- Home
- Speakers
- David Wilkerson
- Unshakeable Confidence In God
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.
Download
Sermon Summary
David Wilkerson emphasizes the unshakeable confidence we can have in God, rooted in the understanding that Jesus, our High Priest, empathizes with our struggles and pain. He encourages believers to approach God's throne boldly, knowing that Jesus understands our trials and offers grace in our times of need. Wilkerson contrasts the responses to suffering, highlighting Job's unwavering trust in God despite immense suffering, illustrating that our trials can lead to spiritual growth and the development of grace within us. Ultimately, he reassures that our present sufferings serve a greater purpose in God's plan.
Scriptures
Unshakeable Confidence in God
Most Christians are familiar with this verse: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). We see here that our high priest, Jesus, feels our sufferings along with us. In other words, the Lord is personally touched by all pain, confusion and despair that we feel. There is nothing we experience that he has not endured also, in one way or another. Because we have such a great high priest, we are instructed, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16). We are being told, “Your savior knows exactly what you are going through and he knows how to minister his grace to you.” We have heard most of the theological definitions of grace: unmerited favor; the goodness of God; his special love. But when trials come, we have a choice of how we will react. In the book of Job, we see that Job’s wife became embittered at the unspeakable tragedy they were suffering. She foolishly blamed God and urged Job, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). She was saying, in essence, “Why would the Lord bring down such unthinkable tragedy on this godly family?” But even in his great grief and anguish, this godly man declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). Job was saying, “It doesn’t matter if these boils take me to my grave, I’ll never give up my confidence that he knows what he is doing. Even though I don’t understand anything about any of this, I know God has some eternal purpose.” Beloved, your present sufferings are producing something precious in your life as you are being formed into a grace giver.
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download

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.