A Chat With Our Chancellor | Dr. John MacArthur Speaks on Feature Film, “The Essential Church”

In this inaugural episode of TMU’s new podcast launching later this fall, host Sam Greer interviews Dr. John MacArthur on “The Essential Church.” This feature-length documentary explores the history of governmental clashes with the church, including events surrounding Grace Community Church in recent years.
Learn more about the film at essentialchurchmovie.com/.
For more information on The Master's University, visit masters.edu.

[@donnahall3734]

I love John MacArthur’s unwavering commitment to God!

[@Grace-ty5ny]

"The enemy is not content to wound us, he wants to destroy us." Very powerful and true.

[@ANGELSVEN]

So, so true.

[@alicemathai3938]

I am from India and for the past 13 years or so, my heart wandered in a thirsty land, till I found the sermons app GTY. Then onwards my walk was so confident in my Christian life. My prayer for Grace Community Church is “ may the church flourish and make an impact on USA and the younger generation and the world churches as a whole. May the elders of the church hold the word of God close to their heart in teaching and preaching the truth”. Thank you dear and beloved Pastor John MacArthur!

[@thegreatone-australia1851]

What a great man - and what an intellect - and unbelieveably tough.

[@Paul-Neil]

What a privilege to be able listen to Pastor John. A true father in the faith..

[@terryzolnik1204]

Oh yes!

[@Stevenowski]

What a beacon of light in the darkness. Glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. 🙌

[@vanessajohnsen388]

Pastor John is my greatest teacher and servant of God... such a pure and brilliant man of God! ❤

[@laurenshannon2703]

Thank you, Pastor John MacArthur for taking this powerful, public stand for obedience to God above all.

[@robertmize327]

Pastor, you shined light for those of us in dark areas. I will never forget. Thank you kindly for your sacrifices for the perseverance and preservation of His Word. A powerful witness to the world.

[@truth4lifeministries32]

Dr. John MacArthur, you are a true champion for the church of Christ. What you do and what you have done is beyond prodigious. Just listening to how you speak is moving. I have a respect for you that is very deep. All my love towards you.

[@carlopadillo587]

Well done Grace community church. May God continue to strengthen you all the days of your life. Keep preaching the truth(Holy Bible)

[@carlopadillo587]

Any chance we could stream the movie Essential Church in Australia?

[@appledoreman]

Amen!

[@tuppence144]

What an encouraging interview. Thank you and a million thumbs up for the godly example pastor John sets for the whole world.

[@SherriNDallasTX]

For you Godly example with a capital G!!!

[@I__Love__Horses]

Dear Pastor John MacArthur, God Bless you, and heartfelt appreciation for all your resources/sermons, and especially your sermons explaining each Book of Scripture. The Holy Spirit has worked through you which has brought myself and my husband to Jesus Christ.

[@suzannechapman7559]

Yes, I love John Macarthur, I listen to him every night

[@catherinebrown2194]

My husband and I saw the documentary last night and it was very well done . We are very encouraged and want to be like those martyrs who lost their lives for the sake of the gospel. Christ is Lord! Christ is my Lord!

[@nateKopz]

Hello from New Zealand…..got to watch The Essential Church. Thank you Pastor John for your courage and inspiration to stand up against the devil and his work. Praise The Lord

[@ArceLindsay]

Pastor John MacArthur you are so much appreciated for promoting sound doctrine and breaking down the the truth of God clearly and concisely. When the pandemic was intimidating so many others you were one of the few that showed fourth boldness of Faith. You inspired me then and continue to inspire me now. Thank you for such a great example of your love for God.

[@OlgaSmirnova1]

Thank you pastor MacArthur! May the Lord keep blessing you with wisdom!

[@licas63]

Glory to God!

