Why I Am an Optimist | Billy Graham Classic Sermon

FROM OUR ARCHIVES…

THE BILLY GRAHAM CLASSICS.

[applause]

NOW TONIGHT I WANT YOU
TO TURN WITH ME

TO THE 102ND PSALM.

THE 102ND PSALM,

AND A VERY STRANGE VERSE
IN A WAY,

THE FIFTH THROUGH THE,

THE SIXTH AND SEVENTH VERSES.

“I’M LIKE A PELICAN
IN THE WILDERNESS.

“I’M LIKE AN OWL
OF THE DESERT.

“I WATCH,

“AND AM AS SPARROW ALONE
UPON THE HOUSETOP.”

THIS WEEK PRESIDENT REAGAN
IN HIS NEWS CONFERENCE

DECLARED TO THE WORLD,

“YOU CAN LOOK PESSIMISTICALLY
ON THE WORLD TODAY,

“OR YOU CAN LOOK
OPTIMISTICALLY.”

HE SAID, “I CHOSE
THE OPTIMISTIC LOOK.”

AND TONIGHT I WANT TO SPEAK ON
WHY I AM AN OPTIMIST.

AND IN THIS PASSAGE OF
SCRIPTURE,

AN INTERESTING LITTLE STORY
SURROUNDS IT.

IN 1954, WE WERE IN ENGLAND,

AND WE WERE HOLDING A CRUSADE
THAT LASTED THREE MONTHS,

AT THE HARRINGAY ARENA
IN LONDON, ENGLAND.

AND MY WIFE IS A BOOKWORM,

AND SHE LOVES TO GO
TO OLD BOOKSTORES

AND BUY OLD BOOKS,

AND JUST BROWSE THROUGH
OLD BOOKS,

AND SHE HAS HUNDREDS OF THEM

THAT SHE’S GOTTEN
OVER THE YEARS,

SOME OF THE GREAT CLASSICS.

AND ON THIS OCCASION,

SHE SAW A LITTLE OLD MAN
IN THERE,

WELL, HE WASN’T AN OLD MAN,
ABOUT A MIDDLE-AGED MAN,

AND HE WAS VERY DISCOURAGED
AND VERY DESPONDENT LOOKING

AND HE CAME UP TO HER
AND SAID,

“ARE YOU MRS. BILLY GRAHAM?”

AND SHE SAID, “YES, I AM.”

HE SAID, “WELL, YOU KNOW,”

HE SAID, “I’M SO DISCOURAGED.”

HE SAID, “MY MARRIAGE
IS BREAKING UP.”

AND HE SAID, “EVERYTHING IS
HAPPENING TO ME.

“I DON’T KNOW
WHAT I’M GOING TO DO.”

AND SHE SAID,

“WHY DON’T YOU COME OUT
TO THE HARRINGAY ARENA TONIGHT

“AND HEAR THE GOSPEL?”

AND SHE GAVE HIM SOME TICKETS
THAT SHE HAD IN HER BAG

AND SHE DIDN’T SEE HIM AGAIN.

WONDERED WHAT HAD
HAPPENED TO HIM.

PRAYED FOR HIM.

ONE YEAR LATER

WE WERE BACK
IN THAT SAME CITY OF LONDON,

HOLDING A CRUSADE
AT WEMBLEY STADIUM,

WHERE INCIDENTALLY
IT POURED RAIN EVERY NIGHT

IN THE OPEN AIR,
LIKE THIS,

EXCEPT ON THE LAST NIGHT

AND IT WAS CLEAR AND ICE COLD.

SO WE HAD A DELIGHTFUL TIME
IN THE RAIN AND IN THE COLD.

BUT AN AVERAGE OF 60,000 PEOPLE
EVERY NIGHT CAME,

AND ON THAT LAST DAY

I REMEMBER WE HAD 90,000 PEOPLE
IN THAT COLD AIR.

BUT ANYWAY, SHE WENT TO
THAT SAME BOOKSTORE.

SHE WAS BROWSING AROUND
AND THIS SAME MAN CAME,

AND HE WAS BRIGHT
AND CHIPPER,

AND RUTH SAID,

I’VE NEVER SEEN SUCH HAPPINESS
ON THE FACE OF ANYBODY.

AND HE SAID, “YOU KNOW,
I TOOK THE TICKETS.

“I WENT TO THE ARENA
THAT NIGHT.

“I ACCEPTED CHRIST
AS MY SAVIOR.

“MY WIFE ACCEPTED CHRIST.”

SAID, “NOW WE HAVE
A CHRISTIAN FAMILY.”

AND HE SAID, “YOU KNOW
THE VERSE OF SCRIPTURE

“THAT YOUR HUSBAND
QUOTED THAT NIGHT

“THAT WON ME TO THE LORD?”

