There’s pleasure in sin for a season—but it doesn’t last. Billy Graham explains in this 1991 message from East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES…
THE BILLY GRAHAM CLASSICS.
♪
♪ I FOUND A FRIEND ♪
♪ WHEN LIFE SEEMED
NOT WORTH LIVING ♪
♪ I FOUND A FRIEND ♪
♪ SO TENDER
AND FORGIVING ♪
♪ I CAN’T CONCEIVE HOW
SUCH A THING COULD BE ♪
♪ THAT JESUS CARED
FOR EVEN ME ♪
♪ EACH DAY, EACH YEAR
MY FAITH IN HIM IS GROWING ♪
♪ HE’S EVER NEAR,
HIS LOVE IS OVERFLOWING ♪
♪ I HAVE NO FEAR ♪
♪ MY WORLDLY CARES ARE FEW ♪
♪ I FOUND A FRIEND ♪
♪ HE CAN BE YOUR FRIEND, TOO ♪
♪ I FOUND A FRIEND ♪
♪ HE CAN BE YOUR FRIEND, TOO. ♪
♪ BECAUSE HE CAME ♪
♪ MY SOUL WILL LIVE
IN GLORY ♪
♪ I’LL PRAISE HIS NAME AND
TELL MY SAVIOR’S STORY ♪
♪ WHAT FRIEND SO TRUE
WOULD GIVE IT ALL FOR YOU? ♪
♪ I FOUND A FRIEND
AND LIFE BEGAN ANEW ♪
♪ I’M SURE YOU WILL FIND THAT
HE’LL BE YOUR FRIEND, TOO. ♪
♪ WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE
IN JESUS ♪
♪ WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN HIM ♪
♪♪
[applause]
NOW TONIGHT I WANT YOU
TO TURN WITH ME
TO THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER
OF LUKE’S GOSPEL.
THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER
OF LUKE’S GOSPEL
AND HERE IS WHERE JESUS
IS TELLING A STORY.
HE TELLS THREE STORIES.
HE ALWAYS USED STORIES TO
ILLUSTRATE SPIRITUAL TRUTH.
THEY ARE CALLED PARABLES.
AND EVERYBODY LIKES
A GOOD STORY.
AND JESUS WAS ACCUSED BY
THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES
AND SOME OF THE
RELIGIOUS LEADERS
OF FELLOWSHIPPING AND
TALKING TO SINNERS,
AND THEY DIDN’T
THINK YOU SHOULD,
AND SO HE TOLD THIS STORY.
HE TOLD ABOUT A SON
THAT WANTED
TO GET HIS INHERITANCE
AND LEAVE HOME
AND IT’S WELL KNOWN AROUND
THE WORLD AS THE PRODIGAL SON.
IT’S A PICTURE OF A YOUNG MAN,
MAYBE OUT ON A FARM.
HE HAS A BROTHER,
AN OLDER BROTHER,
AND HE GOES TO HIS FATHER
AND IT WAS THE LAW OF THE LAND
AND IT WAS THE LAW OF
THE DAY THAT HE COULD ASK
FOR HIS INHERITANCE AND
BEING THE YOUNGEST SON,
HE INHERITED ONE THIRD
OF THE ESTATE.
AND HIS FATHER
WAS A WEALTHY MAN.
AND THE FATHER TRIED
TO TALK HIM OUT OF IT.
HE SAID, “DAD, I’M TIRED
OF BEING HERE ON THE FARM.
“I’M TIRED OF BEING
UNDER YOUR AUTHORITY.
“I’M GOING TO GO
TO THE BIG CITY
“AND I’M GOING TO
LIVE IT UP.”
SO HE DECIDED HE WOULD
GO TO NEW YORK
OR HE WOULD GO TO
SOME GREAT CITY,
AND HE TOOK HIS MONEY,
AND WHEN HE GOT THERE
HE FOUND SOME PEOPLE
THAT WERE VERY HAPPY
TO BE HIS FRIENDS,
BECAUSE HE HAD MONEY
TO THROW AROUND
AND MONEY TO SPEND ON THEM.
