How can you be saved? Hear Billy Graham answer the most important question humans have ever asked in this 1993 message from Columbus, Ohio. Watch more #MondayNightClassics every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES…
THE BILLY GRAHAM CLASSICS.
[applause]
(Billy Graham)
TONIGHT I WANT YOU
TO TURN WITH ME TO
THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER OF ACTS.
ONE OF THE MOST FAMILIAR STORIES
IN ALL THE BIBLE.
THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER OF ACTS IS
A WONDERFUL LITTLE STORY
IN THE LIFE OF SAINT PAUL.
HE AND TIMOTHY ARE
TRAVELING ABOUT.
HE PICKED TIMOTHY UP
AT ANOTHER TOWN AND
NOW THEY COME
TO PHILIPPI.
AND THEY ARE ARRESTED
FOR PREACHING.
BUT PHILIPPI WAS VERY
INTERESTING BECAUSE THAT WAS
THE FIRST EUROPEAN CITY
THAT PAUL WENT TO.
HE FELT THAT HE SHOULD BE
GOING SOUTH,
BUT IT SEEMS THAT
GOD BLOCKED THE WAY.
THEN HE FELT HE SHOULD GO NORTH,
UP BY THE BLACK SEA.
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID,
“NO, DON’T GO THERE.”
HE HAD ONLY ONE PLACE
TO GO AND THAT WAS WEST.
AND SO HE CAME TO EUROPE.
HE HAD A VISION OF A MAN
IN MACEDONIA CALLING HIM,
SAYING, “COME AND HELP US.”
SO HE WENT TO EUROPE
WITH HIS LITTLE TEAM.
THERE WERE FOUR OF THEM
BY THIS TIME.
THERE WAS TIMOTHY,
THERE WAS LUKE, AND SILAS.
AND THEY WERE ALL TOGETHER,
GOING AROUND PREACHING,
PROCLAIMING
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
AND THEY WERE ARRESTED
IN PHILIPPI.
THEY HAD ALREADY HAD
SEVERAL CONVERTS.
AND THE FIRST CONVERT
IN ALL OF EUROPE WAS A WOMAN
BY THE NAME OF LYDIA.
SHE WAS A VERY WELL TO DO WOMAN,
A SELLER OF PURPLE.
AND SHE FOUND THE LORD.
SHE OPENED HER HOME
FOR THEM TO STAY THERE.
WHEN THEY WERE ARRESTED
THEY WERE BEATEN,
WITH LONG LEATHER THONGS,
WITH STEEL PELLETS ON THE END.
OR THEY WERE BEATEN WITH RODS
IT SAYS IN ONE PLACE.
AND THEY WERE BLACK
AND BLUE AND BLEEDING.
AND THEY WERE THROWN INTO
THE INNER PRISON
WHICH MEANT THEIR NECK WAS TIED
WITH AN IRON NECKLACE.
THEIR HANDS WERE PUT IN STOCKS.
THEIR FEET WERE PUT IN STOCKS
AND THERE THEY WERE.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID?
BY MIDNIGHT THEY BEGAN
TO SING PRAISES TO GOD.
THEY BEGAN TO TESTIFY.
THEY BEGAN TO TELL
WHAT CHRIST HAD MEANT TO THEM.
THE JAILER WAS LISTENING.
AND ALL THE PEOPLE IN
THE JAIL WERE LISTENING.
AND THEY KEPT ON PREACHING.
FINALLY THERE CAME
AN EARTHQUAKE AND
THE WALLS BEGAN TO FALL DOWN
FROM THE JAIL.
AND THE STOCKS THAT BOUND
THEM WERE LOOSENED.
AND THE JAILER, KNOWING THAT
HE WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE,
AND HE WOULD HAVE TO DIE
HE WOULD BE EXECUTED FOR
ALLOWING THESE PEOPLE TO ESCAPE,
HE PULLED OUT HIS SWORD
AND HE WAS GOING TO PLUNGE IT
INTO HIS HEART
WHEN PAUL SAID,
“DON’T DO YOURSELF ANY HARM.
WE’RE STILL HERE.”
AND THE JAILER, SEEING PAUL
AND SILAS STANDING THERE,
FELL DOWN BEFORE
THEM IN HUMILITY,
IN THE DUST OF THE JAIL.
AND HE ASKED THIS
QUESTION, HE SAID,
“SIRS, WHAT MUST I DO
TO BE SAVED?
