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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 addresses the lies of Satan that lead believers to feel unworthy of worshiping God, emphasizing that through Christ's sacrifice, we are made clean and qualified to serve Him. He reassures that our worthiness comes not from our own efforts but from faith in Jesus, who has redeemed us and made us fit for eternal inheritance. Wilkerson highlights that no amount of personal righteousness can qualify us before God; it is solely through Christ's righteousness that we stand justified. The message encourages believers to reject the lies of unworthiness and embrace their identity in Christ.
Scriptures
Have You Been Listening to the Lies?
So, have you been listening to Satan's lies about your walk with Jesus? Have you been thinking you're unworthy, that you cannot worship God until you make everything perfect? I have good news for you. You already know Satan is a liar but I can prove to you that Jesus has made you clean, worthy to stand before Him and serve Him in faithfulness. How are you made worthy? By Christ's sacrifice on the cross you are given every right to worship and serve the Lord. "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:10-14). The Greek rendering of this passage is: "The Father has made us fit, worthy, qualified in character — good enough to be partakers in the inheritance of the saints of light." What Jesus did on the cross qualifies you for eternal inheritance. And if God has qualified you for eternal life, then He has made you strong in character. You could "sit down" from ministry for a month, a year, a whole lifetime trying to make yourself qualified for Him, working on your character in an effort to become good enough to be used of God. But you can never meet the criteria on your own. Even if you were able to win victories over every wrong thing you have done, every wrong thought you have had, you still would not be qualified in God's sight. It is impossible. Why? Because God will not accept any righteousness except that of His own Son, Jesus Christ. You cannot obtain the righteousness of Christ by working for it. The only way to obtain it is by believing and trusting God for it. It all happens by faith in what Jesus has done!
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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.