Religion is not enough—you must be born again. Billy Graham explains how you can be transformed by Christ in this 1984 message from Liverpool, England. Watch more #MondayNightClassics every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES,
THE BILLY GRAHAM CLASSICS
[applause]
I WANT TO TURN TONIGHT TO
THE 3RD CHAPTER-,
THE 2ND CHAPTER,
OF JOHN’S GOSPEL,
BEGINNING WITH THE 23RD VERSE.
THE 2ND CHAPTER
OF JOHN’S GOSPEL,
BEGINNING AT THE 23RD VERSE:
“NOW WHEN JESUS WAS
IN JERUSALEM
“AT THE PASSOVER,
IN THE FEAST DAY,
“MANY BELIEVED IN HIS NAME,
“WHEN THEY SAW THE MIRACLES
THAT HE DID.
“BUT JESUS DID
NOT COMMIT HIMSELF UNTO THEM,
“BECAUSE HE KNEW ALL MEN,
“AND NEEDED NOT THAT
ANY SHOULD TESTIFY OF MAN;
“FOR HE KNEW
WHAT WAS IN MAN.”
NOW WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT CHRIST
AND ALL THE GREAT THINGS
THAT HE DID,
YOU MAY BELIEVE IN HIM.
BUT JESUS KNOWS YOUR HEART.
AND WHEN HE SEES YOUR HEART,
HE WILL NOT
COMMIT HIMSELF TO YOU.
NOW THE QUESTION
I WANT TO ASK IS:
HAS CHRIST COMMITTED
HIMSELF TO YOU
BECAUSE YOUR HEART
HAS BEEN CLEANSED OF SIN?
THEN IT GOES ON
INTO THE NEXT CHAPTER:
“THERE WAS A MAN
OF THE PHARISEES,
“NAMED NICODEMUS,
A RULER OF THE JEWS:
“THE SAME CAME TO JESUS
BY NIGHT, AND SAID UNTO HIM,
“RABBI, WE KNOW THAT THOU ART
A TEACHER COME FROM GOD:
“FOR NO MAN CAN DO
THESE MIRACLES THAT THOU DOEST,
“EXCEPT GOD BE WITH HIM.
“JESUS ANSWERED AND
SAID UNTO HIM,
“VERILY, VERILY,
I SAY UNTO THEE,
“EXCEPT A MAN
BE BORN AGAIN,
“HE CANNOT SEE
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.”
NOW IN AMERICA A
FEW YEARS AGO WE HAD A PRESIDENT
WHO ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS
A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN.
AND SO THAT WORD BECAME
IDENTIFIED, IN SOME WAYS,
IN OUR COUNTRY WITH POLITICS.
AND THEN WE HAD ADVERTISEMENTS
THAT ADVERTISED BORN-AGAIN
AUTOMOBILES, MOTORCARS.
THEN WE HAD CITIES
THAT SPRANG UP,
AND THEY SAID
BORN-AGAIN CITIES.
AND THEN THEY HAD
WRITINGS COME ALONG
THAT SAID BORN-AGAIN BOOKS.
AND THAT BROUGHT CONFUSION.
BUT THIS LITERALLY,
IN ITS ORIGINAL LANGUAGE,
MEANS BORN FROM ABOVE.
IT’S BORN ANEW.
IT’S A NEW BEGINNING.
AND I WANT TO ASK YOU:
HAVE YOU EVER LONGED
TO START LIFE OVER?
OR LIKE THE PSALMIST,
HAVE YOU EVER SAID,
“CREATE IN ME
A CLEAN HEART
“AND RENEW A RIGHT
SPIRIT WITHIN ME.”
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT
TO YOURSELF,
“I’D LIKE TO START
IT ALL OVER AGAIN”?
NOW NICODEMUS,
WHO CAME TO JESUS,
HAD BEEN IN THAT CROWD
THAT JESUS WOULD NOT
COMMIT HIMSELF TO THEM.
HE KNEW THEIR HEARTS,
AND HE KNEW THAT THEY HAD
NEVER BEEN BORN AGAIN.
AND NICODEMUS WAS ONE OF THEM,
AND HE WAS A GREAT
RELIGIOUS LEADER.
AND HE CAME TO JESUS AT NIGHT,
AND HE WANTED
TO ASK SOME SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS.
NOW HE WAS NOT ONLY A GREAT
RELIGIOUS LEADER,
BUT HE DID MANY THINGS
THAT YOU AND I DON’T DO
IN HIS RELIGION.
