Chicago

The Town Billy Sunday Couldn’t Shut Down!!!

by David J. Stewart

You may have noticed right away who the man is in the photo to the left. If you guessed “Frank Sinatra,” you are correct. It was Frank Sinatra who sang the popular song, “Chicago, Chicago, that’s my kind of town.” Frank Sinatra was without a doubt a musical legend in his time. The “boy with the golden voice” he was called. Even today his music is still very popular. Sinatra’s song “Chicago” is considered a beloved classic by millions of people. Little do most people realize that Frank Sinatra slanders God's man, Billy Sunday, in this song. 

But before I tell you what the slander is, I should tell you who Billy Sunday was. Billy Sunday had been a professional baseball player. One night he came into the Pacific Garden Mission (located in downtown Chicago on State Street) and heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Billy Sunday became a born-again Believer by receiving Jesus Christ as personal Savior (John 1:12). He gave his life to Jesus Christ and decided to become a preacher, an evangelist. Billy Sunday became one of the greatest preachers and evangelists which this country has ever known. Billy Sunday was dynamic—known to jump, shout, and hit the pulpit—taking an uncompromising stand against sin!!! 

God used Billy Sunday’s preaching throughout revival meetings nationwide to lead millions of lost souls to Jesus Christ—what a testimony!!! Billy Sunday preached against the evils of his day; namely, alcohol, gambling and dancing. If Billy Sunday were alive today he would still preach against booze, gambling and dancing (as well as cigarettes, abortion, illegal drugs, the garbage on TV, pornography, fornication, sodomy, Evolution, et cetera). America needs more Billy Sundays!!!

Now back to the song—Chicago. In this song you will hear the repeated phrase, “The town Billy Sunday couldn’t shut down.” What a wicked thing to say about the man of God!!! Maybe Billy Sunday couldn’t shut Chicago down, but someday GOD WILL!!! What did Frank Sinatra accomplish with his life for God? NOTHING!!! He chased women, drank booze, gambled, danced and sang his life away for the Devil—wine, women and song!!! Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. became known as “The Rat Pack.” Sammy Davis Jr. later became a proud member of the Church of Satan founded by Anton LaVey in 1966. I couldn't make this stuff up!

Frank Sinatra spent his entire life glorifying the very sin and evil that Billy Sunday fought so hard to clean up. You could say, Frank Sinatra put a great big knife in Billy Sunday’s back. Let me tell you, Frank Sinatra wasn’t worthy to shine Billy Sundays shoes!!! Billy Sunday did so much for God. I wouldn’t want to be in Frank Sinatra’s shoes for all the money in the world when he stands before God. What a sad testimony!!! Sinatra had such a wonderful talent and could have used his voice to the glory of God—instead he used his voice to serve Satan and promote alcohol, gambling and dancing. I think Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. were appropriately called “The Rat Pack.” 

Thank God, thank God, thank God for Billy Sunday!!! Below is a picture of Frank Sinatra’s grave stone—where do you think he is right now?

Frank Sinatra never professed any faith in Christ; he lived his life glorifying and living for sin. By all evidence, Sinatra died in his sins without the Lord and is burning in Hell this moment. Any good works which he may have done won’t atone for his sins. Frank Sinatra left $200,000,000 to charity after his death. My friend—you cannot earn Heaven, you cannot buy your way into Heaven, you cannot be religious to enter heaven—Ye Must Be “Born Again” (John 3:6). 

You must BELIEVE (trust) upon the name of Jesus Christ to be saved, not merely admit that He once existed.  Have YOU made that decision to rely upon Christ??? It’s a choice that only YOU can make. Only through Jesus Christ can any person find peace and salvation with God, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Eternal life is a free gift from God, paid for by Jesus' precious literal blood (1st Peter 1:18-19). Salvation is receiving, not giving. Look to Jesus!

Billy Sunday had peace with God and spent his remaining years proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ—Millions were saved!!! Billy Sunday would throw a fit if he were alive today over the sinful condition of society and over the tolerance which people have for the wickedness of our day (no thanks to Frank Sinatra). Sinatra did much do discredit Billy Sunday with one wicked song—Chicago! What an evil thing to mock the preaching of the man of God!!! Woe unto Sinatra!

We need to GET RIGHT WITH GOD!!! This is the badly needed message of our day—GET RIGHT WITH GOD!  Very few people genuinely care about what God thinks—we are living in a society which has redefined God—each person has their own little self-made false god (a distorted image of God). Turn to Jesus, our God and Savior, believe on Him to forgive your sins. Don’t trust your feelings, nor your minister, nor your religion; trust God’s Word. Ye must be born again (John 3:7).


“I tell you that the curse of God Almighty is on the saloon.” —Billy Sunday

Billy Sunday (1862-1935)

Beer is for Fools!!!

Watch Billy Sunday preach!

More Sermons by Billy Sunday

Hear Billy Sunday's "Booze Kills!" (MP3)

Hear Billy Sunday on Prohibition (MP3)

The Salvation of a Nation (by Pastor Jack Hyles)


“Whiskey and beer are all right in their place, but their place is in Hell.” —Billy Sunday