- Home
- Speakers
- David Wilkerson
- The Boldness Of A Lion
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 boldness that comes from claiming the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ as our inheritance. He explains that this righteousness, credited to us by faith, liberates us from fear and feelings of unworthiness, allowing us to stand confidently before God. Wilkerson reassures believers that while they may feel inadequate, they can rely on Christ as their Advocate, and that true holiness and good works stem from a heart of love rather than fear. He encourages Christians to embrace their identity in Christ, which empowers them to live righteously and serve God joyfully. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a life transformed by the understanding of Christ's righteousness and the freedom it brings.
The Boldness of a Lion
Jesus Christ has left me an inheritance and I claim it as mine. Scripture says, "The righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1). If you can accept this truth of the perfect righteousness of Christ, you will have the boldness of a lion. You will never again fear any person or look at someone else's life and feel unworthy. You can say, "I have the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ credited to me by faith. No, it's not mine, it's His, but it's accounted to me by Jesus Himself, so I may call it my own!" It is time to stop your struggling. If the devil comes to you and says, "You're no good, you have no righteousness," you can answer, "I know I'm no good. I have no righteousness in myself but I do have the righteousness of Jesus Christ. I've failed God but I have an Advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ the righteous!" When you stand before the Lord, you will not have to tremble, thinking, "What am I going to offer Him? What did I do right or wrong?" No, you will be thinking, "I have nothing in myself to offer Him because I have His righteousness — by faith." Does this mean Christians are not obligated to do good works? Not at all. Justification by faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ sets the soul free to walk in holiness and do good works. Good works done in slavish fear bring no glory to God — they must flow out of a loving heart. Walking in true holiness is possible only to those who have laid hold of their inheritance — Christ's perfect righteousness — because they are no longer imprisoned by fear and condemnation. His perfect righteousness is mine by faith and now I am free and released to serve Him as a bondservant of love. Now, by the power of the Holy Spirit promised in the New Covenant, He turns me from all iniquity and empowers me to live out the righteousness He credits to me.
- 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.