Day 3

The Biblical Basis for Missions: Treasures in Jars of Clay (2Cor 4:1-12)
Don Carson

Don Carson set out to answer one question in his sermon: “What is the Biblical basis for missions?” He
said some will go to the entire storyline of the Bible to find the answer. Missions is based on God’s
redemptive act for His fallen creation through the coming of Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the
ultimate establishment of His Kingdom on earth. Others will focus on Jesus, Himself, as the ultimate
foundation of missions. We do missions because we follow Jesus’ example. He is King, the Good
Shepherd, our High Priest, the Word of God, and He fully obeyed the Father’s will even to the cross, yet
was vindicated by His resurrection while promising His future return in glory. These are powerful
explanations for the motivation for missions and Carson adds an interesting answer by pointing us to 2
Corinthians 4:1-12 not so much as a definition of world missions but a description of how it looks like. In
essence, he says we go on missions because we see it done in Scripture in a very specific manner. That
is, missions works is closely linked to the Gospel and is a) “discharged with unqualified integrity,” b)
reflecting “God’s passion to display the glory” of Jesus, and c) “heralded in the paradoxical death to self”
while overflowing with Christ’s transforming life. Firstly, because missions is from God, there is really no
reason to be discouraged, and utmost integrity is demanded—no dishonesty, distortion, deception,
selfishness and abuse of authority. Second, the news we proclaim, the Gospel, is Jesus—His life, death,
resurrection, ascension and return—and how He is fulfilling God’s redemptive plan for His people for the
coming new heaven and new earth! We are but messengers, but it is God who speaks life and light to
grant saving faith to His children. We trust in His supernatural work and so we do not lose heart in
missions. And lastly, missions is not just a call of dying to self, experiencing suffering or persecution per
se, but in order to demonstrate Christ’s life and power to the world amidst our weaknesses. This
testifies that we are but jars of clay and the transforming power all comes from God!

Carson’s answer to the Biblical basis of missions gives me strong motivation to continue reaching out to
the lost. I remember going to this same passage, 2 Cor 4:1-12, every time I feel discourage or weak in my
own ministry. His reminders enable me to face the challenges of missions with hope and faith. There are
really times when people are not responsive. There are moments when they regress even and end up
farther from God than before. In those times, I am tempted to blame myself and my weaknesses as a
minister. Yet, Carson corrects my attitude by pointing to the reality of God’s sovereignty in people’s
salvation. As such, I should remain faithful, honest and clear in proclaiming about Jesus, believing that
He is working even through my humble service. In fact, I shouldn’t be surprised at the many challenges
of missions, but instead be grateful because they remind me that my success is not dependent on me,
and my failures do not define who I am. Instead, the challenges point to the reality that I am but God’s
instrument, a jar of clay. On my own, I have no power to bring change or transformation to anyone. But
praise God for He is able to bring light even out of the darkest hearts by His grace!

I am also all the more convinced to emphasize the life and work of Jesus in our discipleship curriculum
because of the truth that the Gospel message is all about Him. As we adjust it for the youth and campus
ministries, I am looking into integrating continuing studies about Christ throughout our materials.
Afterall, we want those whom we serve to also have the same passion and love for the glory of Jesus as
God does! Prayerfully, as we are all captivated by the beauty of Christ, we will be emboldened further to
proclaim Him to the world. And at the same time, I ask the Lord to grant us righteous and holy lives so
that our testimonies will further prove the truthfulness of our confession. May both our words and
actions point to Christ as the only true source of transformation and peace!