In general, it can be said that every great revival to date has been marked by the preaching of sovereign mercy. This was Paul's message, Augustine's message, Calvin's message, Luther’s message, Owens message, Whitefield’s message, Edward’s message, Spurgeon’s message, and Barnard’s message. The preaching of sovereign grace breaks up the fallow ground, shuts the sinner's mouth, exalts the Lord God, and glorifies the Lord Jesus.
Today the seed is cast everywhere but on good ground! The urgent need is for preaching that will prepare the ground for the seed or the heart for the good news. We must preach the character of God, the character of men, the sufficiency of Christ, and the efficacy of the Spirit's work.
But beware, my preacher friend, for I warn you that the truth that is least acceptable to the flesh is the very truth that God blesses to the saving of sinners. It is just here that the preacher must make his choice: shall I preach to please men, or shall I preach the message of a sovereign Christ to a helpless, hopeless world? For it cannot be both!
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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