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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 two kinds of love that God has: a general love for all sinners and a special love for His children. He explains that while anyone can embrace God's general love through repentance, His exceptional love is reserved for those who are part of His family. Wilkerson highlights that God's chosen people, Israel, were once the sole recipients of this special love, but now, through Jesus, all believers are included as His beloved children. He encourages listeners to recognize their value in God's eyes and to understand that they are now part of a royal priesthood, cherished and loved by the Father.
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Two Kinds of Love
The Father has two kinds of love: a general love for all sinners and a special love for all who are in His family. God’s general love for mankind can be embraced by anyone who comes to Him in repentance. But God’s heart is also filled with another kind of love—a distinctive, exceptional love for His children! God has always had a chosen people for Himself upon whom He bestowed His great love. Israel once was the sole object for this special love: “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you ... [He] has brought you out with a mighty hand ...” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). God directed these words to Israel. Yet, if you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord—if you have been adopted into God’s family and He is your loving Father—you too must come to grips with how special you are to Him! You are the recipient of God’s extraordinary love and here are His words to you: “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2: 9-10). At one time you were not an object of His special love, but now you are! You have been reconciled to the Father and He loves you deeply—right now, at this very moment!
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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.