“Sanctification starts with the pastor. His responsibility is to feed and protect his flock. As a pastor, I’m not called to be a stand-up comedian, a self-help guru, or a sex therapist. My job is to teach the Bible, thoroughly and accurately. I’m responsible to encourage and catalyze the spiritual growth of God’s people. Anything else is a distraction.
Too many pastors today neglect the priority of sanctification for their congregations. Instead of helping God’s people feast on the riches of His Word, they throw their efforts into attracting nonbelievers. Shrouding their teaching in pop-culture references and comedy routines designed to appeal to unbelievers, they withhold the only true source of spiritual nourishment from the Christians there who are hungry. Often the people in the pews don’t even realize what they’re missing, content instead to be entertained into spiritual starvation.
It’s my prayer that you’re in a church that does stress the importance of holiness – where your sanctification is encouraged and stimulated, and where you’re fed throughout the week on the riches of God’s Word. If you are, let me urge you to thank your pastor and church leaders for being faithful to their calling and in the example they set for your congregation. Let them know you’re thankful for their commitment to God’s Word, and that you’re praying for the Lord to bless and sustain them.”
~John MacArthur
HT – Truth Matters
Bill
fourpointer
abidingthroughgrace
I agree with everything in this quote except the first sentence. While the preaching & teaching of the Word is the CENTRAL thing of church, sanctification starts with, is carried out by, and ends with the Lord Jesus. Elders who preach rightly are used by God – I know by reading the Word and experiencing good and bad preaching – but preachers and pastors are NOT the starting point of sanctification.
I would bet MacArthur didn’t mean what that first sentence says. I hope he doesn’t.
I think it is safe to say MacArthur is referring to preaching/expounding on holiness. Sanctification means ‘set apart’. What sets us apart? The continual strive for holiness is one thing that sets us apart. This must be stressed to believers, especially in light of the fact that we live in such an ‘unholy’ world. Lack of preaching the importance of holiness/sanctification leads to worldliness. How much worldliness do we see in churches all across the globe?
Lyn,
The dangers of worldly churches is certain.
My only concern is the assertion that any part of sanctification depends on any human. Man can play no more part in sanctification than he does in salvation. Saints of God have an important role to play in each: proclaim the Gospel to dead creatures everywhere and preach the Word to those who are called into new life. Yet in all things, it is God who gives the increase.
Manfred, MacArthur’s choice of words were poor, but we all slip up. We know he is biblically sound, so we pray for him, just as we pray for each other.
You are right, sanctification is not something we can produce. It must be preached from the pulpits, regardless. Those who truly belong to Christ will cry out, continually, ‘sanctify me oh Lord, make me more like Christ this day than days gone by’. This is just one of the many things we cry out to, with a constant hunger in our hearts for more of Christ. We cannot even take credit for the hunger, desires and passion in our hearts for more of Him!!
Excellent comments Manfred, thank you for pointing out the poor choice of words in MacArthur’s opening statement.
Our we correct to say that santification can be considered from a positional and practical sense. Positionally, when God declares the sinner righteous; practically which is a continuing process in which the believer is exhorted to holy living (1 Pet 1:16). I am sure we are also awaiting ultimate sanctification as well (Eph 5). Practically – yes it is God working in us w/the bible being the foundation, but the believer must cooperate (Rom 6:19, 6:13; 2 Cor 7:1; 1 Pet 2:11). The result of believer being carnal and unyielded (1 Cor 3). Thanks for your post…Scott
This is where it is at!
I attend a Grace church here in Australia, so this type of teaching that Johh is saying a pastor should be is what I am most familiar with.
And I consider it such a blessing from God that in His providence my family and I are not caught up in all sorts of silly schemes and plotting, so often done by these men (and sadly women) who are ‘pastors’ these days. But are in a church that is biblical.
Always Soli Deo Gloria!