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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 challenge of waiting on God during crises, urging believers to trust Him even when circumstances seem dire. He explains that God often leads us into difficult situations to test our faith and to mold us into examples of trust for a faithless world. The sermon highlights that standing still in faith is an active choice, and that God is always faithful, never abandoning His children in their trials. Wilkerson encourages Christians to cease questioning and instead rest in God's promises, affirming that faith can transform our situations.
Scriptures
Lord, Do Something!
Three common words heard among Christians in times of crisis are, “Lord, do something!” It is totally against our nature as human beings to stand still and do nothing when we face perplexing situations. In fact, waiting patiently for God to act is probably the most difficult discipline of the Christian walk. Even devoted believers panic when the Lord doesn’t move according to their timetable. Our God is always searching the earth for a people who will trust him in every crisis, trial and hopeless situation. Indeed, he often leads us into situations that are alarming, critical, difficult, in order to test us. He wants to see if we are willing to stand still and wait for him to bring supernatural deliverance. The Bible states very clearly, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23). This means that it is God, not the devil, who leads us into difficult places. We may cry out, “Lord, why are you allowing my crisis to continue?” But the truth is, he allows our trials deliberately — for a purpose. And that is hard for us to accept! I firmly believe every step we take is ordained by our heavenly father. God wants to produce faith in us, so he is molding and shaping us into godly examples of faith — to be his testimony to a faithless, ungodly age. God is absolutely faithful to his children and he would never lead us to the brink of a difficult situation only to abandon us. He is always asking us, “Will you be the one I’ve been searching for? Will you be the one who does not panic? Who will not charge me with forsaking and hurting my children? Will you stand in your crisis and trust me to see you through?” “Standing still” is an act of faith — an active resting on God’s promises. Faith changes everything! Will you determine to cease all questioning today and simply trust him?
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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.