Recently I quoted Paul’s cry, “Lord, what would you have me to do?” A brother said to me, “I ask the Lord that same question, for I certainly want to serve him and do his will; but what can I do? What is there to do?” My reply is:
1. Doing the will and work of God is not always a physical or a material effort. They asked our Lord in John 6:28, “What shall we do that we might work the works of God?” Jesus answered, “This is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” Genuine, sincere faith in Christ is doing the will of God (Heb. 11:6).
2. Faithfulness to the gospel, to the Lord’s church, to the Lord’s people, and to our families is doing the will and work of God. “Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). Much can be said for the man or woman who fills his or her place regularly and faithfully and can be counted on in every situation to stand and, having done all, to stand!
3. Dependable, enduring love for one another is fulfilling the commandments of our Lord. “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” Is not the whole law of God fulfilled in loving God and loving one another? There is nothing individuals need, churches need, or the kingdom of God requires more than genuine, faithful love which “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, and endureth all things.” I may do many things according to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; but, if I have not love, it profiteth me nothing.
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.
Comments
Your comment has been submitted and is awaiting moderation. Once approved, it will appear on this page.
Be the first to comment!