Grace Baptist Church, Nokomis, IL.

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I want to end our discussion on evangelism by talking about the purpose God has in our witness. We often define effectiveness in evangelism different from how God does. To get a fuller understanding of God’s purpose in our witness, let’s read Isaiah 55:6-11.

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 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.” (Isa 55:6-11)

There are many frightening truths in God’s Word. The doctrines of Hell, Satan, and eternal damnation are extremely troubling to think about. While these topics might trouble us, they should also inspire in us an awe for God. The question I want us to consider from God’s Word tonight should be no different (v. 11).

How can God’s Word be accomplishing exactly what it was sent to do if not all people accept it? It’s a scary thought that God’s Word is accomplishing its purpose even while people reject it. People don’t like thinking about a God who hates and condemns sin. People like to create God in their own image, or at least the image of what we think God should be.

We want Him to protect us by His power, but we don’t want to have to give Him power over our own lives. We want Him to save us from our sin, as long as we can keep on living our own lifestyle. We need to stop imposing our will upon God, and seek to understand His will for us. Isn’t it God’s will that all be saved? Of course it is (Ezekiel 33:11, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9)!

But God has an even higher purpose than the salvation of all men. Just as it is our purpose to glorify God in all things, so it is with God. God alone is worthy of worship.

We can’t fully grasp the thoughts of God (v. 8-9). Somehow in this whole idea that all things ought to to bring glory to God, God has decreed that man must choose for himself whom he will serve. If God made the choice for man, how would that honor God? Rather, God is praised when a man humbles himself before God and calls on Christ. God will not save people apart from their calling on Christ as Savior.

Yet we can be confident that some people will come to Christ because of the gospel message. When we tell people the gospel, they will do one of two things.

1. They will accept it and be saved, glorifying God’s grace and love.
2. Or they will reject it and be condemned, glorifying God’s power and justice.

It’s a terrifying thought to me that even the condemnation of sinners glorifies God. Yet, this must be true, or else God would save all people. Yet the Bible is clear that Hell is real and that all who reject Christ will be condemned. This thought should not scare believers, but inspire in us a reverent awe of God.

So our message is simple: call on Christ while there is time (v. 6-7).