New York Graham Crusade Brings Nearly 10,000 to Christ
Billy Graham, who has preached to over 210 million people worldwide for more than five decades, ended the third night of his New York City crusade with strength, power, and a call for renewal.
Billy Graham, who has preached to over 210 million people worldwide for more than five decades, ended the third night of his New York City crusade with strength, power, and a call for renewal.
The 86-year-old evangelist preached with increasing strength each night of the New York crusade -- the one he called his last in America.
However, while speaking to a crowd of 90,000 the final night, Graham gave no impression that it would be the last of his preaching career.
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"I was asked in an interview if this was our last crusade. I said, 'It probably is - in New York.' But I also said, 'I never say never,' “
"Never is a bad word because we never know," said Graham.
He indicated his consideration of a London crusade in the fall -- a decision he deterred until after the New York crusade.
“We’re going to talk about going to London possibly for a crusade,” said Graham. “We love London. We have held many crusades in that area.”
For New York, this crusade marked his eighth in the area, and a total of 242,000 came to hear the message including the final night's tally.
Though this crusade had the most diverse crowd Graham has ever preached to, his message of coming to Christ stayed the same.
The story of Noah and the flood was hopeful. The end is the end of this “world system,” the “end to Satan.”
“Almost everyone understands we’re approaching to a climatic history,” said Graham. “There’s going to be an end to the world, an end to Satan” and before that happens, repent and come to Christ.
“Jesus said, ‘Be ready. In such an hour that you know not, the son of heaven will come.’ Prepare to meet God,” Graham said.
He explained that “God is a god of love. The primary thing in the Bible is that He loves…you."
"Some of you feel unloved with no purpose in your life,” said Graham. ”He’s there to rescue you from the situation you are in, and He even forgives you of your sins.”
That night, 2,732 people filled the stage adding to the total of 9,445 decisions over the weekend. Out of them, 60 percent were first-time decisions.
Graham ended the sermon on an uplifting note, that of new beginnings.
“This should not be the end of anything,” said Graham, “but a new beginning for the name of the Lord in New York.”
