There are many reasons people refuse to accept Christ. Hear Billy Graham’s responses to some of the most common excuses in this 1985 message from Anaheim, California. Watch more #MondayNightClassics weekly at 8 p.m. Eastern.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES…
THE BILLY GRAHAM CLASSICS.
NOW I WANT YOU TO TURN
WITH ME TO THE 14TH CHAPTER
OF LUKE’S GOSPEL.
THE 14TH CHAPTER
OF LUKE’S GOSPEL.
I’M GONNA SKIP THE LITTLE STORY
I WAS GONNA TELL YOU.
I’LL TELL YOU THAT
TOMORROW NIGHT
AND GO RIGHT INTO THIS MESSAGE.
THE 14TH CHAPTER
OF LUKE’S GOSPEL
BEGINNING AT VERSE 16.
NOW JESUS HAS BEEN INVITED
TO SUPPER.
SUPPER IS THE OLD ENGLISH WORD
FOR DINNER,
WHAT WE CALL DINNER,
EVENING.
FOR ME IT MEANS A STOP
AT MCDONALD’S HAMBURGER
OR SENDING SOMEONE DOWN
TO THE PIZZA HUT
TO GET ME A PIZZA,
BUT IN THOSE DAYS
IT WAS CALLED SUPPER.
AND WHEN I’M HOME,
WE CALL IT SUPPER,
BUT MY WIFE IS HERE TONIGHT
AND WE DON’T GET HOME
AS MUCH AS WE USED TO
BECAUSE WE HAVE
NO CHILDREN AT HOME.
WE HAVE TWO DOGS
AND WE GO BY AND SAY HELLO
TO THEM ONCE IN A WHILE.
[laughter]
THEY LOOK AFTER
OUR PLACE FOR US.
AND IF YOU EVER GO UP THERE,
THEY’LL LICK YOU TO DEATH
AND WAG THEIR TAIL
THEY’RE SO HAPPY TO SEE ANYBODY.
[laughter]
“THEN SAID HE UNTO THEM,
“A CERTAIN MAN MADE A GREAT
“SUPPER AND BADE MANY…”
NOW JESUS IS TELLING A STORY.
HE’S DONE SEVERAL THINGS
THAT HAVE EMBARRASSED
HIS HOST ALREADY.
HE WAS AT THE HOME
OF A PHARISEE
AND HE HEALED A MAN
ON THAT DAY,
BECAUSE IT WAS THE SABBATH DAY
AND HE WASN’T SUPPOSED TO,
IN THEIR EYES.
HE SAID, “ALL RIGHT, IF YOU HAVE
“AN OX THAT FALLS IN THE DITCH,
“WOULDN’T YOU HELP HIM
“OUT OF THE DITCH “ON SABBATH?”
AND THEY DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING.
AND HE KNEW-, THEY KNEW
THAT HE HAD THEM.
AND THEN HE ALSO TOLD
ANOTHER STORY ABOUT A WEDDING.
THEN HE TELLS THIS STORY:
“A CERTAIN MAN MADE A GREAT
“SUPPER AND HE BADE MANY.”
IN OTHER WORDS,
HE INVITED MANY.
“AND SENT HIS SERVANT
“AT SUPPERTIME TO SAY TO THEM
“THAT WERE BIDDEN,
“COME, FOR ALL IS NOW READY.”
THEY USED TO SEND
THEIR INVITATIONS OUT
WEEKS IN ADVANCE,
AND THEN ON A DAY OR TWO
BEFORE THE DINNER
THEY SENT ANOTHER INVITATION,
A MORE PERSONAL
INVITATION TO COME.
AND THEY DIDN’T SIT IN CHAIRS
LIKE WE DO,
AND THEY DIDN’T HAVE
NAME TAGS AT THE TABLE–
THEY JUST CAME RUSHING IN.
SOMETIMES THEY’D TEAR
THE TABLE UP TRYING TO GET TO
THE BEST PLACE SO
THEY’D BE NEAR THE HOST OR GET
THE BEST FOOD OR THE BEST WINE.
AND THAT’S HOW THEY GOT THERE.
BUT UHM, JESUS WAS AT THIS FEAST
AND HAD BEEN INVITED.
AND HE WAS SITTING THERE
TELLING THEM A STORY
OF ANOTHER FEAST,
AND HE TOLD THIS STORY TO
ILLUSTRATE A SPIRITUAL TRUTH.
AND SO THIS GUY SENT HIS SERVANT
AT SUPPERTIME
TO SAY TO ALL OF THEM,
“COME, FOR ALL IS NOW READY.
“AND THEY ALL WITH ONE CONSENT
“BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSE.
