Brevity Of Time - Billy Graham

Summary

The script delves into a profound sermon on the brevity of life, drawing from Psalm 90 to underscore the inevitability of death and the importance of living wisely within the finite time granted to us. The speaker, reflecting on personal anecdotes and historical advancements, emphasizes the rapid pace of change and the urgency of making each day count. Through the lens of Christian faith, the sermon calls for repentance, a commitment to Christ, and a life lived in anticipation of eternity. It challenges listeners to consider their own mortality, the value of time, and the eternal consequences of their choices on earth, urging an immediate and sincere response to God's offer of salvation.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker discusses the brevity of life, referencing Psalm 90 to highlight that human life is traditionally 'threescore years and ten' (70 years), extending to 'fourscore' (80 years) with strength, yet emphasizing the inevitability of aging and death.
• 🗞 The importance of numbering our days is emphasized, urging listeners to appreciate the value of each day and to apply their hearts to wisdom, recognizing the fleeting nature of life.
• 🙏 The sermon touches on the inevitability of death for everyone and the importance of preparing for it by living wisely and with purpose, acknowledging that our time on earth is limited.
• 💻 Rapid technological advancements and changes within the speaker's lifetime are recounted, illustrating the swift passage of time and the monumental shifts in society and technology.
• 📖 The concept of 'collapsing time' is introduced, noting how advancements have drastically increased the pace at which we live, contrasting with the slower pace of life in Jesus' time and even the recent past.
• 💡 The urgency and value of time are stressed, with a call to redeem the time we have by focusing on meaningful activities and commitments, especially in the face of the prevailing evil in the world.
• ❤️ The sermon advocates for a life of love and service, emphasizing the importance of loving others and dedicating time to God, as a means to live a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.
• 📅 The fleeting nature of time prompts a call to immediate action and commitment to God, urging listeners not to postpone decisions of faith and to actively engage in their spiritual journey.
• 🚨 A warning is issued about the finality of time and the inevitability of judgment, emphasizing that there will come a point when it is too late to make decisions for one's soul, urging listeners to act now.
• ✅ The sermon concludes with a personal appeal for listeners to make a commitment to Christ, highlighting the eternal significance of such a decision and the transformative power of God's forgiveness and love.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the sermon?

The main topic of the sermon is the brevity of life.

Which Psalm is referenced in the sermon and what does it signify?

Psalm 90 is referenced, signifying the transient nature of human life and the importance of wisdom and righteousness.

What life expectancy is mentioned, and how does it relate to the sermon's message?

A life expectancy of seventy to eighty years is mentioned, relating to the sermon's message by highlighting the shortness of human life.

Who are some of the people mentioned in the sermon and for what reasons?

Bev Shea, Bob Hope, and a Jewish friend in the motion pictures are mentioned as examples of individuals who have lived beyond the average lifespan or have made significant impacts in their lifetime.

How does the sermon illustrate the rapid advancement of technology and its impact on society?

The sermon illustrates the rapid advancement of technology by comparing the eras of horse and buggy to modern innovations like atomic bombs, jet airplanes, and computers, emphasizing how quickly time has passed and the changes that have occurred.

What moral and spiritual condition is described, and how does it relate to the concept of time?

The sermon describes a moral and spiritual condition characterized by sin and rebellion against God, relating to the concept of time by emphasizing the urgency and finite nature of human life to seek redemption.

What analogy is used to describe how time is allocated in a person's life?

An analogy of a bank account is used, where each day, people receive 86,400 seconds to spend, emphasizing the importance of using time wisely as it cannot be saved for later use.

What does the sermon suggest about how individuals should use their time?

The sermon suggests that individuals should use their time to serve Christ, obey His will, and prepare for eternity by living according to God's plan and seeking forgiveness for their sins.

How does the sermon address the concept of judgment after death?

The sermon addresses the concept of judgment after death by stating that it is appointed unto man once to die, followed by judgment, emphasizing the need for repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ to achieve salvation.

What urgency is conveyed regarding making a decision for Christ?

