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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 being intimately connected with Christ, which leads to a greater awareness of our responsibility to portray Him to the world. He highlights that on the Day of Judgment, we will be evaluated based on how we expressed Christ's love and compassion, particularly towards the needy. Wilkerson reflects on Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25, which inspire a genuine concern for the poor and a call to action in our lives and ministries. He reminds us that while good works do not save us, they are essential in demonstrating our faith and commitment to God's commands. Ultimately, we are called to engage personally in addressing the needs around us, guided by the Holy Spirit.
Scriptures
Shutting Our Eyes to the Needy
When the Lord touches someone and he is driven to his knees, he becomes intimate with Christ. He enters into a place of rest and begins to minister to Christ with new passion and a greater love. This servant also becomes more aware of the coming Day of Judgment when he knows that God will ask him one great question: “How did you portray Christ to a lost world?” This is the single criterion for how we will be judged on that day. It doesn’t matter if we have been shut in with God like Moses, received great revelations like Daniel, been sanctified like Paul, or preached boldly like Peter. Everyone will be judged by this single standard: how did your life express who Jesus is and what he is like? One of the last messages Jesus spoke to his disciples before his crucifixion is contained in Matthew 25. Christ’s words gave them a new attitude of love and concern for the poor and this same message caused me to make changes in my life and ministry. That passage of Scripture is: “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me’” (Matthew 25:34-36). Of course, no one can be saved by good works alone, but we will be judged by whether we live only for ourselves and shut our eyes to the needs of the poor and helpless. The Lord doesn’t expect you to do it all, but he expects you to be personally committed to hands-on involvement in at least one area of need. When you have a desire to obey his command, the Holy Spirit will show you the way.
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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.