“THE FIRST SAID UNTO HIM,
“I’VE BOUGHT A PIECE OF GROUND
“AND I MUST NEEDS GO AND SEE IT.
“I PRAY THEE, HAVE ME EXCUSED.
“AND ANOTHER SAID,
“I’VE BOUGHT FIVE YOKE OF OXEN
“AND I GO TO PROVE THEM.
“I PRAY THEE, HAVE ME EXCUSED.
“AND ANOTHER SAID,
“I’VE MARRIED A WIFE,
“AND THEREFORE, I CANNOT COME.
“SO THAT SERVANT CAME AND
“SHOWED HIS LORD THESE THINGS.
“THEN THE MASTER
“OF THE HOUSE WAS ANGRY,
“AND SAID TO HIS SERVANT,
“GO OUT QUICKLY INTO THE STREETS
“AND LANES OF THE CITY
“AND BRING IN THE POOR
“AND THE MAIMED
“AND THE HALT AND THE BLIND.
“AND THE SERVANT SAID,
“LORD, ALL THAT’S BEEN DONE,
“JUST AS YOU’VE COMMANDED
“BUT THERE’S STILL ROOM.
“AND THE LORD SAID
“UNTO THE SERVANT,
“GO OUT INTO THE HIGHWAYS
“AND HEDGES AND COMPEL THEM
“TO COME INTO MY HOUSE
“THAT THEY MAY BE FILLED.
“FOR I SAY UNTO YOU
“THAT NONE OF THOSE,
“NONE OF THOSE
“THAT WERE INVITED
“SHALL TASTE OF MY SUPPER.”
WHILE EATING
HE USES THESE TWO STORIES
TO TELL A VERY SERIOUS TRUTH.
BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE
HAVE A SPECIAL NEED
THAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT.
I READ THE OTHER DAY,
I SAW ON TELEVISION
ABOUT A BODY SCANNER,
A NEW ONE THAT THEY’VE GOT,
WHICH CAN MONITOR
MINUTE CHEMICAL CHANGES
WITHIN DISEASED CELLS
AND VIRTUALLY
AS THEY TAKE PLACE.
ALL-SEEING EYES TO GIVE
A TOTAL READOUT
OF ALL THAT AILS YOU.
NOW GOD ALSO HAS A SCANNER
AND GOD IS SCANNING YOU TONIGHT.
HE’S SCANNING YOUR HEART
AND YOUR MIND
AND YOUR SOUL AND YOUR SPIRIT.
AND HE SEES THE SPIRITUAL NEED
IN YOUR LIFE.
AND JESUS WAS SAYING
THAT WE ALL HAVE SPIRITUAL NEED.
THERE’S A UNIVERSAL GUILT.
WE’RE ALL GUILTY
OF BREAKING GOD’S LAW.
THE APOSTLE PAUL
WROTE TO THE ROMANS
IN THE THIRD CHAPTER,
“NOW WE KNOW THAT WHATSOEVER
“THINGS THE LAW SAITH,
“IT SAITH TO THEM
“THAT ARE UNDER THE LAW
“THAT EVERY MOUTH
“MAY BE STOPPED
“AND ALL THE WORLD
“BECOME GUILTY BEFORE GOD.”
NOBODY IS GOING TO BE
AT THE JUDGMENT AND SAY,
“LORD, I DIDN’T DO THAT.”
THAT SCANNER HAS BEEN SCANNING
FROM THE MOMENT YOU WERE
CONCEIVED IN YOUR MOTHER’S WOMB.
THE COMPUTERS HAVE BEEN RUNNING.
THE MOTION PICTURES
HAVE BEEN TAKEN,
NOT ONLY OF YOUR DEEDS,
BUT OF YOUR THOUGHTS.
NOW, THE LAWS OF MAN
MAY CHANGE,
BUT GOD’S LAWS NEVER CHANGE.
BUT YOU SAY,
“BUT I’VE REALLY ONLY BROKEN
“ONE OR TWO OF GOD’S LAWS.”
IF YOU’VE EVEN BROKEN ONE LAW
ONE TIME
HE SAYS YOU’VE BROKEN THEM ALL.
“FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL KEEP
“THE WHOLE LAW
“AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT
“IS GUILTY OF ALL,”
WROTE JAMES IN THE SECOND
CHAPTER AND TENTH VERSE.
AND THEN THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,
THAT PEOPLE ARE DEAD.
IN EPHESIANS 2:1 IT SAYS
“AND YOU WHO WERE DEAD IN SIN.”
OUR SPIRIT, OUR SOUL
IS DEAD TOWARD GOD.