AND HE TOOK THEM TO THE BEST
PLAYS AND HE TOOK THEM TO
THE BEST RESTAURANTS AND
THE BEST NIGHTCLUBS
AND HE HAD A MARVELOUS TIME,
FOR A SHORT TIME.
THE BIBLE SAYS THERE’S
PLEASURE IN SIN FOR A SEASON;
THEN IT COMES TO AN END.
YOU CAN HAVE
A GOOD TIME IN SEX,
IN GETTING DRUNK,
I’M TOLD.
AND I SEE IT ON TELEVISION.
THEY SEEM TO BE
HAVING A GOOD TIME.
BUT THERE COMES
AN END TO IT.
THERE’S AN EMPTINESS TO IT.
IT LEAVES A VOID
AND YOU NEVER GET ENOUGH.
AND HE WAS VERY MUCH
LIKE YOUNG PEOPLE
IN OUR MODERN GENERATION.
THEY DON’T WANT TO BE
TOLD WHAT TO DO
AND THAT’S WHAT YOUNG
PEOPLE ARE SAYING,
SOME YOUNG PEOPLE
ARE SAYING,
TO THEIR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
AND THE LOCAL POLICE.
SOME OF THEM ARE SAYING,
“HAVE SEX NOW,
“DON’T WAIT FOR MARRIAGE.”
“BUY NOW ON CREDIT,
PAY LATER,” IF YOU CAN.
“ASSERT YOUR INDEPENDENCE,
ASSERT YOUR DEPENDENCE.”
“DO YOUR OWN THING, REGARDLESS
OF THE CONSEQUENCES.”
THE ATLANTA BASED CENTER
FOR DISEASE CONTROL SAYS
THAT THE NUMBER OF AMERICAN
GIRLS WHO ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE
BY THE TIME THEY
ARE OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL
HAS JUMPED FROM
28 PERCENT IN 1970
TO 51 PERCENT LAST YEAR.
IT’S CURRENTLY ESTIMATED THAT
ONE IN FIVE HUNDRED ADULTS
IN THE WORLD ARE NOW
INFECTED WITH AIDS.
AND IT’S GOING
TO BE AN EPIDEMIC
THAT SOME PEOPLE FEEL
COULD DESTROY THE HUMAN RACE
UNLESS WE FIND AN
ANSWER TO IT AND FIND IT SOON.
THIS YOUNG MAN IN
JESUS’ STORY SETS OUT.
HE’S GOING TO LIVE
THAT KIND OF LIFE.
HE WANTS ALL THAT HE CAN GET
OUT OF LIFE, THE GOOD TIMES.
OUT OF SIGHT OF ANYONE WHO
MIGHT KNOW AND CRITICIZE HIM,
FREE TO DO AS HE PLEASES.
THERE ARE OVER
A MILLION RUN-A-WAYS
IN THE UNITED STATES
EVERY YEAR.
I REALIZE MANY LEFT HOME
BECAUSE OF ABUSE AND SO FORTH.
A RECENT ARTICLE TOLD OF A BOY
WHO TURNED TO LIFE ON THE STREET
WHEN HE WAS TWELVE AND HE SAID,
“I WAS A KID IN TROUBLE.
“I WAS IN TROUBLE WITH
THE LAW, WITH DRUGS,
“WITH ALCOHOL, WITH
MY MOM, WITH SCHOOL.
“I WAS BOTH DRUG ADDICT
AND DRUG DEALER.
“I WAS A CRIMINAL
AND A VICTIM.
“I WAS AN ABUSER
AND ABUSED.”
AND HOW MANY OF OUR YOUNG
PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO THE STREETS
AND LEFT HOME?
STREET LIFE IS A DANGEROUS
BUSINESS, LET ME TELL YOU.
ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE
RUN-A-WAYS IS LURED INTO
PROSTITUTION WITHIN
48 HOURS OF LEAVING HOME.
WITH THE THREAT OF AIDS,
PROSTITUTION IS A SLOW FORM
OF SUICIDE.
ALMOST ALL STREET DRUG
USERS SHARE NEEDLES.
IN THEIR HUNGER FOR A FIX,
MOST IGNORE
THE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST AIDS.
