John MacArthur’s Ministry

Weekly Update – July 24th, 2025 

The first time that I saw John MacArthur in person was in 2006 at the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, KY.  The theme for this year’s conference was Expository Preaching and MacArthur’s topic was Forty Years of Faithful Ministry.  In his sermon he reflected on the foundation of his ministry set in the authority of God’s word displayed through expositional preaching.  He wasn’t flashy by any means, but he was clear, and he demonstrated why he has been a model for preachers since his preaching ministry began in 1969 at Grace Community Church.

Beyond being a model for preachers, his ministry had an international reach, beginning with tapes and radio, then building through his books and commentaries.  Many of you have likely heard one of his sermons, read one of his books, or are aware to some degree of his ministry. He never shied away from controversy but pressed into the culture with truth as he let God’s word speak for itself.  Millions have been impacted by his ministry, but I believe there are three reasons specifically that made John MacArthur the stalwart preacher that he was.

First, Expositional Preaching.  One of the goals John MacArthur had for his ministry was to preach through every book of the New Testament.  By God’s grace, he did.  His commentaries attest to this feat, as they are, in many ways, his sermons distilled into book form. In a day when preachers experiment with different forms of communication, MacArthur stood out and will continue to remain a model for his consistent, verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, as he preached the main point of a given passage and connected it to the context of the book that he was preaching through.  Typically, he would spend an hour each service given to this task as he would walk his church through the text, to come back the next week, picking up where he left off the week before. 

Second, Churchmanship. MacArthur grew as a preacher under the influence of his father, John F. MacArthur Sr. as he was a preacher himself.  By 1969, he was ready for his own church.  This church was Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA.  By God’s grace, membership would increase significantly through MacArthur’s time here. Yet, it isn’t the growth or initiatives that his church took or did not take that stand out. What stands out is his commitment to the church. MacArthur preached regularly through the summer of 2024, with his last sermon recorded being on November 24, 2024.  That means that he had fifty-five years of ministry to one church.  Though he started The Master’s College and Seminary, Grace to You, Shepherd’s Conference and more, the center focus of every aspect of his ministry flowed out of his commitment to serving the church. 

Third, Faithful Character. John MacArthur’s wife, Patricia, once commented that she never saw her husband John angry. That doesn’t mean he was perfect, but it does show a glimpse into the private life of a man who lived publicly. He was married for sixty-one years to his “college sweetheart.”  Never was there a sign of impropriety, never a hint of immorality, never a credible report of inappropriate behavior of any kind. MacArthur believed what he preached, and it translated into a life that pursued Christ, both outwardly and inwardly. He loved his family, he loved children and outside of the pulpit he was known as gentle and kind to everyone he met. At the same time, he didn’t care what the world thought of him, he wasn’t into receiving accolades, for his focus was on living for the glory of God.

On July 14, 2025, John MacArthur passed away.  Not only does he leave behind his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but a legacy for all to follow.  For he fought the good fight, and now he will take hold of eternal life to which he made a good and clear confession in the presence of his family, his church and the world (1 Timothy 6:12).

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson