John MacArthur’s Last Words to His Son Pointed to Christ, Not This World

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Matt MacArthur, the eldest son of the late pastor John MacArthur, remembered what his father said on his deathbed in an emotional tribute during a memorial service at Grace Community Church on Saturday. His bravery and faith were especially evident in his final days," said Matt MacArthur.

"Dad was lucid, incredibly brave; a loving husband, dad, and grandfather," he said. "His determination never wavered. The man who stood as a lion in this pulpit also stood at the edge of eternity with the same steadfast courage."

MacArthur, who briefly choked up, remembering his father's final words to him, The Christian Post reported.

His last words to me were: 'Son, be faithful.' He didn't say, 'Write a book.' He didn't say, 'Be the keynote speaker at a conference.' He said, 'Be faithful.'"

"What a model," he added.

He also recalled his father citing from the apostle Paul from 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 when it came to the assurance of salvation in the face of death.

"O Death, where is your sting? I feel no sting. Grace has overpowered my sinful heart," MacArthur quoted his father saying. "What a gift. What a gift. Grace is the greatest power because it pushes sin away. It's all of grace. I am unworthy. I've lived to see my children's children, and I pray that you all will finish well."

 

The memorial service also included remarks from other well-known Christian leaders, including John Piper, Alistair Begg, Sinclair B. Ferguson, and Joni Eareckson Tada.

John MacArthur, who served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church for 56 years, died last month at the age of 86 after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He had been battling a number of health issues in the final years of his life, including having four stents put in his heart, having his aorta replaced, and also undergoing lung surgery.

He was also hospitalized in 2023 after struggling to breathe when preaching an hour long sermon. Nevertheless, the late pastor maintained that he would continue his pastoral ministry. 

John MacArthur delivered his final public sermon on Nov. 24, 2024, recounting God's faithfulness and purpose in his suffering despite his health issues. 

Photo Credit: ©Screen grab from YouTube/Grace to You

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.