AND HE WANTED TO HAVE
SOME MORE THOUGHT
BEFORE COMMITTING HIMSELF.
NOW MANY OF YOU HAVE
THOUGHT A LONG TIME
ABOUT RELIGION
AND CHRISTIANITY,
BUT YOU’RE NOT SURE
THAT YOU’VE BEEN BORN AGAIN.
A FAMOUS SCIENTIST
CAME TO SEE ME SOME TIME AGO.
AND HE SAID, “MR. GRAHAM,”
HE SAID,
“MY HOME IS A WRECK.
“I’M A SECRET ALCOHOLIC.
“I’VE COME TO YOU FOR HELP.
“IF I DON’T FIND HELP,
I’M GOING TO COMMIT SUICIDE.
“I’VE HAD IT!
“THE PRESSURES ARE
TOO GREAT IN MY LIFE.”
IT WAS A DESPERATE CRY
OF A MAN THAT NEEDED GOD.
HE NEEDED TO BE BORN AGAIN.
WE LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS–
IN THE SOUTHERN PART
OF THE UNITED STATES–
OF NORTH CAROLINA.
GEORGE HAMILTON LIVES A SHORT
DISTANCE FROM US.
AND THERE WAS A MOUNTAIN MAN
NEAR OUR HOME
WHO GOT LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS.
AND HE KNEW THOSE MOUNTAINS
VERY WELL, BUT HE WAS LOST.
AND HE STUMBLED
ON TO A MOUNTAIN CABIN.
AN OLD MAN GAVE HIM SOME ADVICE
AND SAID,
“WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF LOST
IN THE MOUNTAINS,
“NEVER GO DOWN;
ALWAYS GO UP.
“AT THE TOP OF THE RIDGE,
“YOU CAN GET YOUR BEARINGS
AND FIND YOUR WAY AGAIN.”
NOW WE CAN BECOME LOST
IN THE MOUNTAIN OF LIFE.
AND WE HAVE TWO CHOICES.
EITHER GO DOWN AND GET CAUGHT
IN DEPRESSION, EMPTINESS,
CONFUSION–TURN TO DRUGS OR
ALCOHOL, OR WHATEVER.
OR WE CAN KEEP HEADING UP.
WE’RE GOING ONE WAY
OR THE OTHER.
NOW SEARCHING IS IMPORTANT.
SEARCHING FOR PURPOSE AND
MEANING IN YOUR LIFE,
FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND
PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS.
BUT IT DOES NO GOOD UNLESS YOU
SEARCH IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
AND THE RIGHT PLACE IS TO
SEARCH IN THE BIBLE,
THE WORD OF GOD,
AND COME TO JESUS.
I HEARD ABOUT A TEN-YEAR-OLD BOY
THAT WAS WRITING A THESIS.
AND HE WENT TO
HIS GRANDMOTHER–
AND HE WAS WRITING ON BIRTH.
AND HE SAID, “GRANDMOTHER,
HOW WERE YOU BORN?”
AND SHE SAID,
“A STORK BROUGHT ME.”
HE WENT TO HIS MOTHER;
AND HE SAID,
“MOTHER, HOW WERE YOU BORN?”
SHE SAID,
“A STORK BROUGHT ME.”
THEN HE SAID,
“WELL, HOW WAS I BORN?”
SHE SAID,
“A STORK BROUGHT YOU.”
AND HE STARTED
HIS THESIS THIS WAY,
“THERE HASN’T BEEN A NATURAL
BIRTH IN OUR FAMILY
“IN THREE GENERATIONS.”
[laughter]
NOW THE SCRIPTURE SAYS
WE’RE TO BE BORN AGAIN.
AND HOW DO YOU
BECOME BORN AGAIN?
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
NICODEMUS
MUST HAVE BEEN STUNNED.
IF JESUS HAD
SAID IT TO ZACCHAEUS,
THE CROOKED TAX COLLECTOR;
OR THE WOMAN AT THE WELL
WHO HAD HAD FIVE HUSBANDS,
AND THE MAN SHE WAS LIVING WITH
WAS NOT HER HUSBAND;
OR THE THIEF ON THE CROSS
THAT WAS CERTAINLY GUILTY;
OR THE WOMAN THAT WAS
TAKEN IN IMMORALITY.
BUT TO SAY IT
TO A RELIGIOUS LEADER!
NICODEMUS WAS A RULER.
HE WAS RICH.
