The Incarnate Christ - pt1

Introduction

Give thanks unto my church family.

As we continue our theme series, Rooted and Built Up in Jesus, we are moving on to the next part of the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Prior to this we examined Christ before Bethlehem in a several message series.

Christ Before Bethlehem - pt.1

I. Christ, the Founder

Before the World, there was Christ (Joh. 8:58; 2Tim. 1:9; Joh. 1:1)

Because of Christ, there was the World

II. Christ Foreordained

Consider the Ramifications: Before Creation, was Knowledge:

Christ Before Bethlehem - pt.2-5

I. Salvation Through Faith in Christ

The Constant Throughout the Bible (Heb. 11)

II. Christ Foreshadowed

Explicit Connections

Jacob’s Ladder (Gen. 28:10-22; Joh. 1:51); The Bridge Between Two Worlds

Bread from Heaven (Ex. 16:4; Joh. 6:31-35); Sustenance in the Wilderness

The Rock in the Wilderness (Ex. 17:5-6; 1Cor. 10:3-4); The Stricken who Supplies

Melchesidec (Gen. 14:18-20; Heb. 5:6-10; Heb. 6:20-7:28); The Priestly King

The Passover Lamb (Ex. 12:1-14; 21-23; 29-31; Joh. 1:29-30; 1Cor. 5:7; 1Pet. 1:18-19); The Sacrifice for Salvation (1Pet. 2:24; 2Cor. 5:21)

Jonah (Jon. 1:17; Mat. 12:38-40); The Risen One (Mat. 28:1-8)

The Brazen Serpent (Num. 21:4-9; Joh. 3:14-15); Those with Faith to Look will Live (Joh. 3:16)

The Tabernacle (Ex. 25-30; Heb. 9:1-14); The Complete Picture

Implicit Connections

A Singular Salvation (Gen. 6-8) - the Ark of Noah

A Spotless Substitute (Gen. 22:1-14) - the Substitute Ram for Isaac

A Selfless Succorer (Ru. 1-4) - Boaz in the story of Ruth

Christ Before Bethlehem - pt.6

I. Christ Foretold

Prophesies concerning Christ are Logistically & Statistically Impossible

II. Christ Foreseen

Pre-Incarnate Appearances of Christ (Christophanies)

Jesus in the Burning Bush (Ex. 3) - He’s the Fiery Commander

Jesus in the Fiery Furnace (Dan. 3) - He’s the Companion in the Flames

Jesus in the Wilderness (Gen. 16:6-14) - He’s the Seeker of the Runaway

Jesus in the Ring (Gen. 32:22-32) - He’s the Touch that Changes

Jesus the Compassionate Friend (Gen. 18) - He’s the Patient Listener

Today I had intended to give you a three-point message but as it turned out and I began studying the first point, it became apparent that three was just too much to give you in this message today.

The title of today's message is "The Incarnate Christ." We're going to take a look at the birth of Christ and the circumstances surrounding it to get a better understanding of who Christ is.

This, of course, is a topic that comes up every Christmas season but what we're going to examine is not typically Christmas material.

That being said, as we look at the Incarnate Christ, we must turn our attention first to the Mother - Mary.

I. The Mother

With this point I want to speak on Mary's role in the salvation of mankind and address some errors that have taken root and been propagated by the Catholic Church.

In this point we are going to examine one of the reasons that makes Catholicism different from Christianity. These two are not the same.

And the reason they are not the same is because what our belief system is based on is different.

Our belief system is based on the Word of God. This is our sole authority. Catholicism is based, they say, on the Word of God but also Papal decrees. And this is why Catholics and Christians cannot agree on doctrine. It's the same reason that Jesus could not convince the Pharisees of their error.

Matthew 15:3–6 “But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.”

Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Titus 1:10–14 “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”

Matthew 15:8–9 “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

So some might wonder - can Catholics get saved? Yes! Thank God! BUT IT WILL BE IN SPITE OF CATHOLIC TEACHINGS, NOT BECAUSE OF THEM!

We’re going to examine aspects of what is known as ‘Mariology’ - teachings on Mary.

She was Sanctified

Mary was Sanctified (def) consecrated; set apart for sacred services. There’s no question about this. God had selected her for a purpose, and that was to be the bearer of the Christ child.

One thing to understand is that though the circumstance is unique, the principle is not.

1 Corinthians 1:2 “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

This church in Corinth was a carnal church, and we’re seeing a pattern here - Paul is trying to get them to see that God has saved them, and set them apart for Sacred Service.

Church, if you’ve been born again, God has set you apart for Sacred Service as well. He has consecrated you to do His Will.

And one might think ‘Well maybe, but it’s not on the same level as Mary’s’ - that’s foolish talk. What did Paul teach? 1 Corinthians 12:12–15 “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?”

