The Other Side of Godliness
David Cawston
James 1:27
Introduction:
In the Christian life, it is not how you start that matters.
It is how you finish.
The year was 1945. Three men came shooting out of the starting blocks like rockets. 27 year old, Billy Graham came storming out seemingly nowhere to fill auditoriums across America, speaking to as many as 30,000 people a night.
Graham became the first full time evangelist for Youth for Christ and his reputation as a uniquely gifted preacher roared across America like a prairie fire. But Billy Graham wasn't the only young preacher packing auditoriums in 1945.
Chuck Templeton and Bron Clifford were accomplishing the same thing. All three young men were in their mid twenties. One seminary president, after hearing Chuck Templeton preach one evening to an audience of thousands, called him "the most gifted and talented young man in America today for preaching."
Templeton and Graham were friends. Both ministered for Youth for Christ. Both were extraordinary preachers. Yet in those early years, Most observers would have put their money on Templeton.
Bron Clifford was yet another gifted 25 year old fireball. In 1945 many believed Clifford the most gifted and powerful preacher, the church had seen in centuries. Clifford preached to an auditorium of thousands in Miami, Florida. At the age of 25, young Clifford touched more lives, influenced more leaders and set more attendance records than any other clergyman in his age in American history.
Graham, Templeton and Clifford, all came out of the starting blocks like rockets. 51 years have gone by. You've heard of Billy Graham.
In the Christian life, it is not how you start that matters. It is how you finish.
Today we celebrate 50years of ministry here at Bethel. What will the next 50 years hold if Jesus tarries and where will this church be. The environment, need, culture are changing rapidly!
Are you prepared for the second half of the race! Wh ...
David Cawston
James 1:27
Introduction:
In the Christian life, it is not how you start that matters.
It is how you finish.
The year was 1945. Three men came shooting out of the starting blocks like rockets. 27 year old, Billy Graham came storming out seemingly nowhere to fill auditoriums across America, speaking to as many as 30,000 people a night.
Graham became the first full time evangelist for Youth for Christ and his reputation as a uniquely gifted preacher roared across America like a prairie fire. But Billy Graham wasn't the only young preacher packing auditoriums in 1945.
Chuck Templeton and Bron Clifford were accomplishing the same thing. All three young men were in their mid twenties. One seminary president, after hearing Chuck Templeton preach one evening to an audience of thousands, called him "the most gifted and talented young man in America today for preaching."
Templeton and Graham were friends. Both ministered for Youth for Christ. Both were extraordinary preachers. Yet in those early years, Most observers would have put their money on Templeton.
Bron Clifford was yet another gifted 25 year old fireball. In 1945 many believed Clifford the most gifted and powerful preacher, the church had seen in centuries. Clifford preached to an auditorium of thousands in Miami, Florida. At the age of 25, young Clifford touched more lives, influenced more leaders and set more attendance records than any other clergyman in his age in American history.
Graham, Templeton and Clifford, all came out of the starting blocks like rockets. 51 years have gone by. You've heard of Billy Graham.
In the Christian life, it is not how you start that matters. It is how you finish.
Today we celebrate 50years of ministry here at Bethel. What will the next 50 years hold if Jesus tarries and where will this church be. The environment, need, culture are changing rapidly!
Are you prepared for the second half of the race! Wh ...
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