Billy Graham has 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
“The human world is tinged with the blood of sacrifice. The strong must sacrifice for the weak, the good for the bad, and the innocent for the guilty. The mother suffers for her offspring, the father for his prodigal son, and the soldier for his country. Nationally, the blood of past generations has become a blessing. The blood of patriots is our boon; their battles, our victories; their suffering, our success.
Our ability to contribute to life is dependent upon our ability to suffer and sacrifice. He whose sacrifice is the greatest, contributes the most. Socrates, champion of reason, contributed more in dying for what he believed than the millions who haven’t enough moral courage to live for what they believe.”
An Example of Faith
Billy Graham has made countless sacrifices for others. He gave up time with his beloved wife and children to spread the Gospel to lost people he had never met. He constantly traveled and endured hardships with media, weather and physical comfort, but that did not stop him from evangelizing.
When Mr. Graham was in England conducting Youth for Christ (YFC) rallies, he spent the first part of the tour sacrificing his comfort for the good of others. “We spent a weekend in Wales in the home of a non-Christian couple who gave us the best they had, which wasn’t much on the husband’s meager income of £3 or £4 per week. That visit gave us a real appreciation for the hardships they endured.
For breakfast we had a heated tomato, along with a hot drink that was more chicory than coffee. Later in the day, we had some chicken soup (though I’m not sure chicken had ever passed through it), along with some bread. George Wilson was with us to handle the arrangements and finances for YFC, and he and I had a single bed to sleep in. So we took turns: halfway through the night, we exchanged places, the one who had been sleeping on the floor moving up to the bed. It was very cold, especially for the one on the floor, because there was no heat whatsoever.”
Many lives were changed as people gave their lives to Christ at these rallies in England and Wales.