“HOW CAN I HAVE THE FAITH
AND THE SPIRIT THAT YOU HAVE?
“YOU CAME INTO THIS TERRIBLE,
SMELLY, AWFUL PLACE
“HAVING BEEN BEATEN
AND NOW YOU BEGIN TO SING
“AND YOU BEGIN TO TELL WHAT
CHRIST COULD DO FOR YOU.
“HOW CAN I BE SAVED?
“HOW CAN I HAVE THIS
SAME PEACE AND JOY
“AND HAPPINESS THAT YOU HAVE?”
AND PAUL GAVE HIM
A VERY SIMPLE ANSWER.
HE DIDN’T GO INTO
ANYTHING PROFOUND.
HE DIDN’T GO INTO
A DISCUSSION OF PHILOSOPHY
OR PSYCHOLOGY
OR WORLD CONDITIONS.
HE SAID, “BELIEVE ON
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
“AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED,
AND THY HOUSE.”
BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
AND THOU SHALL BE SAVED.
NOW THAT WAS VERY SIMPLE,
WASN’T IT?
AND SO WE HEAR THE CRY
ALL OVER THE WORLD, SAVE US!
WE’RE CRYING,
“SAVE US FROM WAR.”
WE READ A GREAT DEAL ABOUT
ARMAGEDDON AND MANY PEOPLE
ARE ASKING ME TODAY IS
THE END OF THE WORLD NEAR.
THEY ARE SO ALARMED AT WHAT
THEY SEE ON THE TELEVISION
WITH ALL THE CRIME
THAT WE SEE,
AND ALL THE HUNGER
THAT WE READ ABOUT
IN THE SUDAN
AND IN SOMALIA.
THEN PEOPLE ARE SAYING,
“SAVE OUR HOMES.”
CHURCH LEADERS HAVE TOLD ME
ABOUT THE BREAKDOWN OF
THE HOME HERE IN OHIO.
NATIONWIDE ONE OUT OF EVERY
TWO MARRIAGES ENDS IN DIVORCE.
“BELIEVE ON
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
“AND THOU SHALL BE SAVED
AND THY HOUSE.”
IF YOU COME TO CHRIST TONIGHT
IT’LL HAVE AN IMPACT
ON YOUR FAMILY,
HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR MARRIAGE,
ON YOUR NEIGHBORS.
THEN WE CRY,
“SAVE US PSYCHOLOGICALLY.”
THE TENSIONS IN THE HOME,
PROBLEMS AT WORK,
HEALTH PROBLEMS,
MAKING ENDS MEET.
WE WANT TO SCREAM AT LIFE.
WE WANT TO ESCAPE FROM LIFE.
A FEW YEARS AGO
A POPULAR SONG SAID,
“MAKE THE WORLD GO AWAY
AND GET IT OFF MY SHOULDERS.”
JOB, WHO SUFFERED SO MUCH
IN THE BIBLE, WANTED TO DIE.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE
SUFFERING
FROM SOME SORT OF
MENTAL ILLNESS.
WE’RE CALLED
THE TORMENTED GENERATION.
MILLIONS ARE CRYING,
“WHAT CAN I DO TO BE SAVED
FROM THE PRESSURES OF LIFE?”
THE PRESSURES
ARE JUST SO GREAT.
WE HAVE GREAT TECHNOLOGY
TO SAVE TIME,
BUT WE HAVE LESS TIME
THAN EVER.
ESCAPISM IS A SUBCONSCIOUS
MECHANISM TO ESCAPE REALITY.
JOB SAID, “MY DAYS ARE
SPENT WITHOUT HOPE.”
ISAIAH THE PROPHET SAID,
“EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT
AND BE WEARY.”
CAIN, WHO HAD KILLED ABEL, HAD
A TERRIBLE GUILT IN HIS LIFE
AND HE SAID, “MY BURDEN IS
GREATER THAN I CAN BEAR.”
HE BECAME A VAGABOND,
A WANDERER.
THE PSALMIST SAID,
“AND I SAID, OH THAT
I HAD THE WINGS LIKE A DOVE,
“FOR THEN I WOULD
FLY AWAY AND BE AT REST.”
HAVE YOU SAID THAT?
I’D LIKE TO JUST FLY AWAY
FROM MY PROBLEM,
GET AWAY FROM IT
AND HAVE REST.
