John MacArthur on How To Have A Long Enduring Ministry

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John MacArthur on How To Have A Long Enduring Ministry

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It goes without saying, I think, and yet it needs to be said, that this is a highlight of my ministry life. I am a recipient of God’s blessing, poured out through John Piper. And I have been, for many years, indebted to him for his writings and his preaching. There aren’t a whole lot of preachers that I listen to. He is one, at the top of the list, and it’s just an honor for me to be here, a joy to come and be a part of the Desiring God conference.

I trust that in the process of me being abundantly blessed already, I may be able, by the grace of God, to leave you with a small blessing, but if not, it will have been well worth it for me alone to be here just to enjoy the fellowship.

The Need for Endurance
It’s a big subject to talk about, to stand and to endure. I remember as a young boy, my dad reminded me of the words of the apostle Paul, “Having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13; all Scripture quotations from the NASB). And he said to me when I was very young, “A lot of people have done a lot of things, but when the smoke clears and the dust settles, they’re not standing.” And he directed me in those early years to the words of the apostle Paul, where he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). And he challenged me very early in my life to make that my goal. He went to heaven two years ago at the age of 91, and into his 91st year was still teaching a Bible class every Sunday.

His father, my grandfather, died at a much earlier age of cancer. I remember as a small boy standing by his bed when I think I was about 9 or 10, and my dad saying to him, “Dad, is there anything you want?” And he said, “I want to preach one more sermon.” You see, he had prepared one and didn’t get to preach it. It’s like fire in your bones. So my dad took his notes, printed them up, and passed out the sermon at his funeral. By the way, the title of the sermon was Heavenly Records. So he preached on heaven from heaven, and that’s how he went out. I have a great legacy of men who have been faithful to the very end.

As John said, I’ve been at Grace Community Church for almost 40 years. Can you imagine those poor souls? I’ve been baptizing and seeing people come to Christ to the third generation. Last Sunday night I baptized two more of my own grandchildren, having baptized my own children. I stood in the waters and heard the precious testimonies of Ty and Olivia from two different families of my children, and could hardly contain my gratitude to God for his grace in their lives through that church. I really do believe that when people say, “What’s been the greatest influence on the life of your children?” the answer of course is, the work of the Spirit of God, but beyond that, it is the tremendous, relentless, comprehensive, and unified effort of a whole congregation of people to bring to bear the truth on their young lives. So it has been my delight to be in one church all these years and to see my family grow in that church.

An Enduring Ministry
I really have lived in my church life on the backside of when you’re supposed to leave and nobody wants you. Several times during the life of our church I thought that I should leave the church. I walked into a staff meeting one day to such a surprise. I had invested in five young guys, discipled them personally, loved them, met with them early hours of the morning during the week and went over spiritual things and prayed with them and built them into a staff of pastors who worked alongside of me. I walked in one day and I said, “I just want to tell you guys how much I love you,” to which one of them responded, “Well, if you think we’re your friends, you got another thing coming, buddy.” And there was a mutiny on the spot. They tried to overthrow my role as pastor and take me out of the pulpit. The sad fallout of that was four out of the five left the ministry for life. It was more than I could bear, and I would’ve gone if there was anywhere to go. That was about eight years in.

[statesrights]

Had no idea these things had happened to Pastor John, he has been such a wonderful blessing to me over the years. Prayers for him and his family.

[dianacioara]

Pastor John is not fully aware of the much impact he had over the generations throughout the world. But we always give thanks to God and his son Jesus Christ for all true teaching still exists in the churches and all the true believers.

[MamaKalash]

Praise God for faithful preachers who withstand the trials, testing and attacks.

[thesuperioraffection]

I was a believer for 3 years in 2007 and was blessed to be able to attend that conference. It was called Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints. By God's grace Pastor John is still standing, as am I.

