Franklin Graham’s message to Syracuse: ‘There’s just one Jesus’

GEDDES, big apple -- Of the several Bible passages Franklin Graham mentioned throughout his appearance in vital ny Thursday, the one he repeated most frequently become from the Gospel in keeping with Mark:

“What does it income a man to benefit the entire world and lose his soul?”

Graham, the son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, used that passage a few instances for instance his perception that the handiest way to salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ.

“there are many religions in this world,” he mentioned, “but there is just one Jesus.”

Franklin Graham in Syracuse: God, the Bible (and politics?)

The son of evangelist Billy Graham brings his decision the usa tour to the Lakeview Amp on might also 30.

Graham concluded his six-state choice the us Northeast Tour Thursday with a nearly two-hour song-and-prayer rally at the St. Joseph’s health Amphitheater at Lakeview near the state Fairgrounds in Geddes.

About 6,a hundred americans attended, a a little higher crowd than suggested at some of his previous stops, in the cities of Springfield, Mass.; Portland, Maine; Burlington, Vt.; Manchester, N.H.; East providence, R.I.; and Bridgeport, Conn. The tour begun might also 19.

Graham persisted to insist a number of times that this tour isn't political. but he commonly introduced up political themes and people, certainly President Trump.

Graham recently joined other Christian evangelical leaders in calling for a day of prayer Sunday, June 2 to “offer protection to, improve, motivate and ebook” Trump.

The reason, he spoke of Thursday, is that if the president "makes an outstanding decision, all of us benefit. If he makes a nasty determination, all of us pay for it.”

but, Graham informed the crowd Thursday, that name “is not political."

“The Bible instructions us to hope for our leaders,” he referred to. He later called on the gang to hope for local leaders, citing Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Gov. Andrew Cuomo by identify.

Yet Graham additionally used this discussion board to name on Trump’s critics to “circulation on” from the inquiries into the president’s conduct -- such because the Mueller probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

“I don’t be aware of of any president who has been attacked as a whole lot," Graham said. involving the chance that Congress may proceed investigating and even movement toward impeachment, Graham stated: “Congress must be focused on fixing problems.”

That remark introduced a cheer from the viewers.

but the loudest cheers from the crowd came right through Graham’s discussion of his contemporary verbal feud with Pete Buttigieg, the brazenly gay mayor of South Bend, Ind. who is working for the Democratic presidential nomination. Graham repeated what he has observed several instances in fresh weeks -- that homosexuality is a sin and Buttigieg must “repent his sin, not flaunt it.”

throughout that part of his talk, Graham informed the audience that God supposed “marriage to be between” -- and here he paused for impact -- " a person and a lady." That drew loud and sustained cheering and applause.

He adopted that with a reference to abortion debate and used the Bible citation, “The wages of sin is demise.” He once again stressed his perception that there is only one course to God.

“There don't seem to be two roads to heaven," he mentioned. “in case you come to God ... he offers you the energy to say no to these temptations.”

Graham ended his sermon as he always does, with what he called the “Come to Jesus,” part of the night. He invited those that wished to publicly ask forgiveness for his or her sins to return forward. as a minimum one hundred americans gathered in entrance of the stage and up into the aisles.

He led them in prayer: “i'm a sinner. i'm sorry. Forgive me,” it begun. It ended with "I ask Jesus to come into my coronary heart, to take control of my coronary heart."

“God loves you,” Graham observed. "You’re forgiven."

apart from the occasional bursts of cheers and applause, the group listened quietly and attentively with an occasional cry of “Amen,” “sure, Jesus,” or different exclamation.

simplest a few within the crowd wore any kind of politically oriented apparel or hats, and there have been few indications of any form. There turned into no indication that protesters have been latest.

Ed Blasczienski of the Oswego County city of Mexico typified many within the crowd, donning a T-shirt emblazoned with the identify of his church -- The Lighthouse Church of God.

“I’m here to hear the notice of God,” Blasczienski spoke of. “I need to have it deposited in me.”

Flashback: Remembering Billy Graham's Syracuse crusades

Rev. Billy Graham held crusades on the warfare Memorial and the service Dome.

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The put up-normal. reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or observe him at NYup.com, on Twitter or facebook.