STREET KIDS DIE QUICKLY
AND QUIETLY,
WE’RE TOLD IN OUR MAGAZINES.
IN AMERICA, MORE THAN
5,000 TEENAGERS A YEAR
ARE BURIED IN
UNMARKED GRAVES,
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
5,000 TEENAGERS A YEAR ARE
BURIED IN UNMARKED GRAVES.
TEENAGERS ARE NOT ONLY,
ARE NOT THE ONLY RUN-A-WAYS
IN OUR SOCIETY.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
MEN AND WOMEN RUN
AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AND FROM
THEIR MARRIAGES THROUGH DIVORCE.
ONE PERSON SPEAKING OF
AN AFFLUENT COMMUNITY IN
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SAID,
“EVERYONE HERE IS RUNNING
“FROM SOMETHING AND
THIS IS THE LAST STOP.
“THERE ISN’T ANYWHERE
TO GO FROM HERE.”
I SAW A BOOK WITH A TITLE
THE OTHER DAY IN THE BOOKSHOP,
“HELP, LORD,
MY WHOLE LIFE HURTS.”
AND HOW MANY HURTING PEOPLE
THERE ARE HERE TONIGHT.
THIS PRODIGAL SON IS
A PICTURE OF ALL OF US,
BECAUSE ALL OF US IN A WAY
ARE RUNNING FROM SOMETHING.
SOME OF US HAVE TO DEPEND ON
SOME SORT OF SEDATIVE
JUST TO GET THROUGH THE DAY,
OR SOME SORT OF JOLT.
SOME AID TO GET THROUGH
THE DAY OR THROUGH THE NIGHT.
WE’VE AIMED FOR OUR
PERSONAL HAPPINESS
AND MISSED THE MARK OF
GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR LIVES.
JESUS SAID, “YOU SERVE ME
WITH YOUR LIPS
“BUT YOUR HEART IS
FAR FROM ME.”
MANY OF YOU GO TO CHURCH.
MOST OF YOU, I’D SAY,
HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED
OR YOU HAVE GONE
THROUGH CONFIRMATION,
BUT DEEP INSIDE
THERE’S A VOID,
THERE’S AN EMPTINESS
AND YOU ARE NOT CERTAIN
THAT IF YOU DIED AT THIS MOMENT
YOU’D GO TO HEAVEN.
YOU ARE NOT SURE THAT YOU
ARE READY TO MEET GOD.
YOU ARE NOT SURE
THAT YOU KNOW CHRIST.
YOU’RE RUNNING.
ALL AROUND US HERE TONIGHT,
THOSE OF YOU THAT
ARE LISTENING OUTSIDE,
RUNNING AWAY FROM SOMETHING.
THIS BOY SQUANDERED HIS
WEALTH IN WILD LIVING.
HE SPENT IT ALL AND HAD
NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT.
IN ISAIAH THE 55th CHAPTER
IT SAYS, “WHY SPEND MONEY
FOR WHAT IS NOT BREAD?
“AND YOUR LABOR ON
WHAT DOES NOT SATISFY?
“LISTEN TO ME
AND EAT WHAT IS GOOD
“AND YOUR SOUL WILL DELIGHT
IN THE RICHEST OF FARE.
“GIVE EAR AND COME TO ME.
“HEAR ME THAT
YOUR SOUL MAY LIVE.”
WHEN JOHN F. KENNEDY
WAS ON HIS WAY TO
THAT PLACE IN DALLAS
TO GIVE HIS LAST SPEECH,
THE DAY HE WAS
ASSASSINATED,
HE HAD IN
HIS SPEECH THIS PASSAGE,
FROM MARK
THE EIGHTH CHAPTER.
“FOR WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN
IF HE GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD
“AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?
“OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE
IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?”
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU COULD
HAVE THE WHOLE WORLD,
IT’S NOT WORTH–
IF YOU HAD IT ALL,
WHICH YOU CAN’T GET,
IF YOU HAD IT ALL–
IT’S NOT WORTH AS
MUCH AS THE SOUL
THAT LIVES INSIDE
YOUR BODY.
