In 1 Corinthians 3 the Apostle rebuked the believers for their “envy, strife, and divisions” and accused them of behaving like unregenerate people. Their particular form of division was over their preachers. One group set Paul up as their spokesman above others. Others said, “We don’t care for Paul; we prefer Apollos.” Some preferred Peter, while others claimed only to be followers of Christ. Is this not a demonstration of flesh and carnality?
Who is Paul? Who is Apollos? What are they? They are only ministering servants of the Lord Jesus through whom you heard the gospel. They are not masters, party heads, nor lords! They are only instruments in the hands of the Master to feed the flock. Pastors are to be respected, heeded, and followed as they follow Christ; but they are not to be sources of contention and division.
If the earth is to bring forth fruit, there is need of plowing, planting, and watering. But, even after all this is done, our labor would be in vain unless the Lord from heaven gives the increase by giving life through his Word. The word of God is the seed. His faithful servants plow, plant, and water (nor does one do it all alone); but life is the miracle of Divine grace. So neither is he who plants anything special, nor he that waters, but only God, who makes it to live, grow, and become greater.
We are laborers together with God. We have nothing except what we have received. All our gifts are from God, and each servant is answerable to his Master. The planter and the waterer are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his labor.
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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