Evangelist Billy Graham delivered what is being dubbed his final “sermon” to America on Thursday night. Through a special video broadcast called “My Hope America,” Graham warned that the nation is in “great need of a spiritual awakening” and that he has wept over how far the nation has moved away from God.
Evangelist Billy Graham (Credit: AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File) AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
The video, which is available online and through select broadcast networks across the nation (it will air on TheBlaze TV this weekend), was released today on Graham’s 95th birthday.
“I want to tell people about the meaning of the cross … the real cross of Christ,” a passionate Graham proclaimed in the video. ”I know that many will react to this message, but it is the truth and with all my heart, I want to leave you with the truth.”
Graham then went on to discuss his view on the importance of accepting Jesus Christ and following the Christian savior.
His pre-recorded message was interspersed with fiery selections from the preacher’s past sermons as well as personal testimony from musicians Lacey Sturm and Lecrae Moore.
“People don’t want to hear that they’re sinners. To many people it’s an offense,” Graham proclaimed. “The cross is offensive, because it directly confronts the evils that dominate so much of this world.”
He went on to explain that the Christian message demands that believers embrace a new lifestyle — one that directly confronts mankind’s sinful nature.
“Sin is a disease in the human heart. If affects the mind and the will and the emotions. Every part of our being is affected by this disease,” Graham said.
The evangelist told viewers, though, that God can renew their spirits and that “there is no other way of salvation except through the cross of Christ.”
Graham also warned of a cultural slide in American society — one that he is clearly worried about. He said that the nation is in great need of “a spiritual awakening.”
“There’ve been times I’ve wept as I’ve gone city to city and I’ve seen how far people have wandered from God,” he told viewers.
At the end of the broadcast, Graham invited viewers to become followers of Jesus.
“Today, I’m asking you to put your trust in Christ,” he said, offering a prayer that would invite prospective believers into the faith.
Watch Graham’s message below:
Video: The Cross – Billy Graham’s Message To America
Part of “My Hope America With Billy Graham” – an urgent new message of Hope from Billy Graham, featuring Lacey Sturm and Lecrae
Video: Party in NC to Mark Billy Graham’s 95th Birthday
Among the hundreds of guests, approximately 800, were North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, New York real-estate magnate Donald Trump, Founder of The Blaze Glenn Beck and former President Bill Clinton. Singers Ricky Skaggs and Michael W. Smith were set to lead the audience in a refrain of Happy Birthday as 1,000 cupcakes were served.
Glenn Beck tweeted… They only gave me one cupcake… My wife Tania must have phoned ahead.
The Palins Arrive for Billy Graham’s 95th Birthday Event
Related: Happy 95th Birthday Billy Graham!!!
By Marion Algier
Pingback: Sarah Palin and Senator Mile Lee Take Time to Visit Service Dog Trainers While in Iowa « JustOneMorePet
Pingback: Sarah Palin and Senator Mile Lee Take Time to Visit Service Dog Trainers While in Iowa | askmarion
Pingback: Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition • 11/09/13 – Palin, King, Paul, Schlafly… | askmarion
Pingback: The Wrap at Ask Marion 11.03.13 Thru 11.10.13 | askmarion
Pingback: Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series 2013 at AskMarion – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Where Does the War on Christmas Come From? A Worthwhile Read – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Hanukkah… The Jewish Festival of Lights – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: St. Nickolas Day – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Nativity Scenes and Glories – The Reason For the Season – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Christmas Lights – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: RNC Chairman Says Hillary 2016 Candidacy is Set… And Female Presidency Will be the Carrot | askmarion
Pingback: Santa Photos… Often Yesterday’s Oooops Are Tomorrow’s Treasures! – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Long Lines for Sarah Palin in Monroe, Louisiana | askmarion
Pingback: Best Christmas Season Movie Classics – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Forever Friend – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Forever Friend – WoC 2013 « JustOneMorePet
Pingback: Governor Palin’s Appearance Prompted Wal-Mart Sellout | askmarion
Pingback: Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: In Defense of the Truth and Megyn Kelly – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Still Think There Is No War on Christmas – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: American Traditions – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Remembering Military and Veterans at Christmastime – W0C 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Forum: Whom Would You Name For Person Of The Year? | askmarion
Pingback: The Best Christmas Gifts – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Christmas Baking – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Christmas for Pet People – Woc 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Christmas for Pet People – Woc 2013 « JustOneMorePet
Pingback: The Best Part of the Christmas Season – Love, Charity, and Kindness | askmarion
Pingback: Last Minute, Budget and Gifts of Thoughtfulness – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Presidential Christmas Addresses… WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Simpler Times, A Groetzmeier Christmas – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Members of Congress Win Right to Say ‘Merry Christmas’ Without Ethics Violation – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: The 2nd Day of Christmas–St. Stephen’s Day, Boxing Day and Wenceslaus | askmarion
Pingback: Kwanzaa – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Muslim Groups Are Reportedly Circulating This Illustration of Santa Getting Punched in the Face – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Lloyd Marcus Says Thanks Duck Dynasty for the Christmas Gift – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: Everyone Has at Least One Book in Them, Between Christmas and New Years is a Good Time to Start Yours – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: New Years Eve – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: New Year – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: The Twelve Days of Christmas – WoC 2013 | askmarion
Pingback: War on Christmas is really part of war on-going religion | askmarion
Pingback: The Atheist War on Christmas and Religious Freedom – WoC 2013/14 | askmarion
Pingback: The Season and Meaning of Epiphany – WoC 2013/14 | askmarion
Pingback: Can America’s Republic Be Saved? | askmarion
Pingback: Forum: Can America’s Republic Be Saved? | askmarion
Pingback: Forum: Can America’s Republic Be Saved? | NoisyRoom.net
Pingback: Iron Dog: Palin Iron Dog Team heads back to Big Lake for repairs | askmarion
Pingback: Sarah Palin… The Case for a Palin Candidacy for President in 2016 | askmarion