The sermon conveys an urgency for making a decision for Christ by illustrating the unpredictability and brevity of life, encouraging immediate action to secure one's eternal destiny.

Outlines

00:00

⏳ The Brevity of Life

This paragraph emphasizes the fleeting nature of human life, referencing the 90th Psalm to illustrate the point that life spans are limited—traditionally to seventy or eighty years, filled with labor and sorrow. The speaker, likely a preacher, recounts personal anecdotes involving famous individuals like Bev Shea and Bob Hope to underline the unpredictability and preciousness of life span. He reflects on the rapid advancements in technology and societal changes over his lifetime, highlighting how quickly time passes and how much has changed, from the introduction of radio to the absence of modern conveniences like computers and credit cards in his youth.

05:02

🚀 Acceleration of Time and Progress

This segment delves into the acceleration of technological progress and its impact on our perception of time. Starting with historical modes of transport and leading up to the space age, the speaker illustrates how advancements have drastically shortened travel times and expanded humanity's horizons. Despite these technological leaps, he points out the paradox of having less time than ever, stressing the constant race against time in modern life. The speaker also touches upon the spiritual aspect, urging the audience to number their days wisely, in line with biblical teachings, to live a life of significance and preparedness for eternity.

10:03

🙏 The Spiritual Dimension of Time

The focus shifts to the spiritual implications of time management and the urgency of living a life aligned with God's purpose. The speaker discusses the unchanging nature of time allocation—each person receives the same amount daily but what differs is how it is spent. Highlighting the importance of dedicating time to spiritual growth and service, he cites the Bible to urge the audience to live meaningfully. Through anecdotes and biblical references, the message is clear: time is a gift from God, and how we choose to use it reflects our commitment to Him and our readiness for the afterlife.

15:05

🌍 Time in the Context of Global Challenges

This paragraph explores the concept of time against the backdrop of global challenges, such as nuclear threats and environmental crises. The speaker references contemporary concerns, including the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the potential for catastrophic events. Through this lens, he discusses the biblical perspective on time, emphasizing the finite nature of human existence and the eternal continuity of God's presence. The narrative connects current events with biblical prophecies, suggesting that modern developments are signs of the times, urging for a reevaluation of priorities and a commitment to God's plan.

20:05

⚠️ The Urgency of Spiritual Awakening

The narrative here underscores the urgency of spiritual awakening in light of the world's precarious state. Through various examples, including film references and current events, the speaker illustrates the increasing volatility and moral decline in society. He calls for a return to spiritual values, citing the Apostle Paul's admonitions to live morally upright lives in anticipation of salvation. The speaker stresses the importance of recognizing the signs of the times, which point towards an urgent need for personal and collective repentance and a commitment to live according to God's commandments.

25:06

✝️ The Call to Commitment

In this concluding paragraph, the speaker presents a poignant call to action, emphasizing the importance of making a decisive commitment to Christ. He shares personal stories and examples to illustrate the immediacy of this decision, warning that delay or indecision could have eternal consequences. The speaker elaborates on the process of repentance and commitment to Christ, outlining the steps to surrender one's life to God. He stresses that the time for such a decision is now, highlighting the brevity of life and the pressing need to secure one's place in eternity with God.

Keywords

💡Brevity of Life

The concept of the brevity of life emphasizes the shortness and temporary nature of human existence. In the script, it is highlighted through the Psalm 90:10 reference, stating that human life spans could be seventy or eighty years, filled with labor and sorrow, underscoring the fleeting nature of life and the importance of valuing every moment. This theme serves as a reminder to the audience to 'number our days' wisely, applying our hearts to wisdom, and reflects on the urgency to live meaningfully.

💡Psalm 90

Psalm 90 is referenced as a foundational scripture that discusses the transient nature of life, comparing the eternal nature of God with the fleeting existence of humans. It serves as a call to wisdom and a life lived with purpose, echoing through the sermon as a reminder of the limited time humans have on Earth and the importance of spending this time in a manner that aligns with spiritual wisdom and understanding.