HE WAS RELIGIOUS.
BUT HE WAS SEARCHING
FOR REALITY.
NOW HE FASTED TWO DAYS A WEEK.
HE SPENT TWO HOURS
DAILY IN PRAYER.
HE GAVE TEN PERCENT OF ALL OF
HIS INCOME TO THE TEMPLE.
HE WAS A PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY.
HE WORKED HARD AT RELIGION.
BUT JESUS SAID TO HIM,
“NICODEMUS, THAT’S NOT ENOUGH.
“YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN,
“IF YOU’RE TO EVEN SEE
THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”
NOW WHY DID JESUS SAY THIS?
WHY DID HE SAY,
“YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN”?
BECAUSE HE KNEW WHAT WAS
IN THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE.
WHAT CAUSES LYING, CHEATING,
HATE, PREJUDICE, GREED,
INJUSTICE, SELFISHNESS,
CRUELTY, JEALOUSY,
PERVERSION,
ULTIMATELY WAR?
WHAT CAUSES IT?
JESUS SAID, “THOSE THINGS WHICH
PROCEED OUT OF THE MOUTH
“COME FORTH FROM THE HEART;
AND THEY DEFILE A MAN.”
NOW PSYCHOLOGISTS AND
SOCIOLOGISTS AND HISTORIANS
REALIZE THAT SOMETHING’S WRONG
WITH THE HUMAN RACE.
WHAT IS IT?
WHAT’S WRONG?
THE BIBLE TELLS US.
THE BIBLE SAYS
THE THING THAT IS WRONG IS
THAT WE HAVE A DISEASE.
IT AFFECTS THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE
ALL OVER THE WORLD,
AND THE DISEASE IS CALLED SIN.
NOTICE I SAID SIN, SINGULAR.
AND FROM THE SINGULAR,
WHICH IS THE DISEASE,
COME ALL OF THE SINS OF
JEALOUSY, AND HATE, AND LUST,
AND GREED, AND ALL THE REST,
WHICH ENDS UP IN WAR–
WAR IN A COMMUNITY, WAR IN
A FAMILY, WAR IN YOUR OWN HEART,
WAR IN THE WORLD.
NOW WHERE DID
THIS SIN COME FROM?
THIS SIN CAME FROM THE FACT
THAT GOD CREATED YOU
IN HIS IMAGE.
YOU HAVE A BODY, BUT LIVING
DOWN INSIDE YOUR BODY
IS YOUR SPIRIT, YOUR SOUL.
AND THAT’S THE PART OF YOU THAT
CAN HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD,
AND DID HAVE
FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.
AND GOD SAID THAT IF YOU WILL
OBEY ME AND SERVE ME AND
LIVE FOR ME, WE’LL BUILD THIS
WONDERFUL WORLD TOGETHER.
BUT MAN BROKE GOD’S LAW.
MAN REBELLED AGAINST GOD.
AND HIS FIRST CHILD
WAS NAMED CAIN,
AND CAIN BECAME JEALOUS AND
KILLED HIS BROTHER ABEL.
THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF
ALL THE WARS OF HISTORY.
AND THAT SIN THAT WAS IN CAIN’S
HEART THAT HE INHERITED
FROM HIS MOTHER AND FATHER,
ADAM AND EVE,
HAS BEEN PASSED FROM GENERATION
TO GENERATION TO GENERATION
TO GENERATION,
DOWN TO YOU AND ME.
“ALL HAVE SINNED,”
THE BIBLE SAYS.
EVERYBODY HAS SINNED.
BILLY GRAHAM IS A SINNER.
YOU ARE A SINNER
AND SIN IS VERY SERIOUS
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD
BECAUSE THE RESULT OF SIN,
THE PENALTY OF SIN,
IS DEATH.
PHYSICAL DEATH
WE ALL KNOW ABOUT.
BUT IT’S SPIRITUAL DEATH.
YOU CAN BE ALIVE
RIGHT NOW PHYSICALLY,
BUT YOUR SOUL IS DEAD.
YOUR SPIRIT IS DEAD.
AND YOU KEEP SEARCHING
FOR SOMETHING,
AND YOU CAN’T FIND IT.
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS.
YOU CAN’T FIND IT IN MONEY.
YOU CAN’T FIND IT IN DRUGS.
YOU CAN’T FIND IT IN SEX.
YOU CAN’T FIND IT IN ALL OF
THESE OTHER SUBSTITUTES.
