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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 Jesus took on human nature to fully understand our struggles, including rejection and temptation. This allows Him to intercede for us with deep sympathy, especially for those who feel discouraged and alone in their faith. He illustrates this through the example of a struggling sister who feels weak and on the brink of giving up, yet Jesus intercedes for her, reminding the Father of His own suffering and offering grace and encouragement. Wilkerson reassures that Jesus' prayers bring comfort and renewal, demonstrating His compassion for our weaknesses. Ultimately, the message is one of hope, showing that we are never alone in our struggles.
Our Greatest Comfort
It was necessary for Jesus to take on human nature so He could go through everything we do on earth — rejection, pain, sorrow, temptation. Though He was God in flesh, He endured the whole human experience not as God, but as a human, with all our frailties. That enables Him, our High Priest, to pray for us with tremendous sympathy: "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour [relieve, aid] them that are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). Consider a dear, struggling sister. She loves Jesus but she is feeling discouraged, cast down, rejected. She thinks, "I've been deeply hurt and I have no one to talk to who really understands." Sometimes she wonders if God can forgive her for having such weak faith and she is on the brink of giving up. Satan stands beside her, accusingly saying, “Look at this one! She has virtually no faith. What kind of Christian is she, God?” Jesus sees her hurt and feels her pain. He knows that her faith is weak, that she is on the verge of giving up, so He comes before the Father on her behalf and begins to intercede: "Father, I know what she feels because I've been there. I was rejected by My own flesh and blood. I was mocked by the religious crowd. Soldiers spat on me and put thorns on My head. I even cried, 'Why hast thou forsaken Me?' I sympathize with this woman, Father, and I have washed away her sins. I know she still has a heart for Me." This is where Jesus' prayers for us come in: "Father, I would that she be forgiven for her discouragement. I would that she be given a new supply of grace from on high. Let the Holy Spirit come upon her with a special renewing of encouragement and give her a spirit of peace and rest. She is Mine, Father, and Satan cannot have her!" Suddenly, out of nowhere, the woman feels encouraged. Grace is given to her through the prayers of our High Priest. He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities and He acts in mercy.
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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.