Thy Good and Faithful Servent
This morning I got up, as I usually do, check the news to learn that Billy Graham has gone "home". I can just imagine Jesus standing there at the gates of heaven with arms open wide saying, "Welcome home, thy good and faithful servant, welcome home and come into thy rest." In time others, who have "gone home", are going to come up to Graham and say, "Thank you for giving to the Lord, for I am a life that was changed..." If ever these words would apply to a servant of God, they would apply to the Reverend Billy Graham. With every breath, he proclaimed the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation that He (Christ) provides to sinners, just like you and me.
The Evangelistic Crusader
My first memory of Billy Graham was watching him on TV as his Evangelistic Crusades were being televised. As a family, we always watched Billy Graham when he was on TV. During his ministry he did about 417 crusades on 6 different continents.
Almost every people group and tongue has heard the gospel through Graham's ministry. I even had the privilege of going to one of his crusades when I was a youth. I cannot recall the details, as I was young. Maybe in Jr High or slightly younger. I do remember it being a really big deal. Our church sent volunteers to sing in the choir, to usher, be part of a prayer circle and to be counselors during the altar call. In all of my life, I had never seen so many people in one place at one time.
(Left) A Program That My Husband has saved from attending a Billy Graham Crusade in 1972.
Billy Graham spoke with passion and conviction. I believe that it was J. Vernon McGee who said that when he first saw Billy Graham he was not that impressed. Dr. McGee wondered what in the world could God do with a tall, lanky, skinny rag tag looking of a young man with such a tuft of hair wearing a suit that was too big and didn't fit well. But when he heard Billy Graham preach, fire came from his eyes and the Holy Spirit from his lips. Dr. McGee knew that God had His hand on this young man.
As Rev. Graham would bring his sermon to a close and do an altar call the congregation and choir would begin to softly sing "Just As I Am". Then he would always step back from the podium and pray.
Thousands would get up from their seats and head to the altar in response to whatever God had put on their hearts. It could have been to rededicate their lives to the God because they have been out of fellowship from being out of fellowship with Him or to accept Jesus Christ as Savior for the first time.
Many many lives were reached because of what vision, passion and evangelistic gifts that God placed in this man. And he heeded the call. That means Graham did with his life what God wanted. And he did not get rich off of it.
Rulers would seek Graham out for probably photo opps, but also seeking his counsel. Queen Elizabeth II considered him a friend. Always invited him to visit when he was in GB and wanted him to preach at their family services which he obliged. He spoke with "clarity & certainty". They had an unlikely friendship as Graham quoted in his autobiography, “No one in Britain has been more cordial toward us than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II...”
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| Seems like the crusade I attended was in a tent like the one above. The sides were rolled up. |
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| Typical stadium set up for a Billy Graham Crusade |
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(Left) A Program That My Husband has saved from attending a Billy Graham Crusade in 1972.
As Rev. Graham would bring his sermon to a close and do an altar call the congregation and choir would begin to softly sing "Just As I Am". Then he would always step back from the podium and pray.
Thousands would get up from their seats and head to the altar in response to whatever God had put on their hearts. It could have been to rededicate their lives to the God because they have been out of fellowship from being out of fellowship with Him or to accept Jesus Christ as Savior for the first time.
Many many lives were reached because of what vision, passion and evangelistic gifts that God placed in this man. And he heeded the call. That means Graham did with his life what God wanted. And he did not get rich off of it.
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| Graham praying during the altar call |
The Life of Billy Graham
Billy Graham was born November 7th, 1918 and passed from this earthly life February 21st, 2018. Just 8 & 1/2 months shy of his 100th birthday. Accepted Christ as Savior at age 16. Was married to his bride, Ruth Bell Graham, for 64 years. She passed in 2007. They had 5 children. She was a partner in his ministry in every way. A wife, mother & home manager. Because of his schedule, they would go months without seeing each other. But she knew this was all a part of God's plan for them. One of the funniest things I have ever heard her say in an interview was in response to the question if she had ever considered divorce. "Divorce? No, never. Not an option. Now murder....." Meaning that their marriage was not without their trials, but God was at the center and head of their marriage.
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| Ruth & Billy in their younger years |
Rulers would seek Graham out for probably photo opps, but also seeking his counsel. Queen Elizabeth II considered him a friend. Always invited him to visit when he was in GB and wanted him to preach at their family services which he obliged. He spoke with "clarity & certainty". They had an unlikely friendship as Graham quoted in his autobiography, “No one in Britain has been more cordial toward us than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II...”
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| Graham with Queen Elizabeth II |
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| L-R Queen Elizabeth II, Graham, Ruth Graham, Queen Mother Elizabeth, R-Prince Phillip |
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| Graham & The Regans |
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| Graham & Obama |
Living Humbly & Modestly
The Grahams did not have extravagant lifestyles. The monies collected went back into the ministry. One morning I was watching one of the network news programs. This was in the early 80's when there were a lot of scandals, financial & otherwise, being uncovered in the world of televangelists and the Judeo-Christian ministries. A, at the time, well known televangelist couple and Billy Graham were guests being interviewed by the show hosts concerning the different financial scandals happening in the different ministries. And how televangelists are always making a plea for money & donations. When asked about the finances and monies coming into the Billy Graham Crusades, Billy Graham's response was that they have never had to ask for money. They pass the plates at every crusade and the offerings are used to support the ministries. "God has always provided what we need. The day we have to ask for money will be the day that we will know God is no longer in our ministry and it will be time to quit." Billy Graham was adamant about financial accountability in the ministry. BTW, the televangelist couple who appeared with him were later accused, charged and convicted of fraud with their ministries.
Legacy
I daresay that no one has done more to lead others to Christ than the Reverend Billy Graham. I expect over 1,000,000, because this man answered God's call and used the special gifts that God gave him. Amazing what God can do with one person, if that person will surrender to the call.
"Thy good and faithful servant."
John 3:16, the first Bible verse I memorized, after watching a Billy Graham Crusade on TV.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
That, beloved, is my prayer for you.
To watch/listen to some of Billy Graham's sermons and videos of his crusades, follow this link: Billy Graham Crusades and Sermons
To learn more about the Reverend Billy Graham and his ministries, follow this link:
What are your memories of Billy Graham? Has his ministry affected your life or the life of a loved one in anyway? I heard the gospel of Jesus Christ many times before I accepted Him as my Savior. Several of those times were sitting in front of an old black & white TV with my family watching and listening to Billy Graham deliver the gospel, "with clarity and certainty."