[AldenCarbos]

He is amazing and a 100% inspiration. Im 83 and and still on the mission field in the PHILIPPINES. IT'S MUCH HARDER PHYSICALLY THAN LIVING IN AMERICA. BUT PEOPLE ARE SO RESPECTFUL AND HUMBLE THAT IS A BLESSING AND A GIFT TO ME. PASTOR MACARTHUR PUTS IT SIMPLY....ITS HOW YOU ACCEPT YOUR PROBLEMS AND HEARTBREAKING DISAPPOINTMENT. HES TOUGH AS NELLS AND AS DETERMINED AS A FEARLESS BULL DOG. PRAISE GOD FOR HIM .HIS REWARDS IN HEAVEN AWAIT HIM AND HIS WIFE.

[veraswenson]

I was a member of Grace for 26 years. My husband and I were there when all of those people left. We were thinking seriously of also leaving, but I thank my Lord that we stayed!! We have been very blessed by his teaching of the Word of God. The only reason we stopped going, was because we did not live close by, and because of our medical issues. God has truly blessed him with the ability to teach the truth!!

[shseducation]

I couldn't express how much I thank our Lord God who sent pastor John Mc Arthur to rebuke me through him and drew me back to Christ since last five years now. I'm an Indonesian Christian who regard him as my own pastor, father and friend of mine and I assure you I will cry hard if God call him first. He's one my daily list on my prayer along with Paul Washer and late Sproul. I love his dull, old fashioned sermon or whatsoever people call it. I'm not entertaining my ears and my feeling. I'm pursuing God's words through him. May our Lord grant him joy and peace to serve Him. Soli deo gloria

[merrittmontgomery]

Pastor MacArthur is a blessing to us all. I ask God to give Pastor MacArthur life and strength and keeping Patricia’s health in our prayers too. I’ve listened to R.C. Sproul as well.Thank you for sharing this video! God bless you all!

[sseltrekab]

there is nothing harder than investing your time and energy into people and having them turn on you when they get some power...I deeply respect his tenacity in the face of very painful things as a Pastor, and how he's also stood on truth in the midst of this evil culture...

[billoglebee]

I am 82 yo southern baptist deacon & s s teacher. I can tell you the writings and preaching of DRs. John gertsner, r c sprout and j. MacArthur have been inspirational and very useful in my walk with Lord. Men greatly used by God!

[colleendavis]

I am so thankful for this Channel and thankful to Pastor John MacArthur for his expository preaching. God Bless.

[r.msphonics]

Thank you for sharing this sobering and encouraging sermon. I love Pastor John and he is so courageous!

[savageactor]

Thank you Pastor John for your dedication to scripture and the rich library of sermons you have blessed us with.

[cherylconboy]

We have listened to grace to you radio program for many years. We have also heard many sermons Pastor John has preached. He has been monumental in both my life and my husbands life in learning and growing in study of the word of God. Eternally thankful to the Lord for his stewardship for the glory of God.

[Balboa-fisi]

Dr. MacArthur is one of the best Bible teachers the world has ever known.

[lulurosenkrantz]

Forever indebted to John for rescuing me from the charismatic chaos . Australia .

[maureenjossick]

Thankyou for all you do keeping us updated on pastor MacArthur, and his wife. Pastor has really helped bring God back to the forefront of our family!
And pastor is NOT boring, or outdated! My 6 yr old son puts on GTY channel every night before we go to bed, and we go to sleep(or listen intently!) to pastor. My son has taken a very big liking to pastor. I wish my family and I could visit his church one day! I’d like my son to meet him, That would be such a blessing! Especially my son, he loves pastor too! ❤ Thankyou for the sermon as well! I’ll be listening to it!

[thecrew]

Thanking God that I happen to be alive the same time John MacArthur is on this earth preaching. For those who like to say derogatory things like "Oh, you worship John MacArthur" I say: "Yeah? What do YOU worship, and whom?"
I bet it is someone no where near as godly!
Thank you, Tim.

[Mary_Blevins]

God bless you brother Tim. The Lord used our brother, Johnny Mac, as a means to save me. Like lots of viewers of your channel, I am forever indebted to our Father and thank Him for using Pastor MacArthur in such a mighty way.

[bonniebarbee]

God Bless Him and his Wife !! Thank you for sharing this