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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 the purpose of intimacy with Jesus is to gain a revelation of the Father. He explains that without this revelation, one cannot fully experience the depth of intimacy with Christ. Wilkerson encourages believers to reflect the love and care of the Father in their lives, demonstrating to the world that they are legitimate children of God. He illustrates this through Jesus' miracles, such as turning water into wine and feeding the multitudes, which reveal the Father's concern for His children. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit helps us remember these acts to deepen our understanding of who the Father is and His desires for us.
Scriptures
The Purpose of Intimacy With Jesus
The purpose of intimacy with Jesus is to have a revelation of the Father. If your eyes are not opened to the Father, you have not entered into the fullness of intimacy with Christ. Jesus told the disciples, "You need a revelation of who your Father is. You must be able to teach others, who are like sheep without a shepherd right now. They think nobody cares, that they're illegitimate children. So you must do works as I did, speak as I spoke. They need to know they have a loving Father in heaven" (see John 14:6-9). Beloved, we also need that revelation. We must to be able to say to the world, "Watch my life. Listen to what I say. See the works I do. It's all about my heavenly Father." I imagine Jesus saying the following to them: "So, you want Me to show you the Father? Just think back to the wedding of Cana, when I turned the water into wine. That was was an expression of My Father. He was showing His concern for even the smallest, insignificant needs of His children. He was showing He cares about family, about marriage, about food for His children. That was the Father at work! I’ve never done anything on My own, but only what He has told Me to do” (see John 14:10-11). He goes on, "Do you remember the feeding of the four thousand, and later the five thousand? Those people had been without food for almost three days. You saw how hungry they were and you asked, 'How will we feed them?' So I broke the loaves and fishes and divided them up. You saw how the people grabbed at the abundance of food. You remember all the baskets of leftovers.” Why does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will bring all things to our memory? It is so we can have a revelation of the Father. So we can replay in our minds every miracle He has done in our lives — every deliverance, every wonderful work. Jesus is saying through it all, "Everything I have done for you is an expression of the heavenly Father — who He is and what He wants to be to you!"
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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.