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The Apostasy - the Remnant Part 1
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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This sermon emphasizes the danger of preaching a smooth and watered-down gospel that neglects the essential messages of divine judgment, brokenness, and the reality of hell. It highlights the importance of addressing pride as a significant sin, drawing from the example of Sodom's destruction. The speaker warns against the prevalent focus on prosperity and material blessings in modern preaching, urging a return to the uncompromising truth of God's Word.
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God said through the prophet Ezekiel, as I live, says the Lord, Sodom is your sister, has not done what you have done. Sodom has not sinned as you have sinned. Sodom is more righteous than you. He said that to his church. He said, Pastor David, I don't want to hear this negativity. Let me tell you something. I listen to these, I listen to so many preachers today. And believe me, we have some of the greatest preachers that have ever lived. God has his prophets. God has pastors and pulpits. Just preaching the straight gospel. Preaching a pure word. But most of what I hear, and it's heart breaking, is an apostate message. And if it's not apostasy, it's something else. There's no message of hell. No message of divine judgment. No message of brokenness. When God destroyed Sodom, the number one sin was pride. It was not just homosexuality. The number one sin was pride. God said it was because of the pride and the arrogance. There's a smooth gospel being preached today. Listen to what the prophet Isaiah said. You'll become a rebellious people. He said children will no longer hear the law of God. They say to the prophets, Do not preach. Write things to us. Preach smooth things to us. Cause the Holy One to cease from our presence. May I tell you this? A lot of Pentecostals, a lot of Evangelicals, don't want to hear it anymore. Smooth gospel. Easy gospel. God wants you to be rich. God wants you to have a brand new car. Prosperity, prosperity, prosperity. And all the while, there's a handwriting on the wall. Your days are numbered.
The Apostasy - the Remnant Part 1
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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.