“My little children.” Paul speaks to the Galatians most affectionately as a father to his children. They were sons of God but still babes in Christ; consequently, the term “little children” was appropriate.
“Of whom I travail in birth again.” Paul compares himself to a woman with child. All of his pains, sufferings, and labors in the ministry of the gospel he compares to the sorrows of a woman during the time of child-bearing. The woman is concerned, dedicated, and involved in one purpose—and that is to bring forth a living child. The Apostle was just as concerned, dedicated, and involved in prayer and preaching that the life of Christ might be formed in those to whom he preached.
“Until Christ be formed in you.” Salvation and eternal life is not in a form of religion, a system of theology, or an outward morality. Eternal life is to know the living God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. It is to have the life of Christ, the presence of Christ, the Spirit and mind of Christ, and the very glory of Christ begotten, created, and formed in us. Christ in you is the hope of glory. Until the miracle of grace is performed, our religion is but a form of godliness.
This is the object of our ministry here at 13th Street; “to win Christ and be found in him, to know him and the power of his resurrected life.” May the Lord deliver us from the philosophies and traditions of men and form Christ in our hearts!
“Here, O my soul, thy trust repose,
If Jesus, the indwelling Christ, is mine;
Not death itself, that last of foes,
Shall break a union so divine.”
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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