THE BIBLE SAYS IN I TIMOTHY 5
WE’RE DEAD WHILE WE LIVE.
WE’RE ALIVE PHYSICALLY,
BUT OUR SOUL, OUR SPIRIT
THAT LIVES INSIDE OF US,
THE REAL US THAT COULD HAVE
FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IS DEAD!
WE’RE DEAD TOWARD GOD,
AND WHEN WE’RE DEAD
TOWARD GOD,
WE’RE DEAD TOWARD EACH OTHER,
AND THAT’S THE REASON
WE HAVE WARS,
AND THAT’S THE REASON
WE HAVE TENSIONS IN THE HOME.
THAT’S THE REASON WE CAN’T
GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER.
WE’RE DEAD TOWARD GOD!
AND WHEN WE’RE SEPARATED
FROM GOD,
WE’RE DEAD TOWARD EACH OTHER.
I HEARD BISHOP KALDY,
WHO IS PRESIDENT OF THE LUTHERAN
WORLD FEDERATION,
WELL, HE SAID IT TO ME,
HE SAID, “THE CLOSER WE DRAW
“TO CHRIST THE CLOSER WE ARE
“TO EACH OTHER.”
AND HOW TRUE THAT IS.
WHEN WE COME TO CHRIST,
WE’RE CLOSER TO EACH OTHER.
LOOK HERE, AT ALL THE DIFFERENT
ETHNIC GROUPS HERE,
ALL THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
IN THIS SECOND TIER AROUND,
LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE GROUPS.
HERE’S THE TAIWANESE;
THERE’S THE MANDARIN,
CANTONESE…
CAN’T READ THAT ONE,
MY EYES ARE GETTING BAD.
VIETNAMESE…
JAPANESE, KOREAN.
ALL THESE DIFFERENT GROUPS.
SPANISH.
THERE’S SO MANY HISPANIC PEOPLE
HERE TONIGHT THAT I EXPECT
YOU OUTNUMBER EVERYBODY.
[applause]
AND YOU’RE MAKING A WONDERFUL
CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COUNTRY
BY YOUR, BY SO MANY THINGS
YOU BRING US.
AND ALL THE DIFFERENT RACES
THAT ARE HERE.
THE BLACK PEOPLE,
THE WHITE PEOPLE.
EVERYBODY ALL MIXED TOGETHER.
WE COULD BE ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
IF WE KNEW CHRIST!
[applause]
BUT YOU SEE, WE’RE SINNERS
AND WE’RE DEAD TOWARD GOD
AND WE’RE DEAD
TOWARD EACH OTHER.
AND THEN THE SCRIPTURES SAYS
WE’RE BLIND.
IN REVELATION 3,
WE READ ABOUT THIS ONE MAN,
HE SAID, “I’M RICH.
“I’M INCREASED WITH GOODS,
“AND HAVE NEED OF NOTHING,
“AND KNOWEST NOT
“THAT YOU’RE WRETCHED AND
“MISERABLE AND POOR AND
“BLIND AND NAKED.”
THESE PEOPLE AT THIS CHURCH
IN REVELATION THAT JESUS
WAS WRITING TO IN ASIA MINOR,
THEY SAID,
“WE DON’T NEED ANYTHING!
“WE’VE GOT IT ALL!
“WE’RE RICH!”
JESUS SAID, “YOU’RE NOT RICH.
“YOU’RE POOR AND YOU’RE NAKED
AND YOU’RE BLIND
“AND DON’T EVEN KNOW IT,”
AND THAT’S WORSE!
THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE,
“IN WHOM THE GOD OF THIS WORLD
“HATH BLINDED THE MINDS OF THEM
“WHICH BELIEVE NOT.”
NOW THE GOD OF THIS WORLD
IN THE BIBLE IS THE DEVIL.
THERE WE COME WITH
THE DEVIL AGAIN, THE ADVERSARY.
HE’S WORKING OVERTIME.
HE BLINDS OUR MINDS.
AND I CANNOT LIFT THAT BLIND.
NO AMOUNT OF ARGUMENT,
NO AMOUNT OF DEBATE,
NO AMOUNT OF PROOF
WILL LIFT THAT VEIL
THAT HE’S PUT OVER YOUR MIND.
ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN DO IT.
NOW THE BIBLE CALLS
THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL
FOOLISHNESS TO THOSE
THAT PERISH.
IT’S FOOLISH.
YOU SAY, “HOW CAN YOU BE TALKING
“ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED
“2,000 YEARS AGO THAT COULD
“AFFECT ME TODAY IN MY LIFE?”
THAT’S WHAT THE DEVIL
IS GOING TO SAY TO YOU.
THAT’S WHAT HE WANTS YOU
TO BELIEVE.