[@christinelang8798]

Pastor MacArthur. I do not know you personally, but sir, I love you so very much. GOD has HIS hand on you. HIS SPIRIT truly dwells in you. You always teach and speak the truth. Your teachings are sound and Bible driven. When GOD chose you to take on this position as pastor and teacher of HIS Word, HE chose a true, faithful, and honest servant. This battle you won against the state and all the battles you will win, by the power and grace of GOD ALMIGHTY, reminds me of the story of Elijah when Elisha couldn't see GOD'S army until GOD opened his eyes. I can only imagine that army on your side. GOD fought that battle for you because of your sheer love and faithfulness to HIM and that you didn't back down, for you know who was with you. Thank you for all your sermons you post on GTY and all the KZbin teachings you post. I am praying for you, your family, and all that you are doing in your Colleges and every other avenue you are taking to reach communities and children in the ways of teaching them the value of knowing CHRIST JESUS, always. GOD will move and open these doors fiercly on your behalf. Much love always. Christine (Durban, South Africa) ❤

[@PaulWheeler-ts4fq]

I love the way John speaks… he has a gift of eloquence. I would love to meet him but America is so far away! We need more Christians to stand up for the truth no matter what. We can be so weak and fearful in this world. ….the fear of man. We must trust and remember.the words” what can man do to us”. Praise God for people like John McArthur!

[@natashasaffer3419]

I purchased my tickets for the movie on Monday, my husband and I are going tonight here in Tennessee. I want to say so much to express my heart regarding your stand for God, Christ and His church - just know I'm so thankful to you Pastor MacArthur and your faithfulness and Obedience to the Most High God. Thank you for teaching the Word as you say one verse at a time. The Lord has used His truth through you to teach me so much everyday and mostly how to Love and Obey Him with full heart of joy. May God be Praised, May our Lord and King be served forever. Amen

[@TheMastersUniversity]

It's an amazing movie!

[@sunpath8741]

I can't wait to see it. I thank GOD every day for John Macarthur and grace to you. It has changed our life. It has brought us so much light , truth and joy in this dark wicked joy . I'm not who I should be but Praise God I'm not who I used to be. It's made me a better father and has enriched our family more than I can ever say. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Words can't express How grateful I am.

[@tgdj7244]

Hello Pastor John. Thank you for your faithfulness. I'm one of the many you help me to believe in our Lord through your faithful preaching of God's Word. Thank you for grace to you blog, and to free resources of your many preaching. I'm disabled person and bedridden for many years because of paralysis. I had bedsore in my right buttock so that I cannot use my wheelchair anymore. I had sepsis and hospitalized for 18 days and 3 days in ICU. I'm stuck in bed before the pandemic comes. Until now my circumstances doesn't really change but thank God I found hope in Christ and God use you in my life through means of listening to His Word and that someday God will give us new body that is incorruptible. Praise God! I don't know how can I thank you pastor John, but you are always in my prayers. Your family, Phil Johnson, and grace community church brethren are in my prayers. God bless you all pastor John and all the staff behind this ministry. Thank you all my brothers in Christ. I love you all... -Nestor Jr. from the Philippines If someone read this message, please can you say it to our beloved pastor John Macarthur how I really appreciate him so much. I'm so thankful to him. Thank you so much brother/sister who will read this. Blessings in Christ.

[@ANGELSVEN]

Pastor John is my pastor. Even though I was called to leave California and move back home to Texas, every Sunday I live stream GCC. GCC is my permanent church because Pastor John is an extremely strong, unapologetic Christian and never waivers. The Lord certainly is on his side because he lives the Word. I love you, Pastor John.

[@Cyberbizbuddy]

I watched all the events outlined in the movie in real time here in SoCal. The whole time, it was a battle, and all I could think about was the verse in Romans 8, where we are reminded that if God is for us, who can be against us. I take great joy in watching God work and win His battles.

[@LindaKimble-np9gx]

God I pray he has strong believers in his Church. God bless him in Jesus name Amen

[@bnato8209]

How is it that I can feel challenged, and encouraged in my walk with Christ by listening to Pastor MacArthur talk about how the Church uncompromisingly handled political official's mandates to regulate GCC? amazing.

[@jims2020]

This is so encouraging for us Christians. May God's name be praised and glorified forever.

[@ainisepalu8427]

God bless Pastor John MacArthur and GCC. Outstanding that God's Glory was on display via the stance taken. Our Lord is amazing.

[@jjkim9759]

So happy to hear your voice so healthy and strong pastor John Macarther.

[@mtngirlbunny9290]

Our loving nickname for John will always be General MacArthur. He led us in the battle when most closed their doors! His legacy has always been to battle the fiery darts against the Church!

[@cceasar1]

Excellent interview!! May all Honor and Glory be to our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus!!!! Amen and Amen!!!

[@TheMastersUniversity]

Amen indeed!

