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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 recognizing the sufficiency provided by God for believers, highlighting that many experience despair due to a lack of faith in God's provisions. He shares a personal experience with Kathryn Kuhlman, who reminded him that true ministry under the Holy Spirit should leave one feeling empowered rather than exhausted. Wilkerson encourages believers to draw from the 'bank of heaven' and to understand that God's grace increases in times of weakness, allowing them to abound in every good work. He stresses that faith is key to accessing this divine strength and sufficiency.
Sufficiency in All Things
Why do so many believers experience weakness, feelings of despair and emptiness, as if they can’t go on? It is because they do not have the revelation that the Spirit gave Paul—a revelation of all the provisions God has made possible for those who would claim them by faith! Do you fit Paul’s description of a bountiful servant—one who has all he needs and more, at all times, in every crisis? Have you proven this by drawing on the bank of heaven? For several years I worked with Kathryn Kuhlman. I preached my heart out at her meetings in the morning and evening, and usually by the end of the day I was wiped out. One night Kathryn said to Gwen and me, “Let’s go out and get something to eat.” I told her, “I’m sorry—I’m too tired. I’ve got to go to the motel and get some sleep.” She looked at me quizzically and asked, “David, did you preach under the Spirit’s unction tonight?” I answered, “You know I was anointed. The altars were filled!” Kathryn said quietly, “Then you’re missing something. If you’re ministering under the power of the Holy Ghost, you should be stronger at the end of service than when you started—because he is a quickening Spirit! You can rise above your flesh, because by the Spirit you can claim that freedom.” Since then I have proved that truth in my ministry. “…that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). To abound here literally means, “ever-increasing; to have more at the end than at the beginning.” In other words, as the battle gets hotter, God’s grace increases! As weakness comes upon you, his strength comes on even greater—if you believe it.
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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.