My tears flow as I have learned so much from this man of God. I thank God every day that John's preaching is available for everyone absolutely free from GTY.org, and there is still so much for me to learn. His preaching changed my life and I found my adoration of the Word of God through him and the Holy Spirit opening my eyes.
My heart feels broken yet I am so joyous that he is now at rest with our Lord and Savior.
Nevermind him not being covenantal confessional and Reformed he made sure people were not afraid to do line by line scripture teaching he protected us from the word of faith movement hermeneutically
He drew the line on many things. “You'll go no further this is what the text says”
Sproul James Boice Packer Gerstner and MacArthur reunited
I wrote a few times today that as a church musician the hymn that sprang to mind last night when I heard Dr. MacArthur had gone to be with Jesus was the hymn “When We All Get to Heaven” - “what a day of rejoicing that will be when we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.” As a church organist and choir director, I always play that hymn with a rousing tempo and volume to the last word. Dr. MacArthur got that last night. Praise God for him and his ministry which touched the lives of so many around the world.
Incredibly beautiful Owen. I could almost see John as I read, bowing in awe before his smiling Savior and King. I fought the tears as I read, but could not hold them back while reading the last paragraph.
It had been a while since I had sought out a sermon of John MacArthur‘s on YouTube, but I did this past Sunday (the 13th) after returning from church. I listened and watched him preach from Mark 5:1-20. A 2-part message titled “Dominating Powers.” I marveled as he preached about the man who had a legion of demons tormenting him, which Jesus allowed to enter the swine. I’ve heard hundreds of MacArthur sermons. I marveled anew at this familiar story, because of the faithful preacher bringing it to life once again. I was stunned as he emphasized that this tormented man was fully restored and became the first evangelist ever commissioned by Jesus. In my 45 years of walking with Jesus, I don’t think I ever realized that! I sat there in wonder and awe about how John MacArthur always delivered the Word of God in a fresh and REAL way. As if every sermon was the only one he would ever be allowed to preach, so he had to make it count. As if it was his only chance to appeal to lost or hurting souls. Or just souls hungry to continue growing in truth. He always delivered his messages with such reverence. As if he were showing us all of the magnificent facets of the Hope Diamond every single time he preached.
My best friend texted me just as I finished listening the message to tell me about the announcement at Grace Community Church that we would likely not have him much longer.
I have always dreaded this day - this hour. The hour that we would lose him. That is why my friend texted me. I always told her that I would need a lot of prayer when John went to glory, because I loved him so much and didn’t want to think about a world without him in it. I truly feel that our kind Lord was wrapping His arms around me by prompting me to listen to this wonderful message and to marvel once again at the utter faithfulness of His precious servant.
I had that experience when he talked about Eve taking over the dominant role in the marriage from Adam and men and women have never been the same since. I stopped and had to think on that before finally saying “he’s exactly right! Never thought of it that way before.”)
John MacArthur is with Jesus Christ forevermore and that is to be celebrated. We will see him again together in the new heavens and earth. Still, we are rightfully saddened and will miss a great man of God here on this earth. John lived out I Corinthians 2:2, proclaiming Christ crucified with fearlessness, boldness, yet always with humility and love for his neighbor. John MacArthur meant so much to me personally in my Christian walk. He helped me love the Bible more through his modeling of consistent, straightforward, clear, expositional preaching. I didn’t know such a thing existed in my younger Christian walk, and it fanned the flame in my soul. Nothing is more thrilling and exciting than gazing into the vast wisdom and wonder found in the Word of God. It is truly alive and active, and sharper than any two edged sword. John MacArthur was an instrument God used to reveal the greatness of his Word to me and for that I will forever be grateful. MacArthur’s legacy will be remembered as a faithful preacher who preached through the entire Bible verse by verse as a devoted servant of Jesus, and led untold thousands to salvation through faith alone in Christ alone. I would argue he is the greatest preacher of the last 100 years. A truly amazing life of faithfulness! I cannot imagine a greater legacy. Thank God for all He has done and will continue to do through John MacArthur.
Thank you, Owen. While we rejoice that Dr. MacArthur is away from us in the body, he is at home with the Lord. The great thing about the digital age is we still have his words, his faithful Biblical teaching and even him leading “It is Well” (hello, church musician over here!).
