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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 power of being redeemed by the blood of Jesus, contrasting the struggle of striving for righteousness in our own strength with the true righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. He encourages believers to stop listening to the lies of the devil and to boldly declare their redemption and freedom from sin. Wilkerson reminds us that our victories are not achieved through our efforts but through the grace and sacrifice of Jesus, who qualifies us to worship and serve God. He calls for a shift from self-reliance to reliance on Christ's righteousness, celebrating the freedom that comes from being redeemed.
Redeemed by the Blood of Jesus
"I haven't yet attained — my flesh still resists the Spirit — but I am redeemed by my Savior's blood and I'm going to sing and shout praises to my God." Does this sound like what you pray each morning? Probably not. Most likely, you start your day by finding ways to continue striving. You bite the bullet, promising God you will never return to your old ways. When you win an occasional victory, you feel good about it. You tell yourself, "I did it! I knew if I would just put my heart and mind to it, I would get the victory." The tendency is to feel so proud about what you’ve done that you go around judging others who aren't victorious. When I was younger, whenever I needed a victory over something, I would tell myself, "I'm going to do this if it kills me." A month would go by and I would think, "Those covetous thoughts are gone now. I'm free!" But it always proved to be only a partial victory. That is when discouragement would set in. I would cry, "Oh, God, I've begged you to deliver me, but You haven't. This thing is still in me." And I would blame God. The fact was, I was so busy striving in my flesh to be righteous that I lost my understanding of true righteousness — the only righteousness the Father accepts. Only Jesus Christ stands righteous before God and when we stand before the Father, He accepts us only through Christ — through His righteousness and victory. “What must I do?” you ask. Well, first, do not listen to the devil's lies. Second, get up on your spiritual feet and start giving praise to the Lord. Declare boldly, "By my faith in the blood of Jesus, I receive the righteousness of Christ. He has made me fit and qualified to worship and serve my Lord!" "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:14). Redemption simply means "set free." We have been set free by Jesus' precious blood. We have the right to stand against every accusation and say, "I'm not buying that, devil. You've accused me for the last time. My Bible says I'm redeemed because I believe in what Jesus did for me at the cross. I confess my sins to Him and I am redeemed — free!"
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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.