Recently, as we gathered to observe the Lord's Table, I tried to again show how the bread and wine set forth the sacrifice of our Lord for us. "This is my body broken for you...This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you" (Luke 22:19-20). It occurred to me that we come to Christ Himself and receive Christ much as we come to this table.
- WE BRING NOTHING to the table! We leave our homes and come to the table of bread and wine, having absolutely nothing of our own to contribute.
- THE LORD IS THE SERVER; it is His table! No man is elevated above another to officiate or serve. All partake alike of His body and His blood.
- WE RECEIVE THE BREAD AND WINE INWARDLY! It is not something sprinkled upon us, conferred upon us, worn by us, nor professed by us. It is the Lord's life received WITHIN US – Christ Himself in you, the hope of glory.
- WE RECEIVE THE BREAD AND WINE PERSONALLY! In the matter of salvation, it is "HE that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood." Absolutely no one is involved in what I eat and drink spiritually but me and Him who is my bread. Only what I eat can give me life. "Let a man examine HIMSELF AND SO LET HIM eat."
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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