Divine sovereignty without human responsibility leads men to fatalism and indifference. “Who can resist his will? Then why blame me for sinning?” (Rom. 9:18-19).
Human responsibility without divine intervention leads men to despair and helplessness. “How then can man be just with God? How can he be clean that is born of a woman?” (Job 25:4).
Sovereign election without means and the response of repentance and faith leads men to idleness and an unjust view of God. “I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where you have now sown, so I did nothing.” (Matt. 25:24).
Human effort and means without divine purpose leads men to pride and self-righteousness. “Being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness.” (Rom. 10:3).
The kingdom of Christ or the reign of Christ on earth without the reign of Christ in the heart leads men to seek rewards, position, and self-glory. “Grant that my sons may sit one on thy right hand and one thy left in the kingdom.” (Matt. 20:21).
Religious activities and even outstanding gifts and services without love for Christ and others lead men to empty service and worthless sacrifice. “Though I bestow my goods to feed the poor and my body to be burned and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:3).
Spirit without truth is wildfire; truth without spirit is dead orthodoxy. Grace without obedience is disgrace; obedience without grace is hypocrisy.
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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