God is waiting on you. Hear Billy Graham talk about coming home in this 1984 message from Anchorage, Alaska. Watch more #MondayNightClassics every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern.

IN 1949, A BOLD AND DYNAMIC
YOUNG PREACHER

SET OUT ON A JOURNEY THAT
WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT

ON EVERY CONTINENT
FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS AND
TO MORE THAN 210 MILLION PEOPLE

BILLY GRAHAM HAS
PASSIONATELY SPOKEN

ABOUT THE CERTAINTY OF HOPE
FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS ABOUT GOD

THAT I DON’T UNDERSTAND
OR COMPREHEND.

I ACCEPT HIS REVELATION OF
HIMSELF BY FAITH.

HE’S BROUGHT RACES AND
DENOMINATIONS TOGETHER

TOWARD A COMMON PURPOSE

AS HE’S PREACHED IN 185
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

CHRIST BELONGS TO
ALL PEOPLE.

HE BELONGS TO
THE WHOLE WORLD.

HE HAS STOOD
ALONGSIDE PRESIDENTS,

MET WITH DIGNITARIES
AND WORLD LEADERS,

AND TODAY BILLY GRAHAM
IS RECOGNIZED

AMONG THE MOST INFLUENTIAL
RELIGIOUS LEADERS

IN THE HISTORY OF
THE WORLD.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES…

THE BILLY GRAHAM CLASSICS.

(applause)

NOW TONIGHT I WANT YOU
TO TURN WITH ME

TO THE 15TH CHAPTER
OF LUKE’S GOSPEL.

JESUS TELLS THREE STORIES.

FIRST HE TELLS THE STORY
OF A LOST SHEEP.

A MAN HAD A HUNDRED SHEEP,

AND ONE OF THEM GOT LOST.

NOW HE WAS LOST
THROUGH HIS OWN STUPIDITY,

AND JESUS IS INDICATING
THAT YOU ARE THE ONE LOST SHEEP

BECAUSE THE SHEPHERD
GOES AFTER THAT SHEEP.

AND JESUS SAID, INDICATED, THAT
THAT WAS THE REASON

HE WENT TO THE CROSS.

GOD SENT HIM TO THE CROSS
TO FIND YOU,

THAT YOU COULD HAVE
FORGIVENESS OF SIN,

HAVE ETERNAL LIFE,

KNOW THAT YOU’RE
GOING TO HEAVEN,

AND HAVE FULFILLMENT
AND PURPOSE AND MEANING

IN THIS LIFE AS LONG AS YOU
REMAIN IN THIS LIFE.

YOU ARE THE ONE LOST SHEEP.

AND THEN THE SECOND STORY
HAS TO DO WITH A COIN.

A WOMAN LOST A COIN.

NOW THAT’S NOT SO UNUSUAL.

A LOT OF WOMEN LOSE COINS,
AND MEN, TOO.

I’M ALWAYS LOSING SOMETHING.

BUT SHE LOST IT THROUGH
CARELESSNESS.

AND MANY OF US ARE CARELESS
ABOUT OUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION.

AND JESUS IS TEACHING
SOMETHING ELSE HERE,

THAT YOU CAN BE CARELESS

ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION

AND LOSE YOUR SOUL.

AND SO THIS WOMAN,

THE REASON SHE WAS
COLLECTING THOSE COINS,

SHE COLLECTED TEN COINS,

AND WHEN SHE GOT TEN COINS

SHE HAD ENOUGH IN HER DOWRY
TO GET MARRIED.

AND THE REST OF HER LIFE,

SHE WOULD WEAR THEM
AS A HAIRPIECE AROUND HER HEAD.

AND SO IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND SHE LOOKED EVERYWHERE
FOR HER COINS.

SHE LIT A CANDLE AND LOOKED
UNDER THE BED.

SHE SWEPT THE RUG.

SHE WENT OUTSIDE,

SHE SWEPT THE OUTSIDE.

SHE LOOKED EVERYWHERE

AND TEARS WERE STREAMING
DOWN HER CHEEKS.

SHE COULDN’T FIND HER COIN.

THIS MAY MEAN TWO OR THREE
MORE YEARS

BEFORE SHE COULD GET MARRIED.

BUT ONE DAY SHE FOUND
THE COIN,

AND WHEN SHE DID,

SHE CALLED ALL OF HER NEIGHBORS
AND FRIENDS IN AND SAID,

“I’VE FOUND THE COIN,”

AND THEY REJOICED TOGETHER.

AND THEN JESUS TELLS
ANOTHER STORY,

THE THIRD STORY.

IT’S ABOUT THE STORY
OF A LOST SON,

OR A LOVING FATHER.

THERE’S ONE THING JESUS ALSO
WANTS TO TEACH IN HERE.

HE’S TEACHING ABOUT
REPENTANCE OF SIN,

TURNING FROM SIN,

CHANGING YOUR LIVES,

AND THE JOY IN HEAVEN OVER
ONE SINNER THAT REPENTS OF SIN.

