
Lewis Sperry Chafer
- Sermons
- Bio
The Filling of the Spirit, or True Spirituality
6JHN 15:4ACT 1:8ROM 8:51CO 3:1GAL 5:16EPH 5:181JN 1:7Lewis Sperry Chafer preaches about the distinctions between two classes of Christians as outlined in the Bible: those who abide in Christ and those who do not, those who walk in the light and those who walk in darkness, those who walk by the Spirit and those who walk as men, those who walk in newness of life and those who walk after the flesh, those who have the Spirit 'in' and 'upon' them and those who have the Spirit 'in' them but not 'upon' them, those who are spiritual and those who are carnal, and those who are filled with the Spirit and those who are not. He emphasizes that these distinctions are related to the quality of daily life of saved people and are not a contrast between the saved and the unsaved. Chafer highlights the possibility of transitioning from a carnal state to a spiritual state, which is extensively discussed in the Bible, and the importance of understanding the doctrine of sanctification and perfection through the exact words of revelation.
Christ, the Believer's Sphere in Grace
3JHN 15:5JHN 17:20ROM 6:6GAL 5:18GAL 5:22EPH 1:3EPH 6:10Lewis Sperry Chafer preaches about the profound truth of being 'in Christ' and the significance of this phrase in the New Testament grace teachings. This phrase, mentioned over 130 times, highlights the believer's position in Christ as a secret hidden in God's heart from ages past. The believer's identity, blessings, redemption, forgiveness, and inheritance are all found in Christ. The believer's relationship with Christ is deeper than any human relationship, as seen in the unity between believers and the Trinity. The believer is called to walk worthy of this calling, understanding the eternal glory of grace that has brought them into a new creation in Christ Jesus.
Safekeeping in Grace
2JHN 3:18JHN 14:1ROM 5:2ROM 8:1ROM 8:31EPH 3:20PHP 1:61PE 5:12Lewis Sperry Chafer emphasizes the believer's standing in grace, highlighting the concept of enduring and continuing in grace. He explains that divine grace is the sole basis for salvation and the only means by which one can be kept saved. Chafer discusses the twofold classification of divine grace - the grace that saves and the grace that keeps, emphasizing that there are not two separate efforts of grace but one indivisible purpose of God. He refutes theological systems that suggest salvation can be lost due to lack of human merit or works, asserting that God's saving and keeping ministries of grace are inseparable and secure for all eternity.
Prophecy in the New Testament
1MAT 2:1MAT 13:1MAT 23:37LUK 21:24JHN 16:5ROM 11:262TH 2:1REV 20:10REV 22:20Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the intricate relationship between Old and New Testament prophecies, highlighting the seamless continuity and fulfillment of divine purposes throughout the Scriptures. The New Testament serves as the consummation of all prophecies, with the Book of Revelation acting as the pinnacle that ties together all preceding prophecies. Major themes in the New Testament include the revelation of the new age, the new divine purpose through the Church, the future of the nation Israel, the role of the Gentiles, the events of the Tribulation, the defeat of Satan and evil forces, the Second Coming of Christ, the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom, and the eternal state of man.
Satan: His Work and Destiny
1GEN 3:5Lewis Sperry Chafer discusses two common errors about Satan: the belief that he does not exist as a person and the misconception that he is the direct cause of sin in every person. He explains Satan's original purpose, his desire to be 'like the most High,' and his efforts to construct his own authority over the world system. Chafer also delves into Satan's enmity against God, his attacks on believers in their spiritual walk, and his ultimate destiny of being cast into the lake of fire for eternal torment.
Salvation by Grace
1JHN 3:16ROM 5:20GAL 1:8EPH 2:8PHP 2:13Lewis Sperry Chafer preaches about the all-encompassing power and resources of God in the salvation of souls, surpassing even the creation of the universe. He delves into the four aspects of God's saving grace: the divine motives in grace, the principles incompatible with grace, the gracious work of God for humanity, and the sovereignty of saving grace. Chafer emphasizes that salvation is solely the work of God, from the finished work of Christ to the final presenting work of God, with no room for human merit, obligation, or guilt. He stresses the importance of preaching the pure gospel of grace to all, allowing for the sovereign selection and election according to God's infinite goodness.
