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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 that it is possible to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart, as commanded by God to Abraham and echoed by Jesus in the New Testament. He clarifies that perfection does not equate to being sinless, but rather signifies completeness, maturity, and a responsive heart that is obedient to God's voice. Wilkerson highlights the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal hidden sins and the necessity of a heart that desires to be cleansed and made pure. The perfect heart is characterized by a willingness to listen and respond to God's guidance, ultimately leading to a deeper fellowship with Him.
The Markers of a Perfect Heart
It is possible to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart! God said to Abraham, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1, ASV). David determined in his heart to obey this command and said, “I will behave wisely in a perfect way … I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psalm 101:2). We see the Lord’s command to be perfect in the New Testament as well when Jesus said, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Perfection does not mean a sinless, flawless heart. After all, David was said to have had a perfect heart toward God, yet he failed the Lord often. His list of sins included adultery and murder. The basic definition of perfect is: completeness, maturity. In the Hebrew and Greek, the definition includes uprightness, being without spot, totally obedient. It also means to finish what is started: a complete performance. The perfect heart is a responsive heart. It quickly and totally answers the Lord’s wooings, whisperings and warnings. This heart says at all times, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears. Show me the path and I will walk in it.” Christ commits himself to those who walk before him with a responsive, listening heart. The perfect heart also wants the Holy Spirit to come and shine into the hidden parts; to expose all that is unlike Christ. This heart cries out with David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me” (Psalm 139:23-24). As you share sweet fellowship with him, he will continually prepare you to come into his holy presence as a clean, pure vessel — creating in you a perfect heart.
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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.