THE PSALMIST’S LONGING
TO ESCAPE HAS BECOME
THE CRY OF THE WORLD TODAY.
BUT THERE DOESN’T SEEM TO BE
ANY WAY OUT FOR YOU.
TO THOSE PEOPLE JESUS SAID,
“I’M THE WAY OUT.”
JESUS SAID, “I’M THE DOOR,
BY ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN
“HE SHALL BE SAVED.”
WE HAVE IN THE MEDIA TODAY
WHAT WE CALL GROUP THINKING.
IT’S AFFECTED
OUR WHOLE WAY OF LIVING.
IT AFFECTS OUR BRAND OF FOOD,
THE CARS WE DRIVE,
EVEN PATTERNS OF
RELIGIOUS BELIEF,
MODERN COMMUNICATION LAYS DOWN
THE LAW OF FASHION,
MANNER, SPEECH, AND
ESPECIALLY MORAL BEHAVIOR.
STUDENTS FEEL
ALMOST LIKE STATISTICS
AT THE BIG UNIVERSITIES.
AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
THAT USED TO PREVAIL
HAVE DISAPPEARED
AND HAVE BROKEN DOWN.
THE STUDENT NOW FEELS THAT
HE IS ONLY A STATISTIC.
STUDENTS EVEN IN HIGH SCHOOL
AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL ARE NOW
TAKING COMPUTERS TO CLASS.
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD
MAN IS AN INDIVIDUAL.
AND GOD LOOKS UPON YOU AS
AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HE LOVES.
HE HAS THE HAIRS OF
YOUR HEAD NUMBERED.
HE SEES THE SPARROW FALL.
HE LOVES YOU.
HE’S INTERESTED IN YOU AND
HE WANTS YOU TO TALK TO HIM
AND TELL HIM WHAT
YOUR PROBLEMS ARE
AND HE WILL HELP YOU.
WHEN YOU SEE A PLAY
ON TELEVISION
OR YOU SEE A MOVIE,
ALMOST EVERYONE IS SAYING,
“WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED OUT
OF MY PARTICULAR SITUATION?”
OR YOU READ A NOVEL–
HOW IS THAT PERSON
GOING TO ESCAPE?
ALL OF MANKIND IS CRYING,
“WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?”
AND THIS WAS WHAT THE JAILER
WAS ASKING PAUL AND SILAS.
“WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?”
HE SAID.
AND IT’S THE CRY OF OUR WORLD
IN THE LATTER PART
OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY,
AND AS WE BEGIN
THE NEXT TWO THOUSAND YEARS.
AND PAUL HAD A SIMPLE ANSWER;
BELIEVE.
BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
AND YOU WILL BE SAVED.
BUT WE DON’T
WANT TO DO THAT.
JESUS SAID, “I AM THE WAY,
THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
“NO MAN COMES TO
THE FATHER BUT BY ME.”
MANY PEOPLE TODAY WOULD SAY
THAT THIS JAILER WAS
IN NO EMOTIONAL STATE
TO MAKE SUCH A DECISION.
I THINK WE NEED SOME MORE
EMOTION IN OUR FAITH.
WE HAVE IT AT BALL GAMES.
WE HAVE IT IN THE THEATRE.
WE HAVE IT EVERYWHERE
EXCEPT WHEN WE GO TO CHURCH.
I HEARD ABOUT A BAPTIST
FROM TEXAS AGAIN.
[laughter]
HE WAS IN ONE OF THOSE
BIG CATHEDRALS IN EUROPE
AND HE DIDN’T THINK
HE WOULD HEAR ANYTHING
THAT WOULD SOUND LIKE
TEXAS BAPTIST TO HIM.
AND THEY SAID
THE APOSTLE’S CREED,
THE MINISTER GOT UP
AND READ THE 23RD PSALM.
AND THEN WHEN THE MINISTER
GOT UP TO GIVE A SHORT HOMILY,
OR A SHORT SERMON,
HE SAID SOME THINGS HE BELIEVED.
AND SO HE SAID, “AMEN”
OUT LOUD, TWO OR THREE TIMES.
AND EVERYBODY STOPPED
AND LOOKED AROUND AT HIM.
THOUGHT HE WAS CRAZY.
AND AN USHER CAME
TO HIM AND SAID,
“SIR, YOU CAN’T
DO THAT IN HERE.”
HE SAID,
“I’VE GOT RELIGION.”