[@MommaBear_316]

God Bless! What a blessing thank you all for this film

[@TheMastersUniversity]

Thank you too!

[@Eesc-qy2bx]

excellent speaker -- need more videos like this one. TY

[@mlman7904]

Praise the Lord, his servant once again back to minister the sheeps.

[@intoalivinghope]

I hope the movie comes to our area, we definitely want to put our support behind this!

[@pamelaperkins2507]

I watched THE CHURCH IS ESSENTIAL ON THE 28TH & WHAT A STORY! The entire church of Jesus Christ needs to watch this!

[@hollayevladimiroff131]

Thank you very much John MacArthur! Can not wait to see this movie, thank you for your courage and your unwavering faith in God.

[@keithlawrence4952]

A true Warrior for Truth..I count myself truly blessed to have been led to study all these years under Pastor John..there can be no doubt that he is a genuine man of God with the genuine gift of Pastor/Teacher. I look forward to spending Eternity along side him, praising God.

[@GodGotMe762]

If I’m alive I want to go see this documentary

[@pruebarratt3085]

This wont last long on KZbin! Praise the Lord for strong faithful Shepard's of Gods children. Amen ✝️🙏✝️

[@HearGodsWord]

I gained a lot more respect for Pastor John after this

[@motorTranz]

Awesome interview! Thanks for sharing this!

[@hkgat8632]

"we had the LORD on our side"!!!!! Amen and Amen, win, win, win!

[@ajittak8886]

The Lord takes care of His church.

[@monte5326]

So wonderful to see strength to face that head on, an example for us all. It was similar for my wife in a the leading medical establishment in CA. Most around her were denied their “exemption request” or buckled to the bullying or in fear of losing their job. We knew of no other in that organization that went the distance, they backed down in the end. Having to prove a "sincerely held belief" is in the trial, not their definition of it or of the process.

[@marieosuna1998]

Thank you Pastor John for your stance and your church’s! Your book “Remember & Return” helped me during covid as my church in Northern CA closed many ministries. I was in so much desiring of fellowship with other believers. From 8/21/2020-11/30/2020 I used this book. The Lord rekindled my love, gave me strength and encouragement to return to the Source of my faith. Revelation 2:5 “Remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.”

[@blockmuse]

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Eph. 6.13 (LSB)

[@maryowen1722]

John MacArthur is a Lion of The Faith ✝️💟💪🏼🙏🏼👍🏼

[@SoldierofChrist9]

Amen!! The Lord is amazing!! TYSM Pastor John for spearheading the charge against the darkness.

[@ammeblancolopez7169]

Praise God for His great work in the life of pastor John and the Grace Community Church 🙏🙌🙏

[@pammorgan706]

May God continue to bless Pastor John and his church. I hope The Essential Church movie comes to CT.❤

[@faithlee5035]

Praise The Lord. Thank You Lord for Your faithful bold saint and slave, my beloved Pastor John MacArthur and Your Calling for him in this life to keep fighting for You and Your truth so as to protect Your True Church and Your True sheep all over the world! Hallelujah. Soli Deo Gloria. The truth that you have been steadfastly teaching and faithfully preaching all these years, my beloved Pastor John, has taught me how to read, understand and love Lord and His Words and His Commandments, and has sanctified my soul to want to live every moment for and unto our Dear Lord, and has grown me in my spiritual maturity to learn faithfulness and boldness to evangelise for our Good Lord Jesus. Hallelujah. My beloved Pastor John, you are so so precious to God and me and many many True sheep who are thirsty for Lord and His Words! So so GRATEFUL to Lord that He has given you, His faithful bold slave, to His True Church and His True sheep, and so so THANKFUL to you for your life wholly devoted to Lord Jesus ! HALLELUJAH!🎉🪅🎊

[@ronaldreuter4446]

Was able to follow Grace community church for the past 4 years, what a great example of Godly strength when the church was attacked. It is an ongoing battle, this interview and movie will change hearts and minds for Gods glory.

[@pattylengyel1861]

Wow, I hope you put this on a DVD 📀, .I want to have it and share it. They can take this off KZbin, please let all buy this incredible interview.

[@TheMastersUniversity]

We dont have this particular interview on DVD, but happy to do that for you. Just email us a mailing address at [e-mail]

[@dwightdonnelly8662]

I began following John MacArthur during the covid tyranny when I first read about him in the news for standing up against the state. And what a blessing it has been to learn more about Gods word than I ever had before!

