The University of Life | Billy Graham Classic Sermon

FROM OUR ARCHIVES…

THE BILLY GRAHAM CLASSICS.

[applause]

TONIGHT I WANT TO SPEAK ON
“THE UNIVERSITY OF LIFE.”

MANY OF YOU GO TO COLLEGE
OR THE UNIVERSITY,

AND IF YOU DON’T GO,
YOU MAYBE ARE PLANNING TO GO,

AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT
THE UNIVERSITY

THAT WE ALL ATTEND IN LIFE.

AND I WANT TO TAKE
AS A TEXT

MATTHEW , THE 11TH CHAPTER,
THESE WORDS, THE 28TH VERSE,

“COME UNTO ME ALL YE THAT
LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN

“AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

“TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU
AND LEARN OF ME

“FOR I AM MEEK
AND LOWLY IN HEART

“AND YE SHALL FIND REST
UNTO YOUR SOULS.

“FOR MY YOKE IS EASY
AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.”

NOW IN THIS UNIVERSITY
OF LIFE,

YOU CAN FAIL,
BUT YOU CANNOT DROP OUT.

AND “UNTO ME,”
JESUS SAID, “COME UNTO ME,”

THAT’S THE FIRST INVITATION
THAT HE EVER GAVE

WAS IN THIS PASSAGE.

“ALL YE THAT LABOR,”

THAT WORD “LABOR” MEANS
A TOILER,

A PERSON THAT CANNOT FIND REST,

“AND ARE HEAVY LADEN.”

THEY WERE LADENED DOWN
WITH THE CEREMONIES OF THE LAW.

THE CEREMONIAL LAW
AND THE MORAL LAW

OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.

ALL THE RULES THAT
THE PHARISEES

AND THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
HAD LAID DOWN,

ALL THE LEGALISTIC THINGS.

AND THEY WERE LADENED DOWN
WITH IT.

THEY WERE LABORING WITH IT.

JESUS SAID, “COME UNTO ME
AND I’LL GIVE YOU REST.”

THE REST OF REFRESHMENT.

NOT THE REST OF DOING NOTHING.

AND THIS INVITATION
IS TO MEN AND WOMEN

WHO ARE EXHAUSTED
WITH THEIR SEARCH FOR TRUTH.

YOU’VE BECOME EXHAUSTED

SEARCHING FOR THE PURPOSE
AND THE MEANING OF LIFE.

WHERE DID I COME FROM?

WHY AM I HERE?

AND, WHERE AM I GOING?

I’M SEARCHING FOR A PURPOSE
AND A MEANING TO MY LIFE.

I’M SEARCHING FOR TRUTH,

AND YOU’RE EXHAUSTED FROM IT.

JESUS IS CLAIMING THAT
THE WEARY SEARCH FOR GOD

ENDS WITH HIMSELF.

HE SAID, “NOW YOU’VE FOUND
THE TRUTH.

“I AM THE TRUTH.”

YOU CAN STOP YOUR SEARCHING.

YOU’VE FOUND IT.

HE SAID, “TAKE MY YOKE
UPON YOU AND LEARN OF ME,

“FOR I’M MEEK
AND LOWLY IN HEART

“AND YE SHALL FIND REST
UNTO YOUR SOULS,

“FOR MY YOKE IS EASY
AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.”

JESUS SAID, “COME TO ME ALL
YE THAT ARE WEARY AND BURDENED,

“AND I’LL GIVE YOU REST.”

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO HAVE
THE RELAXATION AND THE REST

THAT JESUS CAN GIVE YOU?

THERE’S SOME OF YOU
WATCHING BY TELEVISION

THAT WOULD LIKE THAT.

THERE’S A NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN.

YOU CAN PICK UP A PHONE

AND CALL RIGHT NOW

AND TALK TO A PERSON
WHO IS TRAINED

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
AND HELP YOU,

BECAUSE YOU CAN HAVE
THIS RELAXATION AND PEACE

AND FORGIVENESS AND JOY

THAT CHRIST CAN BRING
INTO YOUR LIFE.

PICK UP THE PHONE NOW AND CALL.

BUT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE
THAT WANT TO ESCAPE FROM LIFE.

AND THEY SAY WITH THE PSALMIST,

“O THAT I HAD WINGS
LIKE A DOVE,

“FOR THEN WOULD I FLY AWAY
AND GET OUT OF THE WORLD.”

