Pastor John MacArthur’s final days were marked with unwavering faith before his passing at the age of 86 earlier this summer.

According to the Christian Post, MacArthur’s nearly six decades of ministry were honored during a memorial service at Grace Community Church, as family and faith leaders reflected on his legacy and moments leading up to his death on July 14, 2025.

MacArthur died following a two-year battle with serious health complications, which included pneumonia and multiple surgeries. He had previously been hospitalized in 2023 after experiencing difficulty breathing during a sermon. Despite declining health, he continued to preach as often as he could.

In the final year of his ministry, MacArthur underwent several significant medical procedures, including the placement of heart stents, aortic replacement, and lung surgery. He described this period as a “long siege,” acknowledging that the physical strain challenged him but never silenced his preaching. His final public sermon came on November 24, 2024, where he expressed gratitude for how God uses hardship to fulfill divine plans.

The memorial service was held on a Saturday at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California — the very congregation where he had served since 1969. The tribute event lasted two and a half hours and drew faith leaders and faithful followers alike, with tributes centering on steadfastness, legacy, and hope.

Family Shares Intimate Farewell Moments

MacArthur’s eldest son, Matt MacArthur, gave a deeply moving eulogy lasting 20 minutes. Holding back tears, Matt shared personal memories that painted a picture of a consistent, courageous father and servant of faith, even in his final days. He spoke about his father’s composure and love for his family amid both health struggles and past family crises.

Speaking to a congregation of mourners, Matt remembered a difficult chapter their family endured in 1992 when his mother, Patricia, nearly died in a car crash. He also recalled a frightening experience involving his younger brother Mark’s medical emergency, describing how their father remained a source of strength. Through it all, Matt said, the elder MacArthur "stood like a pillar.”

Matt became visibly emotional when recounting his father’s final words to him. “His last words to me were: ‘Son, be faithful,’” Matt said. “He didn’t say, ‘write a book’ or ‘give speeches.’ Just, ‘Be faithful.’”

A Life Anchored in Unshaken Convictions

Mark MacArthur, John’s youngest son, also offered a eulogy during the service. He reflected on their father’s consistency, describing a man who held fast to his beliefs regardless of trials, whether public or deeply personal. Mark’s remembrance echoed the themes of strength and perseverance articulated throughout the event.

Religious leaders joined the family at the pulpit to mark MacArthur’s influential ministry. Well-known figures such as John Piper, Alistair Begg, Sinclair B. Ferguson, and Joni Eareckson Tada each spoke or participated in the service, emphasizing themes of doctrinal conviction and enduring faith.

Throughout the service, one message was especially recurring—the idea of “finishing well.” This phrase, found in the printed memorial program, was drawn partly from MacArthur’s own reflections and became a guiding theme for the proceedings.

Scripture and Courage in Final Words

In MacArthur’s final moments, as his ability to speak became limited, he still recited words of Scripture. Matt quoted his father as affirming his confidence in salvation by citing 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, a passage dealing with victory over death through divine grace. “O Death, where is your sting?” he quoted. “I feel no sting.”

Matt elaborated, saying his father declared that grace had transformed his “sinful heart” and that despite his unworthiness, he had lived to witness the blessings of family across generations. MacArthur used those final words to encourage others to “finish well” in their own walks of faith.

“What a gift,” Matt said, pausing before repeating the phrase. “Grace is the greatest power because it pushes sin away. It’s all of grace. I am unworthy. I’ve lived to see my children’s children, and I pray that you all will finish well.”

Legacy Continues Through Generations

MacArthur’s impact not only shaped a generation of Christians but also left a mark on his family, many of whom continue in ministry or Christian service. The service was designed not only as a farewell but to encourage others to live out the theological principles MacArthur championed throughout his life.

Born in 1939, John MacArthur led Grace Community Church beginning in 1969 and remained its pastor until his health prevented him from continuing regularly. Throughout his ministry, he was known for expository preaching and bold positions on biblical doctrine, earning the admiration and controversy that often follow outspoken public theologians.

As the service concluded, attendees stood in reflection and prayer. The evening closed not only on memories of a pastor but with a collective hope that his example would inspire others to hold fast to their faith amid the hard realities of life and death.