Billy Graham:Salvation and the Power Holy Spirit
Many of you know that Pastor Wilson has a great affection for the Rev. Billy Graham and his long and wonderful ministry for Jesus. Dr. Graham has been called by God to a remarkable ministry of evangelism, preaching salvation around the world to more people, in person and on television, than any other man. He is humble and faithful and a great role model for all ministers, for he keeps pointing people to our source, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Over the years, Pastor Wilson has attended two Graham crusades and helped with support for one. He also completed the Billy Graham Evangelism School in Kansas City two years ago. What is more, when he assisted his father by preaching in a small Methodist Church after his father suffered illness, he found that that church was oen of the first churches Billy Graham ever preached in, way back when he was in Bible College.
Not only does Rev. Graham preach the strong evangelical message of repentance and salvation, but he also emphasizes growing in the Christian life by the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the best books to read to begin studying the Holy Spirit and His work in our midst is “The Holy Spirit” by Rev. Billy Graham (Word Publishing, 1978, available at Amazon.com).
In clear, concise prose, Graham then walks readers through biblical passages that teach about the Holy Spirit. He also describes some related concepts and experiences that are widely misunderstood, such as baptism with the spirit and sins against the Holy Spirit. And he gives readers a solid outline of the signs and fruits of the Spirit (such as love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness). Graham's book may be especially helpful for new Christians, but it will also serve as a helpful reminder to longtime believers. "No person can seek sincerely the cleansing and blessing of the Holy Spirit, and remain the same afterward," Graham promises. This promise is sufficiently grounded in scripture, and offered with such authoritative serenity that many readers will find real comfort here.
Dr. Graham begins with a very simple statement: "Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for goodness." Graham then affirms that "God heard that first cry for help, that cry for forgiveness, and answered it at
In the book, “The Holy Spirit,” Graham shows how the Spirit helps us to truly believe in Jesus and love to do the Christian practices of life, so that we cherish the chance to go to church and read the Bible and pray.
Dr. Graham explains the Spirit’s ministry and gifts, found in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, including speaking in tongues. When he was asked about speaking in tongues, he said that he had never received the gift, but he knew it was a wonderful experience for those who had, such as his friends Oral Roberts and Corrie Ten Boom.
Speaking in tongues is often referred to as a private prayer language, because if your read 1 Corinthians 14, it is a way for God to help believers pray, to disengage the intellect and surrender totally to God for a time of release and receiving. It is not something we have to fear, but rather it is a good gift of God that some people are given to help themselves and the Body of Christ.
And Dr. Graham expresses a great excitement and hop about what the Spirit is doing now: "And today when the gospel is proclaimed on the frontiers of the Christian faith that approximate the first century situation, miracles still sometimes accompany the advance of the gospel. As indicated by both the prophets Hosea and Joel, as we approach the end of the age we may expect miracles to increase."
"I have just stated that as we approach the end of the age I believe we will see a dramatic recurrence of signs and wonders which will demonstrate the power of God to a skeptical world. Just as the powers of Satan are being unleashed with greater intensity, so I believe God will allow signs and wonders to be performed."
Here is a portion of recent newspaper column that Graham wrote about the Holy Spirit.
“You may not have wanted God, but God wanted you! Although you had never loved Him, His love for you had never faded, and He wanted you to become part of His family forever.
And that's why He sent His Holy Spirit into your heart and mind, to convict you of your sins and to convince you of the truth of the Gospel. More than that, the Holy Spirit drew you to God in fact, He drew you so strongly that you found it impossible to resist. In other words, what happened in your life took place because God's Holy Spirit was at work. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44).
Not everyone has exactly the same experience you had, but every believer knows that he or she never could have come to Christ unless God had been at work in their lives. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" (John 16:8). Only God can convict us of our sins and open our eyes to Christ's forgiveness and grace.
But listen: The Holy Spirit doesn't stop working once we give our lives to Christ! He lives within us, and He wants to change us from within so we become more like Christ, and He wants to equip us to do God's will. Submit your life every day to His control, and ask Him to use you for God's glory
Remember that the Holy Spirit is God Himself, and He is at work both in the world and in our hearts. When we come to Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us; in fact, we can't even come to Him until He convicts us of our sins and convinces us of our need to commit our lives to Christ. Jesus said, "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" (John 16:8).
