Bill was a Rabble-Rouser
By: Dr. John Holland
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Bill Frazer was the eldest son of Grandpa and Grammie. He had rebelled and was one of the wildest men in the area. He was a drinker, womanizer, gambler, and fighter. He was often in jail, but not in church. His wife had a restraining order against him visiting her or the children. Most of the family had given up on Bill as a hopeless sinner, a poor son, a battering husband, and an absentee father. He did attend the funeral of his mother (my Grammie) and he did see and hear the faith and praise of his old father.
(Read the story from last week’s MondayMorning.Com)
My small part came at seven A.M. the following morning. I had a strange, but powerful inner witness from the Holy Spirit directing me to go to Grandpa and Grammie’s little humble home. Grandpa moved into the home of one of his sons the old home was to be sold. Yet, a witness strong and true echoed in my spirit, “Go to the old home.” Rather reluctantly, I did so and found it dark as I supposed it would be. I even argued with myself about being there but still, I was impressed to go to the door and to ring the bell.
With a sigh in my spirit, I obeyed. To my shock, welcoming me as he swung the door open stood Bill almost crying as he said, “Man am I ever glad to see you.” His eyes were red and swollen. His face was distraught. His skin was blotchy, and he was very emotional. Cradled in his arms across his chest he was holding the old family Bible.
Bill said that after the funeral, “I went out and began to drink and gamble. We broke up just before midnight and I had nowhere to go, so I came here to mom and dad’s place. That is when it happened. I opened the door and God was here!"
He spoke to me and said, “It is time to live. That I could have new life as mom and dad had.”
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"You know me, I have never been afraid of anything. I have been scared to death from then until now. I haven’t slept a wink and the only comfort I have had was holding this family bible and laying on the folk’s bed."
I was able to tell him about salvation and the new birth. I led him in confessing that he believed that Jesus Christ was God’s Son, that he came to earth, was crucified, buried, and resurrected from the dead.
That wayward, rebellious son of Grammie and Grandpa received a new understanding of spiritual truth and entered a new spiritual life.
Bill laid that big old Bible on the floor and knelt with his face on it.
A son who was dead in his trespasses and sin was born again. He was changed and the fear which kept him from sleep was broken. I know God touched him during the funeral as he listened to his old father break the power of death and release the power of spiritual life. I saw the result of releasing the power of speech in the face of death.
The Bible says, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed” (Romans10:9-11).
I have led lots of people in this prayer following this instruction. If you believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and if you will confess you believe he came in the flesh, lived, was crucified, buried, and risen from the dead, YOU SHALL BE SAVED.
Speak this confession of faith,
I believe that Jesus Christ is your son. I believe he came to earth in the flesh. I believe he lived, was crucified, buried, and was raised from the dead. Father, forgive my sins and make me your child. I thank you Father for forgiving my sins and making me a child of God. I praise you Lord for blessing me this day and making me a part of the family of God.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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