THINK OF THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN
SINGING AND REJOICING OVER YOU,

WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT
TO JESUS CHRIST.

BECAUSE YOU SEE, WHEN THE ONE
LOST SHEEP WAS FOUND,

THEY ALL GATHERED
AND REJOICED.

WHEN THE ONE LOST COIN
WAS FOUND,

THEY GATHERED AND REJOICED.

EVENTUALLY WHEN THE SON
CAME HOME,

THEY GATHERED AND REJOICED

AND HAD A GREAT BANQUET
AND A FEAST IN HIS HONOR.

AND JESUS IS SAYING
THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN

OVER ONE PERSON
THAT REPENTS OF SIN

AND COMES TO CHRIST.

BUT THE STORY OF
THE LOST SON

IS WHAT I WANT TO DWELL ON.

THERE WAS A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY
IN LONDON,

WHEN WE WERE THERE
NOT LONG AGO,

WRITTEN ABOUT IN THE PAPER,

AND HE HAD NO TICKET
FROM GLASGOW TO LONDON.

HE WAS A RUNAWAY,
RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME,

IN SEARCH OF THE BRIGHT LIGHTS,
AND THE LIFE IN LONDON.

AND THAT’S ONE OF THE GREAT
PROBLEMS IN AMERICA

AT THIS HOUR,

RUNAWAY YOUNG PEOPLE.

BUT IN THIS TEXT
IN LUKE THE 15TH CHAPTER,

BEGINNING AT THE 11TH VERSE,

WE HAVE THE STORY
OF THIS RUNAWAY SON.

AND IT’S A PICTURE OF GOD
LOVING AND SEARCHING.

A PICTURE OF A MAN
AWAY FROM GOD,

AND IT’S ONE OF THE TENDEREST
AND GREATEST STORIES

IN ALL THE BIBLE.

INSTEAD OF CALLING IT
“THE PRODIGAL SON,”

WE COULD CALL IT

“THE STORY OF
THE LOVING FATHER.”

HE LOVED HIS TWO SONS.

HE LOVED HIS FAMILY.

THIS FATHER HAD A FARM,

AND THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL
OF LOVE AND DISCIPLINE

AND FAITH IN GOD IN THAT HOME.

BUT THIS YOUNG MAN
WAS DISSATISFIED WITH IT.

HE DIDN’T LIKE IT.

SO HE GOES TO HIS FATHER
AND HE SAYS,

“FATHER, I WANT TO LEAVE HOME.

“I WANT TO GO OUT ON MY OWN,

“I’M OLD ENOUGH NOW,

“AND I WANT TO GO OUT
AND SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LIFE.

“I WANT TO GO TO SEATTLE,
I WANT TO GO TO CHICAGO,

“I WANT TO GO TO NEW YORK,

“I’D LIKE TO GO TO MIAMI
OR HONOLULU,

“SOME PLACE, LORD,
JUST ANYWHERE.

“LET ME GO TO ANCHORAGE,
GET AWAY FROM HERE WHERE I AM.

“I WANT TO SEE SOMETHING
AND MEET SOME YOUNG FRIENDS

“AND LIVE IT UP A LITTLE BIT.”

AND SAID, “YOU KNOW,
WHEN YOU DIE

“A THIRD OF THIS ESTATE
GOES TO ME BY LAW,”

(ACCORDING TO
THE OLD JEWISH LAW),

AND SO THE FATHER SAID TO HIM,
“WELL, SON, YOU’RE RIGHT.

“BUT I WOULD ADVISE YOU
AGAINST IT.

“I DON’T THINK YOU’LL EVER FIND
WHAT YOU’RE SEARCHING FOR

“IN THE BIG CITY AND
IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS

“AND THE GOOD TIMES.”

BUT YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY
ARE THAT WAY.

THEY WANT INSTANT SOLUTIONS
TO PROBLEMS.

AND WE THINK WE CAN FIND
SATISFACTION IN OUR LIVES,

JUST A LITTLE CHANGE,

MAYBE MOVING AWAY FROM HOME,

OR GETTING OUT FROM UNDER
FATHER AND MOTHER,

OR GETTING AWAY FROM
THE OLD FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS.

MAYBE IF I COULD JUST GO TO
NEW YORK OR SOMEPLACE LIKE THAT

IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT FOR ME.

I’LL FIND THE SATISFACTION
THAT I’M LOOKING FOR.

SO THE FATHER DIDN’T ARGUE.

HE KNEW THAT HIS SON
HAS A RIGHT TO DO IT.

WE’RE NOT SATISFIED
WITH THE WAY WE ARE CONSTRUCTED,

WE’RE NOT SATISFIED
WITH THE WAY WE LOOK.

WE’RE NOT SATISFIED
WITH THE WAY WE LIVE.

WE’RE NOT SATISFIED
WITH WHERE WE LIVE.

WE’RE NOT SATISFIED
WITH OUR EDUCATION.

