But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: fear: or, reverence - 1 Peter 3:15
God is infinitely and perfectly holy. We do not make him so; but we regard, proclaim, and declare him to be our holy and sovereign Lord in two ways:
1. Externally. The Lord is sanctified by his people externally when they obey his Word, believe him, worship him, praise him, and call upon him.
2. Internally. This verse exhorts us to sanctify the Lord in our hearts. Unless we truly believe him, love him, and worship him in our hearts, all our outwards forms and claims are nothing but sham. It is mockery to talk of his glory with my lips if I do not bless God in my heart.
“Be ready to give an answer,” the apostle continues. When someone asks you to tell him why you believe that your sins are pardoned, that your name is in the Book of Life, and that you will enjoy the presence of Christ forever, be ready always to give a scriptural answer. It is because Christ Jesus is your righteousness before the law. Christ Jesus, by his death, is your justification and redemption, and Christ Jesus is your mediator before God’s throne!
“With meekness and fear.” Give that answer in a most humble fashion; for we are what we are by the grace of God, not because of anything that we are or have done. Give that answer in “the fear of the Lord,” being careful that he gets all the glory for his blessings. Also, give that answer courteously and respectfully; it may be the person is a true seeker of the Lord.
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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