Christ commanded John in Revelation to write to the

Sartist Church, I know thy works that thou hast the name

that thou art alive and art dead.

What a commentary on most churches today.

They have a title, they have a name, but they're dead.

And why are they dead?

Well, they're dead initially because the people

were in the number dead.

Welcome to Grace to You with John MacArthur.

I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

On February 9, 1969, John MacArthur stepped into the

pulpit of Grace Community Church, and since then he has preached

Sunday after Sunday teaching, verse by verse, through every book of the new testament.

Today on Grace to You, you're going to hear the first sermon John preached

as pastor of Grace Community Church.

It's part of perhaps his most unique series.

It's titled The New Testament Beginning to End.

Now this study, it's really one of a kind in the history of Grace to You.

And John, the lesson that we are starting with called How to Play Church has particular

significance for you.

So tell our listeners why.

Well, that's because how to play church is the sermon I preached on my first Sunday

...