WE’RE NOT SATISFIED
WITH OUR INNER SELF,

AND THERE’S SOMETHING LACKING
AND WE DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

LIKE THE GIRL THAT WAS
CRYING AND CRYING AND CRYING

AT THE UNIVERSITY,

AND THEY COULDN’T FIND OUT
WHAT WAS WRONG,

AND FINALLY THEY BROUGHT
HER PARENTS,

AND SHE FINALLY BLURTED OUT
TO HER FATHER.

SHE SAID,
“FATHER, I WANT SOMETHING

“AND I DON’T KNOW
WHAT IT IS.”

MOST EVERYBODY’S SEARCHING
FOR SOMETHING

AND THEY DON’T KNOW
WHAT IT IS.

DO YOU KNOW WHY?

BECAUSE YOU WERE MADE
IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

YOU WERE MADE FOR GOD.

YOU HAVE A BODY,

BUT LIVING DOWN INSIDE
OF YOUR BODY

IS YOUR SPIRIT, YOUR SOUL,
MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD,

AND MADE FOR FELLOWSHIP
WITH GOD,

AND THAT FELLOWSHIP
HAS BEEN BROKEN BY SIN,

AND SO, INSIDE,
YOU’RE CONSTANTLY SCREAMING

AND CRYING OUT FOR SOMETHING.

YOU’RE NOT QUITE SURE
WHAT IT IS.

YOU THINK YOU’LL FIND IT
IN DRUGS.

YOU THINK YOU’LL FIND IT
IN SEX.

YOU THINK YOU’LL FIND IT
IN SOMETHING ELSE.

POWER, SUCCESS, MONEY,

IT’S NOT THERE.

AND YOU END UP WITH EMPTINESS,

STILL SEARCHING.

AND YOU’RE ACTUALLY
SEARCHING FOR GOD

AND DON’T KNOW IT.

AND YOU’LL NEVER FIND
THAT TOTAL SATISFACTION

AND PEACE AND PURPOSE
AND MEANING IN YOUR LIFE

UNTIL YOU HAVE SURRENDERED
YOUR LIFE TO GOD.

SURRENDERED YOUR LIFE
TO CHRIST.

ONE OF THE MOST LISTENED TO
SONGS, I SUPPOSE,

OF ALL TIME MAYBE,
WAS THE ROLLING STONES,

WHEN THEY USED TO SING,
“I CAN’T GET NO SATISFACTION.”

AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS
OF PEOPLE

JUST CAN’T GET NO SATISFACTION.

NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO,

YOU JUST DON’T HAVE IT.

OH, YOU HAVE A GOOD TIME
FOR A SHORT TIME.

“THERE IS PLEASURE IN SIN
FOR A SHORT TIME,”

THE BIBLE SAYS.

BUT IN THE END,

IT ENDS UP AND YOU DON’T
HAVE THE SATISFACTION.

AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE
WATCHING BY TELEVISION RIGHT NOW

YOU DON’T HAVE SATISFACTION.

YOU DON’T HAVE PURPOSE
AND MEANING IN YOUR LIFE,

BUT YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE IT,

AND YOU’RE HUNGERING
FOR SOMETHING,

YOU’RE THIRSTY FOR SOMETHING.

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

WHY DON’T YOU PICK UP
A TELEPHONE RIGHT NOW,

CALL THE NUMBER
ON YOUR SCREEN,

TALK TO THAT PERSON THAT IS AT
THE OTHER END OF THE LINE

READY TO TALK TO YOU.

IF YOU GET A BUSY SIGNAL,

CALL BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN
AND AGAIN.

THEY’LL BE THERE ALL EVENING
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

AND HELP YOU WITH YOUR PROBLEM
AND YOUR NEED.

WELL, THIS YOUNG SON
IN HIS REBELLION

HEADED FOR SOME CITY.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT CITY IT WAS.

IN AMERICA, MANY OF THEM
GO TO THE WEST COAST

AND THAT USED TO BE
THE JUMPING OFF PLACE.

NOW THEY CAN GO TO HONOLULU
OR COME TO ALASKA.

AND THEY SEARCH FOR SOMETHING
BUT THEY DON’T FIND IT.

THEY SAY, “OH, IF I CAN GET
TO LOS ANGELES.”

“IF I CAN GET TO SAN FRANCISCO.”

“IF I CAN GET TO HAWAII.”

“IF I CAN COME TO ALASKA,

“I KNOW THAT’S WHERE I’M GOING
TO FIND EVERYTHING

“I’VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR.”

BUT THEY DON’T FIND IT.

BUT THIS YOUNG FELLOW
DID FIND IT.

HE FOUND IT FOR A SHORT TIME.

HE WANTED TO GET AWAY
FROM THE BOREDOM OF THE COUNTRY

TO THE CITY WITH
ITS BRIGHT LIGHTS

AND ITS THROBBING LIFESTYLE.

YOU KNOW, BOREDOM IS
AN AGE-OLD PROBLEM.

THIS YOUNG MAN WAS BORED
AS WELL AS RESTLESS AT HOME.

