John MacArthur has not been in the pulpit since June 7 because off continuing health procedures and recovering time necessary to return to the pulpit. John Piper has not been in the pulpit regularly since he was 67 years old....he is 78 years old now. John MacArthur is 85.
Right now....Wednesday, August 28, 2024....There is a Q&A with both of these men on John Piper's ministry website....desiringgod.org....which originated in John MacArthur's Shepherd's Conference from earlier this year.
Twenty years ago evangelicalism had a long list of faithful well-known pastors....but there were four at the top of that list....the two men mentioned above....and Billy Graham and R. C. Sproul....who went to be with their Lord and Savior and King within 69 days of each other from December of 2017 to February of 2018....R. C.'s passing being unexpected....Billy Graham's expected for some time.
I recommend you to listen to that....'conversation'....as they billed it. There were some poignant moments. John MacArthur is a mixture of bold unwavering proclamations.....and profound humility. His....basically subservient relationship with R. C. Sproul has always amazed and encouraged me....and in this 'conversation' he is equally humble in describing his friend John Piper. As for Piper....his concluding remarks on what life is like in his late 70s....as it pertains to sanctification....would be shattering to me if I did not already know what he talks about. So it not shattering....but encouraging....and motivating!
God knows whether we need these two men's voices in the days ahead. My frail mind says that we need them. There was one point where MacArthur said that he was asked why he invited John Piper to the conference....being that it was well-known that they disagreed on some issues relating to politics. Bringing up that question was amazing in itself. His answer was similar to my mentioning and recommending John MacArthur so often in these posts of mine....since I also disagree with him on certain matters. The answer is that God has blessed these men in a mighty way....just as were blessed men of the past such as Spurgeon and Lloyd-Jones. There is a wealth of discernment there. I want Piper to preach and to speak more....and maybe write less if it has to be. (I purchased Piper's recent book....Ask Pastor John....a few months ago for my son)....and I desire John MacArthur back in his pulpit....frail voice and all....as soon as possible....should the Lord will it.
Age is of great value in a minister on issues of discernment....and for all of us....but not a guarantee. Surely....Christians are praying everywhere for John MacArthur and John Piper. I'm thinking right now of the Apostle John on Patmos....and then probably in Ephesus....the church that he had warned in what we know as Revelation....on the danger of losing our first love. I'm thinking of Paul as he looked over the persecuted church after a much shorter life....and from a jail cell....his last home. I'm thinking of Spurgeon's thoughts as he knew his time was short while in Mentone on the Mediterranean. I'm thinking of Billy Graham's thoughts....that he could not even share....as he neared 100 years old.
Charles Spurgeon was fifteen years old....with no formal theological education....and he preached with power that only God could give. I've listened to sermons read of his from the early days in the 1850s....to 1891....and there was a difference that I find hard to describe....other than to say that experience....although it may not be absolutely necessary....is like a canopy over the preacher....protecting him from the scorching sun...or the cold rain.
Hey....I'm 74....and a half....as my wife reminded me earlier this morning? And I do not know what a day brings....and I'm only partially certain that after I push the 'publish' button here in about a minute....I'll go to the basement to work out on my weights....and listen to a sermon from some....preacher from the past....or preacher today who preaches like preachers from the past! Please pray for these men with me....that if it be in God's perfect will....we might have their voice in the days ahead!