💡Number our days

The phrase 'number our days' is drawn directly from Psalm 90 and urges individuals to gain a heart of wisdom by recognizing the limited nature of our time on Earth. In the script, this phrase is used to encourage the audience to reflect on the significance of each day and to live each one with purpose and intentionality, aligning actions with the pursuit of wisdom and understanding.

💡Technological Advancements

The speaker contrasts the rapid pace of technological advancements with the unchanging, swift passage of time, mentioning how life has transformed with the introduction of atomic bombs, astronauts, computers, and more. This context illustrates the exponential growth in human capabilities while also highlighting the unchanged, fleeting nature of life, emphasizing that despite technological progress, the essence of life's brevity remains constant.

💡Judgment

The concept of judgment is discussed as an inevitable event following death, where individuals are held accountable for their actions and decisions made during their lifetime. In the script, it serves to underscore the seriousness of living a life that is mindful of spiritual laws and the eternal consequences of our earthly actions, urging the audience to reflect on their spiritual state and relationship with divinity.

💡Sin and Redemption

Sin is depicted as a universal condition afflicting all humanity, distancing individuals from God. The script underscores the importance of redemption through Jesus Christ, who died for sins, offering a path to reconciliation with God. This concept is central to the sermon's message, emphasizing the need for personal repentance and the acceptance of Christ's sacrifice as the means to overcome the spiritual ailment of sin.

💡Time as a Resource

The script personifies time as a finite resource that is distributed equally among all individuals, yet cannot be saved or extended. Through the analogy of time being like money in a bank that opens a new account for you each day, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prudent time management and living each day with purpose, underscoring the need to invest time wisely in activities that have eternal value.

💡Eternal Perspective

An eternal perspective is encouraged, contrasting the temporal nature of earthly life with the enduring existence of God and the eternal realm. The speaker urges the audience to live with an awareness of the fleeting nature of life and the permanence of the divine, motivating a life lived in accordance with God's will and for eternal purposes.

💡Commitment to Christ

The call for a total commitment to Christ is a central theme, urging the audience to surrender their lives fully to Jesus, not merely as a religious act but as a complete dedication of one’s life and purpose. This commitment is portrayed as the foundation for a life that is lived in alignment with divine principles and the key to securing one's eternal destiny in heaven.

💡The End of the Age

The concept of 'The End of the Age' references discussions in the Bible about the culmination of the current era of human history, leading to the return of Jesus Christ. It is used in the script to highlight the urgency and importance of spiritual preparedness and living a life that is conscious of the impending conclusion of time as we know it, urging the audience to live in a manner that is ready for this ultimate event.

Highlights

Introduction to the topic on the brevity of life with reference to Psalm 90:10, discussing life expectancy and the inevitability of aging and death.

Mention of famous personalities like Bob Hope and George Burns, illustrating longevity and their perspectives on life and death.

Reflections on technological and societal changes over the decades, emphasizing the rapid passage of time.

Anecdotes illustrating the perception of time and its value, including the story of a train arriving on time.

Historical perspective on the speed of travel and technological advancements from horseback to modern aerospace.

A call to mindfulness about the fleeting nature of time and life, urging the audience to value every moment.

Discussion on the average lifespan and the challenges of aging, referencing scripture on strength, labor, and sorrow in later years.

Emphasis on the importance of using time wisely, with spiritual reflections on life’s purpose and the inevitability of death.

Theological insights into the judgment after death and the significance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for sin.

Encouragement to commit fully to Christ, examining the depth of one’s faith and dedication.

Reflection on the urgency of living a Christ-centered life amid the evils and challenges of the modern world.

Insights into the concept of redeeming time for God’s work, including tithing one’s time for spiritual growth.

A reminder of the finite nature of time and the importance of acting immediately to secure one’s eternal destiny.

Warning against procrastination in matters of faith, emphasizing the unpredictability of life and the certainty of death.

A call to action for the audience to make a decisive commitment to Christ, reflecting on the eternal implications of their choices.