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED
TO DO THAT?

JUST GET OUT OF THE MESS
YOU’RE IN?

GET AWAY FROM THE PRESSURES
OF LIFE AND FLY AWAY.

WELL, YOU CAN’T.

THE PSALMIST’S
LONGING TO ESCAPE,

HAS BECOME THE CRY OF
SO MANY IN OUR WORLD TODAY.

THE BIBLE IS RIGHT UP TO DATE.

IT IS THE BOOK OF LIFE FOR MAN,

AND IT’S NEVER CHANGED.

THE PSALMIST ALSO SAID,

“I’M FULL OF HEAVINESS AND
I LOOKED FOR SOME TO TAKE PITY,

“BUT THERE WAS NONE,

“AND FOR COMFORTERS,
BUT I FOUND NONE.”

AND YOU’VE LOOKED EVERYWHERE
FOR HELP,

AND YOU HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE
TO FIND IT.

AND I THINK THAT THE PERIOD
BETWEEN ABOUT 14 AND 25

IS THE TOUGHEST PERIOD
IN ALL OF LIFE

BECAUSE YOUR BODY IS CHANGING,

YOU’RE CHANGING PSYCHOLOGICALLY
AND PHYSIOLOGICALLY,

AND YET YOU’RE ASKED TO MAKE
SOME OF THE GREATEST DECISIONS

OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!

WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO
GO TO SCHOOL.

WHAT KIND OF JOB DO YOU WANT,

OR IF YOU CAN EVEN GET A JOB.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE
YOUR VOCATION?

WHO YOU’RE GOING TO MARRY.

AND YOU’RE ASKED TO MAKE
THOSE LIFETIME DECISIONS.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE
YOUR PHILOSOPHY IN LIFE?

WHO’S GOING TO GUIDE YOU
AND DIRECT YOU?

WHAT’S GOING TO BE
YOUR RELIGION?

BECAUSE ALL OF US
ARE RELIGIOUS BY NATURE.

WE BELIEVE THAT THERE’S A GOD.

I DON’T BELIEVE THERE
ARE ANY ATHEISTS

IN THIS AUDIENCE TONIGHT.

TO THOSE WHO FEEL
THERE’S NO WAY OUT

OF THEIR PROBLEM,

JESUS SAID,
“I AM THE WAY OUT.”

JESUS SAID,
“LEARN OF ME.”

YOU SEE, JESUS WAS
THE PROFESSOR AT THIS UNIVERSITY

AND HE SPOKE AS ONE
HAVING AUTHORITY.

AND TODAY I WANT US TO SIT
AT THE FEET OF JESUS

AS A PROFESSOR.

NOW THERE ARE THREE
REQUIRED COURSES

IN THIS UNIVERSITY OF LIFE.

THREE REQUIRED COURSES–
YOU HAVE TO TAKE THEM.

THERE’S NOTHING
YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

FIRST, YOU’VE BEEN BORN,
LIFE ITSELF.

NOW, YOU DIDN’T CHOOSE
TO BE BORN.

ONE MAN SAID TO HIS SON,

“SON, IF YOU HAD ASKED
TO BE BORN,

“THE ANSWER WOULD HAVE BEEN NO.”

[laughter]

WE WERE NOT CONSULTED
ABOUT LIVING.

NOTHING WE CAN DO
TO STOP LIVING.

YOU DID NOT CHOOSE WHERE
YOU WERE GOING TO BE BORN.

AND YOU DIDN’T CHOOSE
WHAT COLOR SKIN

YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE.

THAT’S THE REASON YOU SHOULDN’T
EVER HAVE RACIAL PREJUDICE.

THAT PERSON WHO MAY HAVE
WHITE SKIN,

OR THAT PERSON WHO MAY HAVE
DARK SKIN, OR A BROWN SKIN,

THEY DIDN’T ASK,
THEY DIDN’T HAVE A CHOICE!

LOVE THEM AS
FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS,

AND CERTAINLY LOVE THEM
AS FELLOW CHRISTIANS

OR BELIEVERS,
IF THEY ARE.

SO YOU CANNOT ESCAPE.

YOU CAN’T JUMP OUT OF YOUR SKIN.

YOU CAN’T JUMP OUT OF YOUR RACE.