HE SAID,
“IT WAS THE 102ND PSALM,”

AND HE GOT A BIBLE
AND HE SHOWED HER.

“I’M LIKE A PELICAN
IN THE WILDERNESS,

“I’M LIKE AN OWL
OF THE DESERT.

“I WATCH AND AM A SPARROW
ALONE UPON THE HOUSETOP.”

NOW, I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT
AS BEING AN EVANGELISTIC VERSE.

BUT IT WAS TO HIM,

BECAUSE HE SAID,
“THAT DESCRIBED MY CONDITION

“BECAUSE,” HE SAID, “I FELT LIKE
A PELICAN IN THE WILDERNESS.”

A PELICAN DOESN’T BELONG
IN THE WILDERNESS.

HE BELONGS DOWN IN GALVESTON
OR SOMEPLACE.

[laughter]

“I’M LIKE AN OWL
OF THE DESERT.”

WELL, OWLS DON’T GO TO
THE DESERT MUCH.

AND HE SAID,

“THAT’S THE WAY I FELT
“THAT NIGHT.”

AND HE SAID,
“IT CHANGED MY LIFE.”

NOW THE WHOLE WORLD TONIGHT
IS LIKE A PELICAN,

AN OWL,
OR A SPARROW.

DICKENS WROTE OF THE FRENCH
REVOLUTION IN 1775,

THAT IT WAS THE BEST
AND THE WORST OF TIMES,

AND THAT’S WHAT
WE’RE SEEING TODAY.

DAMOCLES IN THE 4TH CENTURY BC

SAID SOMETHING AGAINST

THE KING OF SYRACUSE

AND HE WAS ORDERED TO SIT

UNDER A NAKED SWORD

SUSPENDED BY A SINGLE HAIR.

NOW THERE’S A DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN AN OPTIMIST

AND A PESSIMIST.

AND I HEARD ABOUT

ONE OF OUR PRISONS,

TWO CONVICTS WERE LOOKING OUT

OF A CELL WINDOW ONE NIGHT,

AND THE PESSIMIST SAW

ONLY THE BARS.

BUT THE OPTIMIST SAW THE STARS.

YESTERDAY WE READ OF
A 31-YEAR-OLD SON

OF ONE OF AMERICA’S
MOST WEALTHY

AND INFLUENTIAL FAMILIES.

YOU’D KNOW HIS NAME
IF I CALLED IT.

WHO LEFT AMERICA FOR INDIA
WITH THIS RESOLVE.

HERE’S WHAT HE SAID,
QUOTED IN THE PRESS:

“I RENOUNCE CAPITALISM.

“I RENOUNCE COMMUNISM.

“I COME TO INDIA
TO SETTLE HERE PERMANENTLY

“TO HAVE THE GRACE
OF THE SUPREME GOD.”

AND WITH THIS HE ASSUMED
A BRAND NEW NAME.

FORGETTING HIS PAST,
BECOMING A NEW NAME,

HOPING THAT THERE SOMEWHERE
AT THE FEET OF A GURU

HE’LL FIND THE ANSWER.

ONE NIGHT WE WERE LEAVING INDIA
ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO

AND WE WENT
TO THE NEW DELHI AIRPORT.

WE HAD BEEN UP

IN THE NORTHEASTERN
PART OF INDIA

PREACHING UP IN THE MOUNTAINS,

AND AT THE DELHI AIRPORT,

IT WAS JAMMED
WITH AMERICAN STUDENTS!

THEY WERE LYING
ALL OVER THE PLACE.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.

AND I SAID,
“WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?”

THEY SAID, “THERE ARE THREE 747S
COMING TO PICK THEM UP.

“THEY’VE BEEN HERE STUDYING
AT THE FEET OF SOME GURU

“AND THEY’RE GOING BACK
DISILLUSIONED.”

YOUNG PEOPLE
SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING,

ANYTHING TO FIND
PEACE AND HAPPINESS

IN A WORLD THAT SEEMS TO HAVE
GONE MAD AND INSANE.

NOTHING SEEMS TO MAKE SENSE

TO SOME OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
ANYMORE.

AND THEN THEY READ ABOUT
SOME OF THEIR HEROES.

I CAN REMEMBER
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO,

TWENTY YEARS AGO,

PEOPLE WENT ABSOLUTELY WILD
OVER ELVIS PRESLEY.

AND NOW THE TRIAL
HAS JUST FINISHED

AND WE’VE READ
ALL IN THE PRESS

ABOUT HOW TERRIBLY
HE HAD GOTTEN

IN HIS LATTER DAYS
ON DRUGS,

AND HOW THESE DRUGS

PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED
TO HIS EARLY DEATH.

AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE
THAT ARE YOUR HEROES

AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE
THAT YOU THINK ARE AT THE TOP

ARE REALLY IN THEIR HEARTS
AT THE BOTTOM.

SEARCHING.

THEY DON’T FIND IT
IN ALL THIS POPULARITY.

THEY DON’T FIND IT
IN ALL THE ADULATION.

THEY DON’T FIND IT
IN ALL THE POPULARITY.

THEY DON’T FIND IT
IN MONEY.

THEY DON’T FIND IT
IN SOME OTHER PHILOSOPHY.

BUT THEY CAN FIND IT
IN JESUS CHRIST.

AND SO CAN YOU.

THERE’S A TELEPHONE NUMBER
THERE ON YOUR SCREEN

RIGHT NOW.

IF YOU WILL PICK UP YOUR PHONE
AND CALL THAT NUMBER

A COUNSELOR IS STANDING BY
TO SAY A WORD TO YOU.

YOU CAN FIND THE ANSWER
IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST.

MANY OF YOU HERE TONIGHT

HAVE AN UNFULFILLED LONGING
IN YOUR SOUL.

A NEW YORK TAXI DRIVER ABOUT,
OH, IT’S BEEN A YEAR AGO NOW,

I SUPPOSE,

ASKED ME IF THERE WAS ANYTHING
TO CHEER ABOUT

WHERE I CAME FROM.

AND I SAID,
“CERTAINLY!

“THERE’S MANY THINGS
TO CHEER ABOUT!”

AND I THOUGHT ABOUT
AT LEAST FOUR TIMES

JESUS SAID,
“BE OF GOOD CHEER!”

THE FIRST TIME JESUS SAID IT
WAS TO A PARALYTIC.

HE SAID, “SON, BE OF GOOD CHEER.
YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN YOU.”

NOW THIS MAN WAS SICK OF PALSY

BUT JESUS KNEW THAT
HE HAD DEEPER NEEDS.

JESUS SAID, “MAN SHALL NOT LIVE
BY BREAD ALONE.”

JESUS SAID A MAN’S LIFE

CONSISTETH NOT
IN THE ABUNDANCE

OF THE THINGS
WHICH HE POSSESSETH.

THERE’S SOMETHING DEEPER
IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU NEED

THAT MATERIALISM CANNOT SATISFY,
MONEY CANNOT SATISFY.

PLEASURE CANNOT SATISFY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT YOU NEED IS

THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN.

BECAUSE ALL OF US
HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD,

AND THE WORD SIN
MEANS “LAWBREAKER.”

YOU ARE A BREAKER OF THE LAWS
OF GOD AND SO AM I.

AND THE BIBLE SAYS

IF YOU HAVE BROKEN
IN ONE POINT

YOU HAVE BROKEN
ALL OF GOD’S LAWS.

SO WE ARE BREAKERS
OF ALL OF GOD’S LAWS

AND THERE IS A PENALTY
FOR BREAKING THE LAW OF GOD

AND THAT PENALTY IS DEATH
AND DESTRUCTION

AND JUDGMENT AND HELL.

THAT’S THE PENALTY.

AND WE’RE ALL UNDER SENTENCE.

WE’RE LIKE DAMOCLES

SITTING UNDER
THAT NAKED SWORD.

WE’RE ALREADY UNDER
CONDEMNATION.

WE’RE NOT GOING TO BE
CONDEMNED WHEN WE DIE.

WE’RE CONDEMNED NOW.

WE’RE ALREADY UNDER
CONDEMNATION.

AND JESUS CAME TO SAVE US
FROM THAT CONDEMNATION

AND FROM THE PENALTY
OF THAT SIN.

“BE NOT DECEIVED,
GOD IS NOT MOCKED,

“FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH,
THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.”

YOU SEE, MAN IS TRAPPED BY SIN.

WE’RE IN A TRAP.

VERY MUCH LIKE A RAT
THAT’S BEEN CAPTURED IN A TRAP.

A FEATURED FILM IN HOUSTON
THIS WEEK IS

“THE FIRST DEADLY SIN.”

AND THE FIRST DEADLY SIN

WAS COMMITTED BY ADAM AND EVE
IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN

WHEN THEY REBELLED AGAINST GOD
AND BROKE GOD’S LAWS

AND YOU AND I INHERITED
THE SAME TENDENCY TO SIN.

IT WENT TO CAIN AND ABLE
AND CAIN KILLED HIS BROTHER.

HE BECAME JEALOUS.

HE BECAME FILLED WITH PRIDE.

AND HE KILLED HIS BROTHER.

MURDER TOOK PLACE

JUST OUTSIDE
THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

AND IT’S STILL TAKING PLACE
ALL OVER THE WORLD.