HE’S GOT A VEIL OVER YOUR MIND.
AND YOUR MIND CANNOT SEE
SPIRITUAL THINGS
OR UNDERSTAND SPIRITUAL THINGS
UNTIL THE SPIRIT OF GOD
COMES AND OPENS IT.
IN EPHESIANS 4:18 IT SAYS,
“HAVING OUR UNDERSTANDING
“DARKENED.”
YOU SEE, YOUR MIND HAS BEEN
AFFECTED BY SIN.
YOU CANNOT TRUST YOUR MIND.
YOU CANNOT TRUST
YOUR CONSCIENCE.
YOUR CONSCIENCE HAS BEEN,
LIKE A COMPASS THAT’S BROKEN.
YOUR CONSCIENCE IS DEAD,
OR IT’S BEEN HARDENED
TOWARD GOD.
YOU CAN’T TRUST YOUR MIND.
YOU CAN’T TRUST
YOUR CONSCIENCE.
WHAT DO YOU TRUST?
YOU TRUST CHRIST BY FAITH,
THEN HE RESENSITIZES
THE CONSCIENCE AND HE COMES
AND OPENS YOUR UNDERSTANDING
SO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND.
AND THEN THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,
“THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.”
SO THEY WERE WITHOUT EXCUSE.
NOW WHAT ARE SOME
OF THE EXCUSES THAT
I HEAR TODAY THAT PEOPLE MAKE?
I WANT TO LIST A FEW OF THEM
THAT SOME OF YOU ARE MAKING.
FIRST, THERE’S THAT YOUNG PERSON
OR OLDER PERSON HERE THAT SAYS,
“I WANT TO MAKE A COMMITMENT
“BUT I’M TOO SINFUL.
“I’LL WAIT UNTIL I’M BETTER.”
AH-HA, YOU’LL NEVER GET BETTER.
YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED
UNTIL YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT
THE GRACE OF GOD.
GOD’S GRACE CAN REACH TO
THE LOWEST DEPTH.
THERE WAS A WOMAN IN SHEFFIELD
THAT CAME ONE NIGHT TO AN USHER
AFTER THE MEETING WAS OVER
IN ENGLAND
THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AGO
WHEN WE WERE THERE,
AND SHE SAID, “AM I TOO LATE?
“AM I TOO LATE?”
HE SAID,
“NO, YOU’RE NOT TOO LATE.
“YOU CAN FIND CHRIST RIGHT NOW.”
SHE SAID, “I DON’T MEAN TOO LATE
“AS FAR AS THE MEETING
“IS CONCERNED.
“I MEAN, I’M 72 YEARS OF AGE,
“DO YOU THINK I’VE WAITED
“TOO LONG?”
NO!
YOU CAN COME AT ANY AGE!
BUT DON’T TEMPT GOD.
GOD IS SPEAKING TO YOU TONIGHT,
COME WHILE YOU CAN,
BECAUSE GOD MAY SPEAK TO YOU
AGAIN BUT YOU MAY NOT
HEAR HIM AGAIN.
GOD MAY GIVE YOU
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
BUT YOUR HEART MAY NOT BE
LIKE IT IS TONIGHT.
YOU SEE, GOD IS SPEAKING TO YOU
TONIGHT AND SAYING,
“NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME,
“TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.”
JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SAVE
SINNERS AND YOU CANNOT
JUSTIFY YOURSELF.
“THEREFORE BY THE DEEDS
“OF THE LAW SHALL NO FLESH
“BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT.”
THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO
TO SAVE YOURSELF.
THERE WAS A MAN THAT BOASTED
THAT HE WAS A SELF-MADE MAN
TO AN EVANGELIST
A CENTURY AGO
BY THE NAME OF D.L. MOODY.
AND MOODY SAID,
“THAT RELIEVES THE LORD
“OF A TERRIBLE RESPONSIBILITY.”
[laughter]
A FAMOUS PERSON SAID
THE OTHER DAY THAT SHE HAD
ARRIVED AT THE ULTIMATE
BY BECOMING A MEMBER
OF THE WHO’S WHO.
THAT WAS TWIGGY.
SHE’S IN WHO’S WHO NOW.
AND THAT’S COMMENDABLE.
BUT HAVING YOUR NAME
IN WHO’S WHO
DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU’RE
IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE
AND YOU’VE GOT TO GET
IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE
BEFORE YOU GET TO HEAVEN!
YOU HAVE TO REPENT OF YOUR SINS
AND RECEIVE CHRIST
AND THEN GOD WRITES YOUR NAME
IN THE BOOK OF LIFE.
