https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/podcasts/20033/ Enjoy the newest sermons from Grace to You in Los Angeles, California via our podcast feed. Religion & Spirituality Grace to You http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification https://vps.sermonaudio.com/resize_image/sources/podcast/1440/1440/johnmacarthur.1754995393.jpg https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/podcasts/20033/ en Mon, 11 May 2026 21:23:26 +0000 30 John MacArthur no Enjoy the newest sermons from Grace to You in Los Angeles, California via our podcast feed. https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/617131320282 “But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ” (1 Corinthians 8:8–12). The third truth with which Paul agreed was that eating or not eating food has no spiritual significance in itself. Neither act will commend us to God. Commend (paristemi) means “to place near, bring beside, present to.” Neither eating or not eating food will bring us closer to God or make us approved by Him. The general point is that doing things not forbidden by God has no significance in our relationship to Him. They are spiritually neutral. Food is an excellent illustration of that fact. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/617131320282 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 24 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/2151319911 “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. And for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1 Timothy 2:3–7). This powerful and dramatic passage answers the question “Why pray for the lost?” It is one of the most definitive statements in all of Scripture of the saving purpose of God. It contains several reasons for evangelistic prayer. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/2151319911 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/214131140123 “‘But I say to you, love your enemies’” (Matthew 5:44a). Here is the most powerful teaching in Scripture about the meaning of love. The love that God commands of His people is love so great that it even embraces enemies. William Hendriksen comments, All around him were those walls and fences. He came for the very purpose of bursting those barriers, so that love-pure, warm, divine, infinite-would be able to flow straight down from the heart of God, hence from his own marvelous heart, into the hearts of men. His love overleaped all the boundaries of race, nationality, party, age, sex. When he said, “I tell you, love your enemies,” he must have startled his audience, for he was saying something that probably never before had been said so succinctly, positively, and forcefully. (The Gospel of Matthew [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1973], p. 313) . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/214131140123 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 22 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/213131946569 “. . . and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:26–27). Then John adds another detail to his description of the New Jerusalem. Throughout the never-ending daytime of the eternal state (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed. In an ancient walled city, the gates were closed at nightfall to keep invaders, marauders, criminals, and other potentially dangerous individuals from entering the city under cover of darkness. That there will be no night in eternity, and the gates of the New Jerusalem will never need to be closed, depicts the city's complete security. It will be a place of rest, safety, and refreshment, where God's people will “rest from their labors” (14:13). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/213131946569 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/212131746102 “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly” (1 Corinthians 11:27–29). Again Paul returns to warning. Because of all that is involved in the ordinance, whoever participates in the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. One can come to His table unworthily in many ways. It is common for people to participate in it ritualistically, without participating with their minds and hearts. They can go through the motions without going through any emotions, and treat it lightly rather than seriously. They can believe it imparts grace or merit, that the ceremony itself, rather than the sacrifice it represents, can save or keep one saved. Many come with a spirit of bitterness or hatred toward another believer, or come with a sin of which they will not repent. If a believer comes with anything less than the loftiest thoughts of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and anything less than total love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, he comes unworthily. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/212131746102 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 20 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/212131743140 16:22 Abraham's bosom. This same expression (found only here in Scripture) was used in the Talmud as a figure for heaven. The idea was that Lazarus was given a place of high honor, reclining next to Abraham at the heavenly banquet. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/212131743140 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/821121227249 “But this I say by way of concession, not of command. Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that” (1 Corinthians 7:6–7). I do not believe concession is the best translation. The Greek (sungnome) means “to think the same thing as someone, to have a joint opinion, a common mind or understanding.” It can also mean “awareness.” But this I say refers hack to what has just been said about marriage. I think Paul was saying that he was aware of the goodness of being single and celibate, yet aware also of the privileges and responsibilities of marriage. His comments were not meant as a command for every believer to be married. Marriage was instituted by God and is the norm for man–woman relationships, and it is a great blessing to mankind. But it is not required for believers or for anyone else. His point was: If you are single that is good, and if you are married or get married, stay married and retain normal marital relations, for that is of God. Spirituality is not determined by marital status. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/821121227249 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 16 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/821121224495 “‘But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children, and say, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon!” The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’” (Matthew 11:16–19) Although Jesus’ miracles had already established His messianic credentials beyond any legitimate question, most of the Jewish people who witnessed those miracles refused to recognize the facts or accept Him as the Messiah. But to what shall I compare this generation reflects a common oriental expression used to introduce a parable or other illustration. The Midrash, an ancient compilation of Jewish traditional teaching, contains many expressions (such as “To what is the matter like?” or “How can I illustrate this point?”) used by rabbis to introduce illustrative metaphors, analogies, and stories. In this tradition Jesus was saying, “How can I illustrate the responses of this generation of God’s people to His truth and work? To what do they compare?” . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/821121224495 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/8612124719 “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1a). The basic command is simple and succinct: Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. In the broadest sense, every person applies to every human being, because the principle stated here reflects God's universal plan for mankind. But Paul is speaking specifically to Christians, declaring, in effect, that Christianity and good citizenship should go together. And, as he will continue to explain, subjection to the governing authorities includes much more than simply obeying civil laws. It also includes genuine honor and respect for government officials as God's agents for maintaining order and justice in human society. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/8612124719 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/724121741410 “For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin” (Romans 7:14). The conjunction for carries the idea of because and indicates that Paul is not introducing a new subject but is giving a defense of what he has just said. He begins by again affirming that the Law is not the problem, because it is spiritual. Salvation by grace through faith does not replace or devalue the Law, because the law was never a means of salvation. As observed previously, Hebrews 11 and many other passages of Scripture make clear that the only means of salvation has always been the provision and power of God's grace working through the channel of man's faith. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/724121741410 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/723121226231 “And seeing this, the disciples marveled, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither at once?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, if you have faith, and do not doubt, you shall not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” it shall happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive’” (Matthew 21:20–22). When the disciples passed the cursed fig tree the next morning and saw that it was “withered from the roots up” (Mark 11:20), they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” A diseased tree might take many weeks or months to die, and even one that had been salted, either by accident or from maliciousness, would take several days to die. For the fig tree to wither overnight was to do so virtually at once. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/723121226231 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 10 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/723121223500 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will” (Matthew 24:36-44). The familiar expression “Here I come, ready or not” could well be applied to Jesus’ second coming, because He is coming according to the sovereign plan of God, with no regard for worldwide or individual readiness. Jesus is coming when He is coming, because the when and how of His return have long since been predetermined in the sovereign wisdom of God. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/723121223500 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 09 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/723121221207 “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death” (1 John 5:14–17). As noted above, the full experience of eternal life awaits Christians in heaven. But though they have not yet entered into their eternal inheritance (cf. 1 Peter 1:4), they have access to all of God's resources through prayer. Parresia (confidence) literally means “freedom of speech” (cf. the discussion of 3:21 in chapter 13 of this volume). It can also be translated “boldness” (Acts 4:31), or “openness” (Acts 28:31). The phrase translated before Him has the sense of “in His presence.” Through Jesus Christ believers have “boldness and confident access” (Eph. 3:12) to God that enables them to “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that [they] may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/723121221207 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/723121211171 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Before we examine the sanctifying power of Scripture, this crucial statement by Paul must be considered. Some scholars suggest that All Scripture is inspired should be translated, “All Scripture inspired by God is . . ,” which would leave open the possibility that some Scripture is not inspired by Him. But that rendering would make the Bible worthless as a reliable guide to divine truth, because we would then have no way to determine which part of it is inspired by God and which is not. Men would be left to their own finite and sinful devices and understanding to discover what part of the Bible may be true and which may not, what part is God's Word and what part is human conjecture. Paul's thought is that the Scripture that gives salvation must therefore be inspired by God. The words of men could never transform the inner person (Ps. 19:7). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/723121211171 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/71712171491 “And He said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man’” (John 1:51). Speaking specifically of those greater things that Nathanael and the other disciples would see, Jesus solemnly assured him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Jesus was probably alluding to Jacob's dream, in which he saw angels ascending and descending from heaven on a ladder (Gen. 28:12). The point of this statement is that Jesus is the link between heaven and earth, the revealer of heavenly truth to men (1:17; 14:6; Eph. 4:21), the “one mediator . . . between God and men” (1 Tim. 2:5), and the mediator of a new (Heb. 9:14; 12:24) and better (Heb. 8:6) covenant. In John 3:13 He declared to Nicodemus, “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man” (cf. 6:33, 38, 41–42, 50–51, 58, 62; 13:3; 16:28; 17:8). That truth would become increasingly clear to Nathanael and the rest of the disciples as they observed Jesus' life and ministry. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/71712171491 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 06 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/717121717563 “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8a). Paul is concerned that those who have been transferred from Satan's domain to Christ's kingdom not become enslaved again. He voiced a similar concern in Galatians 5:1: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” He calls the Colossians to constant watchfulness because danger is near, as the present tense imperative form of blepo (see to it) indicates. The church constantly faces the danger of false teachers. Jesus says in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” In Matthew 16:6 he warns, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/717121717563 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 03 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/717121720144 “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 9–11). Those who are loyal to Scripture will naturally seek to protect and guard it. No matter what he may claim, anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Proago (goes too far) means in this context “to go beyond established bounds of teaching or instruction, with the implication of failure to obey properly” (“proago,” Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, 2nd Edition, Edited by J. P. Louw and E. A. Nida. Copyright © 1988 by the United Bible Societies, New York, NY 10023. Electronic edition, BibleWorks 7). The “established bounds of teaching or instruction” are revealed in Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 4:6 Paul wrote, “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other” (emphasis added). Any teaching not consistent with Scripture is to be rejected (cf. Rev. 22:18–19). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/717121720144 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/717121721595 “So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.’ These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum” (Leviticus 6:53–59). Although confronted with their willful unbelief, Jesus did not tone down, soften, or even clarify His words. Instead, He made His teaching even harder for them to swallow by adding the shocking concept of drinking His blood. To drink blood or eat meat with the blood still in it was strictly prohibited by the Old Testament law: “‘And any man from the house of Israel, or from the aliens who sojourn among them, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people (Lev. 17:10).’” . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/717121721595 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1115121837310 “You were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13–14). As one means of guaranteeing His promises to those who have received Jesus Christ, God has sealed [them] in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. Every believer is given the very Holy Spirit of God the moment he trusts in Christ. “You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwell-s in you,” Paul declares (Rom. 8:9a). Conversely, he goes on to say, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (v. 9b). Incredibly, the body of every true Christian is actually “a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in [him]” (1 Cor. 6:19). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1115121837310 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 30 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1113121910521 “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity” (Ephesians 4:26–27). Parorgismos (anger) is not momentary outward, boiling–over rage or inward, seething resentment, but rather a deep–seated, determined and settled conviction. As seen in this passage, its New Testament use can represent an emotion good or bad, depending on motive and purpose. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1113121910521 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/3151312545410 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). The key phrase of this passage is let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. In the book of Hebrews, as in many places in the New Testament, “let us” may refer to believers, to unbelievers, or to both. As a matter of courtesy and concern, an author frequently identifies himself with those to whom he is writing, whether or not they are fellow Christians. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/3151312545410 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/3141321951 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Driving Paul’s noble ambition was the knowledge that there would be a penetrating uncovering of the depths of his heart by the Lord Himself. That will take place in the future when believers must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The strong terms must and all stress the inevitability and comprehensiveness of this event. That knowledge produced in Paul strong motivation to please God in this life. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/3141321951 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/31313180205 “‘“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”’” (Matthew 6:12). Opheilema (debts) is one of five New Testament Greek terms for sin. Hamartia is the most common and carries the root idea of missing the mark. Sin misses the mark of God’s standard of righteousness. Paraptoma, often rendered “trespass,” is the sin of slipping or falling, and results more from carelessness than from intentional disobedience. Parabasis refers to stepping across the line, going beyond the limits prescribed by God, and is often translated “transgression.” This sin is more conscious and intentional than hamartia and paraptoma. Anomia means lawlessness, and is a still more intentional and flagrant sin. It is direct and open rebellion against God and His ways. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/31313180205 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 24 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/3121317283510 “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). To the missionaries’ example, Paul added a pointed command. The divinely revealed, authoritative, axiomatic truth that those who are not willing to work are not to eat was not new to the saints. Ignorance was not their problem, for even when the missionaries were with them, they used to give them that order. Paul had also discussed this issue in his first epistle (4:11; 5:14). His point is simple: if people get hungry enough, they will work to get food. As Solomon put it, “A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on” (Prov. 16:26). Believers who have the opportunity and the ability to work for their own food are to do so. Those who do not are worse than unbelievers (1 Tim. 5:8). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/3121317283510 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/311131333142 “‘And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force’” (Matthew 11:12). Even if a man has outstanding character and an outstanding calling, he must also have opportunity in order to reach the potential of his greatness. John the Baptist entered the scene of history at precisely the right time-according to God’s own plan, prediction, and provision. After 400 years with no word from the Lord, Israel was expectant; and until Jesus began His own ministry, John was the focal point of redemptive history. He was the culmination of Old Testament history and prophecy. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/311131333142 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/38132033564 “Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to that yourself!’ And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:3–5). We are not told where Judas was during the Jewish mock trials. He doubtless had followed the multitude from the Mount of Olives to Annas’s house and was waiting nearby, perhaps in the courtyard where Peter was. It is possible that he was called as one of the witnesses against Jesus, but that seems unlikely. Judas still had the onus of being a disciple of Jesus, and, in any case, the very fact he was a traitor would have made his testimony suspect. Because Judas had fulfilled his usefulness to them, the chief priests and elders wanted nothing more to do with him. He was now a rejected outcast-to them, to the disciples, and to Jewish society in general. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/38132033564 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 19 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/38132031412 “‘“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”’” (Revelation 3:5–6). By way of encouragement, Christ described the rewards awaiting those who participated in the revival. True Christians, as already noted, will be clothed in white garments. In the ancient world, white garments were also worn for festive occasions such as weddings. True Christians will wear theirs at the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:7–9). White robes were also worn by those celebrating victory in battle; all true Christians are victorious through Christ over sin, death, and Satan. But, as noted earlier in the discussion of verse 4, primarily believers’ white garments represent purity and holiness. Christ promises to clothe Christians in the brilliance of eternal purity and holiness. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/38132031412 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 18 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/3613185005 “‘I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh’” (John 6:51). For the fifth time in this discourse (cf. vv. 33, 35, 48, 50), Jesus claimed to be the living bread that came down out of heaven. He then added the promise that if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Here, as in verses 35 and 40, human responsibility to believe in Christ is in view (God’s sovereignty in salvation is taught in vv. 37, 39, 44, 65). Ever the master teacher, Jesus used the simple, everyday routine of eating to communicate profound spiritual truth. The analogy of eating suggests five parallels to appropriating spiritual truth. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/3613185005 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 17 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/35131819272 “Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?” (1 Corinthians 15:29). This verse is one of the most difficult in all of Scripture, and has many legitimate possible interpretations; it has also, however, been used to support many strange and heretical ideas. The careful and honest interpreter may survey the several dozen interpretations offered and still not be dogmatic about what it means. But we can be dogmatic, from the clear teaching of other parts of Scripture, about some of the things it does not mean. As to what this verse does mean, we can only guess, since history has locked it into obscurity. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/35131819272 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/617131318310 “No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:9–10). John concludes this section with the summary statement, By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God. There are only two groups of people in the world (cf. Prov. 15:9): the children of God and the children of the devil. The first exhibits God’s righteous character through obeying His law (cf.Luke 1:6); the second exhibits Satan’s sinful character by disregarding the Word and habitually sinning (cf. Pss. 36:3; 119:150; Rom. 2:8). No matter what people may profess, or what past religious ritual or experience they may point to, anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/617131318310 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 15 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/6131313202110 “Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). Having received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is finished!” (Gk. tetelestai). Actually, the Lord shouted those words with a loud cry (Matt.27:50;Mark 15:37).It was a shout of triumph; the proclamation of a victor. The work of redemption that the Father had given Him was accomplished: sin was atoned for (Heb. 9:12; 10:12;), and Satan was defeated and rendered powerless (Heb. 2:14; cf.1 Peter 1:18–20; 1 John 3:8).Every requirement of God’s righteous law had been satisfied; God’s holy wrath against sin had been appeased (Rom. 3:25; Heb. 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10); every prophecy had been fulfilled. Christ’s completion of the work of redemption means that nothing needs to be nor can be added to it. Salvation is not a joint effort of God and man, but is entirely a work of God’s grace, appropriated solely by faith (Eph. 2:8–9). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/6131313202110 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 12 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/612131229232 “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him” (Hebrews 9:27-28). All men have to die, and our death is by divine appointment. It is one appointment everyone will keep. After death comes judgment, which is also appointed by God. And since men are not able to atone for their own sins, God's judgment demands that they pay or have a substitute pay for them. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/612131229232 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 11 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/611131243220 “‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father’” (John 14:12). The astonishing promise to the one who believes in Christ is that the works that He does, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do. The greater works to which Jesus referred were not greater in power than those He performed, but greater in extent. The disciples would indeed perform miraculous works, as Jesus had (cf. Acts 5:12–16; Heb. 2:3–4). But those physical miracles were not primarily what Jesus had in mind, since the apostles did not do more powerful miracles than He had. When the Lord spoke of His followers performing greater works, He was referring to the extent of the spiritual miracle of salvation. Jesus never preached outside of Palestine, yet His followers would spread the gospel throughout the world. Jesus had only a limited outreach to Gentiles (cf. Mark 7:26ff.), but the disciples (particularly Peter and later Paul) would reach the Gentile world with the gospel. The number of believers in Christ would also grow far beyond the hundreds (Acts 1:15;1 Cor.15:6) that were numbered during His lifetime. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/611131243220 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/6101317143710 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable” (1 Corinthians 6:12a). The statement, All things are lawful may have been a common Corinthian saying in that liberated society. Paul borrows it and, playing off it, says, “It is so for me, too. Every sin I as a Christian commit is forgiven in Jesus Christ.” But no sin is ever right or good, and no sin ever produces anything right or good. Sin can never be worthwhile or profitable. Profitable (sumphero) means “to be to advantage.” In the sense that believers are free and no longer under the penalty of the law in any way, all things are lawful for them. But the price for doing some things is terribly high, terribly unprofitable. Sin never brings profit; it always brings loss. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/6101317143710 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/34131917206 “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18–19). It is of great significance that the Bible closes with an affirmation of its truthfulness. Because the words of Scripture are “faithful and true” (22:6), they must not be sealed up, but proclaimed (22:10). Sinners are to be called to respond to the warnings in the Word of the living God or suffer the consequences. All the prophecies of Revelation regarding the doom of sinners will come true. That terrifying certainty should drive people to Jesus Christ to escape the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/34131917206 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/822121546351 “Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord” (Colossians 3:20). The parallel text in Ephesians is almost identical: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Eph. 6:1). Paul now turns to the second relationship in the ancient home, that of parents and children. This relationship category cannot be right unless the relationship between husband and wife is right. Tekna (children) is a general term for children and is not limited to a specific age group. It refers to any child still living in the home and under parental guidance. The present tense of the imperative hupakouete (be obedient) demands a continuous obedience. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/822121546351 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 05 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/820121326105 “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life” (Jude 20–21). Practically speaking, edification centers on studying the Word of God and learning to apply it. In Acts 20:32 Paul tells the Ephesian elders, “I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” All the ministries of the church should result in edification (Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 14:12, 26; Eph. 4:16). God gave the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers to proclaim His Word, which results in “the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11–12; cf. Col. 2:6–7). Peter wrote that believers should desire the Word for spiritual growth, just as babies desire milk for their physical nourishment (1 Peter 2:2). Along those same lines, the apostle John wrote that the spiritually strong believers, those capable of successfully waging effective warfare for the truth, are those in whom the Word of God abides (1 John 2:14). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/820121326105 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1123111622202 “After he brought them out, he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house” (Acts 16:30–32). No doubt having first made sure the other prisoners were secure, the jailer brought Paul and Silas out into the courtyard. There he asked the question that was burning in his heart, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Some have interpreted his question in terms of being saved from punishment, but that is not the case. Since no prisoners had escaped, he faced no punishment from his superiors. And why ask two prisoners such a question? The jailer's question expressed the deep longing of his heart to be right with God. Having undoubtedly heard the testimony of the demon-possessed girl (v. 17), either in person or from others, he believed Paul and Silas had the answer. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1123111622202 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/111312194569 “If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15). Believers who have right motives, proper conduct, and effective service build with gold, silver, and precious stones. They do constructive work for the Lord and will receive corresponding rewards. He shall receive a reward. That simple and hopeful promise is the message of eternal joy and glory. Whatever our service to God's glory, He will reward. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/111312194569 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/961112513710 “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose” (1 Peter 2:18–21). It should be of little consequence to believers what their circumstances are in the workplace, whether they are chief executive officers or custodians, whether they receive a substantial pay raise or settle for a salary cut so the company can stay solvent. The factor of overarching significance is that they maintain their testimony before the watching world of sinners (cf. Matt. 5:15–16; Mark 4:21; Phil. 2:14–16), and in the workplace that occurs when believers labor with an awareness of God's glory. Such awareness is the motivation not only for godly behavior and submission on the job, but also for trusting in God's sovereignty in every situation. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/961112513710 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 01 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/71712172558 “in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (Which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Colossians 1:24b) To emphasize that joy is independent of circumstances, Paul tells the Colossians that he rejoices in my sufferings for your sake. Sufferings refers to his present imprisonment (Acts 28:16, 30), from which he wrote Colossians. Paul could rejoice despite his imprisonment because he always viewed himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ, not the Roman Empire (cf. Philem. 1, 9, 23). The early church considered it a privilege to suffer for the name of Christ. In Acts 5:41, the apostles “went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” To the Philippians Paul wrote, “To you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Phil. 1:29). Why was suffering a cause for joy? The New Testament suggests at least five reasons. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/71712172558 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/7171217263910 “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, . . .” (Ephesians 4:11). After his parenthetical analogy (vv. 9–10) from Psalm 68:18, Paul continues his explanation of spiritual gifts. Christ not only gives gifts to individual believers but to the total Body. To each believer He gives special gifts of divine enablement, and to the church overall He gives specially gifted men as leaders (see v. 8, “He gave gifts to men”)—as apostles . . . prophets . . . evangelists, and . . . pastors and teachers. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/7171217263910 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 28 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/717121728161 Slavery forms the backdrop to Philemon, and it is impossible to fully appreciate the book without some understanding of slavery in the Roman Empire. Slavery was taken for granted as a normal part of life in the ancient world. Indeed, the whole structure of Roman society was based on it. “Slavery grew with the growth of the Roman state until it changed the economic basis of society, doing away with free labor, and transferring nearly all industries to the hands of slaves” (Marvin R. Vincent, The Epistles to the Philippians and to Philemon, International Critical Commentary [Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1979], p. 162). During the period of the wars of conquest, most slaves were war captives. By the time of the New Testament, however, most slaves were born into slavery. The number of slaves was enormous, making up as much as one third of the population of the Empire. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/717121728161 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 27 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/2813195453 “‘But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.” Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he’” (Matthew 11:9-11). A mark of John's greatness was his privileged calling. Until Christ's own ministry began, no human being had been called to a task as high and sacred as that of John the Baptist. In many ways his privilege overshadowed that of Mary, who gave Jesus birth. John was chosen to announce and prepare the way for the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of kings. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/2813195453 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/27131053547 “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly” (1 Corinthians 3:1–3). The cause of division in the Corinthian church was more than an external, worldly influence. It was also internal, fleshly. The Corinthians had succumbed to the pressures of the world, but they were also succumbing to the pressures and enticements of their own flesh. Before Paul chastises them for their immature sinfulness, he reminds them again that he is speaking to them as brethren, as fellow believers. That is a term of recognition and of love. It reminded his brothers in Christ that they were still saved, that their sinning, terrible and inexcusable as it was, did not forfeit their salvation. He did not try to diminish the seriousness of their sins, but he did try to diminish or prevent any discouragement that his rebuke might otherwise have caused. He stood with them as a brother, not over them as a judge. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/27131053547 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/26131850259 “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25–26). All Israel must be taken to mean just that—the entire nation that survives God's judgment during the Great Tribulation. The common amillennial view that all Israel refers only to a remnant redeemed during the church age does injustice to the text. Paul's declaration about all Israel is set in clear contrast to what he has already said about the believing Jewish remnant which the Lord has always preserved for Himself. The fact, for instance, that only some of the branches (unbelieving Jews) were broken off (v. 17), plainly indicates that a remnant of believing Jews—those not broken off—will continually exist while the fulness of the Gentiles is being completed. These are Jews being redeemed who are not part of the spiritual hardening that has come upon Israel because of her rejection of her Messiah (v. 25). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/26131850259 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 22 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/25131748143 “And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’” (Acts 8:36) At some point as they went along the road the eunuch was granted saving faith and was instructed about baptism. That is implied by his reaction when they came to some water. The eunuch said to Philip, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” They came across a pool or stream in the desert at just the appropriate moment for the man to publicly testify to his saving faith by being obedient to the ordinance of immersion. That is yet another example of the sovereign Spirit's control of events. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/25131748143 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/25131746281 “And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Heaven will be so dramatically different from the present world that to describe it requires the use of negatives, as well as the previous positives. To describe what is totally beyond human understanding also requires pointing out how it differs from present human experience. The first change from their earthly life believers in heaven will experience is that God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (cf. 7:17; Isa. 25:8). That does not mean that people who arrive in heaven will be crying and God will comfort them. They will not, as some imagine, be weeping as they face the record of their sins. There is no such record, because “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1), since Christ “bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). What it declares is the absence of anything to be sorry about—no sadness, no disappointment, no pain. There will be no tears of misfortune, tears over lost love, tears of remorse, tears of regret, tears over the death of loved ones, or tears for any other reason. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/25131746281 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/21131922272 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’” (Matthew 27:46). A second miracle occurred at about the ninth hour, or three o'clock in the afternoon, through an inexplicable event that might be called sovereign departure, as somehow God was separated from God. At that time Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” As Matthew explains, the Hebrew Eli (Mark uses the Aramaic form, “Eloi,” 15:34) means, My God, and lama sabachthani means, Why hast Thou forsaken Me? . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/21131922272 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 19 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/13113105189 “Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and waited on them. While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them” (Luke 4:38–40). Six features characterized Jesus' healing ministry and set it apart from those of the fake “faith healers,” who have paraded themselves before the church with their deceptive and abusive false promises. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/13113105189 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 18 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/130131912184 “‘And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it’” (Matthew 16:18). In Matthew 16:18–20 Jesus points up features and characteristics of the church that He builds. First, He set forth the foundation of the Church: And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church. For more than fifteen hundred years the Roman Catholic church has maintained that this passage teaches the church was built on the person of Peter, who became the first pope and bishop of Rome and from whom the Catholic papacy has since descended. Because of this supposed divinely ordained apostolic succession, the pope is considered to be the supreme and authoritative representative of Christ on earth. When a pope speaks ex cathedra, that is, in his official capacity as head of the church, he is said to speak with divine authority equal to that of God in Scripture. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/130131912184 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 15 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12913192400 “‘Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come’” (Matthew 12:31–32). Few passages of Scripture have been more misinterpreted and misunderstood than these two verses. Because of their extreme seriousness and finality; it is critical to understand them correctly. Jesus first stated that any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men. Although blasphemy is a form of sin, in this passage and context the two are treated separately-with blasphemy representing the most extreme form of sin. Sin here represents the full gamut of immoral and ungodly thoughts and actions, whereas blasphemy represents conscious denouncing and rejection of God. Blasphemy is defiant irreverence, the uniquely terrible sin of intentionally and openly speaking evil against holy God or defaming or mocking Him (cf. Mark. 2:7). The Old Testament penalty for such blasphemy was death by stoning (Lev. 24:16). In the last days blasphemy will be an outstanding characteristic of those who rebelliously and insolently oppose God (Rev. 13:5–6; 16:9; 17:3). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12913192400 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1281318595 “Pilate answered, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm’” (John 18:35-36). Since it was now clear that Pilate was merely repeating the charge of the Jewish leaders, Jesus answered his question. He was a king, but not a political ruler intent on challenging Rome's rule. “My kingdom is not of (Greek ek; “out from the midst of”) this world,” He declared. Its source was not the world system, nor did Jesus derive His authority from any human source. As noted earlier, He had rejected the crowd's attempt to crown Him king. He also passed up an opportunity to proclaim Himself king at the triumphal entry, when He rode into Jerusalem at the head of tens of thousands of frenzied hopefuls. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1281318595 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12513933362 “‘All the nations will be gathered before Him; and and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left’” (Matthew 25:32-33). The subjects of Christ's judgment will be all the nations. Ethna (nations) has the basic meaning of peoples and here refers to every person alive on earth when the Lord returns. Although He will have taken all believers into heaven at the Rapture, during the following seven years of the Tribulation many other people will come to believe in Him. During that dreadful time, multitudes of Gentiles (see Rev. 7:9, 14), as well as all surviving Jews (Rom. 11:26), will be brought to faith in Christ. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12513933362 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12413203843 “Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11–12). Specifically, unbelievers will be deceived by Antichrist and perish because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. The phrase the love of the truth appears only here in the New Testament, and adds a compelling thought to Paul's argument. The unregenerate are eternally lost, not because they did not hear or understand the truth, but because they did not love it. The truth includes both “the word of truth, the gospel” (Col. 1:5), and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is truth incarnate (John 14:6; cf. 1:17; Eph. 4:21). Unbelievers do not welcome either Jesus or the gospel He proclaimed. Their antipathy to the truth is not intellectual, but moral, and their self-imposed blindness leaves the unredeemed under a damning level of satanic deception. It is not surprising, then, that Antichrist will deceive the entire lost world. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12413203843 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 11 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12313188228 “‘Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)’” (Matthew 24:15). During the end times, the Antichrist will head a confederacy of ten European nations that will generally correspond to the territory of the ancient Roman empire (see Dan. 7:24; cf.2:40–43), and he will at first pretend to be Israel's deliverer from her enemies, and she will make an alliance with him (9:27). But after he is victorious over the nations from the south, north, and east who have come against Israel, he will reveal his true evil character and his hatred for Israel and for God (Dan. 11:40–45). It is while occupying Israel under the guise of being her protector that the Antichrist will commit the abomination of desolation. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12313188228 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 08 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12313186456 “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day” (2 Peter 3:8). In Psalm 90:4 Moses declared, “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night.” Peter's paraphrase from that psalm encouraged his readers to not let this one fact escape their notice—that God's perspective on time is much different from humanity's (cf. Ps. 102:12, 24–27). The amount of earthly time that passes is of no consequence from God's timeless perspective. A moment is no different from an eon, and eons pass like moments to the eternal God. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12313186456 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 07 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12313184495 “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). One mark of a positive response to the gospel is love. The particular expression of love mentioned here is fellowship love.The Jewish readers were having a hard time breaking with the Old Covenant, with the Temple and the sacrifices. They were still holding on to the legalism and ritual and ceremony, the outward things of Judaism. So the writer is telling them that one of the best ways to hold fast to the things of God—the real things of God that are found only in the New Covenant of Jesus Christ—is to be in the fellowship of His people, where they could love and be loved, serve and be served. There is no better place to come all the way to faith in Christ, or to hope continually in Him, than the church, His Body. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/12313184495 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 06 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/118131851110 “‘But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there a man not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, “Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen’” (Matthew 22:11–14). The last scene in the parable focuses on an intruder into the wedding feast, who did not belong because he was not dressed in wedding clothes. The man obviously had been included in the general invitation, because the king made no restrictions as to who was invited, having instructed his slaves to call both the evil and good wherever they might be found. He was not a party crasher who came without an invitation, but he had come improperly dressed, and he obviously stood out in the great wedding hall, in stark contrast to all the other dinner guests. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/118131851110 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 05 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/117132027535 Pray without ceasing; (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Joyful believers will also be prayerful believers. Those who live their Christian lives in joyful dependency on God will continually recognize their own insufficiency and therefore constantly be in an attitude of prayer. Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing is thus a divine mandate to all believers. Pray is from proseuchomai, the most common New Testament word for prayer (e.g., Matt. 6:5–6; Mark 11:24; Luke 5:16; 11:1–2; Acts 10:9; Rom. 8:26; 1 Cor. 14:13–15; Eph. 6:18; Col. 1:9; 2 Thess. 3:1; James 5:13–14, 16). It encompasses all the aspects of prayer: submission, confession, petition, intercession, praise, and thanksgiving. Without ceasing means “constant” and defines prayer not as some perpetual activity of kneeling and interceding but as a way of life marked by a continual attitude of prayer. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/117132027535 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 04 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/517131421220 “. . . those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” (5:29b) The final resurrection will usher believers into the glories and joys of eternal life, and bring unbelievers to the endless suffering of eternal judgment. By characterizing believers as those who did the good deeds and unbelievers as those who committed the evil deeds Jesus was not teaching that salvation is by works. Throughout His ministry, Jesus clearly taught that salvation “is the work of God, that [people] believe in Him whom He has sent” (6:29; cf. Isa. 64:6; Rom. 4:2–4; 9:11; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8–9; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5). Good works are simply the evidence of salvation; Jesus called them “fruit” in Luke 6:43–45. Those who believe in the Son will as a result do good deeds (3:21; Eph. 2:10; James 2:14–20), while those who reject the Son will be characterized by evil deeds (3:18–19). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/517131421220 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 01 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/4291317357 . . . that He might be the first-born among many brethren; (Romans 8:29d) God’s supreme purpose for bringing sinners to salvation is to glorify His Son, Jesus Christ, by making Him preeminent in the divine plan of redemption. In the words of this text, it is God’s intent for Christ to be the first-born among many brethren. In Jewish culture the term first-born always referred to a son, unless a daughter was specifically stated. Because the first-born male child in a Jewish family had a privileged status, the term was often used figuratively to represent preeminence. In the present context that is clearly the meaning. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/4291317357 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 14 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/711141548553 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:8–11) A thorough examination will yield the truth that spiritual gifts fill two major purposes: the permanent gifts edify the church and the temporary gifts are signs to confirm the Word of God. God will continue to give the permanent gifts to believers for the duration of the church age, and those gifts are to be ministered by His people at all times in the life of the church. Those gifts include first the speaking or verbal gifts—prophecy, knowledge, wisdom, teaching, and exhortation, and, second, the serving or nonverbal gifts—leadership, helps, giving, mercy, faith, and discernment. The temporary sign gifts were limited to the apostolic age and therefore ceased after that time. Those gifts included miracles, healing, languages, and the interpretation of languages. The purpose of temporary sign gifts was to authenticate the apostolic message as the Word of God, until the time when the Scriptures, His written Word, were completed and became self–authenticating. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/711141548553 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 11 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/425131154472 "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26) A similar statement in Matthew 10:37 is the key to understanding this difficult command. The “hatred” called for here is actually a lesser love. Jesus was calling His disciples to cultivate such a devotion to Him that their attachment to everything else—including their own lives—would seem like hatred by comparison. See 16:13; Genesis 29:30, 31 for similar usages of the word “hate.” . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/425131154472 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/424131844473 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:27–28) With hope perhaps tinged with uncertainty, Peter ventured to ask Jesus, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” “We came on Your terms, didn’t we?” he said in effect. “Do we thereby qualify for eternal life? The rich young ruler refused to surrender his possessions and his life to You, and he forfeited the kingdom. But we forsook our jobs, our families, our friends, and everything else we had in order to be Your disciples. We have repented of our sins and surrendered to Your lordship. Just as You commanded, we have denied ourselves and taken up our crosses for your sake. Doesn’t that qualify us for a place in Your kingdom?” . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/424131844473 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 09 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/424131843301 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” (John 8:58) Jesus’ climactic reply, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am,” was nothing less than a claim to full deity. The Lord once again took for Himself the sacred name of God (see the discussion of 8:24 in chapter 29 of this volume). Obviously, as the eternal God (John 1:1–2), He existed before Abraham’s time. Homer Kent explains, “By using the timeless ‘I am’ rather than ‘I was,’ Jesus conveyed not only the idea of existence prior to Abraham, but timelessness—the very nature of God himself (Exod. 3:14)” (Light in the Darkness [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1974], 128–29). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/424131843301 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/42213174150 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9) Our response in salvation is faith, but even that is not of ourselves [but is] the gift of God. Faith is nothing that we do in our own power or by our own resources. In the first place we do not have adequate power or resources. More than that, God would not want us to rely on them even if we had them. Otherwise salvation would be in part by our own works, and we would have some ground to boast in ourselves. Paul intends to emphasize that even faith is not from us apart from God’s giving it. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/42213174150 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 07 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/74110555710 “and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32) The inevitable blessing of believing in Jesus and continuing to obey His Word is to know the truth. “Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ” (1:17), He is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (14:6), and “truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:21). In a postmodern world, where the hope of discovering absolute truth has been largely abandoned, such knowledge is revolutionary. Like Pilate, who asked the cynical question, “What is truth?” (18:38), modern skeptics are left with nothing but their own ignorance and despair—the fruit of their futile search for truth apart from God. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/74110555710 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 04 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/117132025583 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. (2 Corinthians 12:2–4) Paul had received many visions in his life, six of which are recorded in Acts (9:3–12; 16:9–10; 18:9–10; 22:17–21; 23:11; 27:23–24). He had also received the gospel he preached by revelation (Gal. 1:11–12). But the vision he was about to describe was the most amazing and remarkable of them all. With characteristic humility, he related it in the third person, writing, I know a man in Christ. Obviously, Paul was that man, as verse 7 indicates. The vision took place fourteen years before the writing of 2 Corinthians, which was in late a.d. 55 or early a.d. 56, putting it sometime between Paul's return to Tarsus from Jerusalem (Acts 9:30) and his commissioning by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1–3). Little is known about that period of Paul's life except that during it he ministered in Syria and Cilicia (Gal. 1:21). God may have granted him this personal experience to steel him against the suffering he would experience on his missionary journeys. Having been given a glimpse of the heaven that awaited him, he could face the most relentless and severe suffering that dogged every day of his life. Now, after fourteen years of silence, Paul was apparently relating the vision for the first time. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/117132025583 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 03 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/11713202360 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. (Revelation 11:3-4) The connection between this vision of the two preachers and the previous passage (vv. 1–2) should be clear. They are among God's unique witnesses who will proclaim His message of judgment during the final stages of the Gentile trampling on Jerusalem—and will preach the gospel so that the Jewish remnant can believe and enjoy God's protection. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/11713202360 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 02 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/117132020222 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 2:1–2) A person who is spiritually dead has no life by which he can respond to spiritual things, much less live a spiritual life. No amount of love, care, and words of affection from God can draw a response. A spiritually dead person is alienated from God and therefore alienated from life. He has no capacity to respond. As the great Scottish commentator John Eadie said, “It is a case of death walking.” Men apart from God are spiritual zombies, the walking dead who do not know they are dead. They go through the motions of life, but they do not possess it. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/117132020222 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/117132017511 And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly. (Romans 12:6) The spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, primarily in Romans 12 and in 1 Corinthians 12, fall into three categories: sign, speaking, and serving. Before the New Testament was written, men had no standard for judging the truthfulness of someone who preached, taught, or witnessed in the name of Christ. The sign gifts authenticated the teaching of the apostles—which was the measure of all other teaching—and therefore ceased after the apostles died, probably even earlier. “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance,” Paul explained to the Corinthian church, “by signs and wonders and miracles” (2 Cor. 12:12). The writer of Hebrews gives further revelation about the purpose of these special gifts: “After [the gospel] was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will” (Heb. 2:3–4). Even during Jesus' earthly ministry, the apostles “went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed” (Mark 16:20). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/117132017511 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1101317272510 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9–11) The Lord Jesus Christ was about to depart for heaven to return to His former glory (cf. John 17:1–6). Before doing that, He left the apostles with a final, dramatic moment which provided powerful motivation for carrying on His work. To their amazement, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight (cf. vv. 2, 11, 22). Jesus, in His glorious resurrection body, left this world for the realm of heaven to take His place on the throne at God’s right hand. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1101317272510 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 27 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/19131130236 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? (Matthew 7:15–16) After warning about false prophets, Jesus tells us what to watch for in identifying them. Because they are so extremely deceptive and dangerous ravenous spiritual and moral wolves in sheep's clothing-the Lord would hardly have left us without means of determining who they are. Jesus assures us that we will know them by their fruits. A fruit tree may be beautiful, decorative, and offer pleasant shade in the summer. But its primary purpose is to bear fruit, and it is therefore judged by what it produces and not by how it looks. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/19131130236 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 26 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/4513173184 . . . having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we . . . should be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:11, 12b) Our discussion here will follow the order of the Greek text of verse 12, in which (as reflected in the King James Version) should be to the praise of His glory precedes “who were the first to hope in Christ” (which phrase will be discussed below in relation to the human perspective). God’s perspective on our inheritance in Christ is here shown in His predestination, His power, and His preeminence. God’s predestination. having been predestined according to His purpose. As Christians we are what we are because of what God chose to make us before any man was created. From eternity past He declared that every, elect sinner—though vile, rebellious, useless, and deserving only of death—who trusted in His Son would be made as righteous as the One in whom they put their trust. As Paul has already established, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him” (v. 4). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/4513173184 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/44131315243 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (1 John 5:14–15) As noted above, the full experience of eternal life awaits Christians in heaven. But though they have not yet entered into their eternal inheritance (cf. 1 Peter 1:4), they have access to all of God’s resources through prayer. Parresia (confidence) literally means “freedom of speech” (cf. the discussion of 3:21 in chapter 13 of this volume). It can also be translated “boldness” (Acts 4:31), or “openness” (Acts 28:31). The phrase translated before Him has the sense of “in His presence.” Through Jesus Christ believers have “boldness and confident access” (Eph. 3:12) to God that enables them to “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that [they] may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/44131315243 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 24 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/43131627296 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; (Revelation 1:3a) The book of Revelation is bracketed by promises of blessing (beatitudes, as in Matt. 5:3–12) to those who read and obey it (cf. 22:7; Luke 11:28). But those are only two of the seven promises of blessing the book contains; the rest are equally wonderful: “ “‘ls;Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them’ ” (14:13). “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame” (16:15); “blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (19:9); “blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection” (20:6); “blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city” (22:14). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/43131627296 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 23 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/42131824278 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20–21) False prophets spoke of their own things, from their own ideas, but no true message from God ever arose from a human interpretation. Interpretation (epiluseos) is an unfortunate translation because in English it indicates how one understands Scripture, whereas the Greek noun is a genitive, indicating source. Thus Peter is not referring to the explanation of the Scripture, but to its origin. The next statement in verse 21, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but (alla, “just the opposite,” “quite the contrary”) men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God, further supports the point of source. What human beings might think or want has absolutely nothing to do with divine prophecy. (See John MacArthur, 1 Peter, MacArthur New Testament Commentary [Chicago: Moody, 2004, 51–57].) . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/42131824278 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 20 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/620141310460 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” (Matthew 27:46–47) A second miracle occurred at “about the ninth hour,” or three o’clock in the afternoon, through an inexplicable event that might be called sovereign departure, as somehow God was separated from God. At that time “Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’” As Matthew explains, the Hebrew “Eli” (Mark uses the Aramaic form, “Eloi,” 15:34) means, “My God,” and “lama sabachthani” means, “Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/620141310460 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 19 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/328131246396 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he abides a priest perpetually. (Hebrews 7:1–3) In biblical study, a type refers to an Old Testament person, practice, or ceremony that has a counterpart, an antitype, in the New Testament. In that sense types are predictive. The type pictures, or prefigures, the antitype. The type, though it is historical, real, and of God, is nonetheless imperfect and temporary. The antitype, on the other hand, is perfect and eternal. The study of types and antitypes is called, as one might expect, typology. The bronze serpent that God commanded Moses to set on a standard (Num. 21:8), for example, was a type of Christ’s being lifted up on the cross (John 3:14). The sacrificial lamb was a type of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for the sins of the world (John 1:29; Rev. 5:6, 8; etc.). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/328131246396 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/32713202520 Thy kingdom come. (Matthew 6:10a) Frances Havergal wrote these beautiful words of tribute to her Lord in her hymn “His Coming in Glory”: Oh, the joy to see Thee reigning, Thee, my own beloved Lord. Every tongue Thy name confessing, Worship, honor, glory, blessing, Brought to Thee with glad accord. Thee, my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned, Unto earth’s remotest end, Glorified, adored, and owned. Our greatest desire should be to see the Lord reigning as King in His kingdom, to have the honor and authority that have always been His but that He has not yet come to claim. The King is inseparable from His kingdom. To pray Thy kingdom come is to pray for the program of the eternal Deity to be fulfilled, for Christ to come and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. His program and His plan should be the preoccupation of our lives and of our prayers. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/32713202520 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/326131839390 But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him. (Acts 13:9) The battle for the soul of Sergius Paulus now reached its climax. Saul, who, Luke notes, was also known by his Roman name Paul, had had enough of the magician’s interference. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/326131839390 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/17131256253 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6–7) The most outrageous example of materialism in the name of Christianity is, unquestionably, the heretical Word Faith movement, or Health and Wealth Gospel. Its proponents unabashedly proclaim that God's will is for all believers to be rich. If they claim riches by faith and speak positively of them, that verbal confession itself creates the wealth. Word Faith teachers insist that God is obligated to deliver the goods believers request. They are so bold as to replace the sovereign God of Scripture (cf. Ps. 103:19; 1 Tim. 6:15) with the sovereignty of the believer who wields creative power to make himself healthy and wealthy by his own faith. God becomes a utilitarian genie who grants believers' every desire. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/17131256253 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 13 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/141312462210 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:9–11) The most sobering truth in Scripture is that God will judge the wicked and sentence them to eternal hell (Matt. 3:12; 25:41, 46; John 3:36; 5:29; Acts 24:25; Rom. 2:5, 8; 2 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 6:2; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7; Rev. 14:9–11). On the other hand, the blessed truth for believers is that God has not destined us for wrath (cf. 1:10; John 3:18, 36; 5:24; Rom. 5:1, 9; 8:1, 33–34). Like their nature, established in the past at salvation, and their present pattern of obedience, day people's future destiny sets them apart from night people. Believers will not experience the wrath God will pour out on unbelievers on the Day of the Lord, and for eternity in hell. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/141312462210 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/111131810592 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, (Galatians 1:12a) That statement was particularly directed against the Judaizers, who received their religious instruction primarily from rabbinic tradition by means of rote memorization. Rather than studying the Scriptures directly, most Jews-religious leaders and laymen alike-looked to human interpretations of Scripture as their religious authority and guide. Their theology, moral standards, and ceremonies had roots in God’s revealed Word of the Old Testament, but the biblical truths and standards had been so diluted and distorted by human interpretations that the Judaism of New Testament times was largely received . . . from man and taught according to man’s interpretation. Although the Scriptures, especially the Torah, or law, were ritually given the highest honor, they were not honored by the people through direct study and sincere obedience. In the eyes of many Jews of that day-just as in the eyes of many professing Christians today-Scripture was a religious relic that deserved superficial reverence but not serious study or obedience. The religious ideas they took seriously and attempted to live by were the man-made traditions related to their unique community culture that had accumulated over the previous several hundred years. Many of the traditions not only were not taught in Scripture but contradicted Scripture. With few exceptions, Jews “invalidated the word of God for the sake of [their] tradition” (Matt. 15:6). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/111131810592 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/103113195586 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8) It was not Abraham’s plan to leave Ur and then Haran, and eventually settle in the land of Canaan. In fact, when he left Ur he had no idea where he was going. He was called by God, and only God knew what was in store for him. In the Greek, he was called is a present participle, and the translation could be, “when he was being called.” In other words, as soon as he understood what God was saying, he started packing. It was instant obedience. It may have taken several days, or even weeks or months, to make final preparation for the trip, but in his mind he was already on the way. From then on, everything he did revolved around obeying God’s call. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/103113195586 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1031131953124 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 19:17–19) Jesus’ response is even more amazing than the young man’s request. He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Instead of taking the young man at face value and asking him to “make a decision for Christ,” Jesus went much deeper in searching out the state of his heart and tested his true purpose and motivation. Instead of rejoicing that the man was apparently willing to receive eternal life and encouraging him to simply pray a prayer or affirm his faith, Jesus asked him a question in return that was immensely disconcerting. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1031131953124 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/66141351250 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing . . . not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; . . . (1 Timothy 2:9a, c) Likewise refers to verse 8, and marks the transition to a new aspect within the same overall subject (cf.. 3:8, 11). Having discussed the conduct of men in the gathering of the church, he now turns to that of women. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/66141351250 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 06 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1028132033351 But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (13:13) Returning to the temporal, to the Christian’s earthly life, Paul mentions the three greatest spiritual virtues: faith, hope, and love. Actually faith and hope are encompassed by love, which “believes all things,” and “hopes all things” (v. 7). Because faith and hope will have no purpose in heaven, where everything true will be known and everything good will be possessed, they are not equal to love. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/1028132033351 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/89131158414 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. (1 John 3:19–20) Every human being is born with the law of God written in the heart and with a conscience to accuse or excuse, depending on how the person acts in regard to that law: For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them. (Rom. 2:14–15) . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/89131158414 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/881312824 . . . even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. (2 Peter 2:1c) The conjunction “even” underscores the unthinkable magnitude of the false teachers’ arrogance—a pride that evidenced itself by “denying the Master.” “Denying” is a strong term meaning “to refuse,” “to be unwilling,” or “to firmly say no.” The same verb appears in Hebrews 11:24 to describe Moses’ refusal to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Here in this passage, Peter used the present tense participle (arnoumenoi) to denote a habitual pattern of refusal, indicating that false teachers characteristically reject divine authority (cf. Jude 8). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/881312824 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/87131229397 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18–19) It is of great significance that the Bible closes with an affirmation of its truthfulness. Because the words of Scripture are “faithful and true” (22:6), they must not be sealed up, but proclaimed (22:10). Sinners are to be called to respond to the warnings in the Word of the living God or suffer the consequences. All the prophecies of Revelation regarding the doom of sinners will come true. That terrifying certainty should drive people to Jesus Christ to escape the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/87131229397 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/86131517511 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13) Encourage is from the Greek parakaleo, a form of the word used by Jesus of the Holy Spirit in John 14:16. The root meaning has to do with coming alongside to give help. The writer is saying to the believers among those to whom he is writing, “Get along side each other and help each other.” They are especially urged to help their unbelieving Jewish brethren by encouraging them not to harden their hearts but to accept Jesus as the Messiah. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/86131517511 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 30 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/73013145582 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10) The phrase it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things refers primarily to God the Father, though it obviously refers to the Son as well. It was fitting means that what God did through Jesus Christ was consistent with His character. It was consistent with God’s wisdom. The cross was a masterpiece of wisdom. God solved the problem which no human or angelic mind could have solved. What He did was also consistent with His holiness, for God showed on the cross His hatred for sin. It was consistent with His power, being the greatest display of power ever manifested. Christ endured for a few hours what will take an eternity for unrepentant sinners to endure. It was consistent with His love, in that He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son for its redemption. Finally, what He did was consistent with His grace, because Christ’s sacrifice was substitutionary. The work of salvation was totally consistent with God’s nature. It was entirely fitting for Him to have done what He did. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/73013145582 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 23 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/72913142336 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) When Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me,” they were doubtless reminded of the time He had called each of them. Some two and a half years earlier they had left families, friends, occupations, and everything else in order to follow Jesus. To unbelievers among the multitudes who were present on that occasion (see Mark 8:34), Jesus’ words come after Me applied to the initial surrender of the new birth, when a person comes to Christ for salvation and the old life of sin is exchanged for a new life of righteousness. To the believers there, including the Twelve, come after Me reiterated the call to the life of daily obedience to Christ. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/72913142336 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 22 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/72613145213 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” (John 21:15–17) The primary mark of the redeemed has always been love for God. The Shema, the great Old Testament confession of faith, declares, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deut. 6:5). Later in Deuteronomy Moses exhorted Israel to manifest that love by obeying God’s commandments (10:12–13; 11:1). When Daniel poured out his heart in prayer for his people, he addressed God as “the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Dan. 9:4). After the exile Nehemiah echoed Daniel’s prayer: “I beseech You, O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Neh. 1:5). The theme of loving God was also on the heart of David, who wrote, “I love You, O Lord, my strength” (Ps. 18:1). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/72613145213 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 21 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/7251314942 Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, "Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness." How then was it reckoned? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. (Romans 4:9–12) Paul anticipated the question that Jews would be asking at this point in his argument: “If Abraham was justified by his faith alone, why did God demand circumcision of Abraham and all his descendants?” Most Jews in New Testament times were thoroughly convinced that circumcision was not only the unique mark that set them apart from all other men as God’s chosen people but was also the means by which they became acceptable to God. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/7251314942 Religion & Spirituality Tue, 20 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:02:00 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/121812133160 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (Acts 2:4) Being filled with the Spirit must be distinguished from being baptized with the Spirit. The apostle Paul carefully defines the baptism with the Spirit as that act of Christ by which He places believers into His body (Rom. 6:4–6; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27). In contrast to much errant teaching today, the New Testament nowhere commands believers to seek the baptism with the Spirit. It is a sovereign, single, unrepeatable act on God's part, and is no more an experience than are its companions justification and adoption. Although some wrongly view the baptism with the Spirit as the initiation into the ranks of the spiritual elite, nothing could be further from the truth. The purpose of the baptism with the Spirit is not to divide the body of Christ, but to unify it. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, through the baptism with the Spirit “we were all baptized into one body” (1 Cor. 12:13; cf. Gal. 3:26–27; Eph. 4:4–6). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/121812133160 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 19 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/326131837211 "Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; . . ." (Romans 13:2a) The logical ramification is simple. Because civil government is an institution of God, to rebel against government is to rebel against the God who has established it. In his commentary on Romans, the nineteenth-century Scottish evangelist Robert Haldane wrote, “The people of God then ought to consider resistance to the government under which they live as a very awful crime, even as resistance to God Himself” (An Exposition of Romans [McLean, Va.: MacDonald Pub. Co., n.d.], p. 579). . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/326131837211 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 16 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/326131832430 ". . . for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?" (2 Thessalonians 2:3b–5). The apostasy will be a blasphemous act of unprecedented magnitude. The apostle identified the apostasy by naming the key character connected with it: the man of lawlessness. Understanding who that key person is is a prerequisite to identifying the apostasy event. Anomia (lawlessness) literally means “without law” (cf. 1 John 3:4). This person will be the consummate lawless one; a blasphemous sinner, who will live in open defiance of God’s law. Of all the billions of godless, evil, lawless sinners in human history, his evil influence will be greater than any other’s. Even in the end times, when “lawlessness is increased” (Matt. 24:12), this Satan-energized leader will stand out as the one whose depraved, wicked, lawless leadership sweeps over the whole world—with influence never before seen. . . . http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/johnmacarthur/sermons/326131832430 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 15 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pastor John MacArthur 0:01:59 no Pastor John MacArthur - The MacArthur Commentaries