GUEST: MATT MACARTHUR, eldest son of Pastor John MacArthur
There are several common terms for the ceremony that takes place after death—funeral, celebration of life, memorial service. You can tell a lot about the deceased by the manner and mood of their service. Some are focused on how accomplished and full of good works the person was. Others are about happy memories and photos. Still others are like a dirge, full of grief over the loss.
The Bible says, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep [dead], so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).
To be sure, there should be grief over the loss of a loved one, for we will never see or speak to that person again in this life. Jesus Himself wept when seeing the family and friends of Lazarus lament over his death, not because they wouldn’t see him again (He was about to raise him from the grave) but because death is the ultimate enemy and reality of our sin-corrupted world.
But the passage above says believers shouldn’t “grieve as do the rest who have no hope” because of the promise that God will bring true believers into His presence in heaven to live for eternity, where there is no sin, pain, or death.
This is why for the believer the service following death should largely focus on the greatness of God and how He brings the believer into an infinitely better eternity. Instead of a memorializing or celebrating this life, it really should be a worship service of God for this life, and even more, the next.
I attended the memorial service for pastor John MacArthur this past weekend at Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, MacArthur went to heaven back on July 14 at age 86 after nearly three years of health problems.
Outside my parents, MacArthur has had the most important influence on my life, through his preaching and character. So my older brother and I traveled to the church, as we have done many times over the years for the Shepherds’ Conference, an annual convergence for men in ministry. Only this time, we wouldn’t be hearing MacArthur preach. We would be hearing others praise God for the grace and gifting he showered on MacArthur’s life and the eternal reward he is now receiving.
Scripture was read by MacArthur recorded from a past sermon. John Piper offered a personal reflection. Alistair Begg prayed. Joni Eareckson Tada sang and spoke. MacArthur’s two sons, Matt and Mark, offered personal perspectives. Sinclair Ferguson preached. Christ-exalting hymns were sung by the Gettys, soloists, choir, and congregation. It was two hours and forty-five minutes of worshiping God for the good work He did in the life and ministry of John MacArthur.
MacArthur’s eldest son Matt joins us today on the program. Matt and his wife have been married for 40 years and are the parents of three adult children and grandparents of seven. He works in the investment management business and also serves as the president of Grace to You. Matt will offer unique insight into his dad and what the family was aiming to accomplish in the service.
This powerful biography of John MacArthur’s life from author Iain Murray highlights the shaping of John’s youth, the strength of marriage and family, the refining influence of trials and controversies, and the building of a man whose staff have never known him to be angry. There are friends who, for all their love of his ministry, say his life is his best sermon.