YOU SEE YOU HAVE A BODY
BUT LIVING INSIDE IS
YOUR SOUL OR YOUR SPIRIT;
THAT PART OF YOU THAT CAN HAVE
FELLOWSHIP WITH ALMIGHTY GOD
AND THAT’S THE PART
OF YOU THAT’S LOST.
AND THAT’S THE PART OF YOU
THAT NEEDS RENEWAL
OR DEDICATION OR REDEMPTION.
AND THEN THIS
YOUNG MAN GOT TO THE CITY
AND HAD HIS WILD FLING;
THEN A DEPRESSION CAME.
IT WASN’T A RECESSION,
IT WAS A DEPRESSION
AND LET ME TELL YOU,
I LIVED THROUGH
THE DEPRESSION OF THE ’30s
AND THERE IS A GREAT
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
A DEPRESSION AND A RECESSION.
WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH
NOW WOULD HAVE BEEN
CONSIDERED A GREAT AFFLUENT
DEPRESSION COMPARED TO WHAT
THE PEOPLE OF THE ’30s LIVED
THROUGH IN THIS COUNTY.
AND A DEPRESSION COULD
COME AGAIN, WE DON’T KNOW.
THE PICTURE OF THIS
YOUNG MAN’S RECOGNITION
OF HIS CONDITION–
JESUS SAID HE BEGAN
TO BE IN NEED.
THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED
WAS HE LOST HIS MONEY.
HE COULDN’T GET A JOB.
HE LOST HIS FRIENDS.
THEY WERE FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS
AND HE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
JESUS SAYS HE BEGAN
TO BE IN NEED.
HE WAS HUNGRY.
AND SO HE FINALLY
GOT A JOB FEEDING SOME HOGS.
AND YOU SEE HIM
IN THAT HOG PEN.
HERE HE WAS THE SON
OF A WEALTHY MAN.
OUT OF HIS OWN LUST
AND HIS OWN GREED,
HE’D WANDERED AWAY
FROM HOME
AND NOW HE HAS A JOB
FEEDING PIGS.
BUT HE, WHILE THERE
IN THAT CONDITION,
HE LEARNED WHAT
THE REAL LIFE IS ALL ABOUT.
HE WAS VERY HUMBLE.
HE BECAME SORRY.
HE SAID, “I WILL ARISE
AND GO TO MY FATHER.
“MY FATHER HAS SERVANTS THAT
HAVE FAR MORE THAN I HAVE.
“I’LL GO BACK TO MY FATHER AND
I WON’T BE HIS SON ANYMORE.
“I’LL SAY, FATHER,
WHEN I GET THERE,
“I’LL BECOME A SERVANT,
IF YOU’LL ONLY TAKE ME BACK.”
HE SAID, “I WILL ARISE
AND GO TO MY FATHER.”
“FATHER, I HAVE SINNED
AGAINST HEAVEN,”
NOTICE HE SAID AGAINST HEAVEN,
“AND IN THY SIGHT, AND AM
NO MORE WORTHY TO BE THY SON.”
HERE YOU DON’T FIND
ANY TRACE OF ARROGANCE.
NOT TRYING TO JUSTIFY
WHAT HE’D DONE.
HE REALIZED HE HAD SINNED
AND HE CAST HIMSELF
ON THE MERCY OF HIS FATHER.
IN KING DAVID’S GREAT
CONFESSION OF SIN
IN PSALM THE 51st CHAPTER,
51st PSALM , HE SAYS,
“THE SACRIFICES OF GOD
ARE A BROKEN SPIRIT.
“A BROKEN AND
A CONTRITE HEART, O GOD,
“THOU WILT NOT DESPISE.”
BECAUSE IN THIS PASSAGE
JESUS IS TEACHING US,
GOD IS THE FATHER;
HE LOVES US;
HE LONGS FOR US TO RETURN;
HE LONGS FOR US
TO COME BACK HOME;
HE WANTS TO GIVE YOU
GUIDANCE IN YOUR LIFE.
HE WANTS TO GIVE YOU A PEACE
AND JOY AND ASSURANCE
THAT IF YOU DIED,
YOU’D GO TO HEAVEN.