Ii. the Gentile Government Sign
1DAN 7:1Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the prophecies given to Daniel, outlining the 'times of the Gentiles' which began with the dispersion of Israel and continues until her King returns to establish her everlasting kingdom. Through Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's vision, four successive Gentile world-empires are revealed: Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece under Alexander, and Rome, which was divided into Eastern and Western divisions. The prophecy foretells the rise of democracy as a form of Gentile government at the end of the Gentile period, signaling the imminent return of Christ and the establishment of His everlasting kingdom on earth.
God the Holy Spirit: His Ministry
1JHN 7:37JHN 16:7ROM 8:141CO 12:132CO 5:17GAL 5:22EPH 1:13EPH 5:182TH 2:71JN 1:9Lewis Sperry Chafer emphasizes the importance of understanding the present ministries of the Spirit in the age of grace, distinct from the past dispensation of the law. The Spirit's work includes restraining the world, reproving the world, regenerating believers, indwelling them, baptizing them into Christ, sealing them for redemption, and filling them for Christian experience and service. The Spirit's filling results in Christ-like character, Christian service, teaching, praise, leading, actualizing the unseen, and interceding, manifesting a Spirit-filled life.
Four Aspects of Righteousness
1Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the vital difference between God's righteousness and man's lack of righteousness, emphasizing that God's righteousness is unchanging and unchangeable, while man's righteousness is like 'filthy rags' in the sight of God. The sermon explores the concept of imputed righteousness, where the righteousness of God is freely given to believers who are in Christ, allowing them to stand before God in the perfection of Christ. Additionally, Chafer discusses the righteousness imparted by the Spirit, highlighting that it is a life produced through believers by the Spirit, fulfilling the will of God for them.
God the Son: His Incarnation
02SA 7:16LUK 1:26JHN 1:1PHP 2:61TI 3:16HEB 1:3HEB 2:14HEB 2:16HEB 10:11PE 2:21REV 13:8Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the profound truth of the incarnation of Christ, emphasizing that Jesus was both fully God and fully man, never laying aside His Deity even as He took on human form. The contrasts between His divine and human natures are evident in His earthly life, where He displayed characteristics of both, such as being weary yet offering rest, hungry yet the bread of life, and tempted yet unable to be tempted as God. Through His incarnation, Jesus revealed God to humanity, provided a sacrifice for sin, destroyed the works of the Devil, and fulfilled the Davidic covenant, ultimately becoming the Head over all things to the Church.
God the Holy Spirit: His Personality
0ISA 63:10JHN 4:24JHN 14:16JHN 14:26JHN 16:8ACT 13:2ROM 8:16ROM 8:26GAL 4:6GAL 5:18Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the Bible teaching concerning the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of recognizing His personality. The Spirit is shown to have personal attributes and to perform works that only a person can do, such as reproving, teaching, speaking, interceding, leading, and appointing. The Scriptures indicate the Spirit's personality through various activities and relationships, dispelling misconceptions that treat Him as a mere influence. Chafer highlights the Spirit as one of the Persons of the Godhead, coequal with the Father and the Son, possessing divine attributes and performing divine works.
God the Son: His Coming With His Saints
0REV 19:11Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ, emphasizing the vital facts and far-reaching effects associated with this event. The return of Christ to the earth is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, with prophecies detailing His personal return on the clouds of heaven. This doctrine encompasses the restoration of Israel, the gathering of the Church as the Bride of Christ, the judgment of nations, the restoration of creation, and the binding of Satan for a thousand years.
