God Told Me Something I Was Not Expecting to Hear!
David Wilkerson emphasizes the urgent need for spiritual vigilance and reliance on the Holy Spirit in a complacent church facing impending challenges.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the urgent need for the church to awaken from complacency, as God revealed that many are unprepared for the challenges ahead. He warns that without the Holy Spirit's witness, believers risk succumbing to the spirit of the Antichrist. Wilkerson draws parallels to the foolish virgins who ran out of oil, urging individuals to seek a deeper relationship with God and to confess their sins. He highlights the cost of discipleship but reassures that the ultimate reward is the presence of Christ in our lives. The message calls for humility, repentance, and reliance on the Holy Spirit in every aspect of life.
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One night during a prayer meeting, God told me something about our church I was not expecting to hear.
The Lord whispered to me, "This church needs shock treatment! Too many have grown satisfied and complacent. You feel safe and secure from all the winds and waves of false doctrines sweeping over the land--but you are not prepared for what is coming!"
Beloved, the message of having the Spirit's witness functioning in you is not a request--it is a matter of life and death! If you don't have the witness of the Holy Ghost in these last days, you're not going to make it! You'll give in to the coming spirit of the Antichrist!
You need the Holy Spirit witness every day--on your job, at work, at school. You need to rightly judge politicians and leaders so you'll not suddenly be sucked into the antichrist system.
This is what Jesus was trying to tell us about the foolish virgins who ran out of oil for their lamps. They had a supply of the Holy Ghost--but they didn't have his witness at the final moment.
Don't end up a foolish virgin! If you are running out of oil--trusting your church or your pastor to keep your soul--then repent! Humble yourself and search your heart! Cry out to God to rid your soul of all anger and bitterness. Confess your sins and forsake them. And depend on God once again for everything!
Get the peace of God in your heart, so you can have a Holy Ghost witness. And ask the Father for a greater enduement of the Spirit. Invite him to be your witness and guide in everything!
We face a cost of going all the way with Jesus, but we also will receive a reward: It is simply the blessing of having Christ stand with us. There are many other rewards as well (see Matthew 19:29), but I mention this one because it is all we will ever need.
When Paul was imprisoned in Jerusalem, the whole religious system wanted to kill him. They accused him of polluting the holy place and preaching false doctrines. His life was in danger; even the soldiers were "fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces" (Acts 23:10). So they took him by force and locked him away in a castle. The next night the Lord himself spoke to Paul, and what a word he brought: "Cheer up! There's even more trouble to come!"
The cost of following Christ was clear in the lives of these men of God--and if we are going to be like our Master, then we must embrace this cost as well. Enduring it becomes a joy because Jesus promises to stand with us in every situation. And we can face anything or anyone when we know the Lord stands with us.
So count the cost and know that your reward, in all things, is the precious presence of Jesus Christ.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The need for shock treatment in the church
- Complacency and false security
- Preparation for the coming challenges
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II
- Importance of the Holy Spirit's witness
- Consequences of lacking the Spirit's guidance
- Judging leaders and politicians wisely
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III
- The parable of the foolish virgins
- The necessity of personal spiritual supply
- Repentance and humility before God
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IV
- The cost of discipleship
- The rewards of following Christ
- The presence of Jesus as our ultimate reward
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V
- Facing trials with the assurance of Christ's support
- Examples from the lives of biblical figures
- Embracing the challenges of faith
Key Quotes
“This church needs shock treatment! Too many have grown satisfied and complacent.” — David Wilkerson
“If you don't have the witness of the Holy Ghost in these last days, you're not going to make it!” — David Wilkerson
“Count the cost and know that your reward, in all things, is the precious presence of Jesus Christ.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Regularly seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life to stay spiritually alert.
- Repent and cleanse your heart from bitterness to maintain a strong connection with God.
- Embrace the challenges of faith, knowing that Jesus stands with you through every trial.