BUT FIRST THERE
MUST BE A CHANGE.
YOU MUST TURN AROUND.
THAT’S CALLED REPENTANCE
IN THE BIBLE.
“REPENT,” THE SCRIPTURE SAYS.
AND SO IT SAYS
“AND HE AROSE AND
CAME TO HIS FATHER.”
HE AROSE.
HE HAD TO LEAVE THE PIG PEN.
AND THAT’S WHY WE GIVE
AN INVITATION
AT ALL OF OUR CRUSADES.
WE GIVE PEOPLE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE
THAT STEP OF REPENTANCE
TOWARD GOD.
MANY OF YOU NEED TO
TAKE THAT STEP TONIGHT.
WELL, WHEN YOU
GET BACK HOME,
WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION
ARE YOU GOING TO GET?
HE DIDN’T KNOW.
SO HE STAGGERED IN HIS DIRTY,
FILTHY, SMELLY CLOTHES
BACK TOWARD THE HOME
THAT HE HAD LEFT.
AND THE SCRIPTURES SAYS,
“BUT WHEN HE WAS YET
A GREAT WAY OFF
“HIS FATHER SAW HIM
AND HAD COMPASSION
“AND RAN AND FELL ON HIS
NECK AND KISSED HIM.”
GOD’S NOT WAITING
TO JUDGE YOU.
GOD’S NOT WAITING
TO CONDEMN YOU.
GOD LOVES YOU.
HE SENT HIS SON TO DIE
ON THE CROSS FOR YOU,
TO SHED HIS BLOOD FOR YOU.
HE WANTS TO PUT HIS ARMS
AROUND YOU
AND RECEIVE YOU
BACK TO HIMSELF.
YOU’VE WANDERED
AWAY FROM HIM.
AND HE WILL TAKE YOU
AND FORGIVE YOU
AND LOVE YOU AND
BE YOUR FRIEND.
GOD IS A GOD OF
LOVE AND MERCY.
OH, YES, THERE’S
COMING A JUDGMENT.
THERE WILL BE SOME DAY WHEN
YOU WILL STAND BEFORE GOD
AT THE GREAT JUDGMENT DAY AND
YOU’LL HAVE TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT
OF YOUR LIFE HERE AND YOU’LL
HAVE TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT
OF WHAT YOU DID WITH
JESUS CHRIST ON THIS VERY NIGHT
BECAUSE THERE’S
GOING TO BE A JUDGMENT.
BUT GOD’S JUDGMENT
IS ALSO TEMPERED BY HIS LOVE
AND HIS MERCY.
HE IS WILLING TO
FORGIVE YOU TONIGHT.
HE IS WILLING TO GIVE YOU
A CHANCE TONIGHT.
TODAY IS THE DAY OF GRACE
AND SALVATION
FOR ALL WHO WILL COME,
NOT BECAUSE WE DESERVE IT
BUT BECAUSE WHAT CHRIST HAS
DONE FOR US ON THE CROSS.
BY THE CROSS AND
THE RESURRECTION,
GOD HAS PROVIDED A WAY FOR YOU
TO HAVE PEACE AND JOY
AND HAPPINESS IN YOUR HEART.
AND AS YOU ARE GROWING UP
YOU NEED GUIDANCE,
YOU NEED DIRECTION,
NOT TO JUST WANDER ABOUT,
BUT SOME DESTINATION,
SOMETHING TO GUIDE YOU.
GOD WILL GUIDE YOU.
IN ROMANS THE SIXTH
CHAPTER IT SAYS,
“THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH,
BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS
“ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.”
IN I PETER IT SAYS,
“WHO IN HIS OWN SELF
“BEAR OUR SINS IN HIS
OWN BODY ON THE TREE
“THAT WE BEING DEAD TO SIN
“SHOULD LIVE
UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
“FOR YE WERE AS
SHEEP GOING ASTRAY
“BUT ARE NOW RETURNED
“UNTO THE SHEPHERD AND
BISHOP OF YOUR SOULS.”
NOW HE DIDN’T COME LIKE
SOME YOUNG PERSON WOULD
PROBABLY COME BACK AND SAY,
“HI, DAD! HOW ARE YOU?
