His Word Will Not Return Empty
Max Craddock
            Have you ever gotten tired of trying to do evangelism because you have taught, in public and/or in private, and have not seen any response to the gospel? Have you been enthusiastic about some programme of evangelism but, because we only want to sup‑port work that "show" results, you became convinced that no good was being accomplished so stopped sup‑porting the work, even to the point of not even praying for it anymore. This is very dispiriting and can cause one to become pessimistic as to all efforts to evangelize.
            Of course, we know that the same things do not always work everywhere. In years past the "bus ministry" worked very well for many congregations but not others. Door knocking seems to work in some areas but not in others. Mailing monthly newsletters and teaching articles does well in some areas but not others. The impact of special meetings, radio or television programmes and seminars have different results. Even personal contact with family, friends and neighbours will bring different levels of visible result, some encouraging and some discouraging.
            However, we need to remember the promise of God regarding His word. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands" (Isaiah 55:8-12).
            For those of us who live in the Toronto area, it seems appropriate to write about snow. We are all really enjoying the beautiful snowfall that is "watering the earth and making it bud and flourish..." :-) (We have had 180 centimetres at the time I am writing this. The record snow fall here is 207.4 in 1938-39.) Of course, the point of Isaiah's statement is not really about physical growth but he is talking about the results of sow‑ing the word of God in the hearts of people. If we preach for 100 years, like Noah, and only save 8 or preach for 40 years, like Jeremiah, and save no one, we can never stop preaching and working to share the good news with those who do not know Jesus as Christ. We plan the work and work the plan with the faith that the will of God will be done.
            We know the gospel has the power to draw men and women to Christ. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: `They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me" (John 6:44, 45). Also, consider the power of Paul's words in 2 Thessalonians 2:14, "He called you to this through our gospel that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
            We also know that everyone who hears the gospel will not obey it. Jesus gives insight into this in Matthew 23 with the parable of the sower. Some of the ground on which the seed fell was too hard (closed minded) to accept the seed and, therefore, did not produce any fruit. The other three received the seed in different degrees of openness and fruit grew. This parable is important for us since we need to understand that we will not always see the desired result from the sowing done. Some will reject but others will respond.
We understand the word of God to be powerful and able to accomplish His purpose, when it is presented to honest and seeking hearts. The gospel is the power of God to save (Romans 1:16). Of course, for it to do its work, it must be presented!! Even though many today see the "old time religion of God" as boring and dull, for those who truly are seeking a relationship with God, the gospel is the only message that saves.
            In talking about the work of evangelism and in planning for work in evangelism, we MUST understand that salvation comes to those who have answered the call of God. Jesus said in John 6:44, 45, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me."
Of course, the message has to be made clear, like Philip did for the Ethiopian eunuch. Without understanding, the preaching of the word is useless. It has no drawing power if a person does not under‑stand what is being taught. Remember when the people of Judah returned from bondage, after the 70 years in Babylon, the law of God was read to them. Nehemiah 8:7-8 states, "The Levites‑Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read." It is in hearing the gospel that men and women are called into relationship with God.
The purpose of preaching is to change lives. This may be the lives of people who have never obeyed the gospel, but may also involve those Christians who have not lived up to their commitment. Understand that at times it may involve "hurting" someone's feelings or making one unhappy by pointing out wrong, but the good news is that it takes godly sorrow to bring the repentance that is necessary for relationship with God. Sometimes the word that is given must be a work of correction, such as what Paul wrote to Corinth in the first letter. Because Paul wrote strongly in the first letter, he was able to write the following in the second; "Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved  yourselves to be innocent in this matter" (2 Corinthians7:8-11). Without doubt inthis case, the word did notreturn empty.
May we take to heart the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." The church and individual Christians today must not become weary of preaching/teaching the gospel, using every talent and the resources at hand to pro‑claim the message and make it plain. God promises that His word will not return to Him empty. Our task is to be sure it is shared with those who do not know Jesus as Lord