In John 6:60 the scripture declares, “When many of his followers heard this, they said, this is a hard saying; who can hear it?” or “Who can be expected to listen to such teaching?”
What had they heard? They heard our Lord declare his deity (Vs. 35). They heard our Lord declare his divine sovereignty in salvation (Vs. 37-39). They heard our Lord declare man's inability to come to God or even to desire to come to God (Vs. 44-45). They heard our Lord declare that true salvation is Christ in us, received in us as one eats bread and drinks liquid; true salvation is a living union with our Lord (Vs. 53-54).
These people heard him speak, and they understood his words. His language was not unintelligible; he meant exactly what he said, and he said exactly what he meant to say. But the religious people found it to be a hard saying because what he said was irreconcilable with their own view of salvation by law and works. “Who can hear it?” Only those who by grace have been taught of God and learned of the Father (Vs. 44-45).
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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