“DID YOU MISS ME?
“CAN I HAVE
MY OLD ROOM BACK?”
NO, HE DIDN’T COME
WITH THAT ATTITUDE.
HE CAME IN TRUE REPENTANCE.
TRUE REPENTANCE DOESN’T
PRESUME ON THE GRACE
AND MERCY OF GOD.
CAN ONLY COME WHEN
THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS YOU
AND DRAWS YOU TO GOD.
BEWARE OF THE ATTITUDE
THAT SAYS,
“I KNOW THAT I’M
ON THE WRONG ROAD
“BUT I’M NOT TIRED
OF IT YET.
“I’LL REPENT AND COME BACK TO
GOD SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE.”
YOU MAY NOT BE
ABLE TO REPENT
BECAUSE THE FURTHER YOU TRAVEL
ON THE ROAD AWAY FROM GOD,
THE HARDER YOUR HEART GETS
AND THE LESS YOU THINK
YOU’VE DONE ANYTHING WRONG
AND THE LESS YOU THINK
YOU NEED TO REPENT.
YOU MUST MAKE THAT
CHOICE TONIGHT
AND THE SCRIPTURE TEACHES
TO COME WHILE YOU’RE YOUNG.
SOME OF YOU THINK THAT
YOU’RE TOO BAD TO COME TO GOD.
HAVE DONE TOO MANY THINGS
AND GONE TOO FAR.
IF YOU FEEL A TUG
IN YOUR HEART
TO MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT
TONIGHT, YOU COME,
BECAUSE THAT’S THE WORK
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
WORKING ON YOU RIGHT NOW.
I DON’T BELIEVE ANYBODY IS
HERE TONIGHT BY ACCIDENT.
I THINK YOU’RE HERE
BECAUSE GOD SAW TO IT
THAT THROUGH A SERIES OF
CIRCUMSTANCES
YOU’RE HERE ON
THIS VERY NIGHT.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AT WORK
URGING YOU TO COME.
DON’T HARDEN YOUR HEART.
THE BIBLE SAYS, “HE THAT
HARDENETH HIS HEART,
“BEING OFTEN REPROVED
SHALL SUDDENLY BE CUT OFF
“AND THAT WITHOUT REMEDY.”
NOW IS THE TIME TO COME.
NOW IS THE TIME TO RECEIVE.
JESUS TOLD THE STORY OF
THIS MAN, THIS YOUNG MAN,
BECAUSE THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
HAD ACCUSED HIM OF
ASSOCIATING WITH BAD PEOPLE.
JESUS TOLD THEM, THERE’S
GREAT REJOICING IN HEAVEN
OVER ONE PERSON
THAT REPENTS.
ONE PERSON MAKING
HIS COMMITMENT TONIGHT
WILL CAUSE REJOICING
IN HEAVEN.
YOU NEED TO COME HOME
TO GOD TONIGHT.
WHEN THAT YOUNG MAN CAME,
HIS FATHER GRABBED HIM
IN HIS ARMS,
KISSED HIM.
ORDERED HIS SERVANTS TO
PREPARE A BANQUET FOR HIM.
ORDERED THAT THE FINEST
ROBE IN THE HOUSE WAS PUT ON HIM
AND A GOLD RING PUT
ON HIS FINGERS,
TO SIGNIFY THAT HE’D BEEN
RECEIVED AS HIS SON AGAIN.
HE DIDN’T TAKE HIM
BACK AS A SERVANT.
HE TOOK HIM AS A SON
AND THAT’S WHAT
GOD WILL DO TONIGHT FOR YOU.
OUR LAST CRUSADE BEFORE THIS
WAS IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.
AND HERE IS A LETTER
FROM SCOTLAND
THAT I WANT YOU TO HEAR.
THIS IS FROM A GIRL;
I THINK SHE’S
ABOUT NINETEEN,
NO, EIGHTEEN.
“BEFORE YOU CAME TO GLASGOW,
I WAS AN EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD
“WITH A VERY BIG CHIP
ON MY SHOULDER.