AND THE USHER SAID,
“BUT YOU DIDN’T GET IT HERE.”
[laughter]
NOW THE APOSTLE PAUL HAD
BEEN CONVERTED TO CHRIST
IN A VERY DRAMATIC WAY.
HE HAD TURNED AGAINST
THE CHRISTIANS.
HE WAS TRYING TO KILL THEM,
PERSECUTE THEM.
AND HE WAS ON THE WAY
TO DAMASCUS TO CAPTURE
SOME MORE AND BRING THEM.
HE WAS GOING TO PUT THEM
IN PRISON.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HE WAS
STOPPED BY A BRIGHT LIGHT.
AND HE FELL DOWN.
HE WAS BLINDED.
AND HE SAID,
“LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT?”
HE KNEW IT WAS GOD.
AND ON THAT DAMASCUS ROAD,
PAUL WAS CONVERTED.
HIS NAME WAS SAUL
AND IT WAS CHANGED TO PAUL.
AND HE WAS CONVERTED
AND HE BECAME THE GREATEST
CHRISTIAN THAT HAS EVER LIVED.
NOW THAT WAS
A DRAMATIC MOMENT.
THERE WAS EMOTION TO IT.
THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT
WE ARE TO FEAR GOD.
PSALM 33:8 SAYS; “LET ALL
THE EARTH FEAR THE LORD.
“LET ALL THE INHABITANTS OF
THE WORLD STAND IN AWE OF HIM.”
WE ARE TO FEAR
THE JUDGMENT.
MODERN MAN DOESN’T LIKE
TO THINK OF GOD IN TERMS OF
WRATH AND ANGER AND JUDGMENT,
BUT GOD IS A GOD OF JUDGMENT.
HE’S A GOD OF LOVE.
HE LOVES YOU.
HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH THAT
HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU
AND SHED HIS BLOOD FOR YOU.
AND IF YOU REPENT OF YOUR SINS
AND RECEIVE HIM INTO YOUR HEART
YOU’LL BE SAVED.
YOU’LL GO TO HEAVEN
WHEN YOU DIE.
YOU CAN HAVE THAT
ASSURANCE RIGHT NOW.
AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT THAT HAVE
BEEN BAPTIZED OR YOU’VE BEEN
CONFIRMED IN THE CHURCH
AND YOU’RE A GOOD PERSON.
BUT DEEP INSIDE
YOU’RE NOT CERTAIN
THAT YOU REALLY KNOW CHRIST.
YOU’RE NOT CERTAIN THAT
YOU’RE GOING TO HEAVEN
AND YOU WANT TO BE SURE.
YOU’D LIKE TO BE SURE.
YOU CAN BE SURE BEFORE YOU
LEAVE THIS STADIUM TONIGHT
IF YOU MAKE YOUR
COMMITMENT TO CHRIST.
AND WE ARE TO FEAR THE FACT
THAT WE’RE GOING TO JUDGMENT.
MODERN MAN DOESN’T LIKE TO
THINK OF GOD IN TERMS OF WRATH
AND ANGER AND JUDGMENT.
HE TRIES TO REMAKE GOD
TO CONFORM TO
HIS OWN WISHFUL THINKING
AND MAKE HIMSELF COMFORTABLE
IN HIS SINS.
THIS MODERN GOD HAS
THE ATTRIBUTES OF LOVE
AND MERCY AND FORGIVENESS,
BUT WITHOUT JUDGMENT.
WE DON’T LIKE THAT WORD JUDGMENT
WE DON’T LIKE THAT WORD HELL.
HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE
YOU HEARD A SERMON ON HELL?
THE BIBLE SAYS HE’S “APPOINTED
A DAY IN WHICH HE WILL JUDGE
“THE WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
“BY THAT MAN WHOM
HE HATH ORDAINED.”
A DIVINITY SCHOOL STUDENT
STOOD UP AT HARVARD AND
ASKED ME, IN A DISCUSSION, SAID,
“CAN YOU TELL ME IN PLAIN
AND CLEAR LANGUAGE,
“WHAT MUST I DO
TO BE SAVED?”
HE ASKED ME THAT QUESTION
RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FACULTY
AND THE OTHER STUDENTS.
AND I ANSWERED HIM.
I ANSWERED HIM
AS PAUL ANSWERED,
“BELIEVE ON
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED.”