YOU SEE, THERE ARE TWO SETS
OF BOOKS THAT GOD’S KEEPING.
THE FIRST SET IS JUST CALLED
THE BOOKS.
THE MOMENT YOU’RE BORN
YOUR NAME IS WRITTEN
IN THE BOOKS
AND UNDER IT IS EVERYTHING
YOU’VE EVER SAID AND DONE
AND ALL THE THINGS
OF YOUR LIFE.
AND THEN THE MOMENT
YOU RECEIVE CHRIST,
YOUR NAME IS BLOTTED OUT
OF THE BOOKS AND REWRITTEN
IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE,
AND ONLY THOSE NAMES THAT ARE
IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE
ARE GOING TO BE IN HEAVEN.
THEY’RE THE ONLY ONES.
IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN
IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?
IF I WASN’T SURE TONIGHT
THAT MY NAME WAS WRITTEN
IN THE BOOK OF LIFE
YOU WOULDN’T GET ME
OUT OF ANAHEIM STADIUM
‘TIL I HAD MADE IT RIGHT,
‘TIL I WAS SURE.
YOU MAY BE THE BEST PERSON
IN TOWN.
YOU MAY BE A FINE CHURCH MEMBER
AS YOU HEARD A MOMENT AGO.
YOU MAY DO GREAT AND
WONDERFUL THINGS
FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD,
BUT DEEP IN YOUR HEART,
YOU’RE NOT SURE THAT YOUR NAME
IS WRITTEN IN THAT BOOK.
AND THAT YOU’RE READY
TO MEET GOD.
AND THEN I HEAR PEOPLE SAYING,
“YOU’RE OVER-SIMPLIFYING IT,
“IT JUST CAN’T BE THAT SIMPLE.”
YES, IT CAN BE THAT SIMPLE
BECAUSE JESUS SAID YOU HAVE TO
BECOME AS A LITTLE CHILD.
YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TOO SIMPLE.
I WAS GIVING SOME TALKS
THREE YEARS AGO
AT CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY,
AND THE STUDENTS PACKED
THE GREAT ST. MARY’S CHURCH
EVERY NIGHT FOR THOSE–
THEY CALLED THEM LECTURES–
AND THEN THEY HAD FIVE OTHER
BUILDINGS WIRED WITH SOUND
SO THAT THE STUDENTS COULD
COME TO OTHER PLACES
AND LISTEN AS WELL,
AND I WAS SPEAKING.
AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT
I TALKED VERY SIMPLY.
AND THEY, IN THE MEETING
THE NEXT DAY,
THE LEADERS OF THE GROUP
THAT HAD INVITED ME TO COME,
THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
OF THE UNIVERSITY,
CAME TOGETHER AND THEY SAID,
“YOU KNOW, YOU’RE TALKING OVER
“THE HEADS OF THE STUDENTS.
“YOU’VE GOT TO MAKE IT
“MORE SIMPLE.”
AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF:
HOW CAN YOU MAKE IT
MORE SIMPLE?
BECAUSE I’M A VERY SIMPLE MAN.
I’M NOT A GREAT DON,
I’M NOT A GREAT PROFESSOR.
I’M NOT A GREAT INTELLECTUAL
LIKE THESE PEOPLE HERE.
BUT YOU SEE, PEOPLE COME
TO CHRIST BECAUSE, YOU SEE,
YOU MAY BE A PH.D. IN CHEMISTRY,
BUT YOU MAY KNOW NOTHING
ABOUT THE THINGS OF GOD
AS FAR AS REALLY KNOWING CHRIST.
SO IT HAS TO BE SIMPLE.
AND THEN THERE ARE OTHERS
THAT SAY “I’M TOO YOUNG,”
OR, “I’M TOO OLD.”
YOU SEE, IF THE DEVIL CAN’T
GET YOU WHILE YOU’RE TOO YOUNG,
TO SAY YOU’RE TOO YOUNG,
HE’LL TELL YOU YOU’RE TOO OLD.
AND THEN THERE ARE PEOPLE
THAT SAY,
“WELL, THERE ARE TOO MANY
“HYPOCRITES IN THE CHURCH.”
WELL, I AGREE TO THAT.
[laughter]
BUT YOU KNOW THERE ARE QUACKS
IN EVERY PROFESSION.
QUACKS AMONG DOCTORS.
I’M NEVER GONNA GO
TO A DOCTOR AGAIN
BECAUSE THEY’RE QUACKS!
GROCERY MAN WILL PUT HIS HAND
SOMETIMES ON THE SCALES,
IN THE OLD RURAL AREAS,
AND MAKE IT WEIGH MORE
THAN IT REALLY DOES.