“I THOUGHT GOD
OWED ME SO MUCH.
“I THOUGHT NO ONE LOVED ME.
“I THOUGHT THERE WAS
NO MEANING TO LIFE.
“SOMETHING WAS
MISSING IN MY LIFE.
“I THOUGHT I WAS
HAVING A LOT OF FUN.
“I WAS GOING OUT WITH
THE GUYS AND GETTING DRUNK.
“I HATED MY FAMILY
AND FELT SO UNLOVED.
“TO BE HONEST,
I STILL FEEL UNLOVED,
“EVEN BY MY FAMILY.
“THEY THINK I’M
JUST A LOSER.
“ONE OF MY BROTHERS USED
TO SEXUALLY ABUSE ME;
“THE OTHER ONE BEAT ME UP.
“I FEEL LIKE I HAVE IT ROUGH
“WITH VERY LITTLE LOVE IN
MY LIFE BEFORE THIS WEEK.
“I’M NO ANGEL;
“IN FACT, I’M
A TOTALLY AWFUL PERSON.
“A FEW MONTHS AGO,
I WAS EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL
“AND I WAS BLAMING DRUGS.
“MY PARENTS ARE
STILL MAD AT ME.
“MY DAD IS A DOCTOR AND
MY MOTHER IS A TEACHER.
“THEY SAY THAT IT
LOOKS BAD ON THEM,
“HAVING A DAUGHTER LIKE ME.
“I DON’T FIT IN
WITH MY FAMILY.
“I HEARD YOU WERE COMING
TO GLASGOW
“AND I SAID I WOULD NOT GO,
“BUT WHERE I WORK,
I WAS TOLD I WAS ASSIGNED
“TO DO FIRST AID
EVERY NIGHT AT THE CRUSADE
“AND I WAS NOT HAPPY.
“I WENT ON TUESDAY
AND I MOCKED YOU.
“I LAUGHED AT YOU.
“I SAID, WHAT DOES
HE KNOW ANYWAY?
“I SAID, DOESN’T HE KNOW
GOD DOES NOT CARE FOR US?
“BUT I GUESS I WAS
LISTENING ANYWAY.
“ON WEDNESDAY, I SAID,
I DON’T DESERVE GOD’S LOVE.
“I NEVER CARED
IF ANYONE SAW ME
“OR WHAT ANYONE THOUGHT.
“I FELT LOVED FOR
THE FIRST TIME.
“AND ON THURSDAY NIGHT,
“I CAME FORWARD AND
RECEIVED CHRIST AS MY SAVIOR.
“I WANT TO KNOW THIS GOD
“WHO LOVED ME
MORE THAN ANYTHING.
“I FEEL LOVED AS
I WRITE THIS LETTER.
“I HAVE BEEN RECEIVED HOME.”
THAT COULD HAPPEN
TO YOU TONIGHT.
[applause]
WE RECEIVE HUNDREDS OF LETTERS
LIKE THAT EVERY WEEK,
AS YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE
COME TO CHRIST.
HOW MANY DIVORCED PEOPLE
MEET AT A CRUSADE LIKE THIS,
THEY COME TO THE CRUSADE,
THEY RECEIVE CHRIST
AND THEY DECIDE TO REMARRY.
AND THAT HAPPENS TIME
AFTER TIME AFTER TIME.
YOU SAY, “WELL, BILLY, WHAT
IN THE WORLD DO I HAVE TO DO?”
FIRST, REPENT OF SIN.
THAT WORD REPENT MEANS YOU
CHANGE YOUR WAY OF LIVING
AND TELL GOD THAT YOU’RE
SORRY FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE
AND YOU COME IN HUMILITY.
AND THEN THE SECOND THING IS
BY FAITH YOU RECEIVE HIM.
YOU SAY, “LORD, I
RECEIVE YOU TONIGHT.”
I TALKED TO A MAN TODAY.
HE SAID, “I GO TO
CHURCH ONE IN A WHILE.”
HE SAID, “I BURN A FEW
CANDLES ONCE IN A WHILE.”
AND HE SAID, “I THINK THAT
MAYBE INDICATES
“I’M A GOOD MAN.”