[@siew-engtan1997]

Thank you Pastor McArthur for standing up so fearlessly for God’s Truth and being such a great example for us!

[@jeffreywalsh817]

Pastor MacArthur is boss-mode.

[@thundergrace]

Sam loves Pastor so much! Pray for his health and stamina to continue to preach....and that Pastors do not get dementia

[@mardelascott7936]

A true father of the faith. So grateful for this interview. So much wisdom!

[@Savedbygrace22]

Pastor John is getting up there but you gotta love he’s still got a mind like a steel trap! Great recall I so admire just like RC Sproul had, great faithful men of God. Praise God and blessings to Dr MacArthur, GCC and The Master’s University🙏✝️

[@bev7876]

My God continue to bless the work of your hands Pastor John.

[@dnleimer]

I love the entirety of this interview, especially the end where he says I want my fresca! Good solid word, thank you Pastor John!

[@MommaBear_316]

What a great conversation about the Gospel TRUTH! Thank you!

[@TheMastersUniversity]

Amen to THAT!

[@dalenegroenewald5853]

Soooo true!!!!! Never give in. God is sooooo holy, wonderful and almighty. Thank you Dr for being an axample!!!❤❤❤❤

[@barbarafriedenberger6205]

I Thank You For All You Do Pastor John, But All Glory Goes To God ✝️ ❤️

[@MrFboccia]

Wow. Praise Jesus

[@dmchott]

lol! I love Pastor John's short answer! ❤

[@ChesswithDaveNZ]

Wow, I liked Dr John MacArthur since I looked at 7th Day Adventist, and the Sabbath, I was very happy with his talk on the Lord's Day. I particularly loved his tribute to R.C. Sproul, and their prior interactions. Anyway, back to the Sabbath sermon, I had looked all over the place for an answer, to the greats Like Begg, Sproul, and others, even asking at my church, Reformed Church in Christchurch NZ, and couldn't get an answer, I spent a whole Sunday with Mum (97) watching KZbin videos, then I found Dr John's rendition on same, and said to my 80-year-old friend at church, He Nailed It. I am very impressed with Dr John's teaching and ministry, and I recently watched episode a few days ago, on Ephesians 4. WOW! Regards Dave NZ. As for what is going on out there, England, USA in regard to LGB (T) funny that they're not allowed to be part of their group, seems to me to be counterproductive. I say it proves the depravity of Man, and their leadership. It proves God even more for me. Romans 1 always comes to mind. I was struck by the lady that came to NZ to speak on Ladies rights, and even though our Prime Minister granted her passage to speak in NZ, she was more or less, gagged, in sighting any words. It's interesting, that it wouldn't happen the other way around, if indeed 'she' was a spokesperson for one of the letter groups. (O/T incidentally I think Alaister Begg leads for the most enjoyable delivery for me, in my opinion, when he spoke about The Man on the Middle Cross, watched the whole thing over and over, including the lengthy fun intro and conclusion, he said I could come. That's Grace to a Tee for me. My Catholic friend doesn't see it that way however, but I do, we both disagree here on that portion of Scripture, he says one was a good thief (Heh?) and then other was a bad thief).

[@wetlandweasel]

Be faithful and wait on the LORD. He does forsake not forget the remnant of His faithful.

[@acanskywalker5631]

All thanks and praise be to God for giving us faithful leaders like Pastor John MacArthur.

[@naturalPaths]

Oh, my goodness. I listened/watched as I did other things … and then right at the end, I cried. Thank you Pastor John, Man of God.

[@nosafespaces2558]

I just drove 3 hours to watch John MacArthur preach. I will do it again this Sunday.

[@AQ-uc4bb]

Much Love Pastor JHON. We need an extension of Grace Church here in Jacksonville North Carolina..💜

[@tgdj7244]

Pastor John, thank you also in Grace to you app, The study Bible app and Grace Church app. I'm always tuned in! Thanks a lot!

[@rosagarayfluhmann8298]

Praise the Lord for your ministry, Pastor John, Grace Community Church, and The Master´s University. I thank God for you and the inmensurable teaching and blessings that through you He has given to my life. I came to know you much better during the pandemics. I had only heard your Spanish.translated sermons in Radio Armonía in Chile. I continue to listen, right after coming from my local church, to the morning Lord´s Day Worship Services and, when time difference allows, the evening Lord´s Day Worship Services of GCC. I look forward to seeing the film in Chile and having you visit our Church Iglesia Cristiana in La Serena, Chile.