AFTER PETER HAD PREACHED
HIS GREAT SERMON AT PENTECOST
THE PEOPLE WERE STIRRED
IN THEIR HEARTS AND
THEY SAID TO PETER,
“WHAT MUST WE DO,
“WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO?”
TWENTIETH CENTURY MAN ASKED
THE SAME QUESTION
THAT MAN HAS ALWAYS ASKED.
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS IN
KOREA DURING THE WAR,
THERE WAS A CHAPLAIN THAT
CAME TO ME AND HE SAID,
“YOU KNOW, I’VE
BEEN TO SEMINARY.
“I HAVE MY DEGREES.
“I’VE BEEN PASTOR
OF A LARGE CHURCH.
“I WAS CALLED TO BE
PROFESSOR AT A SEMINARY.
“AND THE OTHER DAY I WAS CALLED
TO THE SIDE OF A DYING BOY
“OUT AT A FIELD HOSPITAL
AND HE WAS DYING
“AND I DIDN’T KNOW
WHAT TO TELL HIM.”
“HE ASKED ME, HE SAID,
“WHAT CAN I DO TO FIND
PEACE IN MY HEART?
“I KNOW I’M DYING.”
AND HE SAID, “I DIDN’T KNOW
WHAT TO TELL HIM.
“WHAT WOULD YOU TELL HIM?”
THE ANSWER THAT PAUL GAVE TO
THIS JAILER LONG AGO
IS SO SIMPLE THAT MILLIONS
STUMBLE OVER IT.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO STRAIGHTEN
OUT YOUR LIFE FIRST.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO HOME
AND DO SOMETHING GOOD
IN ORDER TO FIND CHRIST.
YOU DO THAT AFTER
YOU’VE COME TO CHRIST.
WE DON’T HAVE TO MAKE
OURSELVES WELL
BEFORE GOING TO A DOCTOR.
DOCTOR HENDERSON IS
SITTING ON THE PLATFORM.
HE SEES SICK PEOPLE.
HE DOESN’T SEE WELL PEOPLE.
JESUS WAS CALLED
THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.
HE SAID, “IT IS NOT THE HEALTHY
WHO NEED A DOCTOR, BUT THE SICK.
“I’VE NOT COME TO CALL
THE RIGHTEOUS,
“BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE.”
I’M A SINNER.
BILLY GRAHAM IS A SINNER.
I NEEDED TO REPENT OF MY SIN
AND RECEIVE CHRIST BY FAITH.
AND WE’RE ALL SINNERS.
SO ARE YOU.
THE BLIND MAN CAME TO JESUS
JUST AS HE WAS.
THE LEPER CAME
JUST AS HE WAS.
MARY MAGDALENE WITH SEVEN DEVILS
CAME JUST AS SHE WAS.
YOU CAN COME TO CHRIST
TONIGHT JUST AS YOU ARE.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO
AND CLEAN UP ANYTHING.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO
CHANGE CLOTHES
AND PUT ON YOUR SUNDAY BEST.
JUST COME AS YOU ARE.
AND SAY LORD, I AM JUST A PERSON
IN NEED OF CHRIST.
I NEED TO KNOW
THAT I KNOW CHRIST.
WHAT DO I HAVE
TO DO TO BELIEVE?
YOU HAVE TO BECOME
AS A LITTLE CHILD.
THE BIBLE SAYS ALL THE WAY
THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT
THAT WE ENTER
THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY FAITH.
“THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED
BY FAITH WE HAVE PEACE
“WITH GOD THROUGH
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.”
IN EPHESIANS 2 IT SAYS,
“FOR BY GRACE ARE YOU SAVED
THROUGH FAITH.”
NOW GRACE MEANS SOMETHING
YOU DON’T EARN.
YOU DON’T WORK FOR IT.
YOU CAN’T WORK
YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN.
YOU CAN’T GET GOOD ENOUGH
TO GET TO HEAVEN.
THE WORD BELIEVE IMPLIES
COMMITMENT, SURRENDER.
IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT
YOU BELIEVE EVERYTHING
OR JUST ANYTHING.
YOU BELIEVE IN
THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
AND THAT WORD BELIEVE MEANS
THAT YOU COMMIT
YOUR LIFE TO HIM.
YOU’RE NOT TRUSTING
ANYTHING FOR YOUR FUTURE.
THE LITTLE BOY
THAT I HEARD ABOUT.