Transcripts

now tonight I want you to turn to me

with me to the 90th psalm the 90th song

I want to speak tonight on the brevity

of life and I'll make it brief like I

did last night the 10th verse of the

90th sound the days of our years of

threescore years and ten that's seventy

and if by reason of strength they be

fourscore that's eighty yet is their

strength labor and sarra fight is soon

cut off and we fly away who knoweth the

power thine anger even according to thy

fierce choice i wrath so teach us to

number our days that we may apply our

hearts under wisdom do you number your

days do you realize how important every

single day is think of it God has said

that if you live to be seventy you may

live to be eighty Bev shea has already

passed that a long time ago eighty do

you know that he's 82 years of age

and it has a young teenage wife

that may be the secret like Bob Hope he

just keeps on going maybe maybe it's

like burns

he says he doesn't believe in death and

he's already booked the Palladium in

London for his hundredth birthday and

he's asked me to come I was walking down

Madison Avenue one day and I heard

somebody yelling my name and I turned

around and there he was and he said

Billy I'm going to celebrate 80 years in

show business he said will you come and

be on my show why I said yes I'll be

happy to I used to go with some of his

friends over to his house and we would

sit and talk and got to know each other

he's Jewish and of course they in the

motion pictures they called him God but

he's a delightful person to be around

and he's gone far beyond the average

person because the average person lives

in America the average man lives to be

about 71 of 72

the average woman lives a little bit

longer about 74 or 75 and then the

scripture says if you live to be 80

you're likely to have a lot of labor and

sorrow and troubles and difficulties I

heard about a train passenger who was

handing out cigars because the train

down where I live arrived on time for

the first time in a long time that was a

number of years ago the conductor said

he couldn't accept a cigar why he said

because this is yesterday's train

I was ordained I was ordained to the

Christian ministry in 1939 at the time

of the New York World's Fair that was 52

years ago at that time there were no

atomic bombs no astronauts no automatic

wash washers and dryers no computers no

credit cards no cholesterol counting

never heard of cholesterol no digital

dashboards and turbo driven

fuel-injected automobiles no fast

outlets like we have today in McDonald's

and Wendy's and Burger King no genetic

engineering no jet airplanes no

microwaves no quartz watches no

transistor radios and we'd never heard

of television we were just beginning to

hear of television and when I was born

and when I was just a little boy radio

was just started and how quickly that

time has passed I remember the first

radio program that came over KDKA in

Pittsburgh and my father had a little

crystal set and we heard something

whining and squelching and my father

said I think that's it

that's in my lifetime can you imagine

that

and what has taken place how quickly

those years have passed and how much has

happened a little girl talked to her

mother because the o'clock had struck 13

times when it came 12:00 and the little

girl said mama it's later than you think

there's the collapse of time all around

us do you know in the days of Jesus as

fast as a person could go was as fast as

a horse could run in night and that

happened all the way until 1830 when we

developed an engine faster than a horse

think of that those hundreds and

thousands of years all as fast as you

could go was on horseback

then in 1910 we developed a military

aircraft that went 42 miles an hour and

then I remember very well just like it's

yesterday when Lindbergh took off for

Paris and in 33 hours he was in Paris

and we thought that was really something

today we get on a Concorde or some

people do and there they are in three

and a half hours and in 1960 we started

going through the air 18,000 miles an

hour when we got up in the stratosphere

now my father drove a horse and buggy

and we're trying to run today a space

age on a horse and buggy moral and

spiritual condition time is collapsing

on us how much longer do we have the

psalmist requested that the Lord

remember how short my time is the whole

house made my days as a hand

and mine age as nothing to thee a

thousand years in thy sight uh but as

yesterday when it is past and is a watch

a watch is four hours in the night one

day is with the Lord as a thousand years

and a thousand years is one day he that

sitteth upon the circle of the earth and

the inhabitants thereof look to God like

grasshoppers the grass withereth and the

flower fadeth the scripture says my days

are like a shadow that decline it and

I'm withered like grass but Thou O Lord

Sheldon dule forever and thy remembrance

unto all generations think of it

God will endure forever but on this area

we're like a shadow that's declining

we're all dying from the moment you were

born you started dying because we're all

heading toward death every one of us

onto the sentence of death there won't

be anybody in this audience alive I'd

