If a professing believer has a wayward son or daughter, an indifferent parent or mate, you seldom find that believer discussing publicly the faults, sins and weak points of that person. No matter how careless their conduct, how sinful their attitudes, or how evil their behavior, we have a way of hiding these things, making allowances for them, and putting up with it while we go on loving them. But, unfortunately, in the church, or the family of God, if a brother or sister has a weakness, or is overtaken in a fault, folks just can't wait to discuss it with everyone. Rather than covering the fault, praying for their recovery, or privately rebuking the offender, men delight in spreading all of the unpleasant details. Is this the love of Christ which we profess? I'm quite certain that it is not, but I suppose I must refer to these gossipers as Christians (for that is the distinction which they claim) until the day of the Lord reveals otherwise! But I do wish that folks who are so expert at keeping the bones in their private and family closets so well hidden (though the rattling of the same is faintly observed) would try for the sake of unity, the reputation of the gospel, and the good of unbelievers to cover the infirmities of other Christians.
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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