Substance abuse is not a new topic. As we close out #NationalRecoveryMonth, we are looking back at a time when Billy Graham addressed this issue.

In 1989, Billy Graham devoted a full 40-minute sermon during the Little Rock Crusade to the topic of drugs that is still relevant today.

NOT DRUGS … CHRIST!

Drug and alcohol abuse is not new. People have always been adept at utilizing mood-altering drugs. The ancient Greeks and the Romans had a god who reigned over those who loved to drink.

Drugs which are known to produce dependency are, in the end, destructive. They are destructive to individuals, to marriages, to families, to entire societies, and to nations.

Seventy-nine percent of all defendants in the criminal courts in some of our cities test positive for drug use. We are told that in some cities drug use is the leading cause of death in the 13-to-35-year-old age group. One narcotics agent said, “Police forces cannot stop drugs. Only people can stop drugs. Somewhere there is an answer, but I don’t know where the answer is.”

The answer is found in the Word of God. God can transform men and women when they put their trust and faith in him.

EVERLASTING PEACE AND FREEDOM

Drug abuse gives a temporary high, but that high is followed by a crash. The Gospel, on the other hand, gives an everlasting peace because it breaks the stranglehold of sin that keeps the soul down. Come to Christ and determine that from now on you will change your way of living, and that you will follow Christ.

Many people ask me how they can know Christ and how they can be sure that they are saved. Many are not sure. Are you one who is not certain? Can you say for sure that your sins are forgiven? Can you say, “I am going to heaven”? Can you say, “Christ has control of my life”? If you have any doubt about it, you can settle it by surrendering your life to him. You can do that right now.

You can listen to the sermon from the Billy Graham Audio Archives. (Part 1 | Part 2)

Part 1

Part 2