say 90 years from tonight

nobody will all be gone and what are you

gonna do with those years each human

being has exactly the same number of

hours and minutes every day do you know

how many minutes they're on today

fourteen hundred and forty do you know

how many hours they're on a week 168 now

if you live to be 70 your first 15 is

childhood or adolescent you spend 20

years in bed the last five years the

physical limitations and your curtailing

your activities that means you only have

30 years left for everything else 30

years to live and part of that time has

to be spent eating and working and

figuring up your income tax

the scripture asks this question what is

your life it is even a vapor that

appeareth for a little time and then

vanisheth away the oldest of us won't

live long our time is already in God's

hands

God has a date already set for you being

taken from this world it may be in an

accident it may be a cancer maybe heart

attack whatever it is it's already sick

and the scripture says it is appointed

unto man wants to die and after that the

judgment you will stand before the great

judgment of God to give an account of

how you spent this life and what you did

about Jesus Christ because God gave his

son to die for your sins because you see

we're all sinners we all have the same

disease I don't care what the color of

your skin is God doesn't look at the

color of your skin God looks at your

heart and God sees that you have a

spiritual heart disease and that

spiritual heart disease is called sin

and we're all sinners that means we've

broken the laws of God we've disobeyed

God

we've rebelled against God and because

we've rebelled against him and we're

going to have to face a judgment and

he's going to say depart from me I never

knew you it's interesting to me that

rich people cannot buy more hours

scientists cannot invent new minutes you

cannot even save time to spend it on

another day you've got a little time

today you say well I'd like to save it

up for tomorrow you can't do that

there's an urgency at a time

the Bible says redeemed the time because

the days are evil the days of very evil

we look at our newspapers and we cannot

believe all the murders and the rapes

and the racial problems all these things

all over the world

and the followers of evil seem to be so

numerous the task is colossal for those

of us that want to go the other way to

build a new world in a better world and

develop a new world order and then we

read in our newspapers that the atomic

thing is more dangerous now than ever

before read last week's Time magazine

it's far more dangerous than it was

before the coup in Russia why because

now those weapons may be in the hands of

many nations and then the atomic

submarines that are prowling both of our

coasts who's in command

who's in charge who's to tell them those

weapons are in existence now and we saw

what happened at Chernobyl with just one

explosion what could happen if just a

few of those bombs went off just in New

York on New Jersey just one bomb could

devastate the whole area and we don't

even think about that we go on living as

though we're going to live forever we

don't even think about trying to work

for peace or trying to get people to

pray for peace yes the days are evil and

we've got a big task ahead of us if this

earth is to be spared much longer the

scripture says that we're to redeem the

time it's a phrase out of the business

world it means to buy the time I heard

about people who tied their time we're

supposed to tithe on money 10% about

money it belongs to God if you're a

Christian but we can also tie the your

time take 10% of your time and say Lord

this is yours for Bible study for prayer

you said we spend too much time on

freeways going back and forth the

interstates and stuck in traffic you

know we've invented all of these modern

things to save time and we have less

time than ever before we have a lot less

time now than my father and mother had

in

horse-and-buggy days and yet we have

fast automobiles and fast airplanes and

we're running from place to place like

mad people and most of us don't know

what we're going to do when we get that

you have so much time but for what you

have time to serve Christ you have time

to live according to his will you have

time to obey Him have you done like the

psalmist said in 31:15 and put yourself

at God's disposal when he said my times

are in your hands there's a current

movie showing in this area entitled The

Commitments have you committed your

whole life to Christ has that ever

happened you oh you say yes I'm been

baptized I've I've been confirmed I go

once in a while to church I think about

God once in a while but have you really

committed to it are you totally

committed to him ah now you sure if you

died at this moment you'd go to heaven

why you certain your sins are forgiven

that's why Christ came and died on the

cross and shed his blood and God raised

him from the dead and then there's the

tyranny of time it controls us and we

become frustrated running from one thing

to another

because we don't feel that we have

enough time to get everything done that

needs to be done jesus said I must work

