Outreach demands boldness in the face of opposition.

  • Faith Drives Action: Esther’s trust in God led to deliverance (Esth. 5:1-3). Our mission thrives when we act in faith, not fear.

Sermon Summarized:

The stories of Jonah, Paul, and Esther remind us that God’s mission is urgent, universal, and unstoppable. Jonah teaches us to obey God’s call, even when it’s uncomfortable. Paul shows us that God uses unlikely people to reach the world.

Esther calls us to act with courage in God’s perfect timing. As the church, we are God’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), sent to proclaim His love, serve the hurting, and advance His kingdom (2 Cor. 5:20). Mission isn’t just for missionaries—it’s for every believer. Let’s go, share, and love as Christ did.

Closing:

Church, God is calling us today—to our neighborhoods, workplaces, and beyond. Will we run like Jonah, or obey? Will we doubt like Paul once did, or embrace our purpose? Will we hesitate like Esther, or act with courage?

Let’s pray: “Lord, stir our hearts for mission. Give us boldness to share Your love, compassion to serve, and faith to act in Your timing. Send us, as You sent Jonah, Paul, and Esther, for Your glory. Amen.”

Now, go—be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that needs Him.