Franklin Graham Shares One Message Billy Graham Wants Every Person to Hear on His 98th Birthday
Evangelist Franklin Graham is celebrating on Monday his father, Billy Graham's, 98th birthday, and has shared the one message he believes his father would want every person in the world to hear.
"Happy Birthday to my father Billy Graham he's — 98 today! He told us three years ago that he might live to be 100 — I hope he does! He once said, 'God isn't finished with you when you retire! We never retire from His service," Graham wrote on Facebook early Monday morning.
"I'm heading down to visit with him today at his home, and others in the family will be there as well. I know that he appreciates your prayers."
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Graham reflected that his father has "faithfully preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ" for over 70 years, having preached sermons and written books translated in different languages around the world.
"If there's one message he would want you to hear today, it is that God loves you and wants you to be saved," Graham said about his father, linking to a video titled "The Cross," where the 98-year-old evangelist shares his hopes that people will turn to God.
"It has a powerful message about forgiveness and hope that comes only through the Cross of Christ. It also has Lecrae and Lacey Sturm in it. Take time to watch it today, and share it with others. Hear what my father has to say about the importance of forgiveness," Graham continued.
Graham, who now leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has said that the family is preparing a modest celebration for his father on Monday.
"He likes these cheap birthday cakes that have that lard icing on them," Graham told Religious News Service back on Thursday. "I'm going to go get him one of those cheap birthday cakes from the local grocery store, and we'll celebrate his birthday."
Back in 2013, Billy Graham said "The Cross" was likely his last message to America, a conclusion he reached after a great deal of prayer.
"With all my heart, I want to remind Americans of God's amazing love and, as simply and clearly as I can, call people to 'a repentance that leads to salvation' (2 Corinthians 7:10, ESV)," the world famous evangelist added.
In "The Cross," Billy Graham calls on Americans to look inside themselves and seek revival.
"I know where I've come from. I know why I'm here. I know where I'm going. Do you?" the pastor asked at the time.
"People don't want to hear that they're sinners. To many people it's an offense," he added in a pre-recorded message. "The cross is offensive, because it directly confronts the evils that dominate so much of this world."