God the Holy Spirit: His Advent
0GEN 41:38EXO 31:3NUM 27:18JOB 33:4PSA 139:7HAG 2:4ZEC 4:6LUK 11:13JHN 14:161CO 6:19EPH 2:182TH 2:7HEB 9:14Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the Spirit's advent into the world, emphasizing the various dispensations and revealed purposes of God. The Holy Spirit's presence in the world before and after the first advent of Christ is explored, highlighting His continuous work in and through the people of God. The progressive ministry of the Spirit during Christ's earthly ministry and the present age of the Church is discussed, focusing on His abode in believers and the growth of the spiritual temple. The future departure of the Spirit from the world and His unique ministry during the Kingdom age are also examined.
God the Holy Spirit: His Anointing
0EXO 30:22EXO 40:9LUK 10:34JHN 7:37ROM 5:5ROM 7:61CO 6:192CO 1:211JN 2:201JN 2:27Lewis Sperry Chafer emphasizes the significance of the Holy Spirit's indwelling in every believer, referred to as the Anointing in the Scriptures. The Spirit's presence in each child of God is highlighted as essential for understanding deep spiritual truths and living a life set apart for God. Chafer clarifies that the Spirit's indwelling is not a second work of grace but a vital part of salvation, enabling believers to live supernaturally. The Spirit's anointing sanctifies, empowers, and guides believers, symbolized by the anointing oil in the Old Testament, representing the life and character of Christ applied to the believer through the Spirit.
God the Son: His Pre-Existence
0MIC 5:2JHN 1:1JHN 8:58JHN 17:5JHN 20:28COL 1:16HEB 1:6HEB 1:10Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the dual nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, perfectly human and divine, emphasizing His likeness and unlikeness to men. The Scriptures clearly depict Jesus as a man who lived, suffered, and died among men, yet with a sinless character, sacrificial death, and eternal pre-existence. The pre-existence of Christ is directly stated in various Scriptures, highlighting His infinite Person and eternal existence coequal with the Godhead, unaffected by His incarnation. Additionally, the Word of God consistently implies the pre-existence of Jesus through His works of creation, appearances as the Angel of Jehovah, divine titles, attributes of God, and being worshiped as God.
The Bible: Its Subject and Purpose
0JHN 17:22ROM 1:20COL 1:162TI 3:16HEB 1:3Lewis Sperry Chafer preaches on the reasonable revelation from God, emphasizing the Creator's communication with His creation through nature, Christ, and the written Word. The supreme purpose of God, as revealed in the Scriptures, is for His glory, which is not self-seeking but a reflection of His infinite worthiness. The Bible serves as God's message to man, highlighting the importance of glorifying God in all aspects of life, including creation, salvation, service, and even death, ultimately pointing to the glory of Christ as the supreme subject of the Scriptures.
God the Son: His Coming for His Saints
0ISA 46:10JHN 14:31CO 15:511TH 4:161TH 4:18Lewis Sperry Chafer preaches on the importance of understanding unfulfilled prophecy in the Bible, emphasizing that prophecy is God's pre-written history and has been fulfilled in the most literal ways, such as the birth and death of Christ. He distinguishes between the events of Christ coming for His saints and His return to earth with His saints, highlighting the need for careful consideration of each. The doctrine of Christ's return is a major theme in the Bible, with the next event to be fulfilled being Christ coming for His saints, a mystery revealed in the New Testament.
Satan: His Personality and Power
0EZK 28:11Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the personality and power of Satan, emphasizing his creation as a person and his exercise of all the functions of a person. Scriptures like Isaiah 14:12-17, Genesis 3:1-15, Job 1:6-12, Luke 4:1-13, and Ephesians 6:10-12 reveal Satan's personality and his strategies against God's children. Despite his fallen state, Satan retains significant power, demonstrated through his authority over kingdoms, power of death, influence over sickness, and ability to weaken nations. He is aided by demons, increasing his power and reach across the earth.
God the Son: His Priestly Ministry
0PSA 2:8LUK 22:31JHN 17:1ROM 8:34EPH 1:22HEB 7:25HEB 8:11JN 1:91JN 2:1REV 12:10Lewis Sperry Chafer emphasizes the current priestly ministry of Christ in Heaven, highlighting His role as the Bestower of Spiritual Gifts, the Intercessor for His own, and the Advocate for believers before God. Christ, as the High Priest, is now serving as Priest and not as King, awaiting the establishment of His kingdom on earth. His priestly ministry is threefold: bestowing spiritual gifts, making intercession for His own, and appearing for His own in the presence of God.