AM I NOT GONNA BUY ANY MORE
GROCERIES BECAUSE THEY’RE
CHEATING IN IT?
MY WIFE WAS IN A RESTAURANT
SOME TIME AGO AND THEY ADDED
SOMETHING TO HER BILL
AND SHE LOOKED AT THAT BILL
AND SHE KNEW IT DIDN’T BELONG
SO SHE TOOK IT TO THE WAITRESS
AND SAID, “WHAT HAPPENED?
“I DIDN’T ORDER SOME OF
“THESE THINGS.”
SHE SAID, “I KNOW,
“BUT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE
“BEFORE YOU, THEY ORDERED IT
“AND THEY DIDN’T PAY FOR IT,
“WE HAD TO PUT IT SOMEWHERE.”
[laughter]
NOW MY FATHER WAS
A DAIRY FARMER.
AND WE HAD DAIRYMEN IN OUR AREA
THAT WERE ACCUSED, ALLEGEDLY,
OF PUTTING WATER IN THE MILK.
NOW, DOES THAT MEAN THAT
I’LL DRINK NO MORE MILK BECAUSE
THERE’S BEEN WATER IN IT?
WHAT ABOUT THE WATERMELONS?
SURE, I’M GONNA EAT
WATERMELONS.
JUST BECAUSE SOME LITTLE
SOMETHING, AND CHEESE…
YOU KNOW, THEY’VE GOT IT
FIXED NOW SO THAT YOU
CAN’T EAT ANYTHING!
[laughter]
IT’S GONNA CAUSE CANCER.
BUT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,
“FOR WE DARE NOT MAKE OURSELVES
“OF THE NUMBER
“OR COMPARE OURSELVES WITH SOME
“THAT COMMEND THEMSELVES,
“BUT THEY MEASURING THEMSELVES
“BY THEMSELVES
“AND COMPARING THEMSELVES
“AMONG THEMSELVES
“ARE NOT WISE.”
GOD CONDEMNS THE HYPOCRITES.
YES, BUT THAT’S NO EXCUSE
FOR YOU.
NO EXCUSE FOR YOU.
NO EXCUSE FOR YOU.
BECAUSE EVERY CHURCH THAT
I HAVE EVER BEEN TO
HAS GOT SOME HYPOCRITES IN IT.
EVERY CHURCH.
IF YOU FIND A PERFECT CHURCH,
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT,
AND YOU JOIN IT,
IT’LL BECOME IMPERFECT.
[laughter]
BECAUSE WE’RE ALL IMPERFECT.
[applause]
AND THEN THERE ARE PEOPLE
THAT’LL SAY,
“WELL, I’LL HAVE TO GIVE UP
“TOO MUCH IF I COME TO CHRIST.”
WELL, YOU GIVE UP A GREAT DEAL
FOR OTHER THINGS
SUCH AS AN EDUCATION
OR POWER OR MONEY.
HAROLD MACMILLAN,
THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER
OF ENGLAND, ONCE SAID,
“POWER IS THE CHIEF MOTIVATION
“OF HUMAN ACTIVITY,
“AND NOT MONEY.
“WHETHER IT’S MONEY, POWER,
“SOCIAL PRESTIGE,
“YOU’LL DO MOST ANYTHING.”
GOD GAVE UP EVERYTHING HE HAD.
HE GAVE UP HIS SON FOR YOU.
WILL YOU COME TO CHRIST TONIGHT
AND SURRENDER TO HIM?
WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE?
BEV SHEA WAS ONCE ASKED,
“WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT GOD?”
HE SAID, “I DON’T KNOW MUCH
“ABOUT GOD BUT WHAT I DO KNOW
“HAS CHANGED MY LIFE.”
YOU SEE, YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW
EVERYTHING ABOUT GOD.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW
EVERYTHING ABOUT THE BIBLE.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE
A THEOLOGIAN TO COME TO CHRIST.
JUST COME LIKE YOU ARE.
BUT THE THING THAT I WANT YOU
TO REMEMBER IS THAT THIS HOST
AT THIS BANQUET SAID,
NONE OF THOSE THAT REFUSE
MY INVITATION
ARE GOING TO TASTE OF MY FOOD.
AND JESUS IS TEACHING,
JESUS IS TEACHING THAT IF YOU
REFUSE THE OFFER OF MERCY
AND GRACE AND LOVE OF GOD
IN CHRIST AT THE CROSS
AND WHERE HE ROSE AGAIN
FROM THE DEAD–
IF YOU REFUSE IT,
THERE’S NO MORE HOPE FOR YOU.
“NONE OF THESE WHICH ARE BIDDEN
“SHALL TASTE OF MY SUPPER.”
THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.
AND ONCE DWIGHT L. MOODY
WAS INVITED TO SPEAK
TO 5,000 ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS
IN ENGLAND.
AND WHEN HE FINISHED…
ONE FELLOW STOOD UP
IN THE REAR AND SAID,
“I DON’T BELIEVE
“A WORD YOU SAY!”
AND MOODY SAID, “ALL RIGHT,
“LET’S FIND OUT SOMETHING HERE.”
HE SAID,
“I WANT EVERY ONE OF YOU
“TO SAY ‘I WILL’ OR ‘I WON’T.’
“I WON’T RECEIVE CHRIST,
“OR, I WILL RECEIVE HIM.
“I WON’T OR I WILL;
“I WON’T OR I WILL.”
SO ONE MAN GOT UP AND SAID,
“MR. MOODY, TODAY I WILL
“RECEIVE CHRIST INTO MY HEART.
“I WANT TO MAKE SURE.
“I’M A GOOD ANGLICAN BUT I’M NOT
“SURE I REALLY KNOW CHRIST.”
ANOTHER ONE GOT UP AND SAID,
“I WON’T.”
ANOTHER ONE SAID, “I WILL.”
I WON’T, I WILL, I WON’T,
I WILL, I WON’T
‘TIL HE HAD GONE THROUGH
THAT WHOLE 5,000 CROWD.
WHICH ARE YOU SAYING TONIGHT?
YOU’VE GOT TO SAY SOMETHING.
YOU CAN’T BE NEUTRAL BECAUSE
GOD WON’T LET YOU BE NEUTRAL.
YOU’VE GOT TO DECIDE
ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
JESUS SAID THERE’S A NARROW
GATE THAT LEADS TO A NARROW ROAD
THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE.
HE SAID THERE’S A BROAD ROAD
THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION
AND HELL.
WHICH ROAD ARE YOU ON TONIGHT?
AND WHICHEVER ROAD YOU’RE ON
IS YOUR OWN DECISION.
CHRIST HAS PROVIDED THE WAY
TO THE NARROW ROAD
THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING
TO DO ABOUT IT?
WILL YOU SAY, “I WILL”?
IT’S A MATTER OF YOUR WILL
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED
AND YOU STAND BEFORE
THE MINISTER, HE DOESN’T SAY,
DO YOU LOVE THIS WOMAN?
YOU’VE ALREADY DECIDED THAT.
WILL YOU HAVE THIS WOMAN?
YOU’VE DECIDED THAT.
HE ASKS FOR YOU TO SAY,
“I WILL.”
I’M ASKING YOU TONIGHT
TO SAY TO CHRIST,
“I WILL RECEIVE YOU
“INTO MY HEART.”
WELL, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO?
YOU HAVE TO REPENT OF SIN.
THAT MEANS THAT YOU SAY,
“LORD, I’M A SINNER, I’M SORRY.
“I’M WILLING TO CHANGE
“MY WAY OF LIVING.
“I’M WILLING FOR YOU TO COME
“AND HELP CHANGE ME
“LIKE YOU DID MIKE.”
AND THEN YOU MUST
RECEIVE HIM BY FAITH.
THAT MEANS YOU PUT
YOUR CONFIDENCE IN HIM.
YOU PUT YOUR COMMITMENT IN HIM.
YOU’RE COMMITTED TO HIM
FOR LIFE AND FOREVER.
AND NO OTHER GODS
WILL BE THERE BUT HIM.
AND HE’S GOING TO BE FIRST
IN YOUR LIFE FROM NOW ON.
IF YOU HAVE A DOUBT ABOUT
YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST,
YOU COME AND SETTLE IT TONIGHT.
I’M GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO
SOMETHING THAT WE’VE SEEN
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DO.
I’M GOING TO ASK YOU TO COME
AND STAND IN THE OUTFIELD
OUT HERE, AND SAY TONIGHT,
“I OPEN MY HEART TO CHRIST.
“I’VE GOT EXCUSES,
“BUT THEY’RE ONLY EXCUSES.”
AND SOME OF THE EXCUSES WILL BE
THAT YOU’RE TOO FAR AWAY,
IT’LL TAKE TOO LONG.
YES, FROM THAT TOP DECK UP THERE
IT TAKES ABOUT 6 OR 7 MINUTES,
SO START NOW.
NOW WHY DO I ASK YOU TO
COME FORWARD PUBLICLY?
BECAUSE EVERY PERSON JESUS
CALLED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
HE CALLED PUBLICLY!