AND WHEN HE GOT TO
THE BIG CITY,

HE WASTED HIS INHERITANCE,
THE BIBLE SAYS,

ON RIOTOUS LIVING.

WHEN HE GOT THERE
WITH ALL THAT MONEY,

HE FOUND A LOT OF FRIENDS.

HE WAS THE TOAST
OF THE YOUNG SOCIAL SET.

THEY TOOK HIM INTO THEIR CROWD
BECAUSE HE HAD MONEY.

HE HAD BEAUTIFUL GIRLS
ON HIS ARM.

HE PROBABLY DROVE
THE BEST AUTOMOBILE.

HE HAD EVERYTHING.

AND HE ATTRACTED FRIENDS.

BUT THEN A DEPRESSION CAME,
RECESSION CAME.

HE LOST HIS MONEY.

HE GAMBLED A LOT OF IT AWAY.

HE DRANK A LOT OF IT AWAY.

THE WOMEN TOOK A LOT OF IT.

HIS FRIENDS TOOK A LOT OF IT.

AND SOON HE FOUND OUT,
HE DIDN’T HAVE ANY MONEY LEFT.

AND WHEN HE HAD NO MONEY LEFT,
HE HAD NO FRIENDS.

AND HE WENT FROM FRIEND TO
FRIEND TRYING TO GET A JOB.

HE COULDN’T FIND A JOB.

NOBODY WAS INTERESTED
IN HELPING A FELLOW

THAT WAS BROKE LIKE HE WAS.

AND A DEPRESSION
AND A RECESSION HAD SET IN

AND JOBS COULDN’T BE FOUND.

FINALLY HE GOT ONE JOB.

YOU SEE, THE DAY OF RECKONING
ALWAYS COMES.

HE HAD REBELLED
AGAINST HIS FATHER.

HE HAD REBELLED
AGAINST HIS FAMILY.

HE HAD REBELLED
AGAINST GOD.

NOW HE’S PAYING THE PRICE.

AND THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,
“HE BEGINS TO BE IN WANT.”

HE BEGINS TO BE IN WANT.

WHEN A MAN LEAVES GOD,
HIS TROUBLES BEGIN.

SOMETIMES IT’S A LONG PROCESS,

SOMETIMES IT’S A QUICK PROCESS.

BUT WHEN HE RAN OUT OF MONEY
AND HIS FRIENDS LEFT HIM,

HE WAS WORTH NOTHING.

NO HOME, NO MONEY,
NO FRIENDS, NO JOB.

AND IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR US
WHO WERE CREATED FOR ETERNITY

EVER TO FIND ANYTHING
IN THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD

TO SATISFY OUR SOULS.

AND YET THE BIBLE SAYS,

FOR THOSE THAT KNOW THE LORD,
I SHALL NOT WANT.

HIS BODY BEGAN TO BE IN WANT.

HIS BODY WANTED DRUGS
OR ALCOHOL FOR KICKS.

DRUGS AFFECT THE MIND.

THERE’S A GREAT DEAL
OF DRUNKENNESS TODAY.

THERE ARE MANY ARTICLES
AND STORIES IN THE PAPERS

ABOUT ALCOHOLISM.

ALCOHOLISM, AS A KILLER,
IS THE NUMBER TWO IN AMERICA,

HAVING JUMPED OVER CANCER.

HEART, ALCOHOLISM
AND CANCER,

ONE, TWO, THREE.

AND DRUNK DRIVING IN AMERICA

KILLS MORE THAN 25,000 PEOPLE
EACH YEAR.

AND THEN HIS MIND
BEGAN TO BE IN WANT.

YOU SEE, THE BIBLE SAYS
SIN AFFECTS YOUR MIND.

THAT’S THE REASON
YOU CAN’T THINK CLEARLY.

THAT’S THE REASON WE’RE CONFUSED
IN OUR THINKING TODAY

AND WE CANNOT THINK CLEARLY
ABOUT WORLD PROBLEMS,

NATIONAL PROBLEMS,
STATE PROBLEMS,

COMMUNITY PROBLEMS,
PERSONAL PROBLEMS,

FAMILY PROBLEMS,

BECAUSE SIN HAS AFFECTED
OUR MINDS.

YOU SEE, THE BIBLE SAYS
THAT SATAN BLINDS THE MIND.

SECOND CORINTHIANS 4:

“BUT IF OUR GOSPEL BE HID,
IT’S HID TO THEM THAT ARE LOST,

“IN WHOM THE GOD OF THIS WORLD,
THE DEVIL,

“HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF
THEM WHICH BELIEVE NOT,

“LEST THE LIGHT OF
THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF CHRIST

“WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD
SHOULD SHINE UNTO THEM.”

SATAN BLINDS OUR MINDS.

THAT’S THE REASON YOU CANNOT
COME TO CHRIST WITH YOUR MIND.

YOU CANNOT COME
WITH YOUR MIND ALONE.

YOU CAN’T THINK YOUR WAY
TO CHRIST.