Mary was Sanctified for a purpose, but so are you. Just because you are sanctified, though, does not mean you are sinless and neither was Mary.

…but not Sinless (v30)

One of the several doctrinal errors concerning the Catholic Church and what's known as Mariology is the Immaculate Conception.

‘The Immaculate Conception’

Many might hear that term and consider the Christ. After all, Immaculate (def) Spotless; pure; unstained; undefined without blemish. But Catholics when they speak of the Immaculate Conception, they're not speaking of Jesus but they're speaking of Mary.

The Immaculate Conception became official dogma of the Catholic church on December 8, 1854. This teaching states that Mary was born without sin. This of course would put her on the same plane as Christ Himself. Elevating her to a position that she doesn’t belong.

Mary was not sinless, there’s no Scripture that would ever infer that she was, nor is it a problem doctrinally. Mary doesn’t have to be sinless for Christ to be.

Sin comes through the seed of man, not the woman - therefore it wasn’t necessary for her to be sinless, nor is it ever implied that she was.

Ephesians 2:3 “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

Mary was Sanctified, but not Sinless

She was a Instrument…

Mary was an instrument of divine youth. God used her to bring Jesus in the flesh into this world.

Once again, unique circumstance but common principle.

Let’s read this account in: John 1:40–42 “One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”

In this instance, Andrew brought Peter to Jesus.

Mary brought Jesus into the world, but Andrew brought Peter to Jesus.

Church knows this: every one of us has the potential to be an instrument in the hands of God. The work that can be done with that instrument isn't dependent on the quality of the instrument, but the capability of the one wielding it.

Mary certainly was an instrument used of God but she was not an intercessor.

…but not a Intercessor (v31)

Catholicism teaches the doctrine:

Mary - Mother of God

Over the years Catholicism has exalted Mary to not simply being the vessel that God used to bring Christ in the flesh, but that Mary is an exalted being, almost superior in nature to Christ himself.

So the thought process goes like this:

Because Jesus was God, that makes Mary the Mother of God, and because she is the mother of God, she has ability and authority over Him.

In other words, if you want something from Jesus, go to Mary. Because Mary can make Jesus do her will, because - He being her Son - is subordinate to Him.

It’s through this doctrine where we get the ‘Hail Mary’ prayers and the rosary: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

A full rosary prayer includes saying this “Hail Mary” portion 53 times. (Might I remind you of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”

Church let me just say, that you can pray to Mary all day long and that will get you ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. She has no power or authority in Heaven! There is only ONE intercessor between man and God and His name is Jesus Christ! 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

She was an instrument, but not an intercessor

To be Respected…

Luke 1:28 “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

Mary was a godly young lady. She had great faith and feared the Lord.

These are respectable attributes of any Christian. For all Christians should exhibit faith in our Lord, what he has done for us, what he will do for us, and we should fear the Lord. These are respectable traits of Christians.

But there is a difference between having respect for and reverencing as if they were God.

She is to be respected, but not revered.

… but not Revered (v28)

Catholic teaching does not express respect for Mary but reverence for her. They Teach:

Mary - Queen of Heaven

Speaking of the Rosary prayer, it concludes as such: "Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary."

Mary was a good woman, a godly woman - but she was no more God than you or I.

She’s to be respected, not revered.

While I’m on this subject - preachers (good preachers anyway) should be respected, but NOT revered either. I detest seeing the term ‘Reverend’ before a preachers name. How dare they! The Bible declares who is to be revered: Psalm 111:4 “He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:9 “He sent redemption unto his people: He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name.”

That’s the name reserved for God - no man should claim this title for themselves!

It’s important that we put Mary in her rightful place. It would do nothing but grieve her to see that she is the object of worship in the eyes of man, rather than Jesus.

These are just a few of the doctrines concerning Mary that are incorrect in Catholicism. Others would include the teaching that she’s a perpetual virgin (regardless of the Bible declaring Jesus had brothers and sisters (Mar. 6:3) and that Jesus was declared her ‘firstborn son’ not ‘only’ son. (Mat. 1:25) or ‘knew her not TIL…’

The Assumption (Raptured to Heaven, not tasting death)

Then of course, we see this in: Matthew 12:47–50 “Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

We see the Mother

Conclusion

The majority of this message was focused upon the false doctrine of the Catholic Church concerning Mary. In conclusion I want to focus on the positive aspects of her and how they relate to you and I.

Mary was sanctified; she was set apart for a specific purpose and so are you church. Let me ask you: Are you fulfilling the purpose that God has you set aside for?

Mary was an instrument. She was used by God to bring Jesus unto people. As a Christian this is your job as well. How are you doing your job as an instrument being used of the Lord?

Mary was respected because of the godly lifestyle she lived. Are you living a godly lifestyle before man to where they would respect the God you represent?