And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. - Galatians 5:11
Bishop J.C. Ryle once said; "The cross is the strength of the minister. It is the heart of the gospel. I would not preach a sermon without the cross. I would feel like a soldier without a weapon, like an artist without a brush, like a ship without a rudder, a laborer without tools. Let others, if they will, preach law and morality. Let others hold forth the terrors of hell and the riches of heaven. Let others drench their congregations with the sacraments and the church. Give me the cross of Christ! This is the only lever which has turned the world upside down. This is the only gospel that will make men forsake their sins. This is the only message which can give peace to a troubled soul. And if the cross will not do it, nothing will."
A man may begin preaching with a perfect knowledge of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew; but he will do his hearers no good unless he knows something of the cross.
A missionary may go forth with compassion for the poor, tenderness for the sick, and pity for the enslaved; but he can never relieve their poverty of spirit, sickness of soul, nor bondage of will unless he goes to them with the gospel of Christ crucified! Never was there a preacher who did much for the conversions of sinners who did not dwell on Christ crucified. This is the preaching that the Holy Ghost delights to bless. He loves those who honor the cross.
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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