You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the whispers if you follow church news. It’s hard to miss the name John MacArthur when talking about modern expository preaching. Honestly, he’s been the bedrock of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley for over five decades. But if you’re looking for a john macarthur live sermon today, January 18, 2026, the reality on the ground is a bit different than what many people expect.
The man is a titan. He’s spent 56 years preaching through every single verse of the New Testament. That’s not a small feat. However, as of early 2026, the pulpit at Grace Community Church looks a little different than it did five years ago.
The Current State of the Pulpit at Grace
Basically, John MacArthur has been facing some pretty heavy health challenges. It started back in early 2023 with some breathing issues right after a sermon. Since then, it’s been a roller coaster of heart procedures, lung surgery, and ongoing battles with pneumonia.
If you tune into the livestream today, you’re likely going to see a "pulpit rotation" rather than MacArthur himself. For the January 18 services, the lineup at Grace is actually:
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- 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM: Nathan Busenitz is preaching a message titled "What Do You See?" from Mark 8:22–26.
- 6:00 PM: Mike Riccardi is continuing a series called "Presenting Every Man Perfect, Part 2" from Colossians 1:28–29.
It’s kinda interesting because while MacArthur isn't physically standing behind the wood right now, his influence is everywhere. The men preaching are his long-time associates and faculty at The Master’s Seminary. They’ve been trained in the same "verse-by-verse" style that made MacArthur famous.
Why People Still Search for the Live Stream
People aren't just looking for a man; they're looking for a specific type of clarity. In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, MacArthur’s brand of "unleashing God’s truth, one verse at a time" offers a sort of stability.
Even when he isn't live, the Grace to You ministry keeps the wheels turning. If you check out the radio broadcasts for today, they’re actually running a series called The Doctrines of Grace. Specifically, they’ve been airing "The Doctrine of Absolute Inability." It sounds heavy, right? But that’s what people go to him for. They want the meat, not the milk.
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Misconceptions About MacArthur in 2026
There’s a lot of noise online. Some sites claim he’s passed away; others say he’s about to "come roaring back" any second. Truthfully, the church has been very transparent about his condition. He’s 86. He’s been in the hospital with pneumonia recently. His elders have asked for prayer, even noting that he might be "in the presence of the Lord soon."
It’s a sobering moment for the evangelical world.
If you’re looking for his voice today, you’ll find it in the massive archive of over 3,000 sermons. The john macarthur live sermon today experience is often actually a beautifully curated replay of a classic message that fits the current cultural moment. For instance, the Grace to You app often syncs its "live" features with these classic series to ensure there's always a teaching available.
How to Actually Watch Today
If you want to catch the actual service from Grace Community Church today:
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- The Livestream: You can find it on the Grace Church website or their "Grace Media" app. They usually stream the 11:00 AM (PST) and 6:00 PM services.
- The Topic: Again, don't expect MacArthur. You're going to hear Nathan Busenitz talking about the healing of the blind man in Mark 8. It’s a fascinating passage about gradual healing—something that’s honestly quite fitting given the church’s current season.
- The Archives: If you specifically need to hear John’s voice, the Grace to You website has every sermon he’s ever preached. You can search by scripture or topic.
What’s Next for the Ministry?
There is a huge event coming up in March—the Shepherds Conference 2026. This year, the theme is "Servant of the Word," and it’s specifically designed to celebrate the biblical convictions that MacArthur championed. It feels a bit like a passing of the torch.
The church is leaning heavily into its mission. They aren't slowing down. Even with their lead pastor sidelined, the attendance remains high and the global reach via the internet is still massive. It’s a testament to the idea that the message is bigger than the messenger.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you were hoping to connect with the teaching from Sun Valley today, here is what you can do:
- Download the Grace Media App: This is the easiest way to watch the live rotation of preachers and see the service in real-time.
- Check the Daily Devotional: If you want MacArthur’s specific thoughts for January 18, his "Drawing Near" devotional for today is titled "Proclaiming God's Preeminence." It’s a short, 5-minute read that gives you that "MacArthur fix" without needing a full hour-long video.
- Listen to the "Doctrines of Grace" Series: This is what Grace to You is currently pushing globally. It’s foundational stuff. If you want to understand why MacArthur is so controversial and yet so loved, this series explains his theological "why."
- Tune in at 11:00 AM PST: This is the primary service time for the livestream. Even if it's not John, the liturgy and the music (which is world-class, by the way) are worth the time.
The "live" aspect of the ministry has shifted from a one-man show to a corporate legacy. It’s a shift every long-standing institution eventually makes. For the thousands of people searching for his voice today, the answer isn't just in a live video feed, but in the decades of work he’s already put into the "bank" of Christian teaching.