I discovered his 2019 sermon “Contending for the Faith” (still on Vimeo) and it has helped me immensely this week. I’m on year 42 in church music ministry. It has been tough, grueling and challenging, but also with its’ blessings especially finally finding a church that will stand up for what is right instead of me playing “whack a mole” by myself against overwhelming odds until I gave up and went elsewhere because I didn’t have a strong family of faith or even pastor to walk beside me. As he says,there is a reason Jesus asked at his second coming would he even find a remnant. He also talks about the church being attacked from within. That is so true. I’ve lived it. I sounded the alarm after attending Southern Seminary when the “seeker sensitive” movement was beginning only to sit and watch my fears turn to reality.
I’ll stop here to say that if you are in a church where people are beating down your staff while you sit silently by or turning away, DON’T! There are true warriors out there who need you to stand with them. Time is running short. We should all be about the work of the Father. Dr. MacArthur ran his race faithful to the end. Now we must pick that mantle up and move the battle forward. (My apologies for the length of this)
Owen, thank you for such a beautiful eulogy to John. I have sat under John's sound teaching for 43 years, always from afar & when I met him at Truth Matters in 2022, I shared that with him & told him, "while I knew I wasn't a member of his church, I was one of his sheep." He immediately replied, "After 40 years, you are a member of my church." That still brings tears to my eyes. What a gracious man. And like Daniel, John never compromised & I love how you stated, "John was a lion for the truth." AMEN! He never wavered, he kept the faith & he has heard his Lord & Savior say, "WELL DONE, My good & faithful doulos." But like so many, my heart is broken & the tears just continue to flow. I thank the Lord for John & I have been so blessed to sit under his sound teaching for so many years...and will continue to do so until the Lord calls me home.
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." (Matt 25:21). Soli Deo gloria!!!!!!!
My tears flow as I have learned so much from this man of God. I thank God every day that John's preaching is available for everyone absolutely free from GTY.org, and there is still so much for me to learn. His preaching changed my life and I found my adoration of the Word of God through him and the Holy Spirit opening my eyes.
My heart feels broken yet I am so joyous that he is now at rest with our Lord and Savior.
May the Lord comfort his church and his family.
was a great Practical Expositor
Nevermind him not being covenantal confessional and Reformed he made sure people were not afraid to do line by line scripture teaching he protected us from the word of faith movement hermeneutically
He drew the line on many things. “You'll go no further this is what the text says”
Sproul James Boice Packer Gerstner and MacArthur reunited
He may not have embraced covenant theology but he was solidly reformed (much to the dismay of many of his dispensational colleagues).
I wrote a few times today that as a church musician the hymn that sprang to mind last night when I heard Dr. MacArthur had gone to be with Jesus was the hymn “When We All Get to Heaven” - “what a day of rejoicing that will be when we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.” As a church organist and choir director, I always play that hymn with a rousing tempo and volume to the last word. Dr. MacArthur got that last night. Praise God for him and his ministry which touched the lives of so many around the world.
Very sad to lose this man of faith. He never wavered and was upstanding and respected as a pastor. Happy he is with the Lord but sad for our loss. ❤
Awwwhhh I am so sad to hear this news. But what a beautifully written elegy! Thank you!
Incredibly beautiful Owen. I could almost see John as I read, bowing in awe before his smiling Savior and King. I fought the tears as I read, but could not hold them back while reading the last paragraph.
It had been a while since I had sought out a sermon of John MacArthur‘s on YouTube, but I did this past Sunday (the 13th) after returning from church. I listened and watched him preach from Mark 5:1-20. A 2-part message titled “Dominating Powers.” I marveled as he preached about the man who had a legion of demons tormenting him, which Jesus allowed to enter the swine. I’ve heard hundreds of MacArthur sermons. I marveled anew at this familiar story, because of the faithful preacher bringing it to life once again. I was stunned as he emphasized that this tormented man was fully restored and became the first evangelist ever commissioned by Jesus. In my 45 years of walking with Jesus, I don’t think I ever realized that! I sat there in wonder and awe about how John MacArthur always delivered the Word of God in a fresh and REAL way. As if every sermon was the only one he would ever be allowed to preach, so he had to make it count. As if it was his only chance to appeal to lost or hurting souls. Or just souls hungry to continue growing in truth. He always delivered his messages with such reverence. As if he were showing us all of the magnificent facets of the Hope Diamond every single time he preached.