AND THEN NOT ONLY THAT,

BUT WE SUFFER SPIRITUAL DEATH
AND ETERNAL DEATH

AND THAT MEANS THAT
WHEN YOUR BODY DIES

YOUR SOUL, THE SPIRIT THAT
LIVES IN YOUR BODY

GOES OUT INTO ETERNITY
AWAY FROM GOD, LOST!

AND THAT’S WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT
FOR YOU TO REPENT OF SIN

AND TURN TO CHRIST
WHILE YOU CAN.

WE’RE TRAPPED IN SIN.

WE SAW TODAY THE ACCOUNT
OF A 54-YEAR-OLD

WHO BEAT UP HIS 91-YEAR-OLD
MOTHER TO GET MONEY.

HE GOT TWELVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.

THEN FROM THE TORTURE
OF HIS GUILT

HE COMMITTED SUICIDE.

THE BIBLE,
THANK GOD,

ASSURES WONDERFUL
FORGIVENESS FOR ALL SIN.

“BLESSED ARE THEY WHOSE
INIQUITIES ARE FORGIVEN

“AND WHOSE SINS ARE COVERED.”

GOD CAN FORGIVE YOU
BECAUSE OF THE CROSS.

BECAUSE ON THE CROSS

JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS

AND BECAUSE HE WAS
WILLING TO DIE,

GOD CAN NOW FORGIVE YOU
AND REMAIN JUST.

YOU SEE,
GOD HAD A PROBLEM.

HOW COULD GOD FORGIVE
THE SINNER

AND REMAIN JUST AND HOLY
AND RIGHTEOUS?

BECAUSE IF GOD HAD COME ALONG
AND PATTED US ON THE BACK

AND SAID, “YOU’RE FORGIVEN,”

HE WOULD HAVE BEEN A LIAR!

AND IF GOD HAD BEEN A LIAR,

HE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN GOD!

SOMEBODY HAD TO PAY
THE PENALTY.

YOU AND I ARE GUILTY.

WHO’S GOING TO PAY
THE PENALTY?

JESUS PAID IT.

THAT’S THE REASON HE CAME.

WE SING THAT SONG,
JESUS PAID IT ALL.

HE PAID IT ALL.

THAT’S THE REASON THE WORD
BLOOD IS USED IN SCRIPTURE.

BECAUSE THE WORD BLOOD
STANDS FOR LIFE.

HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US
ON THE CROSS.

“THE BLOOD OF
JESUS CHRIST HIS SON

“CLEANSETH US
FROM ALL SIN.”

AND IT’S WONDERFUL TO KNOW

THAT ALL YOUR SINS ARE COVERED
BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

YES, GOD CAN FORGIVE SIN
BECAUSE OF THE CROSS.

AND IF YOU’D LIKE
FORGIVENESS TONIGHT

AND TO KNOW
THAT YOU’RE FORGIVEN,

YOU THAT ARE WATCHING
BY TELEVISION,

PICK UP THAT TELEPHONE NOW

AND CALL THE NUMBER
ON YOUR SCREEN AND BE SURE.

YOU KNOW, THE UNITED STATES
AIR FORCE, I READ RECENTLY,

WAS TRYING TO LOCATE A MAJOR
WHO WAS LOST IN FLIGHT,

AND IT COST $10 MILLION
TO SEARCH FOR THAT ONE MAN.

BUT GOD GAVE FAR MORE THAN THAT
FOR EACH OF US.

THE LOS ANGELES WRITER,
ALICE RAMIREZ,

WROTE IN HER SYNDICATED COLUMN
THIS WEEK:

IN THIS YEAR OF
THE HANDICAPPED

SHE SPENT A DAY
IN A WHEELCHAIR

AS AN ASSUMED PARAPLEGIC.

IT GAVE HER A WHOLE NEW
PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT IT MEANS

TO BE HANDICAPPED.

YOU KNOW, ONE TIME
I WENT SEVERAL HOURS

WITH A BLINDFOLD AROUND ME
JUST TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD BE

TO BE BLIND.

IT GIVES YOU A WHOLE NEW
PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT IT MEANS

TO BE HANDICAPPED.

BUT YOU SEE,

GOD IN CHRIST CAME DOWN
AND BECAME A MAN.

HE BECAME HANDICAPPED
IN A MAN’S BODY!

THE MIGHTY GOD OF HEAVEN
WENT INTO A MAN’S BODY,

AS IT WERE.

AND JUST LIKE US,
ONLY WITHOUT SIN,

AND FINALLY DIED ON THE CROSS.

AND WHEN HE DIED,
HE BECAME GUILTY OF OUR SINS.

HE’D NEVER TOLD A LIE.

HE’D NEVER COMMITTED ADULTERY.

