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J. Wilbur Chapman
John Wilbur Chapman (1859–1918) was an American Presbyterian preacher and evangelist whose dynamic ministry bridged the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving a profound impact on American evangelicalism through his revival campaigns and hymnody. Born on June 17, 1859, in Richmond, Indiana, to Alexander H. Chapman and Lorinda McWhinney, he grew up in a devout Presbyterian family with two sisters and a brother who died in infancy. Converted at age 17 in 1876 during a revival at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, he felt called to ministry and graduated from Oberlin College in 1879 and Lane Theological Seminary in 1882, where he was ordained that year. He married Irene Steddom in 1882, who died in 1886 after bearing three children—Bertha, Irene, and Agnes—followed by marriages to Agnes Pruyn Strain in 1888 (died 1907, with three more children) and Mabel Cornelia Moulton in 1910, who outlived him. Chapman’s preaching career began with pastorates at Liberty Presbyterian Church in Indiana and Dutch Reformed Church in Schuylerville, New York (1882–1885), followed by First Reformed Church in Albany (1885–1890) and Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (1890–1899), which grew to over 2,000 members under his leadership. Resigning in 1899 to become a full-time evangelist, he conducted citywide revivals across the U.S., Canada, and beyond, notably partnering with Charles Alexander in 1907 for campaigns that drew millions, including a 1908 Boston revival baptizing 2,500 converts. Known for hymns like “One Day” and “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners,” and books such as The Secret of a Happy Day, Chapman served as General Secretary of the Presbyterian General Assembly’s Evangelism Committee (1903–1918). He died on December 25, 1918, in New York City after gall bladder surgery, leaving a legacy as a preacher whose fervor and organizational skill revitalized urban evangelism, bridging Moody’s era to Billy Sunday’s.
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J. Wilbur Chapman preaches on the profound message of Psalm 23, emphasizing that as we understand the Lord as our Shepherd, our wants and needs align, allowing us to confidently declare 'I shall not want.' Each verse of the psalm is beautifully unpacked to reveal the abundance and sufficiency found in God's provision, guidance, forgiveness, companionship, comfort, joy, and more, both in this life and for eternity. The sermon culminates in the realization that Jesus perfectly fulfills the role of the good Shepherd, meeting every need and want we could ever have.
Seventh Day: "I Shall Not want."
You will notice David does not say, "I shall not need;" it is by far a better word he uses, "I shall not want." We often want many things we do not need; but, the more we come to understand that the Lord is our Shepherd, the more our wants and needs become identical, and we can say, as David said, "I shall not want." If this twenty-third psalm be the valley of our present-day experience, then we shall want for nothing he does not supply. "I shall not want rest. 'He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.' "I shall not want drink. 'He leadeth me beside the still waters.' "I shall not want forgiveness. ' He restoreth my soul.' "I shall not want guidance. 'He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.' "I shall not want companionship. 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.' "I shall not want comfort. 'Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.' "I shall not want food. 'Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.' "I shall not want joy. 'Thou hast anointed my head with oil.' "I shall not want anything. 'My cup runneth over.' "I shall not want anything in this life. ' Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.' "I shall not want anything in eternity. For I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' "That is what David said he would find in the good Shepherd. And one day it occurred to me to see how this twenty-third psalm was fulfilled in Christ. This is what I found in Christ's own words -- "'I am the good Shepherd.' "Thou shalt not want rest. 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' "Thou shalt not want drink. 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.' "Thou shalt not want forgiveness. 'The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.' "Thou shalt not want guidance. 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life.' "Thou shalt not want companionship. 'Lo, I am with you all the days.' "Thou shalt not want comfort. 'The Father shall give you another Comforter.' "Thou shalt not want food. 'I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall not hunger.' "Thou shalt not want joy. 'That my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be filled full.' "Thou shalt not want anything. 'If ye shall ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.' "Thou shalt not want anything in this life. 'Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.' "Thou shalt not want anything in eternity. 'I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am there ye may be also.' "--Mrs. John R. Mott. SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY. 1. When you pray this morning, plead God's promise. Be very definite about it. He had you in mind when he made it. 2. As you walk today, go in the consciousness that "no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." 3. If for a brief moment you fear that you are out of fellowship with him, get alone with him. Plead his promise for his own presence, peace, and power; and he will keep his word. You shall not want.
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John Wilbur Chapman (1859–1918) was an American Presbyterian preacher and evangelist whose dynamic ministry bridged the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving a profound impact on American evangelicalism through his revival campaigns and hymnody. Born on June 17, 1859, in Richmond, Indiana, to Alexander H. Chapman and Lorinda McWhinney, he grew up in a devout Presbyterian family with two sisters and a brother who died in infancy. Converted at age 17 in 1876 during a revival at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, he felt called to ministry and graduated from Oberlin College in 1879 and Lane Theological Seminary in 1882, where he was ordained that year. He married Irene Steddom in 1882, who died in 1886 after bearing three children—Bertha, Irene, and Agnes—followed by marriages to Agnes Pruyn Strain in 1888 (died 1907, with three more children) and Mabel Cornelia Moulton in 1910, who outlived him. Chapman’s preaching career began with pastorates at Liberty Presbyterian Church in Indiana and Dutch Reformed Church in Schuylerville, New York (1882–1885), followed by First Reformed Church in Albany (1885–1890) and Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (1890–1899), which grew to over 2,000 members under his leadership. Resigning in 1899 to become a full-time evangelist, he conducted citywide revivals across the U.S., Canada, and beyond, notably partnering with Charles Alexander in 1907 for campaigns that drew millions, including a 1908 Boston revival baptizing 2,500 converts. Known for hymns like “One Day” and “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners,” and books such as The Secret of a Happy Day, Chapman served as General Secretary of the Presbyterian General Assembly’s Evangelism Committee (1903–1918). He died on December 25, 1918, in New York City after gall bladder surgery, leaving a legacy as a preacher whose fervor and organizational skill revitalized urban evangelism, bridging Moody’s era to Billy Sunday’s.