YOU CAN’T GO TO A UNIVERSITY
AND STUDY HOW TO FIND CHRIST

OUT OF A TEXTBOOK.

YOU CANNOT COME
INTELLECTUALLY ALONE.

YOUR MIND HAS BEEN AFFECTED
BY SIN.

IT’S AFFECTED BY SATAN.

HE BLINDS YOU.

THAT’S THE REASON IT TAKES
THE SUPERNATURAL ACT

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
TO CONVICT YOU

AND TO BREAK THROUGH
THAT BLINDNESS

SO THAT YOU CAN KNOW CHRIST.

HIS SPIRIT, HIS SOUL
BEGAN TO BE IN WANT.

IT WAS RESTLESS, ALIENATED,
EMPTY, WITHOUT GOD.

YOU SEE, THE HUMAN SOUL
IS SO LARGE

THAT THE WORLD CANNOT FILL IT.

“WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN

“IF HE GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD
AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?”

YOUR SOUL, YOUR SPIRIT,
LIVING THERE IN YOUR BODY

FOR WHICH YOU’RE RESPONSIBLE,

IS MORE IMPORTANT
THAN ALL THE WORLD.

THAN ALL THE GOLD,
AND ALL THE OIL,

AND ALL THE RICHES
OF THE WHOLE WORLD,

YOUR SOUL, YOUR INDIVIDUAL SOUL
IS WORTH MORE.

YOU SAY, “WELL, BILLY,
HOW COULD THAT BE?”

WELL, I DON’T KNOW HOW
IT CAN BE

BUT THAT’S HOW THE BIBLE
TEACHES IT.

AND I BELIEVE THAT’S TRUE.

GOD MADE YOU IN HIS IMAGE,

AND YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD.

GOD LOVES YOU
AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

I DON’T CARE WHAT YOUR SINS ARE
OR WHAT YOUR FAILURES ARE.

GOD LOVES YOU.

HE SENT HIS SON TO DIE FOR YOU.

HE SUFFERED AND DIED
ON THE CROSS IN YOUR PLACE.

SO THIS YOUNG MAN’S BODY
BEGAN TO BE IN WANT.

HIS MIND WAS IN WANT.

HIS SPIRIT WAS IN WANT.

WHY?

BECAUSE OF THE SLAVERY OF SIN.

“WHOSOEVER COMMITTETH SIN
IS A SLAVE OF SIN,”

THE BIBLE SAYS.

SO, HE GOT A JOB

AND BECAME A SLAVE
TO A FORMER FRIEND OF HIS

WHO HAD A FARM OUT HERE
RAISING PIGS.

SO HE GOT A JOB
FEEDING THE PIGS.

NOW WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO
FILL YOUR SOUL WITH?

MONEY?

FAME?

SEX?

INTELLECTUAL ATTAINMENT?

OR MAYBE YOU’RE A PERENNIAL
STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY.

I’VE BEEN TO UNIVERSITIES

WHERE STUDENTS WERE
40 AND 50 YEARS OLD.

THEY’VE BEEN THERE FOR
15 AND 20 YEARS.

IT’S AN ESCAPISM.

THEY GET THEIR PARENTS
TO SUPPORT THEM,

AND THEY GET DEGREE AFTER
DEGREE AFTER DEGREE.

THEY DON’T WANT TO FACE
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LIFE.

YOU SEE, HE’D WALKED OUT
FROM UNDER THE DISCIPLINE

OF HIS FATHER,

BUT HE’S NOW UNDER THE SLAVERY
OF A STRANGER.

HE EXCHANGED ONE TYPE
OF DISCIPLINE FOR SLAVERY.

YOU CANNOT BE NEUTRAL.

YOU’RE EITHER A SERVANT OF GOD
OR A SLAVE OF SATAN.

JESUS SAID, “NO MAN CAN SERVE
TWO MASTERS,

“FOR EITHER HE WILL HATE THE ONE
AND LOVE THE OTHER,

“OR ELSE HE WILL HOLD TO THE ONE
AND DESPISE THE OTHER.

“YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD
AND MATERIALISM.”

YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD
AND YOURSELF.

YOU HAVE TO PUT CHRIST FIRST.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE.

AND YOU STAND TONIGHT
AT THE CROSSROADS.

HERE’S THE BROAD ROAD,
THERE’S THE NARROW ROAD.

AND WHEN YOU RECEIVE CHRIST

YOU GO AGAINST THE TIDE
OF THE BROAD ROAD.

THAT’S THE REASON IT’S NOT EASY
TO BE A CHRISTIAN.

IT’S NOT EASY TO REALLY
FOLLOW CHRIST.

I’M NOT GOING TO KID
YOU YOUNG PEOPLE

AND TELL YOU IT’S EASY,
IT’S NOT.

IT’S HARD.

IF YOU WANT TO BE
AN ALL-OUT CHRISTIAN,

IF YOU WANT TO SERVE CHRIST
WITH ALL YOUR HEART,

AND BE EVERYTHING CHRIST
WANTS YOU TO BE,

IT IS NOT EASY.