YOU CAN’T JUMP OUT OF LIFE.

YOU’RE HERE.

SO THAT’S ONE FACT
THAT YOU CAN’T CHANGE.

NOW THE SECOND REQUIRED COURSE
IS THAT YOU’RE GOING TO DIE.

YOU’RE BORN,

YOU LIVE,

BUT YOU’RE GOING TO DIE
SOMETIME.

GOD SAID TO HEZEKIAH,

“THOU SHALT DIE AND NOT LIVE.”

THE BIBLE SAID, “IT’S APPOINTED
UNTO MAN ONCE TO DIE,

“AND AFTER THAT,
THE JUDGMENT.”

ECCLESIASTES SAYS
THERE’S A TIME TO BE BORN

AND A TIME TO DIE.

IT DOESN’T MATTER WHETHER
IT’S FIVE YEARS OR TEN YEARS,

OR FIFTY YEARS FROM NOW,
YOU’RE GOING TO DIE.

MANY BIBLICAL CHARACTERS
AND MANY PEOPLE IN HISTORY

WHO LIVED MANY YEARS,
BUT THEY ALL DIED.

THERE’S A DAY,
THERE’S AN HOUR,

THERE’S A MINUTE
ALREADY APPOINTED,

ALREADY SET FOR YOUR DEATH.

THE BIBLE SAYS,
“SEEING HIS DAYS ARE DETERMINED,

“THE NUMBER OF HIS MONTHS
ARE WITH THEE.

“THOU HAST APPOINTED HIS BOUNDS
AND HE CANNOT PASS.”

THERE’S ONLY ONE MAN
IN HISTORY

WHO DID NOT HAVE TO DIE,

AND THAT WAS JESUS CHRIST.

BUT HE CHOSE TO DIE,

TO DIE FOR YOU
IN YOUR PLACE ON THE CROSS.

“NO MAN TAKETH IT FROM ME,

“BUT I
LAY IT DOWN OF MYSELF,” HE SAID.

HE DIDN’T HAVE TO DIE.

HE DID IT VOLUNTARILY
BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU,

AND HE LOVES YOU
AND HE LOVES YOU.

AND IT’S A WONDERFUL THING
TO KNOW THAT HE’S WILLING

TO HELP US CARRY
THE BURDENS OF LIFE,

AND THAT HE LOVES US

AND HE’S WILLING TO
FORGIVE OUR SINS

AND OUR FAILURES
AND OUR MISTAKES,

AND WE CAN START LIFE
ALL OVER AGAIN.

WE CAN BE BORN ANEW,
BORN AFRESH, BORN AGAIN.

THINK OF IT–

HE NOT ONLY DIED ON THE CROSS
AND THEY BURIED HIM,

BUT HE WAS RAISED
FROM THE DEAD

AND HE’S COMING BACK.

HE SAID, “THERE’S MORE!

“THE BEST IS YET TO BE.”

“FOR TO THIS END,
CHRIST BOTH DIED AND ROSE

“THAT HE MIGHT BE LORD

“BOTH OF THE DEAD AND
THE LIVING.”

“IF IN THIS LIFE ONLY
WE HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST,

“WE ARE OF ALL MEN
MOST MISERABLE.”

IF THIS IS THE END,

IF THIS LIFE
IS ALL THERE IS,

WE’RE MISERABLE.

WHAT’S LIFE ALL ABOUT
IF THIS IS IT?

WE LIVE A SHORT TIME
AND WE DIE?

THEN IT’S ALL OVER?

DON’T TELL ME THAT.

THERE’S A MEANING TO LIFE!

THERE’S A PURPOSE TO LIFE!

AND IT’S OUTLINED
IN THE BIBLE.

OUTLINES EXACTLY WHAT
IT’S GOING TO BE.

AND TELLS YOU EXACTLY
HOW TO DO IT.

DEATH IS NEVER THE LAST WORD
IN THE LIFE OF A GOOD PERSON.

THERE’S LIFE AFTER DEATH.

PAUL WROTE TO THE ROMANS
“THAT IF THOU SHALT CONFESS

“WITH THY MOUTH
THE LORD JESUS,

“AND BELIEVE IN THINE HEART
THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM

“FROM THE DEAD,

“THOU SHALT BE SAVED.”

THOU SHALT BE SAVED,

YOU SHALL BE SAVED.

