Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. - 2 Timothy 4:2
“It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). There can be no substitute for preaching the Word; and all who attempt to attract followers by any other means only weaken their ministry and build wood, hay, and stubble. Good music, well-written bulletins, personal fellowship, socials and dinners, visitation, and Sunday School classes all serve a good purpose; but these efforts are to no avail without “the power of the pulpit.”
When the disciples instructed the early church to “look out men whom we may appoint over this business, and we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word,” they were setting the example for all of God’s preachers. A preacher once said, “I didn’t have time to properly prepare for my sermon.” My friend, you don’t have time to prepare, you take the time to prepare.
Preaching the gospel is what we are called to do; anything else is secondary. One does not trust his physical wellbeing to a physician because he is friendly, nice-looking, has proper credentials, and has a lovely office, but because his medicine heals! Even so, sinners with whom God is dealing care only for the healing word preached in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Give men and women the Bread of Life and they will return for more.
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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