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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 that despite the abundance of gospel revelation and resources available today, many believers are still plagued by distress and confusion due to unbelief. He argues that the root cause of the lack of victory and deliverance in the lives of Christians is not a lack of God's Word, but a failure to hear and obey it. Wilkerson encourages believers to stand firm on God's promises, reminding them that true faith arises from actively hearing and trusting in God's Word. He reassures the discouraged that God offers His Word as a source of hope and deliverance, urging them to trust, obey, and rest in it.
Driving Out Unbelief
We are living in a time of the greatest gospel revelation in history. There are more preachers, more books, more gospel-media saturation than at any time in history. Yet there has never been more distress, affliction and confusion among God’s people. Pastors today design their sermons just to pick people up and help them deal with despair. They preach on God’s love and patience, reminding us that he understands our times of discouragement. We are told, “Just hold on. Be encouraged. Even Jesus felt forsaken by his Father.” There’s nothing wrong with this. Yet there is still just one reason why we see so little victory and deliverance: it is unbelief. The fact is, God has spoken with clarity in these last days: “I have already given you the Word. It is finished — so now, stand on it. There are those who say we are experiencing a famine of God’s Word today but the truth is, we are experiencing a famine of hearing God’s Word and obeying it. Why? Because faith never comes to us by logic or reason. Paul states plainly, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The only way true faith will ever rise up in any believer’s heart is by hearing — that is, believing, trusting, and acting on — God’s Word. Are you discouraged? The Lord says, “I give you my Word.” “For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You … You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:6-8). “The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 33:18). “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (Psalm 34:6). In just three psalms we are given enough of God’s Word to drive out all unbelief. I urge you now: hear it, trust it, obey it. And, finally, rest in it.
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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.