- Home
- Speakers
- David Wilkerson
- The Joy Of Seeking God's Face
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 profound desire of David to seek God's face, illustrating that true fulfillment comes from a deep, personal communion with God rather than worldly achievements. Despite his victories and blessings, David's heart yearned for a spiritual connection that transcended his earthly throne. He recognized that the beauty and glory of God were what he truly sought, leading him to pray for uninterrupted communion with the Lord. Wilkerson highlights that God's response to David's plea was to seek His face, which is the key to experiencing divine intimacy and joy.
The Joy of Seeking God's Face
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4). David is testifying, “I have one prayer, Lord, one request. It is my single most important goal in life; it consumes me and I will seek after it with all that is in me.” Make no mistake, David was no ascetic, shunning the outside world and hiding away in a lonely desert place. No, David was a passionate man of action, a great warrior, with huge throngs singing of his victories in battle. He was also passionate in his prayer and devotion, with a heart that yearned after God. The Lord had blessed David with many of the desires of his heart and he had tasted of everything a man could want in life: riches, power and authority, respect and adulation. On top of all this, he was surrounded by devoted men who were willing to die for him. Most of all, David was a worshiper, a praising man who gave thanks to God for all his blessings. When David prayed that he might dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, he was not talking about leaving his throne to move into the physical temple of God. No, his heart yearned for something he saw in the spirit. He said, in short, “There is a beauty, a glory, an excitement about the Lord I haven’t yet seen in my life. I want to know what it is like to have uninterrupted communion with my God. I want my life to be a living prayer.” When David inquired of the Lord and prayed, “Have mercy also upon me, and answer me” (Psalm 27:7), God answered with these simple words, “Seek my face” (27:8). That is the key! As you seek God’s face, he will bring you into continual, uninterrupted communion with the Christ of glory.
- 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.