Sermon Central
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Crying In The Wilderness -Billy Graham Story
Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 3, 2025 (message contributor)
In 1948, ...a remarkable religious phenomenon occurred... in the United States.
It began in a tent ... near Hollywood California, ...under the preaching ... of a young evangelist.
The crowds were sparse at first ... but as the preaching continued, ... the crowds began to grow.
At first, ... the media ... totally ignored these gatherings.
Yet ... when some of Hollywood's well-known names ... came to faith ... the press began to take ... notice.
Eventually ... reporters were sent to investigate ...and interview ... this rather strange young preacher.
This preacher ... who dressed in pistachio-colored suits, ... who wore flaming red ties ... who spoke with a pronounced Southern accent, ...and yet ... he had an incredible appeal ... to the masses.
It was evident ... God ... was doing something.
Well Beloved ... That was the beginning ... of Billy Graham's ministry ... as an evangelist.
And as news of those tent meetings spread across the country ... numerous cities welcomed him ... to come ... and preach. (Pause)
As it was with Billy Graham in 1948 ... so it was to a degree ... with John the Baptist ... in the first century.
He too ... was a young man ... in his early 30s.
He too ... dressed rather strangely.
He did not wear green suits ... He wore animal skins ... and ate grasshoppers ... and wild honey.
He was the voice ... the voice ... crying in the wilderness ... the voice that bore witness ... to the coming Christ.
Hear God's Word: Bible "There was a man ... sent from God, ... whose name was John. ... He came as a witness, ... to bear witness ... about the light, ... that all ... that all ...might believe ... through him." END (John 1:6-7)
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