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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.
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Sermon Summary
David Wilkerson emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, highlighting that true comfort comes from understanding God's love and truth rather than our feelings. He explains that the Holy Spirit comforts us by reminding us of Jesus' promises and the foundational truth that God is not angry with us, but loves us deeply. Wilkerson encourages believers to invoke the Holy Spirit in times of trial, assuring them that their struggles are common among believers and that God provides a way to endure and escape temptation through His faithfulness.
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Our Security as God's Children
Jesus called the Holy Spirit “the Comforter.” “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26, KJV, my italics). It is one thing to know the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, but we must also know how he comforts us so that we can distinguish what comfort is of flesh and what is from the Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s way of comforting is outlined clearly in Scripture. No matter what the problem, trial, or need, his ministry of comfort is accomplished by bringing truth: “He shall give you another Comforter … even the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). The fact is, our comfort springs from what we know, not what we feel. Only truth overrules feelings, and the comforting ministry of the Holy Spirit begins with this foundational truth: God is not mad at you. He loves you! “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). The Greek meaning here is even stronger than the translation suggests. It says that the love of God is caused to “gush forth” in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The enemy may come in like a flood, bringing fear, guilt or stress, but we can immediately invoke this prayer: “Holy Spirit, minister to me, teach me, and remind me of Jesus’ promises about my security as a child of God.” “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Paul says that you are fighting the same warfare being experienced by godly saints all over the world. Your trial is not something peculiar or specific to you. No matter what you are going through, the Holy Spirit comes with truth that brings comfort.
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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.