Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. Dead...: Heb. Flies of death - Ecclesiastes 10:1
What is the wise man saying? He is saying that dead flies and bugs will spoil even the sweetest perfume and cause it to send forth a vile odor; even so, excessive foolishness, banter, and kidding coming from a spiritual leader, noted and valued for wisdom and spiritual leadership, outweighs and spoils his wisdom and honor.
I have told our student preachers in the school that if you are given to depression, melancholy, and sadness, brighten up, rejoice in the Lord, and show forth a happy countenance; but, if your nature and way is to carry on foolishness and poking fun, curb it! suppress it!
God’s servants are serious men of a solemn nature on a spiritual mission—to warn men of death, judgement, and eternal condemnation, and to call them to repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus. It was said of a preacher I knew years ago, “Don’t take him seriously except when he is in the pulpit.” To which I replied, “Why should I take him seriously even then? Perhaps that, too, is a game!”
I am highly in favor of a merry heart and genuine humor; but I am also jealous for our reputation and honor as serious-minded, dedicated preachers of the gospel. It is not possible to go from witticisms to worship, from playful puns to prayer simply by saying, “It is time to start the worship service.” The reverse is also true! Before service, during service, and after service should be characterized by a broken heart and contrite spirit before God.
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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