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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 temptation is an invitation to immorality, particularly targeting Christians as they grow closer to God. He encourages believers to rejoice in trials, viewing them as training for combat-seasoned warriors, as only true children of God can be tempted. Temptation is not a sign of weakness but rather a testament to God's trust in us, allowing us to witness the limitations of Satan's power. Wilkerson reminds us that Jesus faced temptation to demonstrate that Satan is ultimately powerless, and we should glorify God while using our faith to combat temptation.
God Wants Combat-Seasoned Warriors
Temptation is an invitation or an enticement to commit an immoral act. Right now Satan is raging over the earth as a roaring lion trying to entice Christians toward immorality. No one is immune and the closer to God you get, the more Satan will desire to sift you. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2, KJV). The Lord tells us to rejoice when we fall into various trials because we are experiencing something unique. Temptation is “training under combat conditions” and it only happens to maturing Christians. God wants combat-seasoned warriors who can testify, “I was under fire! I’ve been in battle! The enemy was all around me, trying to kill me but God showed me how to take it all and not be afraid.” Only true children of God can be tempted — sinners cannot. Rain cannot touch a body already under water and sinners are already drowned in perdition. As children of Satan, they do as he dictates and he teases them into deeper and darker pits of immorality. Temptation is not a sign of weakness or a leaning toward the world. Rather, it is a sign that God trusts us. The Spirit led Jesus into the arena of temptation in the wilderness so that He could learn the secret of power over all temptation. Actually, God was saying to Jesus, “My Son, I have given you the Spirit without measure and confirmed you before the world. Now I am going to permit Satan to tempt you so you will see how powerless he is. You will never once fear his dominion and you can go forth preaching the kingdom with faith that Satan is defeated and cannot touch you in any way.” We are not tempted to teach us about ourselves or show off the power of the devil. No! Temptation is allowed to teach us the limitation of Satan — to defang him and expose his weakness. And to show the power of God to deliver! Start glorifying the Lord and use your shield of faith against temptation in your life.
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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.