God the Father
0MAT 3:17Lewis Sperry Chafer preaches on the blessed Trinity, emphasizing the distinct roles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one God. The Father is depicted as electing, loving, and bestowing; the Son as suffering, redeeming, and upholding; and the Spirit as regenerating, energizing, and sanctifying. The relationship between the Father and the Son is likened to a father-son relationship, existing from eternity past and clearly revealed in the New Testament. The sermon also addresses the misconception of universal fatherhood of God and the truth that only through belief in Christ can one become a child of God.
Man: His Creation
0GEN 1:1ECC 12:7MAT 10:28MAT 11:27MRK 8:36JHN 3:31CO 2:122CO 4:16COL 1:161TH 5:23HEB 4:12HEB 11:3Lewis Sperry Chafer discusses the importance of understanding the origin of man and all existing things, emphasizing that God has revealed these facts in the Bible, which becomes real to those saved through Christ. The division among men lies in whether God is real enough to be accepted as the Creator. The Scriptures teach that man, created in God's image, is the conclusion of all creation, with a two-fold distinction of material and immaterial aspects. The sermon delves into the distinctions between the soul and spirit of man, presenting three main theories on their origin: Pre-existence, Creation, and Traducian theories.
Man: His Fall
0GEN 2:17GEN 15:6ISA 53:5JHN 1:29ROM 3:22ROM 5:122CO 5:21EPH 2:1EPH 5:301PE 2:24REV 20:6REV 21:8Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the estate of Adam before and after the fall, emphasizing the impact of sin on humanity and the profound doctrine of Imputation as depicted in the Scriptures. He explores the concept of man being created 'very good' yet capable of sin, leading to spiritual and physical death post-fall. Chafer also discusses the imputation of sin to Christ and the righteousness of God to believers, highlighting the need for salvation through Christ amidst the universal effect of Adam's transgression on the entire human race.
Sin: Its Character and Universality
0ROM 5:19Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the profound topic of sin, emphasizing its significance as a major theme in the Word of God and the limitations of human speculation in understanding it. He explores various historical and modern theories on sin, highlighting the inadequacy of attributing sin solely to sensuousness, finiteness, or selfishness. Chafer then transitions to the biblical doctrine of sin, defining it as any lack of conformity to God's character and explaining the four classifications of sin as outlined in the Scriptures.
Sin: God's Remedy for It
0JHN 1:29ROM 3:24ROM 8:34EPH 1:7COL 1:14HEB 9:241PE 2:241PE 3:181JN 1:91JN 2:1Lewis Sperry Chafer discusses the universal truths about sin, emphasizing that sin is always equally sinful regardless of who commits it and can only be cured through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He explains the divine methods of dealing with sin before and after the cross, highlighting the transition from atonement to the complete removal of sin through Christ's sacrifice. Chafer also delves into the forgiveness of sin for the unsaved through faith in Christ and the forgiveness of sin for the saved through confession, restoring fellowship with God.
The Angels
0GEN 16:1JOB 38:7PSA 8:5MAT 4:11MAT 25:31MAT 25:41MAT 28:2MRK 5:9LUK 2:13LUK 7:24LUK 8:30LUK 22:43ACT 1:101CO 6:3GAL 3:191TI 4:11TI 5:21HEB 1:14HEB 2:7JAS 2:252PE 2:4JUD 1:6REV 1:20REV 5:11REV 20:10Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the intricate details of angels as depicted in the Scriptures, emphasizing their distinct order of creation, heavenly position above man, and the various classes of angelic beings, including the unfallen angels and the fallen angels. The sermon explores the nature, ministry, and significance of angels in pivotal events such as creation, the giving of the law, the birth and resurrection of Christ, and their future role in the second coming of Christ.