HE’D NEVER HAD LUST.

HE’D NEVER BEEN JEALOUS.

AND YET HE BECAME GUILTY
OF ALL OF IT

BECAUSE HE HAD YOUR SINS ON HIM.

AND WHEN THEY PUT
THE SPIKES IN HIS HANDS

AND THE SPEAR IN HIS SIDE
AND THE BLOOD GUSHED FORTH

AND HE SUFFERED,

AND THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN
WERE READY TO COME

TO RESCUE HIM, HE SAID,

“NO, FORGIVE THEM,
THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.”

AND HE’S SAYING TONIGHT,
“I’LL FORGIVE YOU

“IF YOU’LL COME TO ME
IN REPENTANCE AND FAITH.”

IN I PETER,

PETER SAYS IN THE 18TH VERSE
OF THE FIRST CHAPTER,

“FOR AS MUCH AS YE KNOW

“YOU WERE NOT REDEEMED
WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS,

“SUCH AS SILVER AND GOLD,

“BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS
BLOOD OF CHRIST

“AS A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH
AND WITHOUT SPOT.”

WE WERE REDEEMED,
NOT WITH SILVER AND GOLD–

ALL THE GOLD IN THE WORLD
CAN’T SAVE YOUR SOUL.

YOU CAN GIVE ALL YOUR MONEY
TO CHARITY,

YOU CAN GIVE ALL YOUR MONEY
TO THE CHURCH,

BUT THAT WON’T SAVE YOU.

YOU CAN WORK
THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

IN GOOD WORKS
BUT THAT WON’T SAVE YOU.

YOU COULD JOIN EVERY CHURCH
IN TOWN,

BUT THAT WON’T SAVE YOU.

YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS
AND RECEIVE CHRIST BY FAITH.

“FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED

“THROUGH FAITH
AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES.

“IT’S THE GIFT OF GOD,
NOT OF WORKS,

“LEST ANYONE SHOULD BOAST.”

YOU CAN’T WORK YOUR WAY.

IT’S GRACE, AND THE WORD GRACE
MEANS UNMERITED FAVOR.

SOMETHING YOU DON’T DESERVE.

GOD GIVES IT TO YOU AS A GIFT.

SOMETHING YOU CAN’T BUY,
YOU CAN’T WORK FOR.

IT’S A GIFT!

AND GOD OFFERS YOU THE GIFT

BUT YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT
AND RECEIVE IT.

AND THE BIBLE TEACHES

THAT THIS WORLD SYSTEM IS
DOMINATED BY EVIL.

SATANIC, COSMIC PRINCIPLES
OF FORCE AND GREED

AND SELFISHNESS
AND AMBITION AND PLEASURE

SEEM TO BE IN CONTROL
MOST OF THE TIME.

AND THE WORLD SYSTEM IS
VERY POWERFUL.

IT IS OFTEN OUTWARDLY
RELIGIOUS,

AND SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURED
AND ELEGANT,

BUT UNDERNEATH IS SEETHING
WITH RIVALRIES AND AMBITIONS

AND LUST AND HATE AND
GREED AND JEALOUSIES.

THAT’S THE WORLD!

AND JESUS SAID THAT WORLD
WILL NOT LIKE YOU

BECAUSE YOU’RE FOLLOWING ME.

IT HATED ME,
IT’LL HATE YOU.

AND OFTEN THIS WORLD OF EVIL
IS UPHELD IN A TIME OF CRISIS

ONLY BY ARMED FORCE.

I DON’T MEAN EVERYBODY
IN THE WORLD IS EVIL.

I’M TALKING ABOUT
THE SINS OF THE WORLD,

THE EVILS OF THE WORLD
DOMINATED BY THE DEVIL.

BUT JESUS MET THE WORLD,
WITH ALL OF ITS EVIL,

HE MET THE DEVIL.

HE MET THE FLESH,

WHICH MEANS THE EVIL
PRINCIPLE WITHIN US.

AND HE CONQUERED!

HE CONQUERED DEATH

WHICH IS THE LAST GREAT
ENEMY OF MANKIND.

AND BY THE CROSS
WE ARE CRUCIFIED TO THE WORLD.

IN OTHER WORDS,

BECAUSE JESUS DIED
ON THE CROSS

THE WORLD SYSTEM
WITH ALL OF ITS POWER

HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED
AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED.

IT HAS NO LONGER
POWER OVER US.

SIN SHALL NO LONGER
DOMINATE US.

SIN NO LONGER REIGNS
OVER US.