YOU’LL NEVER FIND WHAT
YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN LIFE,
‘TIL YOU COME TO THE CROSS OF
CHRIST AND ARE BORN AGAIN.
NOW THERE ARE MANY WORDS
USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
TO DESCRIBE SIN.
IT MEANS A BREAKING
OF GOD’S LAW.
IT MEANS COMING SHORT
OF GOD’S REQUIREMENTS.
“ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN.”
EVEN THE MOST PERFECT OF US–
LIKE NICODEMUS,
A GREAT RELIGIOUS LEADER–
WE’RE ALL SINNERS.
YOU SEE, THE BIBLE SAYS
THAT WE ARE BORN
WITH THIS TENDENCY TO SIN.
THEN WE COME TO THE AGE OF
ACCOUNTABILITY,
AND WE CHOOSE TO SIN.
AND THEN WE BECOME SINNERS
BY PRACTICE.
AND THEN OUR HEARTS GET HARDER
AND HARDER AND HARDER,
THE OLDER WE GET.
THAT’S THE REASON
WHEN GOD SPEAKS TO YOU,
WHEN YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
LIKE THIS WHERE THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE HAVE PRAYED AND WORKED,
AND YOU ARE HERE,
YOU BETTER MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT
TO CHRIST TONIGHT.
YOU MAY NEVER HAVE ANOTHER HOUR
LIKE THIS AS LONG AS YOU LIVE.
“WHEREFORE, AS BY ONE MAN
SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD,
“AND DEATH BY SIN, SO DEATH
PASSED UPON ALL MEN,
“FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED.”
SO WHAT IS NEEDED?
A RADICAL CHANGE IS NEEDED
IN EVERY PERSON,
TO FIND TRUE OR REAL
FULFILLMENT IN THIS LIFE,
TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD,
TO ENTER GOD’S KINGDOM.
NICODEMUS WANTED TO GO
TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD;
BUT IN ORDER TO GET THERE,
JESUS SAID YOU’RE GOING TO
HAVE TO BE BORN AGAIN,
BORN FROM ABOVE.
SOMETHING SUPERNATURAL IS
GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN
IN YOUR HEART.
SO WHAT IS THIS BUSINESS OF
THE NEW BIRTH?
NICODEMUS ASKED THAT QUESTION.
HE SAID, “HOW CAN A PERSON
BE BORN WHEN HE IS OLD?”
HE WANTED TO UNDERSTAND IT
INTELLECTUALLY.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT
THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS
IS FOOLISHNESS–
FOOLISHNESS, IDIOTIC.
THERE’S NO WAY THAT OUR LITTLE
FINITE MINDS CAN UNDERSTAND
ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT
THE GREAT GOD WHO IS
“FROM EVERLASTING
TO EVERLASTING.”
AND THERE’S NO WAY THAT WE CAN
UNDERSTAND ALL THAT HAPPENED
AT THE CROSS WHEN
JESUS CHRIST DIED AND SAID,
“MY GOD, MY GOD,
WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?”
THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT GOD
AT THAT MOMENT
WAS LAYING ON HIM
ALL OF OUR SINS,
ALL OF OUR HELL,
ALL OF OUR JUDGMENT.
HE TOOK IT ON THE CROSS.
SO HOW DO WE FIND IT?
WE CANNOT COME
INTELLECTUALLY ALONE.
NOW THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS
THAT I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
I WAS WATCHING SOME COWS GRAZE
TODAY OUT IN THE COUNTRY.
AND I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW A
BLACK COW CAN EAT GREEN GRASS,
AND PRODUCE WHITE MILK AND
YELLOW BUTTER.
BUT THEY DO.
I DON’T UNDERSTAND COLOR
TELEVISION AND SATELLITES
WAY OFF YONDER IN SPACE.
I DON’T UNDERSTAND
HOW NEIL ARMSTRONG
PUT HIS FOOT ON THAT MOON.
I KNOW NEIL ARMSTRONG
AND HAVE TALKED TO HIM
AND ASKED HIM HOW HE FELT,
AND HE’S TOLD ME.
I DON’T THINK
HE UNDERSTANDS IT EITHER.
OR THE SATELLITES,
OR THE COMPUTERS.
I HAVE A COMPUTER.
A MAN THIS PAST JANUARY
GAVE ME A COMPUTER,
A VERY FINE COMPUTER.
