Roman Catholicism, Mary, and Christ-Centered Evangelism

Catholic Books That I Read For My Recent Series

A Catholic friend posted an article the other day that highlighted the story of yet another professing "evangelical" who has jettisoned the biblical gospel of grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (per Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 3-5) in order to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

Here is an brief excerpt: YouTube star Lizzie Estella Reezay has announced that she’s converting from Protestantism to Catholicism.  “I want everyone to know that I hated that this was happening,” she explains in a recent video. “I fought so hard to get out of this intellectually. I did not want to be Catholic. Not only did I think Catholicism was wrong, I just didn’t like the vibe of Catholicism. I wanted to be anything but Catholic.”

She explains how hard it was for her to make her announcement video because she knew many of her Protestant family and friends would perceive it to be a betrayal. But, she explains, she was obliged to become Catholic by the force of one simple fact: it was true..."

I recently did a two month study of the inspired Song of Mary (the Magnificat) from the gospel of Luke.  In conjunction with this verse by verse study I shared a thematic series on "Will the Real Mary Please Stand Up?"  These messages are available for free if you click here.   One of the reasons why I felt the necessity to preach this series of sermons and to read so many books by Catholic theologians is to provide a biblical response to Lizzie's recent claim (that she has found the true truth in Rome).

As many of you know, the Catholic Church has over 1 Billion followers worldwide.  Their influence is massive.  The most important question however is are their articles of faith truly biblical?  If the Catholic teaching related to Mary is unbiblical, could they be wrong on justification/salvation?  I would encourage you to search the Scriptures diligently and to listen to my series of messages on Luke 1 and on the "real" Mary.  I have provided an extensive sermon outline/notes below to give you a flavor of what we covered in this very important series.

Mary's Song (and What We Can Learn From It)

Mary’s Song
(and What We Can Learn From It).

Luke 1:46-55

From our LCBC sermon series of Luke 1.

The Magnificat illustrates the following lessons related to true worship that pleases the LORD:

1) Spirit-filled worship is robustly God-centered.

In verses 46f Mary’s worships God for what He is-  He is our Lord & Savior, the Lifter of our Heads, & so much more (vv. 46-48a)

Mary also worships the Almighty for what

He does (VV 49, 51-52)

& finally, Mary worships the Lord for what He says! (vv. 54-55)

2) Biblical worship is reserved for God and God alone.

Mary’s song showcases God’s magnanimous mercy, His limitless power, His transcendent holiness, His covenant faithfulness, His abounding goodness, and the list goes on & on…

"The biggest difference between the Psalms and much of our modern music today is not (as many think) the length of the songs, or the lack of repetition, or of the lesser use of the "I" pronoun--It is the breadth and depth of the character of God and how we as His creation humbly find our place in that." Gettys.

3) Exuberant worship is befitting for those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is Merciful, Faithful to His promises, & oh so Good!  

Note Luke 1:46-55. This was experiential worship in the truest and most biblical sense.