IT’S TOUGH.

BUT IF YOU WANT A CHALLENGE
THAT WILL PAY OFF

A MILLION TIMES IN THIS LIFE
AND THE LIFE TO COME,

THEN GIVE YOUR LIFE
TOTALLY TO CHRIST TONIGHT.

MARCH UNDER HIS FLAG.

MARCH SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
WITH THE PEOPLE

THAT HAVE COMMITTED
THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST.

WHICH MASTER ARE YOU SERVING
TONIGHT?

WHICH ROAD ARE YOU ON?

THE NARROW ROAD, HE SAID,
LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE.

BUT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH
A NARROW GATE.

YOU HAVE TO COME BY THE WAY
OF THE CROSS.

YOU HAVE TO COME TO THE FOOT
OF THE CROSS AND SAY TO GOD,

“I HAVE SINNED,
I’M SORRY FOR MY SIN,

“I RECEIVE CHRIST AS SAVIOR.”

IF YOU THAT ARE WATCHING
BY TELEVISION WILL DO THAT,

AND WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT,

PICK UP THE PHONE
AND CALL THE PERSON

ON THE OTHER END OF THAT NUMBER
THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

YOU CAN DO IT RIGHT NOW.

WELL, THIS YOUNG MAN
HAD ALL THESE EXPERIENCES

AND NOW HE SITS DOWN
WITH THE PIGS.

HE’S EATING WITH THE PIGS.

HE LOOKS LIKE A PIG.

HE GRUNTS LIKE A PIG.

HE FIGHTS WITH THE PIG
OVER THE FOOD.

HE BECOMES DISCOURAGED
AND DESPONDENT.

HE DECIDES THAT MAYBE
HE OUGHT TO JUST COMMIT SUICIDE.

AND I IMAGINE THE HOGS
WATCH HIM VERY CURIOUSLY,

THIS NEW HOG
THAT’S JOINED THEM.

[laughter]

AND THAT’S HOW LOW WE SINK
MORALLY.

WE SINK TO THE VERY BOTTOM

WHEN WE TURN OURSELVES
OVER TO THE DEVIL.

BUT WE’RE TOLD THAT
THIS YOUNG MAN CAME TO HIMSELF.

THE BIBLE SAYS
HE CAME TO HIS RIGHT MIND.

YOU, TONIGHT,
CAN COME TO YOURSELF.

THE HOLY SPIRIT
IS SPEAKING TO YOU TONIGHT.

YOU’RE AWAY FROM GOD,

YOU’RE NOT YOURSELF,

BUT YOU CAN COME TO YOURSELF.

SO THIS YOUNG MAN SAID,

“I’VE SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN.”

HOW RIGHT HE WAS.

HE HAD NOT ONLY SINNED
AGAINST HIS FATHER,

HE’D SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN.

HE ADMITTED THAT THE FAULT
WAS NOT GOD’S, BUT IT WAS HIS.

HE SAID, “I HAVE SINNED.”

THEN HE SAID
A VERY WONDERFUL THING.

HE BEGAN TO THINK ABOUT
HIS FATHER,

AND HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF,

“THE SERVANTS THAT
MY FATHER HIRES

“GET MORE TO EAT AND LIVE
A BETTER LIFE THAN I LIVE NOW.

“IF I COULD GO BACK AND JUST BE
A SERVANT OF MY FATHER,

“MAYBE MY FATHER
WOULD LET ME DO THAT.”

AND SO THE SCRIPTURE SAYS
HE SAID TO HIMSELF,

“I WILL ARISE AND GO.”

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO DO THAT TONIGHT,

TO ARISE AND COME
AND RECEIVE CHRIST.

COME BACK TO GOD.

COME BACK TO CHRIST.

SURRENDER YOUR LIFE
TO HIM.

MAYBE YOU’RE A MEMBER
OF THE CHURCH,

AND YOU GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL,
AND YOU GO TO CHURCH,

AND YOU TRY TO LIVE
A GOOD LIFE,

BUT DEEP DOWN INSIDE

YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE
AWAY FROM GOD.

SO, THIS YOUNG MAN
HAD REBELLED.

HE WAS REGRETFUL FOR IT.

HE HAD REFLECTED ABOUT IT.

HE HAD REPENTED ABOUT IT.

NOW HE DECIDES TO GO HOME,

AND WE SEE HIM
WALKING TOWARD HOME.

AND HIS FATHER,

WHAT HAD HIS FATHER BEEN DOING
ALL THIS TIME?

HIS FATHER STILL LOVED HIM,

AND EVERY AFTERNOON
WHEN THE DAY’S WORK WAS OVER,

AND THE SUN WAS SETTING
IN THE WEST,

THE FATHER WOULD GO OUT
ON THE FRONT PORCH

AND WATCH DOWN THE ROAD,
PRAYING FOR HIS SON,

THINKING ABOUT HIS SON,
LOVING HIS SON.

