(By David Shibley) Billy Graham preached the gospel to more people than anyone in history. Now he is home with the Lord he so faithfully served. What an abundant entrance into heaven he must have received! Just imagine his “receiving line” of millions who are in heaven because of his ministry. The church worldwide gives thanks for the immense impact of Mr. Graham’s life in advancing the gospel here and around the world. His legacy will live until Christ returns. Billy Graham modeled for us many crucial life lessons.
He showed us that integrity matters. When God called me to preach the gospel as a teenager, the model for ministry integrity was Billy Graham. Five decades later, he is still the model. His integrity remained sterling since he came to national prominence in 1949. Now, that’s long-term faithfulness. Early in his ministry, Mr. Graham and his associates signed the “Modesto Manifesto,” voluntarily imposing safeguards regarding money, sex and truthfulness. Later he would be instrumental in forming the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, of which Global Advance is a member.
He was committed to the Bible. While still a young preacher, Mr. Graham determined to take God at His word and rely on the truthfulness of Scripture. I once counted the number of times Mr. Graham quoted all or part of a Bible text in a single message. In that particular sermon Mr. Graham quoted the Bible an astounding sixty-nine times. Billy Graham had confidence in God’s promise: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isa. 55:11). READ MORE
