A Tribute to Dr. John MacArthur
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
“We are not passive in salvation, we must believe. Nor are we passive in sanctification, we must obey. True believers are commanded to obey.” – Dr. John MacArthur
I have heard a lot of good quotes about church-building and the responsibilities of a pastor as far as shepherding his flock is concerned, but the following story told by the recently departed John MacArthur is the best description of a pastor’s proper role that I’ve ever read. I trust that it will bless and challenge you as much as it did me.
"A reporter said to me, 'What's your goal in the ministry?' And I said, 'My goal is to glorify God.' He said, 'Well, I mean your future goal.' I said, 'My future goal is to glorify God.' He said, 'I mean what's your goal for the church?' 'To glorify God.' He said, 'Don't you have a great desire to build a great church?' I said, 'No. I have no desire to build a church really. And the reason is because Jesus said, 'I will build My church,' and I'd rather not compete with him.' And so I only desire to do that which glorifies God each day of my life one day at a time and let God build His church His way."
No more needs to be said other than thank you, Dr. John MacArthur, for your six decades of faithful ministry in which you never wavered once from proclaiming the unvarnished truth of God’s Word.
“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:15-18 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