IF YOU’RE WILLING
TO ACKNOWLEDGE CHRIST

AS LORD AND SAVIOR AND
YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART

AND COMMIT YOURSELF
TO A RISEN CHRIST,

YOU CAN BE SAVED TONIGHT!

AND YOU CAN KNOW IT!

AND THEN THE THIRD THING
IN THIS UNIVERSITY

THAT’S REQUIRED,

AND THAT IS THE JUDGMENT OF GOD
IS REQUIRED.

SOME DAY YOU WILL HAVE TO GIVE
A MORAL ACCOUNT

OF THE LIFE
THAT YOU LIVED HERE.

YOU SEE, FROM THE MOMENT
THAT YOU WERE CONCEIVED,

GOD HAS BEEN WATCHING YOU,

AND RECORDING
IN SOMETHING CALLED THE BOOKS,

EVERY THOUGHT
THAT YOU EVER THINK,

EVERY MOTIVE THAT YOU HAVE,

EVERY DECISION THAT YOU MAKE,

EVERY WORD THAT YOU SAY,

ALL THE HIDDEN THINGS ARE THERE

TO BE SHOWN ON THE SCREEN
SOME DAY AT THE JUDGMENT,

AND TO BE LISTENED TO.

AND YOU WILL BE JUDGED
ACCORDING TO WHAT IS THERE,

UNLESS YOU HAVE COME
TO THE CROSS

AND REPENTED OF YOUR SINS,

AND RECEIVED CHRIST
AS SAVIOR,

THEN THE TAPES ARE ERASED.

THE PICTURES ARE WIPED OUT,

AND EVEN GOD CANNOT RECALL THEM.

IT SAYS,
GOD FORGETS OUR SINS.

HE BURIES THEM
IN THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA.

WHEN YOU’RE BORN,

YOUR NAME IS WRITTEN
IN THE BOOKS,

AND EVERYTHING YOU’VE EVER DONE
OR THOUGHT OR SAID

ARE WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS.

WHEN YOU RECEIVE CHRIST,
REALLY RECEIVE HIM,

I DON’T MEAN
JUST JOINING A CHURCH,

I MEAN REALLY RECEIVING HIM,

COMMITTING YOUR LIFE
TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY TO HIM,

WHEN YOU DO THAT,

HE WIPES YOUR NAME
OUT OF THE BOOKS,

BLOTS IT OUT,

AND WRITES YOUR NAME
IN THE BOOK OF LIFE,

AND IF YOUR NAME
IS IN THE BOOK OF LIFE,

YOU’RE GOING TO GO TO HEAVEN.

AND YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE
HEAVEN HERE ON EARTH,

FROM THAT MOMENT ON.

OH, THERE’LL BE PROBLEMS
AND SORROWS AND DIFFICULTIES

AND ALL, BUT HE’LL BE
WITH YOU THROUGH THEM.

AND EVEN WHEN YOU COME TO DIE,

HE’LL BE THERE
TO HOLD YOUR HAND

IN THAT MOMENT
THAT YOU MUST FACE.

NOW, THERE ARE CERTAIN COURSES
AT THE UNIVERSITY

THAT YOU CAN CHOOSE.

THE OPTIONS
IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LIFE.

FIRST, YOU CAN CHOOSE
YOUR WAY OF LIFE.

JOSHUA SAID,
“CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY…”

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

THAT’S WHAT MAKES US
DIFFERENT FROM THE ANIMALS,

AT LEAST PARTIALLY DIFFERENT
FROM THE ANIMALS.

WE HAVE THE RIGHT
OF MORAL CHOICE.

YOU CAN CHOOSE.

GOD DOESN’T COERCE ANYBODY
INTO HIS KINGDOM.

HE DOESN’T MAKE YOU OBEY HIM.

YOU CAN CHOOSE.

YOU CAN REJECT HIM
IF YOU WANT TO.

YOU CAN SHAKE YOUR FIST AT HIM
IF YOU WANT TO.

OR YOU CAN OPEN YOUR HEART
AND LET HIM IN.

BECAUSE THE BIBLE TEACHES

THAT HE’S KNOCKING
AT YOUR HEART’S DOOR,

WANTING TO COME IN.

THE BIBLE TEACHES
THERE ARE TWO ROADS OF LIFE.

