Some thoughts on news of the death of John MacArthur

I heard this morning that John MacArthur, Lead Pastor of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles died. I'm praying for his family and the church he pastored

Quite early in our ministry at Covington Bible Church, where we served for more than forty years, Kathy and I attended an early version of the Shepherd's Conference, held by the staff of Grace Community Church. The conference was held in Kansas City. 

John MacArthur's ministry at that conference, as well as that of several members of the staff of GCC, confirmed and shaped our ministry for the rest of our careers. I still remember the humility with which Pastor MacArthur addressed fellow pastors. The congregation of Grace Community Church already numbered in the thousands, yet MacArthur belittled that in comparison to a church where a friend of his pastored. His friend served in a community of a few hundred — a tiny fraction of L.A. —yet his flock numbered in the hundreds. MacArthur commented with genuine admiration, "How do you do that?" I don't think I was the only small-town pastor who was affirmed by that simple comment. MacArthur modeled faithfulness, leaving the results to the Lord.

Under MacArthur's ministry, a thriving women's ministry was growing. The director of that ministry was one of the presenters at this conference. I wish I rembered that woman's name. Kathy took great interest in what she had to say. I'm confident this lady is with the Lord now. Kathy was impressed with the Bible-based, real-life, relevant women's ministry that was presented. Coffeebreak, a ministry that has impacted scores of women in Covington VA was the result. In turn, other wiomen's ministries sprang up in various places, inspired by Kathy, who had been inspired by a dedicated member of MacArthur's staff.

That is one example of how MacArthur and the church he led served as a model for ministry around the world. Pastor MacArthur, in keeping with Ephesians 4:12, wanted to equip others to serve the Lord. It isn't that we mindlessly followed what we heard and saw emanating from L.A. I don't believe Pastor MacArthur would have been pleased if we did. His devotion was preemently to the expostional  preaching of the Scripture. The big question is, "What does the Word of God say?" I didn't always agree with what MacArthur said. I did always find him to be passionate about anchoring what he said to the Word of God.

I hope I'm remembered for the same passion.

I didn't know John MacArthur personally. I do know some people who worked closely with him. I'm praying for them. To my fellow pastors, especially those younger than me I issue a challenge. I encourage you to follow the core principle that drove John MacArthur's ministry: You may do it in bigger chunks than "one verse at a time," but be devoted to "unleashing God's truth." Rest in Peace Pastor John. For the rest of us, our rest is coming. Right now, Sunday's coming. Folks need to hear the Word. Preach it.

Keep going, if you are going in the right direction, Proverbs 10

 In my Bible reading for 2025 (I'm not reading through the Bible this year. I'm taking a deeper dive into particular books.) I've arrived at Proverbs 10. Proverbs 1-9 is a series of meditations/exhortations/warnings about wisdom and folly. Most are addressed to the young. Beginning with Proverbs 10, we have what appears to be a reach in the hat and pull out nuggets of wisdom, each of which can nearly fit on a bumper sticker.

As I read through chapter 10, I was struck by the impression that most, if not all, the proverbs in the chapter have a long-term perspective in mind. Here are a few examples. These examples are quoted from the New Living Translation:

A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. (10:1)

People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. (10:17)

"When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation." (10:25)

You can find other examples, both in Proverbs and elsewhere in Scripture. "The fleeting pleasures of sin," in Hebrews 11:25, is another example.

Here's my conclusion for the day. It's in two steps.

1. Make sure you're going in the right direction.
2. Keep going.

The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. (Proverbs 10:28–29, NLT)  

Thoughts on Psalm 107, #5: When should I, and for what should I, give thanks?

 Psalm 107 begins with an exhortation/command to those of us who are redeemed--"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting." While not using the word "thanks," the writer in typical Hebrew fashion, comes back to the thought in the conclusion of the Psalm. ". . . give heed to these things, And consider the lovingkindnesses of the LORD."

As we read through the Psalm we find obvious points for thanksgiving. They are what we can call the redemption statements. Each is introduced by the statement, "He delivered/saved/brought them out of their distresses." Each of these lines is followed by a further description of the Lord's deliverance to each distressed group.

Thoughts on Psalm 107, #4, God's sovereignty

 I'm planning one more post on this marvelous psalm. Today's will be quite brief.

After the section on the four representative groups of the redeemed (4-32), the psalmist adds what I call a coda (33-41). I wrote about this section in my first post on this psalm.  This section is "full of what God does. "He changes . . .."makes . . .. blesses . . .. does not let . . .. pours . . .. [and] sets . . .."

In brief, God is sovereign. Psalm 107 is addressed to the redeemed. As one of God's redeemed, it is good for me to look back and see God's hand in bringing me to Himself. It's not my fault that I am redeemed. It is God's doing. Read Romans 8 for more on this. 

Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow.

Thoughts on Psalm 107, #3; Who are these folks?

 We meet four groups of people in Psalm 107. They are all part of the “redeemed,” spoken of in the psalm’s introduction. I wrote about the word redeemed and the concept of redemption in my first post on Psalm 107. I encourage you to read that, if you didn’t, or if you have forgotten. The way the word is used in Psalm 107 is:

Thoughts on Psalm 107, #2

 

There is an Evangelistic element that runs through this poem. I find it similar to the Great Commission passages of the New Testament. Notice the introductory words of v 2, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Also, take note of the refrain in the Psalm, "Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!" (8, 15, 21, & 31) I see this sentiment repeated throughout Scripture. A couple of examples:

Thoughts on Psalm 107, #1

 A Beautiful Song of Thanksgiving, Psalm 107:

I've been taking a slow tour through the Psalms. As one ought to do on a leisurely road trip, I've given myself permission to stop, get out, and ask questions about what interests me along my journey. When I started the trip, I knew I'd take some time walking around and looking at this psalm. 

So, here I am.

Especially since over the past ten years I've had more of an itinerant ministry, it has been my privilege to preach from Psalm 107 on several occasions. It is a "go-to" message on gratitude. Still, though I've grown somewhat familiar with this masterpiece, I've enjoyed wandering around and looking at this monument to God's Hesed. I'll come back to that in a moment.