A friend complained to Pastor Gotthold of the weakness of his faith and the distress this gave him. Pastor Gotthold pointed to a vine which had twined itself around a pole and was hanging loaded with beautiful fruit, and said, "Frail indeed is that plant; but what harm is done to it by its frailty, as long as it is supported by such a strong pole. The weakness of your faith matters little provided only it is sincere and is in our Lord Jesus Christ alone. Faith is the work and gift of God, and he bestows it in such measure as he wills and determines right. Let the measure of your faith, which he has given you, be deemed sufficient by you and take for pole and prop and support and strength the Lord Jesus Christ, his blood and righteousness and his precious promises. Twine around these with complete trust. A heart sensible of its weakness and prostrating itself continually at his feet is more acceptable than that which presumes upon the strength of its faith and falls into false security and pride."
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!