Podcast Summary: Times Square Church – Sermons

Episode: "Where I Am Is Not Where I’m Supposed to Be"
Speaker: Pastor Tim Dilena
Date: December 7, 2025

Overview

This episode, led by Pastor Tim Dilena, focuses on the spiritual experience of feeling a “squeeze” or limitation where you are—whether geographically, spiritually, or internally—and recognizing that God may be calling you to something greater. Through scripture (Psalm 119:32 and 2 Kings 6), personal stories, and testimonies from Christian history, Pastor Tim encourages listeners to discern when they are not where they’re supposed to be, to trust God to “enlarge their heart,” and to run boldly into the new places and purposes that He sets out—trusting Him for the miracles needed along the way.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Global Connection and Unity (00:00–05:30)

• Pastor Tim greets the congregation and acknowledges the diverse audience—over 70 nations, multiple college campuses, and indigenous communities—watching the service around the world.
• Special appreciation is given to the church’s Deaf ministry, highlighting inclusion and the importance of every community within the church.

2. Scripture Foundation: Enlarged Hearts for God’s Command (05:30–07:00)

• Main text: Psalm 119:32 – "I shall run the way of your commandments, for you will enlarge my heart."
• Commandments are understood as God’s personal directives, not just the Ten Commandments, but His daily voice to believers.
• Pastor Tim frames the central theme: “Where I am is not where I’m supposed to be,” challenging the church to discern God’s call beyond comfort or routine.

3. Illustration from Church History: Victory Outreach Story (07:05–11:45)

• The life of Sonny Arguinzoni, the first drug addict delivered and graduated from Teen Challenge, and founder of Victory Outreach.
• Illustrative twist: Pastor Sonny was set to plant his church in Brooklyn but felt a spiritual sadness—a misfit between his calling and his location.
• “His heart was getting bigger” – God had a wider vision for Sonny than just a small storefront; it required moving to Los Angeles, which led to a 10,000-member global movement.
  • Quote: “He realized, this is not where I’m supposed to be, that where I am here in Brooklyn is not where I’m supposed to be.” (11:04)

4. Personal Testimonies and Running With God’s Voice (11:45–16:00)

• Pastor Tim shares about supporting his daughter’s volleyball team and balancing weariness and joy.
  • Quote: “The weariness is going to be worth it today. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but to be there for my daughter.” (15:05)
• Sharing “Eternal Gold” devotionals for Christian athletes, he illustrates acting immediately on God’s prompts: “God spoke. Just do it. Run that way. God will enlarge the hearts.” (16:00)
• The key is not simply to “test” God’s commands, but to run toward them.

5. Biblical Example: The Squeeze and Miracle in 2 Kings 6 (16:00–19:30)

• The sons of the prophets sense their current space is "too limited" and seek Elisha to help them build a larger place.
  • The critical element: When you feel limited, you need God’s miracles for the next step.
  • Quote: “You will feel limited where you are, but you will need miracles to where you are going.” (19:31)

6. The Squeeze of Limitation – Modern Application (19:30–23:43)

• How individuals and churches feel constrained by structures, routines, or “the way we’ve always done things.”
• America’s churches have focused on salvation and water baptism, but many have stopped short of the fullness God wants—specifically the baptism of the Holy Spirit (“don’t stop at water; go to the fire”).
  • Quote: “You need fire for dark times.” (23:43)
  • Apologetics may answer minds, but only the Holy Spirit’s fire can transform hearts and empower for mission.

7. Historic Example: David Wilkerson and Founding of Times Square Church (26:16–29:00)

• Founder David Wilkerson repeatedly felt “the squeeze” in ministry, moving from the routine of annual park rallies to planting a permanent church in Times Square.
• Leadership Principle: Don’t let denomination, ethnicity, or tradition limit you; believers listen to God first.
  • Quote: “Be obedient to God and leave the consequences of your obedience to Him.” (29:00)

8. Miracles Beyond Human Ability: Beams and Sticks Illustration (2 Kings 6) (30:25–33:07)

• In building, men use beams, but the lost axe head can only be recovered by a miracle—using a simple stick.
  • Trust in intellect and experience (beams) is insufficient; rely on the simple, yielded acts of obedience God blesses (sticks).
  • Quote: “Experience. I’m grateful for my education. I need him every hour. I need God.” (31:10)

