Related commentaries – Fortification

Jesus’ time with the Samaritans – John 4:39 – 4:45

Billy Graham’s Academic Preaching Was of no Effect

In Streams of Living Water, Richard Foster told of Billy Graham preaching at Cambridge in 1955. For three nights he tried to make his preaching academic and enlightened, but with no effect. Graham finally realized that presenting the intellectual side of faith was not his gift and began giving his testimony and preaching the simple plan of salvation. Foster wrote, “The results were astonishing: hundreds of sophisticated students responded to this clear presentation of the gospel. It was a lesson in clarity and simplicity that he never forgot.” (Stephen Chapman - Sermon Central)