[@colleencarrier711]

Awsome, aman

[@avakim8021]

I used to get up at 4 am. to listen to Rev. Johnn MacArthur via radio, then before the computer era while I was studying at Liberty University. As a foreign student from Korea, I thought America became a great nation because it has great men like him. I owe him a lot since I was fed and grown far more from his faithful teaching than any other graduate courses to the max I had that America could offer since then.

[@karenkati5019]

Profound. 3:02 nails it. #youtubecommunity #wisdom #history

[@TheArmchairTheologian]

The one and only pastor John MacArthur. Dedicated and a straight forward teacher.

[@susanwarren6547]

Excellent video! I so enjoy listening to and learning from Dr. John.

[@artladi1453]

Thank you dear Pastor McArthur. Thank you for your faithfulness and Example for the believers. I know now Why I believe what I believe.

[@garykcarpenter]

A true testament of God's providence. God bless this ministry and it's faithful followers! 🙏💜 I evoke defiance with scripture. Ephesians 5:11 comes to mind. I have lost favor with family and friends for defending the faith, the truth. I absolutely love this powerful pastor💜

[@CoscarelliFan]

God Bless John and GC. I love the reference to the Old Testament Series John is working on. The first volume, Zechariah has been such a blessing to study. Excited about this series!

[@pasantosjacinto8176]

Glória seja dada a Deus🙏.

[@verabriones1032]

GOD BLESS YOU MACTHUR

[@MinisterDieumerciofficial]

God bless you my pastor John macarthur.

[@deborahlandry6483]

Thank you Pastor John MacArthur for your unending faith and biblical knowledge. You are a master in every sense of the word. You have been truly blessed by our creator.

[@martyduke3139]

What an intelligent conversation! Both the interviewer & the guest. What a heart for God! ❤

[@kimberlymartin4434]

pastor John, thank you for your steadfastness, strength, love of our God, always standing for the truth and being an instrument through which God has used you for someone like me. The way God works through you on teaching His scripture in ways that people become believers and believers become stronger in our faith. My thanks to God for bringing up men like you. My thanks to you John.

[@edwardstipp8145]

Dr MacArtur is a warrior!!

[@kristydelapena7149]

I hope to say thank you to this man in heaven, he blessed me with his teaching 🙏

[@ammeblancolopez7169]

Praise God 🙏🙌🙏 Thank God for raising up men like pastor John and others who are kept pure in trusting our Great God 🙏🙌🙏

[@bookdragon4622]

I work at the library where this was filmed and it's cool to see the way they changed this room for filming this 😂❤

[@CodenameStudios]

I just came back from watching the movie. I was the only person in the whole theater and I still cheered out loud lol. THIS....WAS.....GREAT!!!!! So much information about everything on the church. I was like Mike about the dilemma on Romans 13 and never heard of the term "Eransism" (I know I'm spelling it wrong and can't find the correct spelling; the thought of God>State>Church) and that blew my mind. I knew that the church wasn't under the state but didn't know the term. Anyway, this was amazing. When is part 2 coming out? lol Thank You Lord for this wonderful gift and showing us how the church is suppose to be.

[@CLJCL]

Erastianism and Papism. 😊

[@roswellminard9350]

Watched the preview at your website and immediately bought the DVD 5-pack - one for myself with the idea I'll give the remaining 4 as Christmas gifts. In fact, I may not wait until Christmas to give them out! Thank you Pastor MacArthur.

[@frankregg9048]

One thing devil afraid is the TRUTH.

[@lorenheard2561]

May God and His Son Jesus Christ continue to bless this Preacher, His Family and Those who stand for Gods's word!! AMEN!!💖🕊️☘️

[@mikecurtis6832]

I can't express the degree to which I love this good man. Amen Dr. MacArthur!

[@fireaboss]

I just finished watching The Essential Church, and I have no words to adequately express the impact this had on me. Thank you for your faithfulness to Christ! May all Christ followers sojourn into our ever-darkening culture with this amount of trust in our Lord and shine the light of Truth with boldness and faith! Thank you John MacArthur!