SO I WAS TAKING SOME LESSONS
AND TRYING TO LEARN HOW TO WORK
THAT COMPUTER, AND JUST ABOUT
TO LOSE MY MIND.
AND SO I DECIDED I WOULD
WRITE A LETTER.
WHEN I LEARNED TO WRITE
A LETTER,
I WROTE A LOVE LETTER
TO MY WIFE.
AND I LOST IT IN THE COMPUTER,
[laughter]
AND I COULDN’T FIND IT.
AND I WAS AFRAID THAT SOMEBODY
ELSE MAY FIND THAT LETTER.
I DIDN’T EVEN WANT–
I DIDN’T EVEN WANT MY
SECRETARY TO FIND THAT LETTER.
IT’S STILL LOST,
AND THE COMPUTER
IS LOCKED UP AT HOME.
[laughter]
NICODEMUS COULD SEE ONLY
THE PHYSICAL AND THE MATERIAL,
AND JESUS WAS SPEAKING ABOUT
SOMETHING SPIRITUAL.
HE HAD ALREADY BEEN BORN
PHYSICALLY,
BUT HE HAD NOT BEEN BORN
SPIRITUALLY.
YOU HAVE TO BE BORN TWICE–
PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.
NOW YOU CAN’T INHERIT IT.
AND IT’S NOT BY WORKS.
“NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
WHICH WE HAVE DONE,
“BUT ACCORDING TO
HIS MERCY HE SAVED US.”
YOU CAN REFORM YOURSELF,
BUT THAT’S NOT IT.
YOU CAN TAKE A PIG,
PUT HIM IN YOUR LIVING ROOM,
AND PUT A RIBBON AROUND HIM,
GIVE HIM A GOOD BATH,
PUT SOME CHANEL NO. 5 ON HIM.
[laughter]
OPEN THE DOOR,
AND FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS.
THE PIG GOES
BACK TO THE MUD HOLE.
HIS NATURE HASN’T BEEN CHANGED.
OR YOU CANNOT IMITATE CHRIST.
PEOPLE SAY, “OH, I TRY TO
IMITATE CHRIST.
“I LIVE BY THE SERMON ON
THE MOUNT AND THE GOLDEN RULE.
“ISN’T THAT GOOD ENOUGH?”
NO, THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
EZEKIEL SAYS, “A NEW HEART ALSO
WILL I GIVE YOU,
“AND A NEW SPIRIT
WILL I PUT WITHIN YOU.”
THE APOSTLE PAUL SPEAKS OF
BEING “ALIVE FROM THE DEAD.”
IN 2 CORINTHIANS
HE CALLS IT A NEW CREATION;
OLD THINGS PASS AWAY,
AND EVERYTHING BECOMES NEW.
IN PETER , PETER SAYS BEING
“PARTAKERS
OF THE DIVINE NATURE.”
JOHN CALLS IT PASSING
“FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.”
THE NEW BIRTH BRINGS
ABOUT A CHANGE OF HEART,
A CHANGE OF SPIRIT, THAT
INFLUENCES OUR WAY OF THINKING,
OUR WAY OF LIVING,
OUR ATTITUDES
AS WELL AS OUR ACTIONS.
IT DETERMINES OUR DESTINY.
HOW IS IT ACCOMPLISHED?
JESUS SAID IT’S A MYSTERY.
HE SAID IT’S LIKE THE WIND.
YOU CAN SEE
THE EVIDENCES OF THE WIND.
THE WIND IS BLOWING.
BUT YOU CAN’T SEE
THE WIND ITSELF.
AND THERE’S THE ANALOGY OF
NATURAL BIRTH.
YOU SEE, THERE’S
THE MOMENT OF GESTATION–
PARDON ME, OF CONCEPTION.
THEN THERE’S THE MONTHS OF
GESTATION.
THEN THERE’S ACTUAL BIRTH.
AND WITH MANY OF YOU,
YOU MIGHT HAVE HAD CONCEPTION,
OR YOU MAY BE
IN SOME STAGE OF GESTATION,
BUT YOU HAVEN’T BEEN BORN YET.
AND YOU NEED TO BE BORN.
HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?
THE BIBLE TELLS US,
FIRST OF ALL,
THERE MUST BE THE RECEPTION TO
THE WORD OF GOD.
“BEING BORN AGAIN,
NOT OF CORRUPTIBLE SEED,
“BUT OF INCORRUPTIBLE,
BY THE WORD OF GOD,
“WHICH LIVETH AND
ABIDETH FOREVER.”
