Several years ago I applied for a home improvement loan at a local bank. I did not deal with the president of the bank or an officer of the bank but with one of the employees. This particular employee was quite rude and unkind to me causing me to cancel my account at that bank and move to another. The only contact I had with the bank was with this very poor representative but it was enough to discourage me from going there again.
You and I represent our Lord, the gospel of the Lord Jesus, and the church of the first-born. The only contact some people have with the church and kingdom of God is through us. What kind of impression do we leave on them? What idea of Christianity do we convey to them?
I wonder if they do not sometimes walk away offended, disappointed, and resolved not to inquire any further into our faith or listen to our message. I realize that we are frail creatures, subject to all of the limitations of the flesh, but we need to set a watch on our lips, control our tempers, and put forth a special effort to adorn the gospel of his grace. If we endure persecution for the gospel's sake, well and good, but not if we bring it on ourselves by our own faults!
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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