HE SAID, “YOU KNOW,
THIS LIFE IS SHORT,
“BUT FROM WHAT I’VE HEARD
ETERNITY IS AWFULLY LONG.
“WE BETTER SPEND OUR TIME
GETTING READY FOR ETERNITY.”
SO WHEN YOU COME TO
COMMIT YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST,
YOU COMMIT YOUR MIND,
YOU COMMIT YOUR EMOTION,
YOU COMMIT YOUR WILL,
YOU COMMIT YOUR BODY.
THE WHOLE PERSON IS INVOLVED
IN THIS ACT OF COMMITMENT.
“NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION
IN ANY OTHER
“FOR THERE’S NONE OTHER NAME
UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN
“WHEREBY WE MAY BE SAVED,”
THE BIBLE SAYS.
“FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL
UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD
“SHALL BE SAVED.”
I’M ASKING YOU TONIGHT
BY FAITH TO CALL ON HIM.
WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM
A WOMAN RECENTLY WHO SAID
SHE WAS BROUGHT UP IN
A NON-CHRISTIAN HOME.
AND I’LL READ YOU
A PART OF WHAT SHE SAID.
SHE SAID, “ALTHOUGH I WAS AWARE
THERE MUST BE A GOD SOMEWHERE,
“I NEVER GAVE HIM ANY THOUGHT
AND JUST CARRIED ON
“BELIEVING THAT I LED
A VERY HAPPY, GOOD CHURCH LIFE.
“MY NEPHEW, AGE 31, WAS KILLED
IN A CAR ACCIDENT.
“I WANTED TO KNOW WHY
HE HAD DIED SO YOUNG.
“WHERE HAD HE GONE?
“WHERE WILL I GO WHEN I DIE?
“I REALLY NEED TO FIND OUT.
“MY HUSBAND BOUGHT ME A BIBLE,
“THE FIRST ONE
I’D REALLY EVER OWNED.
“I STARTED TO READ,
SEEKING ANSWERS FOR MYSELF
“AND SEARCHING FOR MYSELF.
“AND ONE DAY I NOTICED
IN THE PAPER ABOUT YOUR CRUSADE
“THAT WAS GOING TO BE
ON TELEVISION.
“I WATCHED AND THAT NIGHT,
IN FRONT OF THE TELEVISION SET,
“I COMMITTED MYSELF TO CHRIST.
“GOD OPENED MY EYES.
“EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.”
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
IS THERE A DOUBT IN YOUR HEART
IF YOU DIED AT THIS MOMENT
YOU’D GO TO HEAVEN?
SOME OF YOU MAY NOT BE BACK
TO COOPER STADIUM THIS WEEK.
SOME OF YOU ARE PLANNING
TO COME BACK,
BUT YOU MAY NOT MAKE IT,
BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW WHAT
THE NEXT HOUR IS GOING TO
BRING FORTH, WHAT THE NEXT
DAY IS GOING TO BRING FORTH.
“NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME.
“TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.”
COME WHILE YOU CAN.
AND I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO DO SOMETHING THAT
WE’VE SEEN THOUSANDS, HUNDREDS
OF THOUSANDS, EVEN MILLIONS DO.
I’M GOING TO ASK YOU TO GET UP
OUT OF YOUR SEAT AND
COME AND STAND OUT HERE
ON THIS… IN FRONT OF ME.
YOU CAN COME ALL THE WAY UP
HERE TO THIS ROPE HERE
AND STAND THERE.
THAT’S ALL YOU DO,
JUST STAND THERE.
AND AFTER YOU’VE ALL COME,
I’M GOING TO SAY A WORD TO YOU
AND HAVE A PRAYER WITH YOU
AND GIVE YOU SOME LITERATURE.
AND YOU CAN TAKE IT HOME
AND STUDY IT.
IT’LL HELP YOU
IN YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.
YOU SAY, “WELL, BILLY,
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN NOW
“FOR ME TO COME
AND JUST STAND THERE?
“WHAT’S THAT GOING
TO DO TO ME?”
IT’S NOT GOING TO DO
ANYTHING TO YOU.
IT MEANS THAT YOU’RE SAYING
TO CHRIST,
“I COMMIT MYSELF TO YOU
THE BEST I KNOW HOW.
“I DON’T KNOW ALL ABOUT IT.
“I DON’T UNDERSTAND
THE BIBLE.
“I DON’T UNDERSTAND SALVATION.