EITHER THROUGH
THE NARROW GATE,

OR “ENTER THROUGH
THE NARROW GATE

“FOR WIDE IS THE GATE
AND BROAD IS THE ROAD

“THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION,

“AND MANY THERE BE
THAT GO THEREIN,

“BUT SMALL IS THE GATE
AND NARROW IS THE WAY

“THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE,

“AND FEW THERE BE
THAT FIND IT.”

HE SAID ONLY A FEW OF
THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN BORN

IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD

ARE GOING TO FIND
THAT NARROW GATE.

THEY MAY FIND IT,
BUT THEY REFUSE TO GO IN.

OR THEY NEGLECT TO GO IN.

THE NARROW GATE IS THE CROSS.

YOU HAVE TO COME
BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS.

OH, WE LIKE TO HAVE
A CROSS AROUND OUR NECK.

WE LIKE TO HAVE IT EMBOSSED
ON OUR BIBLES.

WE LIKE TO SEE
BEAUTIFUL GOLD CROSSES.

WE LIKE TO SEE THE CROSS

ON THE TOP OF THE STEEPLES
IN THE CHURCHES.

THAT’S NOT WHAT
I’M TALKING ABOUT.

I’M TALKING ABOUT
THAT OLD RUGGED CROSS

WHERE CHRIST DIED
AND SHED HIS BLOOD FOR YOU.

YOU COME TO THAT CROSS

AND SAY, “LORD, I AM A SINNER
AND I’M SORRY,

“AND I’M WILLING TO TURN
FROM MY SINS

“AND I RECEIVE YOU
FROM THIS MOMENT ON

“AND I MAKE TOTAL COMMITMENT
TO YOU WITHOUT RESERVATION.”

THAT’S WHEN YOUR NAME
IS BLOTTED OUT OF THE BOOKS,

AND THAT’S WHEN YOU’RE WALKING
ON THE NARROW ROAD.

THAT’S WHEN YOU GO THROUGH
THE NARROW GATE

THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE.

JEREMIAH SAID,
“THUS SAITH THE LORD,

“BEHOLD I SET BEFORE YOU
THE WAY OF LIFE

“AND THE WAY OF DEATH.”

THERE ARE TWO WAYS
SET FORTH IN THE BIBLE.

THE WAY OF LIFE,
THE WAY OF DEATH.

WHICH WAY ARE YOU ON?

WHICH ROAD ARE YOU ON?

I’M ASKING YOU TONIGHT
TO CHANGE ROADS

BECAUSE YOU’RE ON
THE WAY OF DEATH,

YOU’RE ON THE BROAD ROAD
THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION.

TURN! CHANGE!

YOU CAN!

THAT’S WHAT THIS MEETING
IS ALL ABOUT.

THAT’S WHY THESE MEN
HAVE WORKED AND PRAYED

AND THESE WOMEN
AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

TO BRING THIS ALL ABOUT
SO THAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU

WILL CHANGE ROADS
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.

YOU SEE, SATAN USED
A BEAUTIFUL SERPENT

TO COME AND DECEIVE
ADAM AND EVE.

AND HE TEMPTS IN THREE WAYS

AND HE’S TEMPTING IN THOSE SAME
THREE WAYS TONIGHT TO YOU.

APPETITE,

BEAUTY,

PRIDE.

IN GENESIS 3:6,

SHE SAW THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT
THAT IT WAS GOOD FOR FOOD.

APPETITE.

SECONDLY,
PLEASANT TO THE EYES–

BEAUTY.

MAKE ONE WISE–

PRIDE.

SATAN DID NOT DISGUISE HIMSELF
WHEN HE TEMPTED CHRIST

IN THE SAME THREE WAYS.

JESUS RESISTED HIM.

AND DO YOU KNOW HOW JESUS
RESISTED THE DEVIL

WHEN HE CAME IN THE SAME
THREE WAYS THAT HE DID TO EVE?

BY QUOTING SCRIPTURE.

HE DIDN’T ARGUE
WITH THE DEVIL.

HE JUST QUOTED SCRIPTURE.

HE SAID,
“IT IS WRITTEN,

“THOU SHALT NOT TEMPT
THE LORD THY GOD.”

NOW HE TEMPTS YOU
IN THE SAME WAY THREE WAYS.

THERE’S FIRST,
THE LUST OF THE EYE.