HE SAID, “IF YOU’RE NOT WILLING
“TO ACKNOWLEDGE ME PUBLICLY
“BEFORE MEN,
“I’LL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE YOU
“BEFORE GOD MY FATHER.”
I’M GOING TO ASK YOU TO COME
PUBLICLY AND OPENLY.
GOING TO ASK THAT NO ONE
LEAVE THE STADIUM NOW.
THIS IS THE HOLY MOMENT
OF THIS SERVICE.
DON’T LEAVE.
AND IF YOU’RE UP
IN THAT UPPER DECK,
GO DOWN AND AROUND.
AND IF YOU’RE WITH FRIENDS
OR RELATIVES, OR IN A BUS,
THEY’LL WAIT.
AND AFTER YOU’VE COME,
I’M GOING TO SAY A WORD TO YOU
AND HAVE A PRAYER WITH YOU
AND GIVE YOU SOME LITERATURE
THAT’LL HELP YOU
IN YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.
IT WON’T TAKE LONG,
BUT EVEN IF IT DOES TAKE LONG,
COME ANYWAY.
FROM ALL OVER,
WHATEVER LANGUAGE YOU SPEAK,
OR WHOEVER YOU ARE.
YOU MAY BE A MEMBER
OF THE CHOIR AND YOU’VE BEEN
HERE SEVERAL NIGHTS AND GOD
HAS BEEN SPEAKING WITH YOU.
AND MANY OF YOU
ARE IN THE CHURCH
BUT GOD HAS BEEN
SPEAKING TO YOU
AND YOU KNOW THAT YOU NEED
TO COME AND MAKE
THIS COMMITMENT TO CHRIST.
THERE ARE EXCUSES, OH, YES.
THE DEVIL IS GIVING YOU
SOME NEW ONES RIGHT NOW.
YOU GET UP AND COME.
WE’RE GOING TO WAIT.
THERE’S HUNDREDS THAT ARE
ALREADY ON THE WAY.
YOU JOIN THEM.
♪ JUST AS I AM ♪
♪ WITHOUT ONE PLEA ♪
AS HUNDREDS ARE RESPONDING
TO MR. GRAHAM’S INVITATION
TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMITMENT
TO JESUS CHRIST,
YOU CAN MAKE
THAT SAME COMMITMENT
RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE.
JUST PICK UP THE PHONE
AND CALL THE NUMBER
YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.
SPECIAL FRIENDS ARE WAITING
TO TALK WITH YOU
AND PRAY WITH YOU
ABOUT THIS MOST IMPORTANT
DECISION.
♪ COME TO THEE ♪
♪ O LAMB OF GOD ♪
♪ I COME, I COME ♪
YOU THAT ARE WATCHING
BY TELEVISION CAN SEE
THIS GREAT ANAHEIM STADIUM
HERE IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA,
ALMOST FILLED TO CAPACITY.
ONE OF THE GREAT STADIUMS
OF AMERICA,
AND NIGHT AFTER NIGHT
WE’VE SEEN HUNDREDS,
IN FACT, EVERY NIGHT WE’VE SEEN
NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE A NIGHT
COMING TO CHRIST.
YOU CAN MAKE THAT COMMITMENT
WHERE YOU ARE
WITH THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE
COMING FORWARD HERE.
YOU CAN SAY YES TO CHRIST
RIGHT NOW.
I’M GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO IT.
[applause]
YOU CAN PICK UP THE TELEPHONE
AND CALL THE PERSON
ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE.
CALL THAT NUMBER
THAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN.
GOD HELP YOU TO MAKE THAT
GREAT LIFE’S COMMITMENT TO HIM
THAT’LL TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE.
AND BE SURE AND GO TO CHURCH
NEXT SUNDAY.
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.
OH THOU, WHOSE STILLNESS DROWNS
EARTH’S TOTAL NOISE.
ITS GRATING SOUNDS
PROGRESS
TRAFFIC
VOICE
FLUTTERINGS OF MY FRUSTRATION.
MUTTERINGS, AGITATION
THE SCREAMING SILENCES
WITHOUT, WITHIN,
THE DIN OF QUESTIONS CLAMORING
FOR THEIR WHY AND HOW?
NOW!
THE RUMBLINGS OF
MAN’S DISCONTENT…
ERRUPTING HATE, VIOLENCE.
WAR’S DISTANT THUNDER
ROLLING NEAR AND
EVERYWHERE THE CRIES OF FEAR
THAT PARALYZES AS IT GRIPS.
AND NEAR AT HAND
A FAUCET DRIPS.
OH THOU, WHOSE STILLNESS DROWNS
EARTH’S TOTAL NOISE,
ONLY IN THEE IS STILLNESS FOUND
AND I REJOICE.