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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 importance of remembering God's past miracles as a source of strength when facing life's giants. He draws on the example of Moses reminding Israel to recall their deliverance from Egypt and David's confidence in confronting Goliath, rooted in his memories of defeating a lion and a bear. Wilkerson encourages believers to guard these memories and share them with future generations to build faith. He reminds us that recalling God's faithfulness can empower us to face our current challenges without fear. Ultimately, he calls us to trust in God's ability to deliver us once again.
Are You Facing a Giant?
It is easy to take for granted the miracles God has performed in our past. Yet the Bible tells us to remember our deliverances. Moses’ exhortation to Israel after the miracle of the Red Sea was, “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Exodus 13:3). The Lord was telling them, in essence, “Guard these memories and every time you face a crisis, remember all the miracles I have provided for you. And be sure to tell your children so it will build your faith and the faith of generations to follow.” The memory of our past deliverances helps increase our faith for what we are going through right now. When David volunteered to fight the giant Goliath, King Saul said to him, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth” (1 Samuel 17:33). But David had the memory of killing a lion and a bear with his bare hands when he was protecting his sheep. He told Saul about this and assured him, “Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God” (17:36). David knew the danger of facing Goliath but he was not a novice, a naive kid full of bravado and looking for a fight. No, he was simply remembering his past deliverances and he was assured of victory. He looked his enemy squarely in the eye and stated, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (17:37). Are you facing a giant in your life? Remember that time when God healed your body and raised you up? Remember the time he provided the finances you needed to get your through? Do not cower in fear, but think on his faithfulness and trust him to deliver you once again.
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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.