the works of him that sent me while it

is day the night cometh when no man can

work the night is going to come to you

and you won't have an opportunity to

serve God serving while you can serve

him now put him first in your life yet

at the end of his life he said I

finished the work that you gave me to do

God has a plan for your life and you can

finish it with God's help and he'll give

you a joy and a peace that you never

dreamed existed if you put your

confidence

him oh yes when Jesus left the earth

there were people that needed to be

healed and lives that needed to be

touched but Jesus said he had finished

the work that had been assigned to him

by the Father God has assigned a work

that only you can fill you are unique

nobody can take your place and God needs

you in his kingdom time can be our tool

but we can also be its slave even so

time is amazingly fair and forgiving no

matter how much time you've wasted in

the past you can still have tomorrow ad

ly Stephenson once said it's not the

days of your life but the life in your

days that count you have to buy it what

is the price you have to pay the price

is that you have no time for certain

things we shouldn't drift along

haphazardly doing all the pleasures and

all the drinking and all the other

things that are wrong God wants us to

love others the main thing that he wants

us to do is to love your neighbor and

love people of another race the one

thing that distinguishes a believer from

others is love that dominates your life

your life should be carefully planned

then this determination of time brethren

the Apostle Paul said in first

Corinthians time is short in Revelation

it tells us that time shall be no more

Jesus and His disciples spent the 94

verses of Matthew 24 to the end of the

chapter 225 talking about the end of the

age as we approach the end of the age we

read in Revelation 12 that the devil

will be frantically active because he

knows that his days and

yes there is a devil there is a Satan

he's a real person and they're real

demons and they're going to battle for

your soul tonight because Satan does not

want to give you up

he'll battle to keep you in his kingdom

because there are two kingdoms

there's the devil's Kingdom and there's

God's kingdom and you have the right to

make a choice which one you want to be

in of course we don't know when the time

of Jesus coming is going to be in met in

mark 13 we're told heaven and earth

shall pass away but of that day and hour

knoweth no man so take heed watch and

pray for you know not what your time is

we don't know when God is going to come

for us we don't know when the shadow of

death is going to cross across us and we

face the judgment Terminator 2 Judgment

Day the most expensive film ever made is

the one which by far the most people

worldwide have gone to seed this year

it's already brought in 170 million

dollars at the box office many call it

the most terrifying movie they've ever

seen as it depicts three billion people

being incinerated in a nuclear holocaust

the current Time magazine says the

future suddenly looks dangerous one of

the 27,000 nuclear warheads deployed on

missiles and bombers and submarines and

ammunition dumps around the world it

conjures up the apocalypse it conjures

up all those things you read in the book

of Revelation that you thought you would

never understand and never say you read

the book of Revelation now and it flies

from those pages to you because you can

see it in your newspapers and on your

television screen about to happen the

article quotes Dick Elka's an advisory

board member of the washington-based

Center for Strategic and International

Studies who predicted

what has happened so far is a 6-0

earthquake on its way to becoming an 8.3

earthquake 900 times greater in other

words he says the danger is 900 times

greater right now than it was a few

months ago the harmon institute's

richard erickson said we are facing what

is perhaps the largest man-made disaster

the world has ever known

is the world approaching its savage

worst or like someplace that no one has

ever seen before in USA today this

weekend's edition review Zanu film

that's coming out this fall entitled

until the end of the world in Romans 13

the Apostle says knowing the time that

now it is high time to awake out of

sleep for now is our salvation nearer

than when we believe the night is far

spent the day is at hand

let us therefore cast off the works of

darkness and let us put on the armor of

light the Bible several times uses the

phrase the time is at hand Jesus told us

to discern the signs of the times one of

the signs is that iniquity shall abound

pick up your newspapers and watch your

newscast iniquity is abounding

everywhere not just in New York not just

in New Jersey but throughout the world

the current Time magazine tells us that

aids among teenagers doubles every 14

months violent crime in this country is

up 10% Paul Harvey told us on his

newscast that perhaps it's time for

Americans to get out their old hymn

books and sing again the song that clip

led us in a moment ago when the trumpet

of the Lord shall sound and time shall

be no more and the morning breaks

eternal bright and fair when the saved a

