Most people probably have heard of Billy Graham, but how about Chuck Templeton? What about Bron Cliffort? Have you heard of them?
Did you know that they were also packing out auditoriums in 1945 when Billy Graham first preached to large crowds?
All three of these young men rose to prominence in their middle twenties. One seminary president after hearing Chuck Templeton – a
brilliant, dynamic preacher – called him the most gifted, talented young preacher in America. Templeton and Graham became very close
friends. Then started preaching together with the Youth for Christ organization.
Most observers thought that Templeton will be the one who go to the top. One magazine wrote a features article calling Templeton the
"Babe Ruth of evangelism."
Bron Cliffort was another gifted, young fireball evangelist. Many believed that Cliffort was the most gifted, powerful preacher to come up
in the church for many centuries. People lined up for hours to hear Him preach. When he went to Baylor University to give a discourse, they
actually cut the ropes of the bells of the tower. They wanted nothing to interfere with his preaching. For two and half hours the students of
Baylor sat on the edges of their seat as he gave a dissertation on "Christ and the Philosopher’s stone" At the the age of twenty-five, Cliffort touched more lives, influenced more leaders, and set more attendance records than other clergyman in American history. National leaders vied for his attention. He was tall, handsome, dashing, intelligent and sophisticated. Hollywood actually tried to cast him in the role for the famous movie, THE ROBE. He seemed to have everything.
Graham, Templetion and Cliffort launched out of the starting block like Olympic gold medalists in 1945. Why haven’t you heard of Chuck
Templeton and Bron Cliffort? The answer may surprise you.
By 1950 Templeton had left the ministry. He pursued a radio career. He became an announcer and a newscaster, telling the world that he no
longer believed Jesus Christ was the son of God. He became an atheist. By 1950, this future Babe Ruth of preaching was not even in the ball
game.
By 1954 Cliffort had lost his family, ministry and health. Eventually he lost his life because of his addiction to alcohol. Financial irresponsibility left his wife and their two Downs-syndrome children penniless. This once famous preacher died of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of thirty-five in a rundown hotel on the edge on Amarillo. He died unwept, unhonored, and unsung. Some of the pastors from Amarillo, Texas, got together and collected enough money to buy a cheap casket. They shipped his body back to the east coast, where he was buried in a pauper’s cemetery.
In 1945 all three of these young men with extraordinary gifts were preaching for the purpose of multiplying the church by thousands of
people. But within ten years only one of them was still on track for Christ.
In the Christian life it’s not how you start but it’s how you finish that counts.
A recent survey shocked me. It’s reported that only one out ten who start ministry at the age of 21 serve the Lord to age 65. They fall
away from ministry due to immorality, discouragement, liberal theology, and love for wealth and the things in this world.
Probably you will say "it is a really an interesting story but I can’t relate to it because I’m not in ministry". May I respond by suggesting that if you are Christian and are serious about Jesus Christ, then you are in the ministry. All Christians are in the ministry (Eph 4:11, Col 3:23). Whatever your profession, you work for Jesus. Jesus said that you are salt of the earth and light of the world (Matt 5:13-14). You are only thing flavoring and saving this world. We are co-workers for Jesus.
Here are questions for you:
Will you finish strong for Christ?
Will you be a multiplier for Him throughout your life?
What will keep you from being one who leaves the race?
You see, those who finish strong are the exceptions. Why? because when it comes to finishing strong, there so many strong odds against
you. The devil is against you and so are the flesh and the cares of this world. You could become your own enemy as you place your personal
wants and desires above seeking the kingdom of God. Although not impossible, finishing strong is possible. You will be required to make
some tough choices.
The church need Christians who are committed to the call of Christ and the Great Commission. Such Christians will choose:
Marriage and family over divorce and brokenness.
Teaching children God’s way and not the world’s way.
People over policies and programs.
Enlarging instead of reducing their circle of love.
Risking much for God rather than playing it safe.
To finish strong, we must choose…..
To stand for truth when critics are the loudest.
To release, not control people in ministry.
To pray and fast and pray again.