“I DON’T UNDERSTAND
ANY OF THESE THINGS
“YOU’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.
“BUT I KNOW I NEED
SOMETHING IN MY LIFE.”
SO I’M GOING TO ASK
YOU TO COME NOW.
HUNDREDS OF YOU, JUST GET UP
OUT OF YOUR SEATS AROUND HERE.
YOU MAY BE IN THE CHOIR.
YOU MAY BE AN OFFICER
IN THE CHURCH.
YOU MAY BE A MINISTER
IN A CHURCH.
MOST CRUSADES
WE EVEN HAVE CLERGY COME
TO MAKE A COMMITMENT.
THEY WANT TO BE SURE ABOUT
THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST.
NOT THE RELATIONSHIP
TO THE CHURCH,
NOT THE RELATIONSHIP
TO YOUR FAMILY,
BUT RELATIONSHIP
TO CHRIST PERSONALLY
AND YOU NEED CHRIST
IN YOUR HEART.
YOU COME.
WE’RE GOING TO WAIT ON YOU,
AS THESE MANY PEOPLE COME.
♪ JUST AS I AM
WITHOUT ONE PLEA, ♪
♪ BUT THAT THY BLOOD
WAS SHED FOR ME. ♪
♪ AND THAT THOU BIDST ME
COME TO THEE. ♪
♪ OH, LAMB OF GOD,
I COME. ♪
♪ I COME. ♪
♪ JUST AS I AM
AND WAITING NOT, ♪
♪ TO RID MY SOUL
OF ONE DARK BLOT. ♪
♪ TO THEE WHOSE BLOOD CAN
CLEANSE EACH SPOT ♪
♪ OH, LAMB OF GOD,
I COME. ♪
♪ I COME. ♪
JUST AS HUNDREDS HERE HAVE
RESPONDED TO THE INVITATION
TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMITMENT
TO JESUS CHRIST,
YOU CAN TOO,
WHEREVER YOU ARE.
JUST CALL THE NUMBER ON
YOUR SCREEN RIGHT NOW.
SPECIAL FRIENDS WANT
TO HELP YOU WITH
THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION
YOU CAN EVER MAKE.
SO DON’T WAIT,
MAKE THAT CALL NOW.
♪
I WANT TO SAY A WORD TO YOU
THAT MAY WATCH ON TELEVISION.
YOU SEE THESE TELEVISION
CAMERAS AROUND.
THEY’RE NOT FILMING TONIGHT
TO SHOW IT THIS WEEK
OR NEXT WEEK OR
IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO.
THIS MAY BE SHOWN SOMETIME
BEFORE CHRISTMAS
AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT
PARTICIPATED IN THIS SERVICE
JUST LIKE YOU HAVE BY WATCHING
ON A SCREEN AT HOME,
OR IN A HOTEL ROOM,
OR A BAR,
OR WHEREVER THEY MIGHT BE.
THEY CAN MAKE THE SAME
COMMITMENT THAT YOU’RE MAKING,
BY SURRENDERING
THEIR LIFE TO CHRIST
AND COMMITTING
THEMSELVES TO HIM.
MAKE THAT COMMITMENT NOW.
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.
(Billy Graham)
JESUS CHRIST PROMISED
THAT HE IS GOING
TO RETURN TO THE EARTH.
AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
JESUS CHRIST IS GOING
TO KEEP THAT PROMISE.
ARE YOU READY?
THE HOPE OF THE COMING OF CHRIST
OUGHT TO MAKE US
WALK AS DISCIPLES OF
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
WE ARE TO BE SALT.
AND WE ARE TO BE LIGHT
IN THE WORLD
AND WE ARE TO WORK
AS THOUGH
CHRIST MAY NOT COME
FOR A THOUSAND YEARS.
BUT WE ARE TO LIVE AS THOUGH
HE MAY COME TONIGHT.
TOWARD THE BATTLE.
INTO THE DARKNESS.
ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.
THIS IS OUR MISSION.
SHARING HOPE.
(Child whispers)
JESUS.
THE BILLY GRAHAM
EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION.
ALWAYS BRINGING GOOD NEWS.
(Billy Graham)
There’s only one way,
only one hope.
♪ Hear the sound of
a brand new day ♪
♪ Witness the story
that never fa-a-ades ♪
♪ Come, come with me ♪
♪ To the Billy Graham Library ♪