WE MAY FAIL AND SIN,

BUT THE MOMENT WE DO,

WE’LL BE CONVICTED
BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

AND WE GET UP AND
CONFESS OUR SINS

AND HE’S FAITHFUL AND JUST
TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS

AND CLEANSE US
FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

BUT CHRIST HAS DISARMED
THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS

AND MADE A PUBLIC EXAMPLE
OF THEM

TRIUMPHING OVER THEM,
THE BIBLE SAYS.

OUR AUTHORITY OVER THE WORLD

IS THE NAME
OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

I HAVE AUTHORITY,
I HAVE POWER!

SO DO YOU!

AN ORDINARY BELIEVER
OVER THE EVILS OF THE WORLD.

SO LET THE TEMPTATIONS COME,

LET THE DEVIL
TRY TO GET YOU OFF TRACK,

AND YOU HAVE A POWER
THERE WITH YOU.

THAT’S THE REASON WE TRY
TO GET YOU INTO THE SCRIPTURES

AND GET YOU STUDYING
THE WORD OF GOD

AND MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE

BECAUSE WHEN JESUS
MET THE DEVIL

HE DIDN’T ARGUE WITH THE DEVIL,

HE DIDN’T DEBATE THE DEVIL,

HE QUOTED SCRIPTURE.

HE SAYS, “IT IS WRITTEN”
THREE TIMES,

AND THREE TIMES
THE DEVIL WAS DEFEATED.

THE TEMPTER IS GOING TO COME,

BUT YOU HAVE A POWER
IN THE WORD OF GOD

AND YOU HAVE A POWER
IN THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVING WITHIN

TO HELP YOU AS YOU MEET
THE TEMPTATIONS

AND TROUBLES AND TRIALS
OF THIS WORLD.

YES, I’M AN OPTIMIST.

I BELIEVE THAT I CAN OVERCOME
THE WORLD BECAUSE OF CHRIST!

I’M NOT AFRAID OF ALL THE SINS
AND THE EVILS

AND THE LUSTS
AND THE TEMPTATIONS AROUND ME.

I CAN WALK STRAIGHT
IN THE MIDST OF THIS WORLD.

IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT
I GET OUT OF THE WORLD.

I HAVE TO LIVE EVERY DAY
IN THE WORLD,

AND THOSE TEMPTATIONS ARE THERE.

BUT I HAVE A POWER TO SAY NO!

SO DO YOU HAVE A POWER
TO SAY NO,

THE SAME POWER THAT’S AVAILABLE
TO ALL OF US IN JESUS CHRIST.

AND THEN LASTLY,

THE COMING AGAIN OF CHRIST.

HE SAID, “BE OF GOOD CHEER,

“LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED.

“YOU BELIEVE IN GOD,
BELIEVE ALSO IN ME.

“IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE ARE
MANY MANSIONS.

“IF IT WERE NOT SO
I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU.

“I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU

“AND IF I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE
FOR YOU I WILL COME AGAIN,

“AND RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF

“THAT WHERE I AM,
THERE YE MAY BE ALSO.”

YES, JESUS CHRIST IS
COMING BACK AGAIN.

HE’S GOING TO SET UP
HIS KINGDOM,

AND HE’S GOING TO REIGN
FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER

AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS
GOING TO TRIUMPH!

NO IDEOLOGY EXISTING TODAY
IS GOING TO LAST.

NONE!

ONLY CHRIST WILL LAST

AS KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

AND HE WILL COME BACK
IN FLAMING FIRE

TAKING VENGEANCE ON THEM
THAT KNOW NOT GOD

AND THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

THEY’RE GOING TO BE PUNISHED
WITH EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION.

BUT “WHEN HE COMES,

“HE SHALL BE GLORIFIED
IN HIS SAINTS,

“AND TO BE ADMIRED
IN ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE

“BECAUSE OUR TESTIMONY
AMONG YOU WAS BELIEVED

“IN THAT DAY.”

YOU’LL FIND THAT LITTLE PHRASE
USED EVERYWHERE.

“THAT DAY,” “IN THAT DAY,”
“IN THAT DAY,”

“THE LAST DAYS,”
OR “THE DAY.”

IT’S USED ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

THAT IS THE DAY OF HIS RETURN.

I GO TO BED EVERY NIGHT WITH
THE HOPE THAT CHRIST IS COMING.

NO, THIS WORLD IS NOT GOING
TO BLOW UP

IN SOME GREAT ATOMIC WAR.

THE HUMAN RACE IS NOT
GOING TO BE TOTALLY DESTROYED.

GOD HAS OTHER PLANS.

HE HAS A PLAN THAT CHRIST
IS GOING TO BE ON THE THRONE.

AND CHRIST IS GOING TO RULE.

AND EVIL WILL BE DESTROYED.

THE DEVIL WILL BE CAST
INTO HELL

AND THE DEMONS WILL BE CAST
INTO HELL.

