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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 the motive behind our obedience to God, arguing that if our intentions are not pure, our actions will be tainted. He points out that many Christians obey out of fear of punishment rather than a genuine desire to please God, contrasting this with Jesus' example of obedience rooted in love and a desire to fulfill the Father's will. Wilkerson encourages believers to adopt the same attitude as Christ, seeking to understand and fulfill God's desires, thus building their lives on a solid foundation of love and obedience.
Scriptures
The Flow of Obedience
It is important that we understand the motive out of which our obedience springs, because if the spring is not pure, everything that flows out of it will be polluted. The sad truth is that many Christians in these last days obey God only because they are afraid of going to hell. They fear their Father's wrath and their obedience to Him is "legal" only. They have no genuine desire to please Him. Jesus did everything out of love and a desire to bring pleasure to His heavenly Father: “Then Jesus said to them, When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:28-29, NIV). This was the rock, the foundation upon which Jesus built His life of obedience. It was the spring, the motive, out of which the flow of His obedience came. It is to be our rock, as well. “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). Jesus shut Himself up in prayer on the mountaintops, in quiet places, often all night long in fellowship with His Father. His one great prayer was, "Father, what do You want? What will bring You pleasure? What can I do to fulfill the desire of Your heart?" That is the attitude of a person who has the Spirit of Christ and that should be our attitude—that we might be one who builds on the rock. The foundational motive of all our obedience must be: "I do all things because I want to please my Lord; I want to bring Him great pleasure!”
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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.