Joshua 24:15: ‘Choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.’
Did you know that they were also packing out auditoriums in 1945 when Billy Graham first preached to large crowds?
All three of these young men rose to prominence in their middle twenties. One seminary president after hearing Chuck Templeton – a
brilliant, dynamic preacher – called him the most gifted, talented young preacher in America. Templeton and Graham became very close
friends. Then started preaching together with the Youth for Christ organization.
Most observers thought that Templeton will be the one who go to the top. One magazine wrote a features article calling Templeton the
"Babe Ruth of evangelism."
Bron Cliffort was another gifted, young fireball evangelist. Many believed that Cliffort was the most gifted, powerful preacher to come up
in the church for many centuries. People lined up for hours to hear Him preach. When he went to Baylor University to give a discourse, they
actually cut the ropes of the bells of the tower. They wanted nothing to interfere with his preaching. For two and half hours the students of
Baylor sat on the edges of their seat as he gave a dissertation on "Christ and the Philosopher’s stone" At the the age of twenty-five, Cliffort touched more lives, influenced more leaders, and set more attendance records than other clergyman in American history. National leaders vied for his attention. He was tall, handsome, dashing, intelligent and sophisticated. Hollywood actually tried to cast him in the role for the famous movie, THE ROBE. He seemed to have everything.
Graham, Templetion and Cliffort launched out of the starting block like Olympic gold medalists in 1945. Why haven’t you heard of Chuck
Templeton and Bron Cliffort? The answer may surprise you.
By 1950 Templeton had left the ministry. He pursued a radio career. He became an announcer and a newscaster, telling the world that he no
longer believed Jesus Christ was the son of God. He became an atheist. By 1950, this future Babe Ruth of preaching was not even in the ball
game.
By 1954 Cliffort had lost his family, ministry and health. Eventually he lost his life because of his addiction to alcohol. Financial irresponsibility left his wife and their two Downs-syndrome children penniless. This once famous preacher died of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of thirty-five in a rundown hotel on the edge on Amarillo. He died unwept, unhonored, and unsung. Some of the pastors from Amarillo, Texas, got together and collected enough money to buy a cheap casket. They shipped his body back to the east coast, where he was buried in a pauper’s cemetery.
In 1945 all three of these young men with extraordinary gifts were preaching for the purpose of multiplying the church by thousands of
people. But within ten years only one of them was still on track for Christ.
In the Christian life it’s not how you start but it’s how you finish that counts.
A recent survey shocked me. It’s reported that only one out ten who start ministry at the age of 21 serve the Lord to age 65. They fall
away from ministry due to immorality, discouragement, liberal theology, and love for wealth and the things in this world.
Probably you will say "it is a really an interesting story but I can’t relate to it because I’m not in ministry". May I respond by suggesting that if you are Christian and are serious about Jesus Christ, then you are in the ministry. All Christians are in the ministry (Eph 4:11, Col 3:23). Whatever your profession, you work for Jesus. Jesus said that you are salt of the earth and light of the world (Matt 5:13-14). You are only thing flavoring and saving this world. We are co-workers for Jesus.
Here are questions for you:
Will you finish strong for Christ?
Will you be a multiplier for Him throughout your life?
What will keep you from being one who leaves the race?
You see, those who finish strong are the exceptions. Why? because when it comes to finishing strong, there so many strong odds against
you. The devil is against you and so are the flesh and the cares of this world. You could become your own enemy as you place your personal
wants and desires above seeking the kingdom of God. Although not impossible, finishing strong is possible. You will be required to make
some tough choices.
The church need Christians who are committed to the call of Christ and the Great Commission. Such Christians will choose:
Marriage and family over divorce and brokenness.
Teaching children God’s way and not the world’s way.
People over policies and programs.
Enlarging instead of reducing their circle of love.
Risking much for God rather than playing it safe.
To finish strong, we must choose…..
To stand for truth when critics are the loudest.
To release, not control people in ministry.
To pray and fast and pray again.
Joshua 24:15: ‘Choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.’
