Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. - Titus 2:10
Adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
What is it to adorn the doctrine? We can't do it with great building and fancy architecture! God's grace and glory are not in luxurious temples but in living temples. We can't do it with our mode of speech! Saying thee and thine will not make thee his child or change thine heart. We can't do it with religious uniforms and dress. Hypocrisy is the same under a black hat or no hat.
We can adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour with genuine love; both for Christ and all men. There is no greater proof of discipleship than love. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." There is no greater proof of an unregenerate heart than hate. "He that loveth not knoweth not God." We can adorn the doctrine with kindness. "Be ye kind one to another." "If ye forgive not men their sins, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your sins." We can adorn the doctrine with patience under trial. What better way can I preach my belief and confidence in God's sovereignty than by joyfully submitting to his hand whether it be in blessing or chastening? We can adorn the doctrine with happiness. When did piety become synonymous with sour expression and a grouchy disposition? Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. We can adorn the doctrine with a generous spirit. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Greed, selfishness and self-interest do not reveal grace!
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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