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The World Situation
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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This sermon emphasizes God's promise of rest and protection for His people amidst global turmoil and fear. It highlights the need for believers to find rest in the finished work of the cross, trusting in Christ's righteousness and letting go of fear of man and worldly concerns. The message encourages faith in God's provision and protection, even in the face of societal challenges and opposition to Christian values.
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And here's what God's new thing is. In a time of turmoil. In a time when economies are collapsing. In a time of war. Think of Iran and Iraq. Afghanistan. Think of 9-11. Think of the collapse of our stock market two years ago. Think of all the turmoil around the world. Think of Israel and the battle, the struggle there. Very few Christians have entered into the rest. We are afraid of the economy. We are afraid of our jobs. We are afraid that there won't be food for our children. In the United States there's terrible fear. Because they understand that the terrorists are not trying to come in with missiles that are fired from the shoulder. Heat-seeking missiles. An attempt to blow the President's plane out of the sky. They're afraid of bombs, suitcase bombs. They're destroying hundreds of thousands in New York or other major cities. And there's a lot of fear in the world today. But I tell you this. God is going to have a holy remnant from Israel, New York, Belarus, all nations, China, all over the world. The Holy Spirit is going to bring a people into the rest. That we understand where that rest begins. That's in the finished work of the cross. When we believe that Christ forgives us and cleanses us. That we have no righteousness of our own. But we have a righteousness of Christ. And we rest in that righteousness. But there's a practical side to this rest also. And that has to do with losing or having no more fear of man. Go to Isaiah 57. Verses 12 and 13. I'm sorry, Isaiah 51. Isaiah 51, verses 12 and 13. Why should you be afraid of man? In the son of man that's made like grass. Why are you afraid of man? Or governments? Or the future? Or your personal safety? God has made a promise in this book. That you will never have to beg for bread. He's made a promise to keep his people. You will always have enough to eat. There will be a covering for your head. He will protect his beloved. But he needs a people. And he's going to bring a people. Who are not going to fret. They're not going to fear. The Bible says, fret not because of those who bring about wicked devices. Fret not because of evildoers. In the United States, they have outruled the Bible and God from our schools. As I told you, they're trying to outrule him from every area of our society. And in the headlines recently, there was a story of a judge down in the state of Alabama. He's a good Christian. And he had the Ten Commandments carved in a huge piece of granite. And he placed it in front of the courthouse. Just the Ten Commandments. And he was told it's against the law. It had to be removed. Hundreds of Christians rose up in anger. And all over the United States. And I remember the anger that was in me. I said, Oh God. You're not even allowed to hang the Ten Commandments anywhere in a public building. A government building. A new law being introduced. That no judge can be appointed. If he believes in any God. Jehovah or Allah. In other words, he has to be an atheist. And I see these things. And when I heard about that judge being ordered to remove. In fact, they came in, picked it up, and removed it. And when I heard about that judge being ordered to remove that stone. In fact, they came in, picked it up, and removed it. There was anger in my heart. But I remember what the word says. Threaten not yourself because of evildoers. In other words, don't let them provoke you. Don't let it get in your spirit. We're here to preach the gospel. We're not here just to fight the government. You'll be a good citizen. But you're going to see and hear things that alarm you. There's a new constitution for the United States of Europe. It's being drawn up and concluded right now. And they have declared. That God must not be mentioned in this constitution for Europe. And if you're not careful. It can make your spiritual blood boil inside of you. The God says, don't fret. God has everything under control. God is going to act to defend his own name. They cast my name out. And when I was praying about that Ten Commandments. And that judge. Holy Spirit came to me. He says, don't worry about that marble Ten Commandments being removed. He said, the day they remove that. I wrote my law. In the hearts of one million young people in this country. In the law in the heart. That stone doesn't mean anything. I'm sending a youth awakening. And I'm writing my law. In the hearts of the young people. And no judge can remove that law. No government can remove that law. Because it's written in the heart. Hallelujah!
The World Situation
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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.