THERE IS GOING TO BE
UNIVERSAL JOY.

THERE IS GOING TO BE
UNIVERSAL PEACE.

THERE IS GOING TO BE
UNIVERSAL JUSTICE.

AND THE SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT
YOU AND I HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE.

JOSHUA SAID, “CHOOSE YOU
THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE.”

ELIJAH SAID, “WHY HALT YOU
BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS?”

JESUS SAID,
“NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS.”

JESUS SAID,
“ENTER IN AT THE NARROW GATE,

“FOR WIDE IS THE GATE
AND BROAD IS THE WAY

“THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION

“AND MANY THERE BE THAT
GO THEREIN,

“BECAUSE STRAIGHT IS THE GATE
AND NARROW IS THE WAY

“WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE

“AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.”

HE SAID IN THAT SEVENTH CHAPTER
OF MATTHEW

THAT THERE ARE TWO GATES.

HE SAID THERE ARE TWO TREES.

HE LIKENED LIFE TO A TREE.

ONE PRODUCES GOOD FRUIT
AND ONE A BAD FRUIT.

YOU’RE LIKE A TREE.

HE SAID THERE ARE TWO
FOUNDATIONS–

ONE IS BUILT UPON THE SAND

AND WHEN THE WIND COMES
IT BLOWS AWAY.

AND THE OTHER’S BUILT UPON
THE ROCK AND IT LASTS.

WHICH IS YOURS?

YOU MUST CHOOSE.

YOU SAY, WELL, BILLY,
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

FIRST, YOU HAVE TO REPENT
OF YOUR SIN.

THE WORD REPENT MEANS
THAT YOU’RE WILLING

TO CHANGE YOUR WAY OF LIVING.

YOU SAY,
O GOD, I’M A SINNER.

I’M SORRY.

I’M WILLING TO CHANGE
MY WAY OF LIVING.

AND THEN BY SIMPLE
CHILDLIKE FAITH,

LIKE A LITTLE CHILD TRUSTS
HIS FATHER AND MOTHER,

YOU TRUST IN JESUS ALONE
FOR YOUR SALVATION.

AND THEN YOU’RE WILLING
TO FOLLOW HIM AND SERVE HIM,

WHATEVER THE COST.

IF YOU HAVE A DOUBT
THAT YOU KNOW CHRIST TONIGHT,

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO DO SOMETHING

WE’VE SEEN HUNDREDS AND
SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE

ALREADY DO THIS WEEK.

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO GET UP OUT OF YOUR SEAT

RIGHT NOW,
HUNDREDS OF YOU,

AND COME DOWN ON THIS FIELD
AND SAY TONIGHT,

I WANT TO KNOW THAT
I HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

I WANT TO KNOW MY SINS
ARE FORGIVEN.

I WANT CHRIST TO HAVE
ALL OF ME TONIGHT.

AND I’M READY TO PAY WHATEVER
PRICE HE CALLS UPON ME.

IF YOU’RE WITH FRIENDS
OR RELATIVES,

THEY’LL WAIT ON YOU.

AND WHY DO I ASK YOU TO COME?

BECAUSE EVERY PERSON

JESUS CALLED IN
THE NEW TESTAMENT

HE CALLED PUBLICLY,

AND HE SAID, IF YOU’RE NOT
WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE ME

PUBLICLY BEFORE MEN,

I’LL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE YOU
BEFORE MY FATHER

WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.

HE DIED ON THE CROSS
PUBLICLY FOR YOU.

PEOPLE SNEERING AND
LAUGHING AT HIM.

BUT HE HUNG THERE FOR YOU.

NOW HE SAYS, YOU COME PUBLICLY
AND DECLARE YOURSELF FOR ME.

THE BIBLE WARNS THAT HIS SPIRIT
WILL NOT ALWAYS STRIVE WITH US.

YOU MAY NEVER BE THIS CLOSE
TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD AGAIN.

THIS IS YOUR ONE MOMENT.

YOU BETTER TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF IT.

WHEN WILL WE EVER SEE THIS
IN HOUSTON AGAIN?

NEVER IN THIS GENERATION
MOST LIKELY.

YOU GET UP AND COME

AND MAKE YOUR DECLARATION
FOR CHRIST TONIGHT,

AND RECEIVE HIM INTO YOUR HEART

AND LET HIM COME AND CHANGE
YOUR WHOLE WAY OF LIVING.

IF YOU’RE WITH FRIENDS
OR RELATIVES

THEY’LL WAIT ON YOU.

AND AFTER YOU’VE COME HERE,

I’M GOING TO SAY A WORD TO YOU
AND HAVE A PRAYER WITH YOU

AND GIVE YOU SOME LITERATURE

AND YOU CAN GO BACK
AND JOIN YOUR FRIENDS.

