For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21
“To me to live is Christ.” He is the giver of life. By his will I live, and by his will I shall die. He is the sum and substance of life. Without him this worldly sojourn would be miserable. He is the hope of eternal life. He has prepared the place and us for the place and will come again to receive us, “Unto himself,” to be with him and to be like him.
“And to die is gain.” I will gain release from this natural body of weakness, pain, and discomfort to a perfect body of strength and youth. I will be released from a sinful nature of shame, fear, and flesh to holy, sinless perfection; incorruptible and undefiled! Ignorance, doubt, and misunderstandings shall all be done away, and “I shall know as I have been known of him.” No more trials, troubles, nor sorrows; and no more death; unbroken fellowship and joy with our family of faith! Oh, the joys and peace in God's tomorrow!
“For I am in a strait betwixt two.” I am hard-pressed between these two thoughts; either to live and labor (which may be better for you and those who benefit from my labor of love) or to die and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. If it is the will of God for me to live longer or to depart, it is not mine to choose. The decision is his and is both wise and good, whatever it be. “Lord, give me the grace to accept either way with wisdom and submission.”
“It is not death to die,
To leave this weary road,
And, with our family on high
To be at home with God.
Saviour, thou prince of life,
Your chosen cannot die;
We but leave a world of strife
To reign with thee on High.”
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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