My best friend texted me just as I finished listening the message to tell me about the announcement at Grace Community Church that we would likely not have him much longer.
I have always dreaded this day - this hour. The hour that we would lose him. That is why my friend texted me. I always told her that I would need a lot of prayer when John went to glory, because I loved him so much and didn’t want to think about a world without him in it. I truly feel that our kind Lord was wrapping His arms around me by prompting me to listen to this wonderful message and to marvel once again at the utter faithfulness of His precious servant.
Until we meet again dear brother!!
I had that experience when he talked about Eve taking over the dominant role in the marriage from Adam and men and women have never been the same since. I stopped and had to think on that before finally saying “he’s exactly right! Never thought of it that way before.”)
♥️
Thank you for this post.
Beautiful elegy for a beautiful man of God! Thank you!
John MacArthur is with Jesus Christ forevermore and that is to be celebrated. We will see him again together in the new heavens and earth. Still, we are rightfully saddened and will miss a great man of God here on this earth. John lived out I Corinthians 2:2, proclaiming Christ crucified with fearlessness, boldness, yet always with humility and love for his neighbor. John MacArthur meant so much to me personally in my Christian walk. He helped me love the Bible more through his modeling of consistent, straightforward, clear, expositional preaching. I didn’t know such a thing existed in my younger Christian walk, and it fanned the flame in my soul. Nothing is more thrilling and exciting than gazing into the vast wisdom and wonder found in the Word of God. It is truly alive and active, and sharper than any two edged sword. John MacArthur was an instrument God used to reveal the greatness of his Word to me and for that I will forever be grateful. MacArthur’s legacy will be remembered as a faithful preacher who preached through the entire Bible verse by verse as a devoted servant of Jesus, and led untold thousands to salvation through faith alone in Christ alone. I would argue he is the greatest preacher of the last 100 years. A truly amazing life of faithfulness! I cannot imagine a greater legacy. Thank God for all He has done and will continue to do through John MacArthur.
Thank you, Owen. While we rejoice that Dr. MacArthur is away from us in the body, he is at home with the Lord. The great thing about the digital age is we still have his words, his faithful Biblical teaching and even him leading “It is Well” (hello, church musician over here!).
I discovered his 2019 sermon “Contending for the Faith” (still on Vimeo) and it has helped me immensely this week. I’m on year 42 in church music ministry. It has been tough, grueling and challenging, but also with its’ blessings especially finally finding a church that will stand up for what is right instead of me playing “whack a mole” by myself against overwhelming odds until I gave up and went elsewhere because I didn’t have a strong family of faith or even pastor to walk beside me. As he says,there is a reason Jesus asked at his second coming would he even find a remnant. He also talks about the church being attacked from within. That is so true. I’ve lived it. I sounded the alarm after attending Southern Seminary when the “seeker sensitive” movement was beginning only to sit and watch my fears turn to reality.
I’ll stop here to say that if you are in a church where people are beating down your staff while you sit silently by or turning away, DON’T! There are true warriors out there who need you to stand with them. Time is running short. We should all be about the work of the Father. Dr. MacArthur ran his race faithful to the end. Now we must pick that mantle up and move the battle forward. (My apologies for the length of this)
A truly touching tribute to a steadfast yet dynamic man of God. He leaves a beautiful legacy for the 21st century church.
Owen, thank you for such a beautiful eulogy to John. I have sat under John's sound teaching for 43 years, always from afar & when I met him at Truth Matters in 2022, I shared that with him & told him, "while I knew I wasn't a member of his church, I was one of his sheep." He immediately replied, "After 40 years, you are a member of my church." That still brings tears to my eyes. What a gracious man. And like Daniel, John never compromised & I love how you stated, "John was a lion for the truth." AMEN! He never wavered, he kept the faith & he has heard his Lord & Savior say, "WELL DONE, My good & faithful doulos." But like so many, my heart is broken & the tears just continue to flow. I thank the Lord for John & I have been so blessed to sit under his sound teaching for so many years...and will continue to do so until the Lord calls me home.
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." (Matt 25:21). Soli Deo gloria!!!!!!!
wow, what a great elegy. You really captured the essence of the man. We will miss him!
I learned so much from him. Idk he passed! Oh so sad for us still here! He crossed the finish line! He persevered!