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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 dangers of procrastination in faith, emphasizing that the word 'someday' represents unfulfilled hopes and dreams. He illustrates this with the story of four leprous men who, faced with despair, chose to take action rather than wait for a miracle. Their decision led to unexpected blessings, highlighting that God desires His children to live in abundance and victory, not in fear and defeat. Wilkerson urges believers to rise up and embrace the life God intended, filled with joy, peace, and triumph over adversity. He reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Christ, who leads us to victory.
Scriptures
The Problem With Someday
One of the most tragic words in any language is someday. It sums up the unfulfilled hopes and dreams of this entire generation. So many are bound, lonely, heartbroken, disillusioned, rejected, waiting for a miracle to happen. But nothing is going to happen unless they take steps to make it happen. Four leprous men sat outside the besieged city of Samaria and the Syrian army was determined to starve them out. These men could have died of hunger but they decided to do something about their hopeless situation. They asked, “Why are we sitting here until we die? … If they kill us, we shall only die. And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians and … no one was there” (2 Kings 7:3-5). When they entered the camp, they discovered food, gold, clothes — all their hearts could desire, for the Lord intervened (see verses 7-8). There is something tragically wrong with the way most of us are living the Christian life. We are not living the way God intended at all! Consider the adjectives God uses to describe the life he provides for all believers: abundant and overcoming; satisfying, joyous; the peace of God and light with no darkness; freedom, wisdom, good cheer and blessings; power, quietness, assurance and victory! Now think of the negative adjectives being tossed about by Christians today: coping, depressed, fearful; anxious, sleepless, lonely; blue, empty, restless; weak, guilty, condemned; oppressed, holding on, nervous, perplexed, burned out. God never intended for his children to live as though he has forsaken the earth and given control to Satan. The most faithful among us grow weary and even the strongest lose heart at times. But this must not be allowed to continue! Christ is coming back for a triumphant, overcoming church that is victorious over all the power of the enemy. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us to triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14). Beloved, rise up today and walk in victory because “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
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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.