God took care of any tendency in Paul to be proud or puffed up over the greatness of his gifts, talents, and revelations by giving him a THORN IN THE FLESH. Pride is natural in every man's heart, and believers are not without it; therefore, to prevent this sin, which He hates, the Lord gave Paul a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass and trouble him. We know that the Lord permitted this affliction; we know that it had to do with Paul's flesh. Whether it was weakness, sickness, temptation, his appearance, we do not know; but it was "a messenger of Satan;" or as God was pleased to allow Satan to afflict Job, He was pleased to allow Paul to be sorely tried and troubled by this angel of hell. The PLAIN AND EVIDENT PURPOSE for this thorn in the flesh was to prevent Paul from becoming proud, puffed up, and exalted above measure. So we can conclude that instead of being a hindrance (as most would suppose), this thorn proved to be a help to the Apostle, as our infirmities, afflictions, and trials are for our good. And, like Paul, we will grumble about them, pray to have them removed, and not fully understand their value now. But someday I am confident we shall understand and know as we have been known.
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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