John MacArthur - A Clear Witness to Jesus Christ

 

I was greatly saddened by the passing of John MacArthur yesterday. I feel like I lost a good friend, although we never met. I began listening to John MacArthur when we lived in Elkhart, Indiana, over 40 years ago. At the time Stephanie and I were in the very beginnings of our small family, we were getting more involved in church and while I was traveling around town, during the day, at work, I would listen to his radio broadcast on WFRN. Here we are more than 40 years later and I still listen to him. I truly loved his wisdom and boldness. As I grew in my faith and began exploring scripture on my own, I would come across some things we would definitely disagree with. But, I loved his historical knowledge and. his forceful presentation of the gospel. He is resting in the arms of the Lord today and I am so thankful for his leadership in the Kingdom here on earth. He worshipped God with his entire being and he gave a clear witness to Jesus Christ.

As I was nearing the end of the book of Revelation I am starting to get nostalgic. I have been on this ORDINATION journey for three years. It has led me to grow so much as a pastor and a follower of Jesus. Combining the three years of ordination work with my time at Indiana Wesleyan Seminary, I have grown so much in how to study God's word. I am still learning and will be until Jesus returns or I am called home. John MacArthur has also been a part of my learning journey. He was such a good teacher. 

The following scripture spoke to me today. I hope and pray it also speaks to you. 

"And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb."  And he added, "These are true words that come from God." Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, 'No don't worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.'" (Revelation 19:9-10, NLT)

John MacArthur was a servant of God just like the rest of us. He had a huge following, but I have heard him say, often, this is not about me. I would concur. I hear so many people loving or hating a pastor. People leave churches because of pastors and they are drawn to churches because of pastors. They leave because they are not fed or they disagree with the theology and methods of a pastor. I understand it, but don't always agree with it. I love the verses above because it simplifies our place in the Kingdom. 

We are here to WORSHIP GOD and we are here as a CLEAR WITNESS FOR JESUS. It is not how much WE are being FED but how much we are FEEDING OTHERS. 

John MacArthur fed others. HE FED ME and the impact he had on me and ultimately the KINGDOM is now his reward in Heaven. He was a faithful witness ot JESUS CHRIST. He wasn't perfect. God doesn't call us to be perfect through our words or deeds. JESUS alone is perfect and our perfection only comes THROUGH HIM. 

Thank you Pastor MacArthur for your years of faithfulness. May God continue to bless his ministry and those he has touched through the years.