- Home
- Speakers
- David Wilkerson
- Let Go Of Your Pride And Be Filled With The Holy Ghost!
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.
Download
Sermon Summary
David Wilkerson emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Ghost, illustrating how His presence can shake lives and churches, as seen at Pentecost. He highlights the necessity of letting go of pride to fully embrace the Holy Spirit's baptism, which ignites a passionate love for Jesus. Wilkerson questions why many believers experience spiritual highs and lows, suggesting that it stems from not inviting the Holy Ghost to take control. He explains that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin and empowers believers to live in accordance with God's Word, providing true comfort. Ultimately, he warns that the Holy Ghost may be unwelcome in some churches due to misconceptions about His nature.
Let Go of Your Pride and Be Filled With the Holy Ghost!
In both the Old and New Testaments, the Holy Ghost fell upon people in the most unusual ways! He shook buildings. People’s tongues began to praise him—in new tongues. The Holy Ghost took full control! At Pentecost he came with a mighty, rushing wind! Fire fell! When the Holy Ghost comes down, things get shaken up (see Acts 2:4 and 4:11). John the Baptist preached, “I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Luke 3:16). Beloved, the Bible makes it very clear: When Jesus comes to you, he desires to baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire! The Holy Ghost brings fire—a red hot, consuming love for Jesus. Why are so many believers hot one minute and then cold the next, never totally yielded, never sold out? Is it because they refuse to let Jesus baptize them with the Holy Ghost? “When [the Holy Ghost] is come, he will reprove…of sin” (John 16:8). Could it be that these believers are not convicted because the Holy Ghost has not yet been invited to take his rightful place in them? He is God’s plumb line. Anything that does not measure up to Christ, he reveals—and he convicts us and empowers us to conform to his Word! Truly he becomes our Comforter in this, because as he convicts us of sin, he empowers us to forsake it. That is true comfort! The Holy Ghost will never make you do anything stupid. But he may come upon you in such a way that sinners may think you are drunk! He is not welcome in many churches because he is thought to be too noisy, too upsetting, too unpredictable!
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
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.