9. Modern Miracles and Dedication—Pat Boone’s Story (35:08–43:23)

• Interview with Pat Boone (who played David Wilkerson in The Cross and the Switchblade): recounts a miracle where the film’s most iconic scene was spontaneously shot in the actual historical basement without anyone realizing it.
  • Quote (Pat Boone): “I come from a denomination that doesn’t believe in miracles... Oh, I believe in miracles now.” (38:24)
• Pat and his family dedicated their home for ministry; he describes baptizing 300 people in his pool, showing how ordinary resources (a swimming pool) can become vessels of God’s miracles.

10. Application—Don’t Settle; Pursue God’s Full Purpose (43:23–49:37)

• Many people have swimming pools that were meant to be baptismal tanks—don’t reduce what God intended for miracles to mere comfort or routine.
  • Quote: “Don't let me ever think so small that God...I’m missing it, that I’m swimming around when God goes, you should be baptizing.” (44:36)

11. Powerful Reflection: Jim Elliot’s Journal (46:00–49:37)

• Pastor Tim reads from missionary martyr Jim Elliot’s journal, expressing a deep desire for God’s presence to bring Him glory, not just in ministry moments but all of life.
  • Quote (Jim Elliot): “Lord, I know Thou art with me, but I fear that because my life is barren of Thee so much of the time, You gain little glory from being with me.” (48:17)
• Challenge: “Don’t build a life on beams. Get the sharp part back.”

12. Call to Action and Altar Invitation (50:37–58:30)

• If you feel the squeeze, limiting routines, or ask, “Where I am is not where I'm supposed to be,” Pastor Tim urges: Run to God, give Him everything, and let Him enlarge your heart.
  • No resource, talent, or circumstance is too small for God to use miraculously if surrendered.
  • An altar call is given; many respond in-person and online.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Where I am is not where I’m supposed to be.” (07:05)
• “You need fire for dark times.” (23:43)
• “Be obedient to God and leave the consequences of your obedience to Him.” (Charles Stanley, 29:00)
• “God, don’t let me dumb things down when You want to make it so much more.” (62:22)
• “Don’t build a life on beams.” (50:37)
• “Lord, I know thou art with me, but I fear that because my life is barren of thee so much of the time, you gain little glory from being with me.” (Jim Elliot, 48:17)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–03:43: Opening, global greetings, deaf ministry acknowledgment
• 05:30: Scripture foundation & theme introduction
• 07:05–11:28: Victory Outreach illustration and “the squeeze”
• 14:43: Personal story about weariness and parenting
• 16:00: “Eternal Gold” devotionals and obedience to God’s prompting
• 19:31: Main insight—feeling limited means you’ll need miracles to move forward
• 23:43: Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the need for supernatural empowerment
• 29:00: Charles Stanley quote on radical obedience
• 30:25: Beams and sticks in 2 Kings 6—miracles needed
• 38:07: Pat Boone’s “Cross and the Switchblade” miracle story
• 46:00: Jim Elliot’s journal reflection
• 50:37: Altar invitation and challenge to build life on God’s miracles, not just resources
• 62:22: Concluding prayer and final encouragement

Tone & Language

Pastor Tim’s tone is earnest, passionate, and pastoral, often using personal anecdotes and humor (e.g., about being weary after a late night, or “righteousness ages well”). The language is inclusive, invitational, and uses direct appeals to specific groups (students, musicians, businesspeople, non-believers).

Conclusion

The episode’s challenge is universal: Be sensitive to the expectation and “squeeze” of the Holy Spirit; don’t settle in places (literal or spiritual) where you no longer fit; run obediently in the direction God is calling, no matter how uncertain or unqualified you feel. Trust God for the miracles needed for the next step, and live in a way that brings Him glory in every area.

For further engagement:

• Reflect on areas of your life where you feel “the squeeze”—are you where God wants you to be?
• Ask God to give you courage to “run” where He is calling, knowing He’ll provide the miracles needed.
• Consider what ordinary resources God might want to transform for His purpose (e.g., a “swimming pool” into a baptismal tank).

For more sermons and details, visit tsc.nyc.