A certain king had a spacious and beautiful flower garden which he left to the care of a faithful servant, who delighted in caring for each plant tenderly and lovingly. One morning the servant rose with joy to care for the king's flowers. To his surprise, he found one of his choicest beauties cut from its stem and gone. Looking about, he missed several other prized and precious flowers! Full of grief and anger, he approached his fellow-servants and demanded who had taken away his treasures. They had not done it, and he found no solace for his grief until one of them remarked, “My lord, the king was walking in the garden this morning, and I saw him pluck the flowers and carry them to his court.” The servant was comforted that the master had been pleased to take his own flowers, and he went his way smiling at his loss because his lord had taken them. So, you and I have lost those whom we love with much tender affection. They are gone from our sight and touch. But remember, the Lord has taken those flowers which are His, which he loaned to us for a while, which we shall one day see again in his court, never to be separated again. Let this be your comfort and do not yield yourselves to an excess of grief.
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.
Comments
Your comment has been submitted and is awaiting moderation. Once approved, it will appear on this page.
Be the first to comment!