It is perfectly evident to all who know the grace of God in Christ that we have spent this past [conference] week under the favor of God and have been especially blessed with his presence and power. As far as I can determine, every service, every message, and every song honored Christ and blessed his people. This church can give special thanks to the Lord for giving us the privilege of hosting such a conference and entertaining his people from all over the world.
I would not sound a blue note nor discourage you, particularly at this time, when the church seems to be in such harmony and unity and rejoicing in the blessings of the Lord; but, these are the times when we need to be aware of, and on guard against, the attacks of Satan.
Where God blesses, Satan rears up his ugly head. When God manifests his mercies, Satan usually organizes some form of opposition or trouble. Paul wrote of this in II Corinthians 2:11, “To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions” (Amplified Version).
He is the enemy, not men or movements; but he is the great antichrist. He will use even the Apostle Peter for his purposes. And if that be true, only the grace of God will keep him from using you and me to trouble the family of God. Let our prayers be most diligent in this area, “Deliver us from the evil one!” (Mt. 6:13).
Let not Satan get the advantage and destroy that which glorifies our great God. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto the Lord Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
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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