The moment I try to imitate or copy the life of another human, I lose that which is an honor to me and glory to God - my individuality! I become a copy, and a copy is always inferior. The moment I try to mold my life after another person, I lose that which is a power to me, and that is my personality. God made me as I am to serve in His body, to accomplish His purpose, and to glorify His name. There is not in all the history of our race a single person whom I would bid you to mold your life in his image. There is not a single biography I would have you read and say, "I will relive this man's life." To imitate other men is weakness and will forfeit God's purpose for you. There is but one model. There is but one Whom you can imitate, copy, and strive to be like in every jot and tittle - that is our LORD JESUS CHRIST!
- THIS IS GOD'S PURPOSE FOR YOU. "Whom He did foreknow, He did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29).
- THIS IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU. "We are changed into the same image from glory to glory even by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Cor. 3:18).
- THIS IS THE DESIRE OF EVERY BELIEVER. "I shall be satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness" (Psalm 17:15).
- THIS IS AN INWARD WORK. "Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:5). Changing my mode of dress, my speech to say "thee" and "thou," my living quarters, or my place of worship will not make me like Christ. I must be given a new heart and mind by God's Spirit.
Let us get our texts, our messages, our words from God. It is not great talent, great oratory, or great programs that God blesses - BUT HIS WORD. A word spoken by you in the power of the Lord - a word from His Word - is worth ten thousand words spoken in the energy of our flesh and the wisdom of the flesh. Oh, for a message from God in these days.
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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