- Home
- Speakers
- David Wilkerson
- Possessing Your Promised Land
David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.
Download
Topics
Sermon Summary
David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of making Jesus Christ the central focus of our lives, urging believers to forsake reliance on their own strength and the influence of others. He illustrates that true intimacy with God, as exemplified by Abraham, requires a complete surrender to Christ as our source of life and direction. Wilkerson challenges the congregation to possess their Promised Land by fully embracing the blessings and provisions won for them at the cross. He calls for a faith that trusts in God's Word, rather than seeking fulfillment in spiritual excitement or human leaders. Ultimately, he invites everyone to find peace and rest in Jesus, who is our everlasting possession.
Possessing Your Promised Land
Multitudes from all nations have possessed Christ as their all-in-all. Yet the majority of these people, including many who are in ministry, have forsaken Jesus as their source. Why? They know how costly it would be to give up relying on their own flesh. You see, something happens when we cross the line into the Holiest of Holies. The moment we enter our Lord’s presence, we realize all flesh must die. This includes all desire for spiritual excitement, all talk of great revivals, all focus on deliverance, and all seeking out some new work or movement. Jesus himself has to become your everything. He alone is to be your source of excitement, your constant revival. He is to be your continual word of direction, your new grace every morning. Once you cross the border, you can no longer rely on gifted teachers, anointed preachers, powerful evangelists. If you still seek out men instead of Christ—rushing from meeting to meeting, looking for some person to bless you—then you’re not satisfied with Jesus. He has to be all to you. Abraham was called “the Friend of God” (see James 2:23) because of his intimate relationship with the Lord. A friend is someone who freely gives his heart to another and clearly the Lord shared his heart with Abraham. God himself testified, “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” (Genesis 18:17). Indeed, Paul declares, “God…preached before the gospel unto Abraham” (Galatians 3:8). In other words, the Lord showed Abraham great things to come. This included the nations that would come forth from Abraham’s seed: “Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him” (Genesis 18:18). Abraham knew Jesus was our promised possession. He saw a victorious Jesus bringing down all principalities and power. He saw the victory of the cross and many nations streaming into the Promised Land, possessing their promise: Christ himself. These people weren’t striving to enter, or making empty promises to God. They were possessing their promise by faith alone, trusting God’s Word to them. Have you possessed your Promised Land? Have you laid hold of the provision and blessing that Jesus won for you at the cross? I urge you, make Jesus your life, your all, your everything. Take up God’s invitation to you and enter into the peace and rest of your everlasting possession, Jesus Christ, the Lord.
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download

David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.