Take My Hand and Follow Me
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of following Christ's example of victory through death and resurrection rather than mere self-denial.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that true victory in Christ is not about living a life of extreme simplicity or self-denial, but rather about embracing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He reflects on his early misconceptions about self-denial, realizing that true power comes from clinging to Christ's victory rather than striving for asceticism. Wilkerson encourages believers to consider themselves dead to sin and alive to God, highlighting the importance of faith in experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.
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When I was a young minister in Pennsylvania, I read many books about the lives of godly men who had led very simple lifestyles. That sounded like the answer to my desire to be used of God. At that time I knew a minister who spoke with great authority and he was a real hero to me. He led a life of total simplicity, living in a little room and owning only one suit of clothes.
That's what I thought denying one's self meant -- a Spartan lifestyle. I thought, "Lord, that's what I want. I could be a powerhouse for you if I would only empty out my closets and give away all but a change or two of clothes. I could sell my car and get a cheap one. I could buy an old, unattractive house. I could give up steak and eat hamburger. I could set a great example by having no desire for any material thing on earth." Actually, I was saying, "If I could just suffer enough -- if I could just get hold of my flesh and be an ascetic -- I could serve the Lord with true power."
Soon afterward my hero began teaching false doctrine and many lives were destroyed because of it. That's when the Lord told me, "That's not what victory is all about, David. The victory isn't yours -- it's Mine."
Beloved, it is at this very point that Jesus comes to us and says, "Take My hand and follow Me -- into My death, My burial, My resurrection. Look at the cross. Embrace it and cling to My victory. That is where your crucifixion to the flesh has taken place."
Yes, dying in Christ is an act of faith. We have to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. When Paul says he wants to know Christ in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, he is talking about Christ's resurrection and sufferings -- not his own or anyone else's.
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering, being made conformable unto his death" (Philippians 3:10)
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the concept of simplicity in ministry
- Personal experience with a hero of faith
- Misunderstanding self-denial
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II
- The danger of false teachings
- God's message of true victory
- The importance of recognizing Christ's victory
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III
- The call to follow Jesus
- Understanding death, burial, and resurrection in faith
- Living a life dead to sin and alive to God
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IV
- The significance of knowing Christ
- Power of His resurrection
- Fellowship in His sufferings
Key Quotes
“Take My hand and follow Me -- into My death, My burial, My resurrection.” — David Wilkerson
“The victory isn't yours -- it's Mine.” — David Wilkerson
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering.” — David Wilkerson