Folks, as many of you may know John has celebrated 50 years of preaching at Grace Community Church. I would like to give you an opportunity to share with him how his ministry has affected you. Please post here or send me a private message that you would like shared with John. It can be a short audio message or a written post. Please nothing too long (no books though many of us could do that because he had that much of an affect). Please no personal requests. This is not a chance to ask him to do something for you. those messages will not be shared with him. So only messages of how God's ministry through John has helped you.
- Dr. MacArthur introduced me to the doctrines of Grace through his many books. This changed my theology and my life. My relationship with God was richer and deeper as a result of his books which helped me gain a fuller understanding of my relationship with God and what He did for me on the cross, and what He continues to do for me in my Christian life. His books have always been packed with scripture to ground me in the truth, and proved to me that what he taught in his books was not just his opinion, but was God's truth revealed in scripture. He always stressed that everything should be tested and filtered through the authority of scripture, and failure to do so would be hazardous if not dangerous. One of the books he wrote that I value was "Reckless Faith". It taught the importance of discernment and how rare it has become in the church. I recall through the years, Dr. MacArthur has been embattled in controversies about certain doctrines such as "Lordship salvation". Because of his thorough and articulate teaching I found that those who attacked him were the ones who were not biblical in their stance. I studied and read both sides of the issues to make sure there was no unfair bias. I found Dr. MacArthur to be completely biblical and sound and found the other side to wanting in biblical authority. It is interesting to see how many holes you can find when one holds ones teaching up to the authority of scripture. Thank you Dr. MacArthur for your many years of service for the Master, and the many lives the Lord has touched and changed through your ministry and faithfulness. May the Lord continue to use you in the years to come.