THAT’S THE APPETITE
FOR THINGS.

POSSESSIONS CAN BECOME
THE SUPREME OBJECT OF YOUR LIFE.

THESE THINGS ARE
NOT WRONG,

BUT WHEN YOUR LIFE
IS CENTERED

IN THE ACQUISITION
OF MONEY AND POSSESSIONS,

THAT’S WRONG.

THAT BECOMES IDOL WORSHIP.

AND GOD HATES IDOL WORSHIP
MORE THAN ANY OTHER SIN.

THAT’S THE LUST OF THE EYE.

THEN THERE’S THE LUST
OF THE FLESH, PLEASURE.

IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

THERE’S LUST.

PHYSICAL THINGS.

LUXURY, ENTERTAINMENT
TAKING FIRST PLACE OVER GOD.

AND SOME OF US ARE SELLING
OUR SOULS FOR PLEASURE.

OVEREATING.

WRONG USE OF SEX.

TOO MUCH ALCOHOL.

THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,

“THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY
AND THE LUST THEREOF,

“BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL
OF GOD SHALL ABIDE FOREVER.”

THAT’S WHAT WE HEARD
A MOMENT AGO.

IT PASSES AWAY.

ALL OF THIS THAT YOU SEE
AND HEAR AND ARE DOING

WILL BE GONE IN A SHORT TIME.

THE ONLY THING
THAT WILL LAST

IS WHAT YOU’VE BEEN DOING
FOR GOD

AND YOUR FAITH IN HIM.

THEN THERE’S THE PRIDE OF LIFE.

THAT’S POSITION, THE EGO,

WITH ALL OF
ITS SELF-CENTEREDNESS.

NOT ONLY ARE THESE THINGS
WRONG IN GOD’S EYES,

BUT THEY DO NOT GIVE
PERMANENT SATISFACTION.

AND THEN THE SECOND THING
THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CHOOSE

YOU CAN CHOOSE WHO’S MASTER,

WHO’S GOING TO BE YOUR MASTER.

THE QUESTION
PUT TO PILATE WAS:

“WHAT SHALL I DO WITH JESUS?”

THAT WAS HIS QUESTION.

WHAT SHALL I DO WITH JESUS?

THAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT
QUESTION IN THE WORLD.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO
WITH JESUS?

YOU CANNOT ESCAPE JESUS CHRIST
IN OUR GENERATION,

HE’S EVERYWHERE.

ALL OVER THE WORLD,

HE’S KNOCKING
AT PEOPLE’S DOORS,

ASKING TO COME IN.

NOT PUSHING THE DOOR OPEN,

JUST ASKING FOR YOU
TO TURN THE HANDLE AND SAY,

“COME IN, LORD JESUS,
AND TAKE CHARGE OF MY LIFE.

“I’M MAKING A MESS OF IT.”

THE DISCIPLES ASKED HIM
IN AN EARLIER CHAPTER,

“WHOM DO MEN SAY THAT I AM?”

HE IS THE LORD AND THE MASTER,
THE SON OF GOD.

AND THEN THIRDLY,
YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION.

“WIDE IS THE GATE
AND BROAD IS THE WAY

“THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION.

“NARROW IS THE GATE
AND HARD IS THE WAY

“WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE,”

BUT YOU CHOOSE WHICH ROAD
YOU’RE GOING TO BE ON.

THAT’S YOUR CHOICE,
THAT’S YOUR OPTION.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO
DO ABOUT IT.

YOU CAN MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT
TONIGHT TO CHRIST.

AND SAY YES TO HIM.

I’VE MET THREE PEOPLE
ALREADY TODAY THAT SAID

THAT THEY MADE A COMMITMENT
TO JESUS CHRIST

IN ONE OF OUR CRUSADES
SOMEWHERE.

WELL, THREE TONIGHT.

ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE TODAY,
IN ALL.

AND THEY WOULDN’T TURN BACK
FOR ANYTHING.

THE JOY AND THE PEACE
AND THE SENSE OF FORGIVENESS

AND FULFILLMENT
THAT THEY FOUND IN CHRIST.

AND THE SCRIPTURE SAYS
COME WHILE YOU’RE YOUNG.

DON’T WAIT ‘TIL YOU GET OLDER.

BECAUSE YOU SEE,
THE OLDER YOU GET,

THE HARDER YOUR HEART BECOMES.