birth shall gather over on the

the shore and the roll is called up

yonder I'll be there when the roll is

called in heaven will you be there is

your name written on the book of life

because the scripture says if your name

is not on the Lamb's Book of Life you

never enter heaven your name right now

is on what is called in the Bible the

books and under your name or all the

sins that you ever committed all the

things that you've ever thought that are

on all of you

intents that are wrong it's all that

recorded and will face you at the

judgment but when you come to Christ and

present yourself wholly and completely

to him as Savior Lord

he blots out everything in those books

and write your name in another book the

book of life the Lamb's Book is your

name written they have my name was not

written there and I didn't know it I

wouldn't leave this building tonight

until I was sure because there never may

never be another moment like this in

your life this is your hour with God and

then the brevity of time calls for

immediate action the fact that time is

short calls us to do something about it

now because the scripture says in 2nd

Corinthians 6:2 now is the accepted time

not tomorrow today things you ought to

do do it now money you ought to give

give it down people you ought to witness

to witness now every time the clock

ticks it seems to say now today if you

will hear his voice harden not your

heart you can harden your heart you hear

a message like this and it can be very

dangerous because you'll harden your

heart and the next time you hear the

gospel your heart will be harder and

harder and harder come to Christ now if

there's even a whisper in your heart

that you need to come you come then

there's the warning of time it will

someday be too late for your soul time

is too short for indecision and

halation don't halt between two opinions

fools say there's plenty of time

the devil says there's plenty of time

every morning you have

86,400 seconds to spend and to invest

each day the bank named time opens a new

account with you there may be no

tomorrow come now

the scripture says seeing then that all

these things shall come to pass what

manner of persons ought you to be I read

an article some years ago talking about

some people that were having a great

time on New Year's Eve and it's this man

that was writing the article said they

drink like there's no tomorrow you've

probably all heard the song another time

and another place and that's what the

devil will whisper in your ear tonight

when I tell you you need to come and

make your commitment to Christ with

these hundreds and thousands that have

already come in this crusade the devil

will say wait another time another place

this is not the time this is the time

the very fact you're here indicates it's

the time by some strange coincidence of

Providence God has brought you here

tonight and before you came you thought

you were all right with God but now

you're not sure and you want to make

sure you want to be certain yes the

devil always says yes do it

but some of the time and some other

place God says here and now in Luke 19

it tells us of Jesus weeping over the

people of Jerusalem there's a poem that

I first heard years ago that goes

there's a time we know not win a place

we know not where that seals the destiny

of man for glory or despair

someone wrote me a letter here this week

it says dear mr. Graham

in 1957 your crusade came to the old

Madison Square Garden in New York City I

was six years old I can still remember

the bus ride the hard wooden bleachers

and my shiny new black patent-leather

shoes I remember it all just like it was

yesterday when you made the invitation

to give my life to Christ I was ready

and I jumped up to go but unfortunately

in those days and in that generation my

mother replied to me and said hush sit

down we don't do that someone might see

I stayed in my chair here it is 35 years

later and I'm privileged to be a

volunteer counselor down on the floor

and it's my prayer that not one person

stays in their seat but comes forward to

receive Christ while there's time thank

you for bringing your crusade back to

this area my six-year-old girl memories

are bursting with excitement I'll be

praying for you this week god bless you

there's a man from this area the clip

beerus told me about on the telephone

today his family had been urging him to

stay here because he didn't believe and

he made a point of telling people that

he didn't believe in Christ he wasn't a

believer but he would not stay here and

he wouldn't come and he didn't want to

accept the claims of Christ instead he

went to the Bahama Islands and in the

early morning this morning he died of a

heart attack

for him it is now too late his decision

is made what about your decision is it

going to be yes or no to the claims of

Christ Christ died for you he rose again

and then what do you have to do you have

to first repent of your sins that means

that you say Lord I am a sinner I'm

sorry my sin I'm willing to change my

way of life I want to follow you and

serve you and I surrender my life to you

tonight or rededicate my life to you

tonight I'm need your Lord and I want to

make my commitment on this night