Billy Graham acted as a living example of the evangelistic messages that he preached. His sermons were not only written to convict the crowds, but also to shape his own life. This series of “Living Out the Gospel” posts demonstrate how Mr. Graham practiced what he preached.

In His Own Words

“Nowhere does the Bible teach that Christians are to be exempt from the tribulations and natural disasters that come upon the world. It does teach that the Christian can face tribulation, crisis, calamity and personal suffering with a supernatural power that is not available to the person outside of Christ.

“Christians can rejoice in tribulation because they have eternity’s values in view. When the pressures are on, they look beyond their present predicament to the glories of heaven. The thought of the future life with its prerogatives and joys helps to make the trials of the present seem light and transient.

“The early Christians were able to experience joy in their hearts in the midst of trials, troubles and depression. They counted suffering for Christ not as a burden or misfortune but as a great honor, as evidence that Christ counted them worthy to witness for Him through suffering. They never forgot what Christ Himself had gone through for their salvation, and to suffer for His name’s sake was regarded as a gift rather than a cross. …

“Christ told His disciples that they were not to count it a stroke of affliction when they were reviled and persecuted. Rather, they were to count it as a favor and a blessing. They were to ‘rejoice, and be exceeding glad’ (Matthew 5:12). Just as Jesus had overcome the world, so they through His grace and strength would overcome the world. Thus they were to be of good cheer.”

Living Out the Gospel

Billy Graham found in his travels that those who kept heaven in view remained more cheerful in their darkest days. He believed that if the glories of heaven were more real, then people would be less disturbed–they would be focusing on eternal and spiritual hope rather than material items.

During the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, Mr. Graham felt the pain of America, and of his friend President Bush. “Only the knowledge that God would be with us, and that people around the world were praying, sustained me,” he said in his autobiography, Just As I Am.

“We all sensed that life would never be the same, although no one knew exactly what shape it might take. I stayed glued to the television, praying almost constantly for our nation and its President.”

Mr. Graham was asked to speak at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance service on Sept. 14, 2001, and he readily agreed. He had hope and was able to see the Lord’s strength, so this was his chance to encourage America with the same truth.

“We’ve seen so much on our televisions—stories that bring tears to our eyes and make us all feel a sense of anger. But God can be trusted, even when life seems at its darkest. … Yes there is hope. There is hope for the present, because I believe the stage has already been set for a new spirit in our nation. …

“There is also hope for the future because of God’s promises. As a Christian, I have hope, not just for this life, but for Heaven and the life to come. And many of those people who died this past week are in Heaven right now, and they wouldn’t want to come back. It’s so glorious and so wonderful. And that’s the hope for all of us who put our faith in God. I pray that you will have this hope in your heart.”