THE BIBLE SAYS,
“FAITH COMETH BY HEARING,
“AND HEARING
BY THE WORD OF GOD.”
AND THE APOSTLE PAUL
SAID IN I CORINTHIANS,
“IT PLEASED GOD BY
THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING.”
NOW DOESN’T IT SOUND STRANGE
AND FOOLISH TO YOU
THAT A MAN CAN STAND UP HERE
AND TALK ABOUT JESUS CHRIST,
AND YOUR LIFE CAN BE CHANGED
BY THAT MESSAGE?
ISN’T THAT FOOLISH?
WELL, THAT’S WHAT
THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT IT.
IT’S FOOLISH.
THAT’S THE REASON YOU COME BY
SIMPLE, CHILDLIKE FAITH,
AS WE HEARD A MOMENT AGO,
LIKE A LITTLE CHILD.
JESUS SAID UNLESS
YOU COME AS A LITTLE CHILD
AND BE CONVERTED,
YOU CANNOT SEE
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
AND THEN IT’S THE WORK OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS US.
“AND WHEN HE IS COME, HE WILL
REPROVE THE WORLD OF SIN,
“AND RIGHTEOUSNESS,
AND JUDGMENT,” THE BIBLE SAYS.
YOU CANNOT COME TO CHRIST
UNLESS YOU’RE MADE
UNCOMFORTABLE BY
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HE SHOWS
YOU THAT YOU’VE SINNED.
YOU CANNOT COME TO CHRIST
UNLESS HE DRAWS YOU
TO THE CROSS.
AND HE MAY USE
A MOTHER’S PRAYERS.
HE MAY USE
A TRAGIC EXPERIENCE.
HE MAY USE THE SERMON
OF A CLERGYMAN.
OR HE MAY USE THE EXAMPLE
OF SOME WONDERFUL PERSON
THAT YOU KNOW.
OR MAYBE HE’LL USE A LITTLE
TRACT OF SOME SORT
THAT SOMEBODY GIVES OUT.
I REMEMBER MEETING THE
SURGEON GENERAL OF PORTUGAL.
AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS
WALKING DOWN THE STREET
ONE DAY, AND HE PICKED UP
A PIECE OF PAPER ON HIS SHOE.
AND WHEN HE GOT TO HIS HOUSE,
HE TOOK THE PIECE OF PAPER OFF;
AND IT WAS A LITTLE TRACT ON
HOW TO FIND CHRIST.
AND HE SAID HE HAD NEVER READ
ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN HIS LIFE.
AND HE READ IT,
AND HE STUDIED IT;
AND HE READ IT,
AND HE STUDIED IT.
AND GOT HIM A BIBLE AND
STUDIED SOME OF THOSE VERSES.
AND HE WAS BORN AGAIN,
AND HE BECAME A BIBLE TEACHER.
HE BECAME A WONDERFUL
PROCLAIMER OF THE GOSPEL,
JUST THROUGH READING
THE WORD OF GOD.
IT GIVES NEW LIFE.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT
WE’RE DEAD IN SIN.
“AND YOU HATH HE MADE ALIVE,
“WHO WERE DEAD
IN TRESPASSES AND IN SIN.”
MAN NEEDS NEW LIFE.
HE NEEDS TO BE BORN FROM ABOVE.
AND THE MOMENT YOU GIVE YOUR
LIFE TO CHRIST, HE INDWELLS.
“AND I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT
WITHIN YOU.”
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,
“HE DWELLETH WITH YOU,
“AND SHALL BE IN YOU.”
WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE TONIGHT
AFTER YOU’VE RECEIVED CHRIST
INTO YOUR HEART,
YOU DON’T LEAVE ALONE.
WE SANG THAT SONG.
WHEN WE COME IN THE SHANKLY
GATES EVERY NIGHT,
THERE’S THAT LITTLE
INSCRIPTION THAT SAYS,
“YOU’LL NEVER BE ALONE,”
“YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE.”
CHRIST GOES WITH YOU.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD GOES WITH YOU
TO HELP YOU TO LIVE
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
THERE’S NOBODY HERE,
INCLUDING ME,
THAT CAN LIVE
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
I CANNOT LIVE IT.
IT’S TOO MUCH FOR ME.
BUT CHRIST CAN LIVE IT
THROUGH ME,
AND HE CAN GIVE ME
THE STRENGTH TO PRODUCE–
BY THE HOLY SPIRIT–
LOVE, AND JOY, AND PEACE,
AND LONGSUFFERING,
AND ALL THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.