AND THERE’LL COME A TIME

WHEN THE SPIRIT OF GOD
WILL SPEAK TO YOU

BUT YOUR HEART
IS TOO HARD TO HEAR.

YOU’VE PUT IT OFF TOO LONG.

COME WHILE YOU CAN.

AND MANY OF YOU OLDER PEOPLE
OR SENIOR CITIZENS

THAT MAY BE HERE TONIGHT

THAT GOD HAS EVEN WHISPERED
TO YOU, “YOU COME,”

THIS MAY BE YOUR LAST MOMENT

WHEN YOU’LL BE SO CLOSE
TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

YOU OPEN YOUR HEART
AND LET CHRIST IN.

YOU SAY,
“WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?”

FIRST,

REPENT OF YOUR SINS.

THE WORD “REPENT”
MEANS TO CHANGE.

CHANGE YOUR MIND.

CHANGE YOUR WAY OF LIVING.

BUT YOU CAN’T DO THAT.

YOU HAVE NO POWER TO DO THAT.

THERE’S SOME THINGS
IN YOUR LIFE

THAT YOU KNOW ARE WRONG
THAT YOU CANNOT GIVE UP,

BUT GOD WILL HELP YOU
IF YOU’LL LET HIM.

AND THEN THE SECOND THING,

YOU MUST RECEIVE HIM
BY FAITH.

NOW THE WORD “FAITH”
MEANS COMMITMENT,

TOTAL COMMITMENT.

I TOTALLY COMMIT MYSELF
TO CHRIST WITHOUT RESERVATION.

I’M GOING TO TRUST HIM
AND HIM ALONE FOR MY SALVATION.

AND I WANT TO KNOW
THAT I’M READY TO MEET HIM.

YOU MAY BE A MEMBER
OF THE CHURCH,

YOU MAY BE
A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER.

YOU MAY EVEN BE A PASTOR
OF A CHURCH,

BUT YOU’RE NOT SURE ABOUT
WHERE YOU STAND WITH GOD.

THERE WAS A BISHOP
ON THE WEST COAST

SUMMER BEFORE LAST

THAT CAME FORWARD
IN ONE OF OUR CRUSADES

AND I WENT TO HIM
AND I ASKED HIM,

I SAID, “SIR, WHY DID YOU
COME FORWARD TONIGHT?

“YOU’RE THE BISHOP
OF THE CHURCH.”

HE SAID, “MR GRAHAM,”
HE SAID, “I AM A BISHOP,

“AND I’VE READ THE BIBLE

“AND I’VE BEEN RELIGIOUS
FOR MANY YEARS,

“BUT I HAVE NO ASSURANCE
IN MY HEART

“IF I DIED RIGHT NOW
I’D GO TO HEAVEN.

“I CAME FORWARD TONIGHT
TO BE SURE.

“I WANT TO MAKE SURE.”

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO COME TONIGHT AND MAKE SURE.

IF YOU’RE WITH FRIENDS OR
RELATIVES, THEY’LL WAIT ON YOU.

OR IF YOU’VE COME IN A BUS,
THEY’LL WAIT.

NOW IT’S NOT EASY
TO FOLLOW CHRIST,

I DON’T WANT YOU
TO GET ME WRONG.

IT COSTS YOU SOMETHING.

YOU MUST DENY SELF,

ALL YOUR SELFISH AMBITIONS
AND DREAMS,

AND PUT THEM IN HIS HANDS,

AND SAY,
“THY WILL BE DONE, LORD.”

AND THEN,

YOU MUST BE WILLING
TO TAKE UP A CROSS

AND THAT’S NOT EASY
TO TAKE UP A CROSS,

A PLACE OF EXECUTION.

TAKE YOUR STAND FOR CHRIST
IN YOUR BUSINESS,

OR IN SCHOOL,

OR HERE IN FT. LAUDERDALE,

WHERE YOU’RE VISITING,
OR WHERE YOU LIVE.

AND LET ALL OF YOUR NEIGHBORS
AND FRIENDS KNOW

THAT YOU’RE STANDING
FOR CHRIST NO MATTER WHAT.

THAT’S TAKING UP THE CROSS.

BECAUSE YOU’LL BE RIDICULED.

THEY MAY LAUGH AND SNEER AND…

NOT AS MUCH AS THEY USED TO.

PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING
TO RESPECT THOSE

THAT STAND UP FOR CHRIST,
IN OUR COUNTRY, AT LEAST.

I’VE BEEN TO SOME COUNTRIES
WHERE IT’S HARD TO SERVE CHRIST.

I’VE BEEN TO COUNTRIES
THAT YOU WOULDN’T THINK OF

AND THEY SAID, “YOU KNOW,
WE ARE PERSECUTED

“FOR OUR FAITH IN CHRIST,

“BUT WE’D RATHER HAVE
OUR PERSECUTION,

“THAN ALL THE THINGS
YOU IN AMERICA HAVE

“TO TEMPT US
AND PULL US AWAY FROM CHRIST.

“WE’D RATHER HAVE CHRIST
AND THE SUFFERING

“THAN TO HAVE
A PARTIAL CHRIST

“OR TO BE A HALFWAY CHRISTIAN
WITH NO SUFFERING.”

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO COME TONIGHT

AND SAY, BY COMING,

“I WANT TO FOLLOW CHRIST.

“I WANT TO MARCH WITH HIM.

“I WANT TO FOLLOW HIS FLAG.

“I WANT TO SERVE HIM.

“I WANT HIM TO FORGIVE
MY SINS

“AND GIVE ME THE CERTAINTY
THAT IF I DIED I’D GO TO HEAVEN

“AND THAT MY SINS
ARE FORGIVEN.”

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

HUNDREDS OF YOU,

AND DO WHAT WE’VE SEEN SEVERAL
THOUSAND PEOPLE DO ALREADY

IN THE FIRST FOUR NIGHTS.

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

AND COME AND STAND
IN FRONT OF THE PLATFORM,

AND AFTER YOU’VE COME
AND STOOD HERE FOR A MOMENT,

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

AND GIVE YOU SOME LITERATURE

TO HELP YOU
IN YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.

YOU SAY,
“WHY DO YOU ASK PEOPLE

“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 BEFORE MEN,

“I’LL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE YOU
BEFORE MY FATHER

“WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.”

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT
COMING FORWARD PUBLICLY

THAT SETTLES IT AND SEALS IT
IN YOUR LIFE.

YOU COME FORWARD TONIGHT
AND MAKE THAT COMMITMENT.

IF THERE’S A DOUBT
IN YOUR LIFE,

YOU MAKE SURE
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HERE

BECAUSE YOU MAY NEVER
HAVE A CHANCE LIKE THIS AGAIN.

“HE THAT HARDENETH HIS HEART,
BEING OFTEN REPROVED,

“SHALL SUDDENLY BE CUT OFF,
AND THAT WITHOUT REMEDY.”

WE’RE GOING TO WAIT ON YOU.

IF YOU COME FROM THAT STAND
BACK THERE,

IT TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE,
A MINUTE-AND-A-HALF.

OVER HERE, THE SAME,

ABOUT A MINUTE,
MAYBE TWO MINUTES TO COME.

♪ JUST AS I AM
WITHOUT ONE PLEA ♪

♪ BUT THAT THY BLOOD WAS
SHED FOR ME… ♪

AS YOU SEE THESE MANY HUNDREDS
RESPONDING TO THIS INVITATION

TO ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS CHRIST
AS LORD AND SAVIOR,

YOU, TOO, CAN MAKE
THAT SAME COMMITMENT

BY CALLING
THE PHONE NUMBER

THAT’S ON YOUR SCREEN
RIGHT NOW.

COUNSELORS ARE WAITING
TO TALK WITH YOU.

SO MAKE THAT CALL NOW.

♪ I COME ♪

TO YOU THAT ARE WATCHING
BY TELEVISION,

YOU CAN SEE THAT HERE
IN FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA,

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE COMING

TO MAKE THAT COMMITMENT
TO JESUS CHRIST.

YOU CAN MAKE
THE SAME COMMITMENT

WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND IF YOU WILL,
PICK UP THE PHONE

AND CALL THAT NUMBER
ON THE SCREEN

AND IF YOU GET A BUSY SIGNAL,

THEY’LL BE THERE ALL EVENING,

KEEP CALLING AND MAKE THAT
COMMITMENT OVER THE PHONE,

WITH THESE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
THAT ARE COMING HERE

IN FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA.

GOD BLESS YOU.

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.

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.