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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 the importance of guarding one's prayer life against distractions and interruptions that the enemy uses to thwart Christians' devotion to God. He highlights that the devil fears those who earnestly seek righteousness and prayer, as their intercession is powerful against evil. Wilkerson urges believers to prioritize their communion with God above all else, treating their time with Him as sacred and rejecting any interruptions that hinder their spiritual growth. He encourages Christians to recognize the necessity of spending time in prayer to truly serve others with God's compassion. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a commitment to enter into the fullness of one's relationship with Christ.
Guarding Your Prayer Life
We have heard talk of conspiracies down through the years but there is only one conspiracy that concerns our heavenly Father — a scheme aimed directly at Christians who have set their hearts on entering into the fullness of Christ. This conspiracy is meant to thwart God’s plan of raising up an army of sanctified people — men and women totally devoted to the lordship of Jesus in their lives. Let’s call it a conspiracy of interruptions. The devil is terrified of Christians who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Indeed, he fears praying saints more than he fears a thousand years in chains. The powerful praying of just one intercessor sounds like raging thunder in the caverns of hell. That’s why the devil works so hard to distract and interrupt such a follower of Christ. One of the favorite ploys of the enemy is to present human need that demands our attention. We cry out, “Lord, how can I turn away and neglect those who are hurting?” The answer from the Lord is, “How can you neglect me?” This is the crux of the issue. Can anyone or anything ever be more important to us than our Lord? Should any need or hurt ever keep us from meeting with the Lord himself? Even Jesus drew away from the massive human need all around him so that he could quietly communicate with his heavenly Father. There comes a time in every Christian’s life when he has to say, “You can wait. I’ll be back but first I have to spend time in prayer. My soul is hungry and I must feed on God’s Word. If I don’t spend time alone with the Lord, I’ll have nothing to offer you but my feeble human compassion.” In order to guard your prayer time and withstand all satanic conspiracies, you can do three things: Make communion with the Lord your primary goal in life. Job declared, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). Consider your appointments with God more sacred than any appointments with people — no matter who they are! Reject every interruption that is within your power and take spiritual authority over those interruptions you discern to be supernatural. Enter into the fullness of your walk with Christ, as God has planned for 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.