WANTING HIS SON TO RETURN.

HOPING THAT HE WOULD SEE HIM
SOME EVENING,

WALKING DOWN THAT ROAD.

AND AFTER TWO OR THREE YEARS
HAD PASSED,

AND EVERYBODY ELSE
HAD GIVEN UP,

THE FATHER WAS STILL LOVING HIM.

HE KNEW HIS SON WAS
SPENDING HIS MONEY,

AND SPENDING HIS LIFE
IN WILD LIVING,

BUT THIS FATHER LOVED HIM
IN SPITE OF ALL THAT.

AND ONE EVENING
HE LOOKED DOWN THAT ROAD

AND HE SAW SOMEBODY COMING.

HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF,

“THAT LOOKS LIKE JIM,
BUT IT COULDN’T BE.

“BUT HE WALKS LIKE HIM.”

THE SUN WAS JUST
GOING DOWN.

THE FATHER RUSHED OUT
A LITTLE BIT

AND TOOK ANOTHER LOOK,
A LITTLE CLOSER,

AND HE SAW THIS BOY
STUMBLING TOWARD HIM,

IN RAGS, DIRT, AND FILTH,

AND THE FATHER RAN TO HIM
AND THREW HIS ARMS AROUND HIM.

NOW THE BOY HAD MADE UP
A SPEECH

HE WAS GOING TO GIVE
TO HIS FATHER.

HE WAS GOING TO SAY,

“FATHER, I’VE SINNED
AGAINST HEAVEN,

“I’VE SINNED AGAINST YOU,

“I DON’T DESERVE
TO BE YOUR SON.

“BUT PLEASE, GIVE ME A JOB
JUST AS A HIRED SERVANT.”

HE DIDN’T GET
HIS SPEECH OUT AT ALL.

HE JUST GOT
THE FIRST PART OF IT OUT.

THE FATHER HAD ENGULFED HIM
IN HIS ARMS.

AND THE TEARS WERE STREAMING
DOWN BOTH THEIR CHEEKS

AS FATHER AND SON
CAME TOGETHER.

AND THAT’S A PICTURE OF GOD
TONIGHT WITH YOU.

GOD IS WAITING ON YOU.

AND GOD IS WAITING WITH LOVE.

HE LOVES YOU.

HE’LL PUT HIS ARMS
AROUND YOU.

HE’LL BE CLOSER TO YOU
THAN A BROTHER,

THE SCRIPTURE SAYS.

BUT HERE WAS THE FATHER
WHO COULDN’T HAVE CARED MORE.

THERE WAS A SONG SOME TIME AGO,

“SHOW ME THE WAY
TO GO HOME.”

B.J. THOMAS USED TO SING,
“HOME IS WHERE I BELONG.”

THERE WAS AN OLD HYMN

THAT WE USED TO SING
WHEN I WAS A BOY,

“SOFTLY AND TENDERLY,
JESUS IS CALLING, COME HOME.”

THE BIBLE SAYS,
“LET THE WICKED FORSAKE HIS WAY,

“AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAN
HIS THOUGHTS,

“AND LET HIM
RETURN UNTO THE LORD,

“AND HE WILL HAVE MERCY
ON HIM AND TO OUR GOD,

“FOR HE WILL ABUNDANTLY
PARDON.”

I TELL YOU RIGHT NOW,

THERE ARE ANGELS GATHERING
IN HEAVEN READY TO SING,

THE ORCHESTRAS ARE
READY TO PLAY,

AND THERE’S TO BE REJOICING,

AS TONIGHT, GOD PUTS HIS ARMS
AROUND YOU AND SAYS,

“JANE,” “MARY,” “SUSIE,”

“BILL,” “JIM, I LOVE YOU,

“YOU’RE FORGIVEN

“YOU’RE FORGIVEN BECAUSE
OF WHAT MY SON CHRIST DID

“ON THE CROSS.”

HE’LL PUT HIS ARMS
AROUND YOU.

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE THAT
TONIGHT?

TO GIVE YOU A PURPOSE
AND A MEANING

FOR YOUR WHOLE LIFE?

TO HELP YOU WHEN YOU GO TO
PICK OUT A MATE.

TO HELP YOU TO OVERCOME
TEMPTATION.

TO HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND
SOME OF THE MYSTERIES OF LIFE.

TO HELP YOU TO HAVE
ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE

IF YOU DIED
YOU’D GO TO HEAVEN.

TO FORGIVE ALL YOUR SINS.

“COME AND LET US
RETURN UNTO THE LORD,”

IT SAYS IN HOSEA ,

“FOR HE HATH TORN
AND HE WILL HEAL US,

“AND HATH SMITTEN
AND HE WILL BIND US UP.”

AND THE FATHER ORDERED
A ROBE TO BE BROUGHT.

HE ORDERED A RING TO BE BROUGHT
TO PUT ON HIS SON

THAT GAVE HIM
THE AUTHORITY OF A SON.

