Remembering John MacArthur

I have taken today, the day after Dr. John MacArthur’s passing, and have gone back through several of his books, sermons, and interviews. I have been so encouraged by his example, his clarity, his passion, and his faithfulness. In a world where many notable Christian leaders bring disgrace on Christ due to personal failures, John MacArthur left a testimony of faithfulness and unwavering loyalty to God and His Word. 

Macarthur recognized the immense weight and responsibility that he had as a preacher of the Gospel. He wrote, “No profession has a higher liability potential as the one who preaches God’s Word. God will judge every preacher on the truthfulness and accuracy of his preaching. Any failure as a spokesman for God brings only shame.” (Introduction, Preaching: How to Preach Biblically) 

However, there was more to MacArthur’s ministry than just his long, fruitful, and faithful pulpit ministry. Not many pastors have achieved preaching expositionally through even a handful of New Testament books with the clarity and detail that MacArthur accomplished, let alone preaching through all 27 New Testament books! More than his illustrious preaching career was his heart and ministry as a pastor. 

MacArthur wrote, “Our Lord’s favorite metaphor for spiritual leadership, one He often used to describe Himself, was that of a shepherd, a person who tends God’s flock. Every church leader is a shepherd. The word pastoritself means “shepherd.” It is appropriate imagery. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects; responsibilities that belong to every churchman...Jesus Himself gave the patten when He stooped to wash His disciples’ feet, a task that was customarily done by the lowest of slaved (John 13). If the Lord of the universe would do that, no church leader has a right to think of himself as a pastoral elitist.” (Introduction, Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically)

John MacArthur’s prolific writing ministry was an immense blessing to me as a young college student. The MacArthur Study Bible was my first study Bible and The Gospel According to Jesus was one of the first Christian books I read. His commentaries, systematic theologies, practical pastoral books, and doctrinal studies have served millions of saints around the world, myself included. 

MacArthur was on the front line in the fight for biblical inherency, biblical sufficiency, errant Pentecostalism, expositional preaching, complementarianism, biblical baptism, and many many other important theological positions. The Lord used John MacArthur to save many souls and strengthen many churches. His regular Shepherds Conference provided a means to connect and encourage faithful pastors from around the world. His commitment to training up the next generation of preachers led him to connect with the Master’s University and Seminary where thousands of biblical preachers have received training. 

MacArthur’s legacy and influence will certainly continue until the Lord’s return because MacArthur’s ministry was all about furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the public and personal ministry of the Word. I am thankful for John MacArthur because he patterned for so many what it means to make much of Jesus Christ.  John MacArthur was many things, but no one would have called him “flashy” or “trendy.” MacArthur was direct, clear, and engaging because the Word of God is direct, clear, and engaging. It is very difficult to sit through any sermon of his and not leave with a deeper sense of the riches of Scripture (no gimmicks necessary.)

MacArthur’s personal and ministry mission statement was, “Unleashing God’s truth one verse at a time.” He certainly lived out that mission.  

May John MacArthur’s legacy not end with his death, but inspire each of us to study God’s Word more, glorify God more, and share the truth of the Scriptures with those in our lives who desperately need it!

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