“KNOW YE NOT THAT YE ARE
THE TEMPLE OF GOD,
“AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD
DWELLETH IN YOU?”
THE BIBLE SAYS.
HE GIVES YOU A NEW POWER
IN YOUR LIFE.
“BUT YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER,
“AFTER THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT
IS COME UPON YOU.”
POWER TO LOVE, POWER TO RESIST
THE TEMPTATIONS IN LIFE.
IN WAKEFIELD, ENGLAND,
SOME TIME AGO
I READ ABOUT A WOMAN WHO
TRIED HER DRIVER’S TEST
FOR THE 38th TIME,
AND FAILED.
AND PERHAPS YOU’VE TRIED
NEARLY THAT MANY TIMES
FOR A LICENSE SPIRITUALLY,
TO SIT IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT
OF YOUR OWN LIFE.
I’M ASKING YOU TO MOVE OVER
AND TRUST THE HOLY SPIRIT
TO DRIVE AND CONTROL YOUR LIFE.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST?
ARE YOU SURE?
GOD CAN GIVE YOU
A WHOLE NEW LIFE,
A TRANSFORMATION THAT
YOU NEVER DREAMED EXISTED,
IF YOU’LL LET HIM.
YOU SEE, WHEN CHRIST
DIED ON THE CROSS,
HE DIED FOR YOU.
AND GOD SAYS,
“I’LL FORGIVE YOUR SINS.
“I’LL GIVE YOU ETERNAL LIFE.”
YOU CAN START LIFE
ALL OVER AGAIN,
EVEN IF YOU’RE
SEVENTY YEARS OF AGE,
OR A HUNDRED YEARS OLD.
BUT COME WHILE YOU’RE YOUNG.
IF YOU’RE A YOUNG PERSON,
YOU OUGHT TO RUN TO CHRIST.
BECAUSE, YOU SEE,
THE BIBLE SAYS,
“REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR
IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH.”
THE BIBLE CALLS YOUNG PEOPLE
ESPECIALLY TO COME TO HIM.
WHAT WILL HE DO FOR YOU?
HE’LL FORGIVE EVERY SIN
YOU’VE EVER COMMITTED.
HE’LL GIVE YOU ETERNAL LIFE.
YOU’RE BORN INTO HIS KINGDOM.
THAT MEANS THAT
IF YOU DIED AT THIS MOMENT,
YOU’D GO TO HEAVEN.
THEN WHAT DO HAVE TO DO?
CHRIST DIED,
GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
YOU RESPOND
BY, FIRST,
REPENTANCE.
WHAT DOES REPENTANCE MEAN?
THE WORD “REPENTANCE” MEANS
TO CHANGE–TO CHANGE YOUR WAY,
TO CHANGE YOUR MIND,
TO CHANGE YOUR WAY OF LIVING,
TO LET CHRIST COME AND
HELP YOU BECOME A NEW PERSON.
AND THE SECOND THING
YOU MUST DO IS COME BY FAITH.
REMEMBER, I SAID
YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND
IT ALL INTELLECTUALLY?
YOU COME BY SIMPLE,
CHILD-LIKE FAITH,
LIKE A LITTLE CHILD
TRUSTS ITS FATHER OR MOTHER.
AND THEN, THIRDLY,
YOU MUST BE WILLING
TO LIVE FOR CHRIST
AND FOLLOW HIM
AND SERVE HIM.
AND I DON’T WANT TO
FOOL ANYBODY HERE,
I DON’T WANT
TO MISLEAD ANYBODY.
IT’S NOT EASY TO BE A REAL,
BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN IN 1984.
IT’S HARD.
AND I DON’T WANT YOU TO COME
UNDER ANY ILLUSIONS.
IF YOU COME TO CHRIST,
YOU MEAN IT,
AND SAY, “I’M WILLING TO
LET HIM COME IN AND CHANGE ME
“AND MAKE ME A NEW PERSON,”
BECAUSE HE SAID,
IF YOU’RE NOT WILLING
TO DENY SELF,
TAKE UP A CROSS,
YOU CANNOT BE MY FOLLOWER.
AND THAT’S THE REASON
HE DIDN’T COMMIT HIMSELF
TO THAT CROWD OF PEOPLE.
THEY SAID, “WE WANT TO BELIEVE,
WE WANT YOU, JESUS.”