I SAID, “YOU HAVE TO
GO FURTHER THAN THAT.”
YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE CHRIST
INTO YOUR HEART AND YOUR LIFE
AND MAKE HIM FIRST
IN EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE.
FROM NOW ON, CHRIST IS YOUR
LEADER AND GUIDE AND SAVIOR.
HE DIED ON THE CROSS
AND SHED HIS BLOOD
TO FORGIVE ALL OF YOUR SINS.
HE ROSE AGAIN.
HE’S ALIVE.
HE’S COMING BACK AGAIN,
AND SOMEDAY HE’S GOING TO SET
UP HIS KINGDOM ON THIS EARTH.
AND WE’RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD
TO THAT DAY
AND YOU CAN BE IN THAT
KINGDOM BEGINNING TONIGHT.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT
‘TIL HE COMES BACK;
YOU CAN COME TONIGHT
AND BE SURE.
AND THERE ARE MANY
OF YOU HERE TONIGHT
THAT ARE JUST NOT
CERTAIN OF THAT.
AND YOU’D LIKE TO MAKE SURE,
AND YOU WANT TO SURRENDER
YOUR HEART AND
YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST.
I’M GOING TO ASK YOU TO GET UP
OUT OF YOUR SEAT FROM
ALL OVER THE STADIUM AND
COME AND STAND
IN FRONT OF THE PLATFORM
AND SAY BY COMING,
“I RECEIVE CHRIST
INTO MY HEART.”
YOU SAY, “WELL, WHY DO
YOU ASK PEOPLE
“TO COME FORWARD LIKE THIS?”
BECAUSE EVERY PERSON
THAT JESUS CALLED,
HE CALLED PUBLICLY.
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
EVERY ONE WAS PUBLIC.
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT
MAKING A PUBLIC DECLARATION
THAT SETTLES IT AND SEALS IT
AND YOU’RE SAYING TO GOD
AND THE WHOLE UNIVERSE,
“I TAKE MY STAND FOR CHRIST.
“I RECEIVE HIM
AS MY SAVIOR AND LORD
“AND I’M GOING TO FOLLOW HIM.”
AND IF YOU HAVE
BEEN IN THE CHURCH
BUT HAVE WANDERED
AWAY FROM THE CHURCH
AND AWAY FROM GOD,
COME BACK TO HIM TONIGHT.
HE STANDS WITH OPEN ARMS,
READY TO RECEIVE YOU
WITH LOVE AND MERCY
AND GRACE.
YOU GET UP AND
COME RIGHT NOW,
HUNDREDS OF YOU
AND SAY TONIGHT,
“I WANT TO FOLLOW CHRIST
FROM THIS MOMENT ON.”
♪ JUST AS I AM
WITHOUT ONE PLEA ♪
♪ BUT THAT THY BLOOD
WAS SHED FOR ME ♪
♪ AND THAT THOU BIDST ME,
COME TO THEE ♪
♪ O LAMB OF GOD,
I COME ♪
♪ I COME. ♪
♪ JUST AS I AM
AND WAITING NOT ♪
AS THESE MANY HUNDREDS
HERE IN THE ARENA
ARE RESPONDING TO
THE INVITATION
TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST,
YOU CAN MAKE THAT
SAME COMMITMENT,
RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU ARE.
JUST CALL THE NUMBER
ON YOUR SCREEN.
SPECIAL FRIENDS ARE WAITING
TO TALK WITH YOU
AND TO PRAY WITH YOU ABOUT
THIS MOST IMPORTANT DECISION,
SO DON’T WAIT.
MAKE THAT CALL NOW.
♪ O LAMB OF GOD,
I COME ♪
♪ I COME ♪♪
THERE ARE MANY OF YOU
THAT ARE WATCHING
BY TELEVISION
AND YOU’RE NOT SURE THAT
CHRIST LIVES IN YOUR HEART.
YOU’RE NOT SURE THAT
HE’S YOUR LORD AND YOUR MASTER
AND THE DIRECTOR OF
YOUR LIFE.
YOU CAN MAKE
YOUR COMMITMENT WHERE YOU ARE.
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.