In World War II it was said of certain P.T. Boats and landing craft, “They were expendable.” The word “expendable” means, “Supplies or equipment expected to be used up or destroyed in service of a mission; equipment or men considered replaceable and therefore to be sacrificed to gain an objective or accomplish a purpose.”
Read that definition again and see if it does not apply to the prophets of the Old Testament and to the apostles of the New Testament who were all (except John) put to death in the cause of Christ and the gospel! Does it not apply to the faithful missionaries who have left their home and country to labor in the gospel and to God's servants (whomever and wherever) who are committed to his gospel, his glory, and his church and who care little for earthly possessions, worldly comforts, name recognition, and memorials?
“The expendables” know that they are expendable!
“The expendables” know for whose purpose and mission they are sacrificed!
“The expendables” count it an honor and privilege unsurpassed to be used of God wherever he pleases.
“The expendables” know that while they are expendable, replaceable, and to be sacrificed here on earth, in glory in Christ they are un-expendable, irreplaceable, and forever glorified!
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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