It is a fact that thousands of people live close to our church buildings where we worship God, sing praises to his name, and preach the gospel of God's grace; the same message preached by the great fathers of past years. But these people never dream of entering our buildings; they are not interested nor even curious about our message or what we are doing.
Why is this? I believe the answer lies in the growing popularity of religious sensationalism and entertainment. As this appetite for new attractions, new revelations, new methods, and emotionalism has increased, it becomes impossible to meet its demands; for people are demanding more and more of the noise, fleshly exhibitions, theatrics, and music. The world's preachers are trying to please the people, and yet trying to keep God's name in the chaos somewhere and call it “faith” fellowship and “new life” church. It is all like the road the drunk took which resulted in his destruction. At first the fiery beverage had to be watered down, but the next drink must be stronger, and soon it must be 100 proof! The churches started with truth and watered down the activities and entertainment. Now they are drunk; and if they are exposed to a true worship service and a scriptural message on the glory of God's redeeming grace, they say, “This is a dead church.”
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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