JUST THAT SIMPLE DECISION

THAT MEANS EVERYTHING
IN ETERNITY.

YOU COME,
WE’RE GOING TO WAIT.

QUICKLY, MEN, WOMEN,
YOUNG PEOPLE.

FROM OVER HERE,
ALL AROUND.

AND UP IN THAT TOP STAND
UP THERE

IT TAKES AN EXTRA MINUTE,
SO START NOW.

DON’T LET ANYTHING
KEEP YOU FROM CHRIST.

YOU COME.

BRING YOUR FRIEND WITH YOU.

♪ JUST AS I AM
WITHOUT ONE PLEA ♪

♪ BUT THAT THY BLOOD
WAS SHED FOR ME ♪

♪ AND THAT THOU BIDST ME
COME TO THEE ♪

♪ O LAMB OF GOD,
I COME ♪

♪ I COME ♪

(Cliff Barrows) AS PEOPLE
RESPOND HERE AT THE STADIUM

TO COMMIT THEIR HEART
AND LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST

YOU CAN CALL THAT NUMBER
RIGHT NOW

THAT YOU SEE
ON YOUR TELEVISION SCREEN.

IF THE LINE IS BUSY,

JUST WAIT A FEW MOMENTS
AND CALL AGAIN.

TRAINED COUNSELORS WILL BE
STANDING BY

READY TO TALK TO YOU.

♪ …OF ONE DARK BLOT ♪

♪ TO THEE WHOSE BLOOD
CAN CLEANSE EACH SPOT ♪

♪ O LAMB OF GOD,
I COME ♪

♪ I COME ♪

YOU THAT ARE WATCHING

BY TELEVISION

CAN SEE SCORES OF PEOPLE

COMING HERE

TO MAKE THEIR COMMITMENT

TO JESUS CHRIST.

YOU CAN DO THE SAME

WHERE YOU ARE.

PICK UP THAT TELEPHONE

AND CALL THE NUMBER

ON YOUR SCREEN,

AND IF YOU DON’T REACH

THE COUNSELOR IMMEDIATELY

CALL AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

THEY’LL BE THERE ALL EVENING

IF YOU CAN’T GET THROUGH

RIGHT NOW.

AND MAKE THAT COMMITMENT

THAT THESE PEOPLE

ARE MAKING HERE.

AND BE SURE AND

GO TO CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY.

(Cliff Barrows)
ACROSS THE NATION TONIGHT

TRAINED COUNSELORS ARE
STANDING BY

AT SEVERAL COUNSELING CENTERS
READY TO TAKE YOUR CALL.

IF THE LINE IS BUSY,

JUST WAIT A FEW MOMENTS
AND THEN CALL AGAIN.

THEY WILL BE STANDING BY

AS LONG AS THE CALLS
KEEP COMING IN.

UNTIL THEN,
CLIFF BARROWS HERE

FOR MR. GRAHAM AND
ALL THE TEAM

SAYING GOOD NIGHT
AND MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU.

IF YOU JUST PRAYED THAT PRAYER
WITH MY FATHER,

OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP
WITH JESUS CHRIST,

WHY DON’T YOU CALL
THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.

THERE WILL BE SOMEONE THERE TO
TALK WITH YOU, PRAY WITH YOU AND

ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.

AND REMEMBER,
GOD LOVES YOU!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMMIT
YOUR LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST,

PLEASE CALL US RIGHT NOW,
TOLL FREE AT

1-877-772-4559.

THAT’S 1-877-772-4559.

OR YOU CAN WRITE TO US AT:

BILLY GRAHAM

1 BILLY GRAHAM PARKWAY

DEPARTMENT C

CHARLOTTE, NC 28201

OR YOU CAN CONTACT US ON THE WEB
24/7 AT PEACEWITHGOD.TV.

WE’LL GET THE SAME HELPS TO YOU
THAT WE GIVE TO EVERYONE

WHO RESPONDS AT THE INVITATION.

ON BEHALF OF
FRANKLIN GRAHAM AND

THE BILLY GRAHAM
EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION,

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS.

(Franklin Graham)
THE BIBLE SAYS SEEK THE LORD
WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND.

CALL UPON HIM
WHILE HE IS NEAR.

THE BIBLE SAYS WITHOUT FAITH IT
IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD,

BECAUSE ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM
MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS

AND THAT HE REWARDS
THOSE WHO SEEK HIM.

YOU COME TO CHRIST TONIGHT,
YOU’VE GOT TO BE WILLING

TO TURN YOUR BACK
ON YOUR SINS.

WILL YOU CALL UPON HIS NAME?

WILL YOU SEEK HIM TONIGHT?