The Next Level--Mary

Mary—The Yes Test

False teachings about Mary.

Today we turn our attention to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Before we launch into the lesson, I felt it needful to address false doctrines and false teachings that arise in conjunction with Mary. Specifically the Roman Catholic Church’s distortions concerning Mary. Their teaching concerning Mary is much to extensive for us to review thoroughly, but I will mention a few things:

Immaculate Conception. Often we protestants think that the RC uses this term to refer to the Mary conceiving Christ, but that is not what it refers to. The RC says that Mary herself was born without sin. They don’t claim they know how Mary was conceived without sin, but that somehow by an act of God’s grace, Mary was herself without sin and furthermore, that she never sinned. The Bible says all have sinned and also that there is none righteous, no, not even one. Therefore the RC teaching on Mary’s being without sin is wrong. Christ Alone is without sin.

Perpetual virginity. The RC teaches that Mary remained a virgin. The Scriptures on at least seven occasions mention Jesus’ brothers (; ). The following are two examples.

Matthew 13:35 NIV

35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

John 2:12 NIV

12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

RC will argue that these are Jesus cousins and not His brothers, or Joseph’s children by a first wife. Neither of these options are seen in Scripture.

Her Assumption. Some in the RC teach that Mary didn’t die, but that she was raptured, body and soul, from earth into heaven and that she dropped her girdle back down to earth as a testimony to the event. Others in the RC teach that she died, was resurrected, and then ascended into heaven, thus putting her on par with Christ. The Bible does not say anything about Mary’s death. We see in that John is to consider Mary to be his mother and to take her into his home to care for her. Then we see Mary in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost. She is not mentioned after that point in the Bible. There is a tomb in Ephesus where John served as pastor that is considered to be Mary’s tomb.

Co-Redemptrix. The teaching of the RC makes Mary the mother of the Church and declares that she cooperates in His work of the salvation of souls. In other words, one can call on Mary and Mary can forgive sins and grant salvation. This is not biblical. Christ alone saves. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me,” says Jesus.

These and other false doctrines about Mary arise from poor theology, a lack of holding to the Scriptures as the source of theology, and incorporating RC beliefs with local religions. This is called syncretism—blending Christian principles with local religions and claiming to convert locals to Christianity. Since many pagan religions had a goddess, the RC transformed May into a “goddess” figure. Another reason for the rise of false teachings about Mary stems from people thinking that Jesus is angry with the world and unwilling to answer prayer. So, then, ask Jesus’ mother to hear you and take your prayer to Jesus on your behalf. Jesus may turn you down, but surely He would not turn down the request of His mother.

I likely spend too much time on this, but I want us to be aware of all the falsity surrounding Mary. At the same time we do need to show respect and honor to this young lady. God saw something in her life and character that He chose her to bring Jesus into the world. The Scriptures do say () she is blessed among the women of the world. So we honor her, but we also realize that she, like us, needed to trust in the work of Christ on the cross. She is to be remembered and honored, but not venerated or worshipped. She is not God. She is the mother of God.

Luke 1:42 NIV

42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

Mary says “yes” to God.

Mary was young when the angel appeared to her; perhaps as young as thirteen years old, certainly no older that fifteen or maybe sixteen.

She was engaged to Joseph and looking forward to her marriage and her life with Him.

Suddenly her plans for the future were interrupted in a spectacular manner.

Luke 1:26–38 NIV

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:26-

It is remarkable to me that she so quickly said “yes” to the Lord. She put her future at risk when she said “yes” to the angel. Let us think of some of the consequences:

Loss of reputation (imagine your thirteen year old daughter telling you this story)

Loss of life (rare to stone an adulteress in Jesus time, but it did happen on occassion)

Loss of Joseph (He knew he wasn’t the father)

Loss of future (if Joseph rejected her, she would have to live in her father’s home, if he rejected her, she likely would end up a prostitute to earn a living)

She put everything on the line to say yes to God. I think she was in the habit of saying yes to God. This was another step on her journey of faith.

How does God speak to us today?

God sent his message to Mary in a spectacular fashion.

Discuss (Small Group): Does God speak to us today? If so, how does He speak to us? (Bible, preaching and teaching, still small voice, gifts of the Spirit)

In the book Wilson writes:

I believe God gives all of us instructions every day, but we miss many of them because our spiritual ears are clogged. We’re too preoccupied with our agendas, our desires, and the demands of our lives to pay close attention to God’s Spirit. (151 next to last paragraph)

Discuss (Large Group): What can we do to help us better hear God speaking to us? (Slow down, incorporated quite time into our lives, practice prayer, etc.).

Saying yes to God.

Mary said yes to the Lord and it brought her great joy as well as great pain. She experienced great happiness and great sorrow. It wasn’t always easy for her, but it was always right for her.

Discuss (Small Group): What are the risks of saying “yes” to the Lord? Suffering, hardship, personal discomfort, loss, etc. (Contrast question by saying what is the risk of saying “no” to the Lord? Out of His will, miss His work in out live, miss a blessing, etc).

Discuss: What are some reasons we resist saying “yes” to God? (IS THIS REDUNDANT)

Discuss: How can we develop a heart that willingly and quickly says “yes” to Him?