HE SAID, “NO,
I KNOW YOUR HEART.
“YOU’RE NOT WILLING
TO SURRENDER YOUR HEART TO ME.
“YOU’RE NOT READY TO SURRENDER
YOUR MIND AND YOUR EMOTIONS
“AND YOUR WHOLE BEING
TO ME, YOUR BODY.
“YOUR BUSINESS,
YOUR VOCATION.
“YOU’RE NOT WILLING
TO SURRENDER
“THE BITTERNESS
IN YOUR LIFE.
“YOU’RE NOT READY TO SURRENDER
THAT UNFORGIVING SPIRIT.
“YOU’RE NOT READY
TO SURRENDER
“THOSE THINGS
THAT ARE WRONG.”
I’M GOING TO ASK THOSE
OF YOU TONIGHT,
HUNDREDS OF YOU;
WE’VE SEEN OVER 3,000
EVERY NIGHT COME,
I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO GET UP OUT OF YOUR SEAT,
AND COME AND
STAND ON THIS MATTING.
WE DON’T WANT TO TOUCH
THE GRASS BECAUSE
WE HAVE PROMISED
THAT WE WILL NOT TOUCH
THIS BEAUTIFUL GRASS.
COME AND STAND
ON THE MATTING,
AND YOU’RE COMING
TO STAND THERE
SYMBOLICALLY SAYING INWARDLY
THAT YOU’RE OPENING
YOUR HEART TO CHRIST.
YOU WANT A NEW LIFE.
YOU WANT TO BE A NEW PERSON,
LIKE YOU’VE HEARD HERE TONIGHT.
WHY DO I ASK YOU TO COME?
BECAUSE EVERY PERSON
THAT JESUS EVER CALLED,
HE CALLED PUBLICLY.
HE SAID, “IF YOU’RE NOT
WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE ME
“BEFORE MEN, I’LL NOT
ACKNOWLEDGE YOU
“BEFORE MY FATHER,
WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.”
HE HUNG
ON THE CROSS OPENLY
IN FRONT OF
A HOWLING MOB OF PEOPLE
FOR YOU.
NOW YOU COME AND STAND
IN THIS BEAUTIFUL
ANFIELD STADIUM
TO DECLARE YOURSELF FOR HIM.
FROM ALL OVER THE STADIUM,
JUST GET UP AND COME
AND STAND HERE AND SAY TONIGHT,
“I WANT CHRIST IN MY HEART.
“I WANT HIM IN MY LIFE,
“AND I’M WILLING TO SURRENDER
MY LIFE TO HIM.”
QUICKLY, HUNDREDS OF YOU,
GET UP AND COME.
AS YOU SEE THE THOUSANDS
RESPONDING HERE
AT THE STADIUM TONIGHT,
SO THE SPIRIT OF GOD
IS SPEAKING TO MANY OF YOU.
PERHAPS YOU’D LIKE TO TALK
TO SOMEONE RIGHT NOW.
A COUNSELLOR IS STANDING BY
READY TO TALK WITH YOU
ABOUT YOUR NEED,
ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL PROBLEM.
CALL THE NUMBER
THAT IS ON YOUR SCREEN.
IF THE LINE IS BUSY, JUST WAIT
A FEW MOMENTS AND CALL AGAIN.
COUNSELLORS WILL BE STANDING BY
WAITING TO TAKE YOUR CALL.
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.
YOU’RE INVITED ON
A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY.
AT THE BILLY GRAHAM LIBRARY.
RETRACE BILLY GRAHAM’S PATH
FROM HUMBLE FARM BOY
TO INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR
OF GOD’S LOVE,
THROUGH MULTI-MEDIA,
PHOTOS AND MEMORABILIA.
BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
IS LOVE.
TOUR THE RESTORED
GRAHAM FAMILY HOME PLACE,
BROWSE RUTH’S ATTIC BOOKSTORE
AND HAVE A MEAL AT
THE GRAHAM BROTHERS DAIRY BARN.
ENJOY SPECIAL EXHIBITS,
EVENTS AND SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.
ADMISSION IS FREE SO COME,
WALK THIS JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
AT THE BILLY GRAHAM LIBRARY.
(Franklin Graham)
WE STILL HAVE
A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
TO REACH A LOST
AND DYING WORLD
WITH THE TRUTH
OF GOD’S LOVE.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE.
WE’VE GOT
AN OPPORTUNITY
TO TELL OTHERS
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING
TO DO WITH IT?