But God has given His Spirit to us for another reason: to teach us and open our eyes to God's truth as it is found in the Bible. Is that happening in your life?”
Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous salvation, it is an everyday faithful journey. And the Holy Spirit empowers us for the journey. If you need more power, if God has put the desire for certain gifts on your heart, just ask. In Luke 11:5-13, Jesus plainly says: “Then he said to them, "5 Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" “NIV
So be bold and ask the Lord for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit’s gifts. If a soldier needs a rifle or bullets for his gun, he needs to ask his commander for what he needs. If he is ill-equipped, he cannot be the effective soldier that he can be with proper tools.
The Lord, our commander, will fill us with the Holy Spirit when we ask, and He will have the Holy Spirit give us what we need, in terms of gifts and fruits and power, to do His will and mission. But do not be afraid to ask!
Billy Graham Talks About Angels
In a collection of his wonderful newspaper columns is this one about angels, echoing the truths in the Billy Graham book "ANGELS," which Pastor Wilson highly recommends. It is agreat reminder that we are never alone! God cares so much for us. His angels often minister to us, sometimes visibly, and often without us even knowing. There are many uplifting stories here about angelic protection and guidance. It should be our prayer that God might open our eyes more, so that each day we can see beyond the physical, and appreciate more of the spiritual realm.
Dr. Graham proclaims:
"God created the angels even before the world existed. They are spiritual beings (although sometimes they can take visible form) and were created to be God's servants and messengers.
Although the Bible doesn't answer all our questions about angels, it does tell us that God has given them the task of protecting and helping His children. The Bible says, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14). Elsewhere the Bible says, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11). This is God's promise to you.
Although we do not see them, I believe we are surrounded and protected by God's angels every day. Does that mean we will never experience accidents or illness? No, it doesn't—as you have discovered. But it does mean Satan will never be able to snatch us away from Christ if we belong to Him, and even at the moment of death the angels will take us safely to heaven.\
In his book Angels, Dr. Grahma writes:
"The Bible teaches that angels intervene in the affairs of nations. God often uses them to execute judgment on nations. They guide, comfort and provide for the people of God in the midst of suffering and persecution. Martin Luther once said in Table Talk, "An angel is a spiritual creature without a body created by God for the service of christendom and the church."
In the midst of a world which seems destined to live in a perpetual state of crisis, the subject of angels will be of great comfort and inspiration to believers in God - and a challenge to unbelievers to believe.
"He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11, RSV).
Just what must you do to cause the angels to rejoice? How do you become reconciled to God? How do you repent of your sin? A simple question demands a simple answer. Jesus made everything so simple, and we have made it so complicated. He spoke to people in short sentences, using everyday words, illustrating His message with never-to-be-forgotten stories. He presented the message of God in such simplicity that many were amazed at what they hear. They could hardly believe their ears, because the message was so simple.
In the Acts of the Apostles, the Philippian jailer asked the apostle Paul, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul gave him a very simple answer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:30,31). This is so simple that millions stumble over it. The one and only way you can be converted is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Lord and Savior. You don't have to straighten out your life first. You don't have to try to give up some habit that is keeping you from God. You have tried all that and failed many times. You can come "just as your are."
The blind man came just as he was. The leper came just as he was. The thief on the cross came just as he was. You can come to Christ right now wherever you are and just as you are - and the angels of heaven will rejoice!
Some of the greatest and most precious words recorded in all of Scripture were spoken by Satan himself (not that he intended it to be so). In his discussion with God about Job, he said, "Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land" (Job 1:10).
As I look back over my life I remember the moment I came to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The angels rejoiced! Since then I have been in thousands of battles with Satan and his demons. As I yielded my will and committed myself totally to Christ - as I prayed and believed - I am convinced that God "put a hedge about me," a hedge of angels to protect me.
The Scripture says there is a time to be born and time to die. And when my time to die comes an angel will be there to comfort me. He will give me peace and joy even at that most critical hour, and usher me into the presence of God, and I will dwell with the Lord forever. Thank God for the ministry of His blessed angels!"
Billy Graham's book "Angels" can be found in Christian book stores
PEACE WITH GOD --
CHeck out this link to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:
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