HE SAID, “YOU’RE NOT
GOING TO BE MY SERVANT,

“YOU’RE GOING TO BE MY SON!

“YOU’RE MY SON,
I LOVE YOU, I FORGIVE YOU!

“WELCOME!”

AND THEY BEGAN TO REJOICE.

AND THE FATHER’S WORDS,
IN THAT CASE,

“HE IS MY SON,
NO MATTER WHAT.”

AND GOD IS SAYING TONIGHT,
“YOU’RE MY SON,

“YOU’RE MY DAUGHTER,
COME, COME HOME.”

WILL YOU DO THAT TONIGHT?

WILL YOU RECEIVE CHRIST?

BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER PART
OF THAT STORY

THAT I’LL JUST MENTIONED.

THERE WAS ANOTHER BROTHER,
THE OLDER BROTHER.

HE WAS OUT IN THE FIELD,
HE HEARD THE DANCING,

HE HEARD THE MUSIC,
HE HEARD THE PARTY.

HE SAID, “WHAT’S GOING ON?”

THEY SAID, “YOUR BROTHER
THAT WAS LOST HAS RETURNED!”

AND HE BECAME VERY ANGRY,

AND THE FATHER WENT OUT
AND TRIED TO APPEASE HIM

AND HE SAID, “FATHER,
I’VE BEEN HERE ALL THE TIME,

“YOU NEVER GAVE ANY PARTY
FOR ME.

“YOU NEVER KILLED
THE FATTED CALF FOR ME.

“LOOK WHAT YOU’RE DOING FOR
THIS BOY THAT’S GONE OUT THERE

“AND LIVED A LIFE LIKE THAT.”

AND THE FATHER SAID,
“BUT YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN MY SON.”

YOU SEE,
IT’S AN INTERESTING THING.

THERE WERE TWO LOST BOYS THERE.

ONE WAS OUTSIDE THE HOME,

THE OTHER WAS INSIDE THE HOME.

YOU CAN BE INSIDE THE CHURCH
AND HAVE THE WRONG ATTITUDE.

YOU CAN BE INSIDE THE CHURCH

AND STILL NOT BELONG
TO THE FATHER.

YOU CAN BE INSIDE THE CHURCH
AND STILL NOT HAVE

THE RIGHT LOVE FOR CHRIST
THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE.

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU TONIGHT
TO COMMIT YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST.

TO MAKE SURE
OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO HIM.

AND YOU MAY NEVER HAVE
ANOTHER MOMENT LIKE THIS

AS LONG AS YOU LIVE.

THE BIBLE SAYS,
“HE THAT HARDENETH HIS HEART,

“BEING OFTEN REPROVED
SHALL SUDDENLY BE CUT OFF,

“AND THAT WITHOUT REMEDY.”

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU RIGHT NOW

FROM UP IN THE STANDS
EVERYWHERE,

TO COME AND STAND
IN FRONT OF THE PLATFORM,

AND SAY BY COMING,

“I DO WANT CHRIST.

“I WANT HIM TO FILL MY LIFE,
I WANT HIM TO FORGIVE ME.

“I WANT GOD TO PUT HIS ARMS
AROUND ME AND LOVE ME.

“I DO COME HOME TO HIM TONIGHT.”

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU TO GET UP
AND COME RIGHT NOW,

HUNDREDS OF YOU.

FRIENDS CAN COME TOGETHER,

HUSBAND AND WIFE
CAN COME TOGETHER.

SWEETHEARTS CAN
COME TOGETHER.

BUT JUST GET UP AND COME,
WE’RE GOING TO WAIT ON YOU.

QUICKLY, YOU GET UP AND COME.

HUNDREDS OF YOU.

♪ JUST AS I AM
WITHOUT ONE PLEA ♪

THE PHONE NUMBER
ON YOUR SCREEN RIGHT NOW

IS A NUMBER THAT YOU CAN CALL

FOR SPIRITUAL HELP
AND COUNSEL.

MANY OF YOU NEED TO MAKE
YOUR COMMITMENT

TO JESUS CHRIST.

OR THERE’S SOME SPIRITUAL NEED
THAT YOU HAVE

THAT YOU NEED HELP WITH.

A COUNSELOR IS STANDING BY
READY TO TALK WITH YOU,

SO MAKE THAT CALL NOW.

♪ O LAMB OF GOD,
I COME ♪

♪ I COME ♪

YOU THAT HAVE BEEN WATCHING
ON TELEVISION,

YOU CAN MAKE THAT SAME
COMMITMENT,

JUST PICK UP THE TELEPHONE

AND CALL THAT COUNSELOR
RIGHT NOW

THAT’S STANDING BY
TO TALK WITH YOU

ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM
AND YOUR NEED OF CHRIST.

YOU CAN MAKE THAT COMMITMENT
WITH THESE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE

THAT ARE COMING HERE
IN ANCHORAGE TONIGHT.

GOD HELP YOU TO MAKE THAT
COMMITMENT NOW

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.

(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 ♪