The following is a sermon transcript from our Sunday Service at The Rock Church in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Each week, we gather to worship, learn from God’s Word, and grow together. This transcript is provided as a free resource to encourage and equip you in your walk with Christ. While you’re welcome to read and share this content for personal use, we kindly ask that it not be redistributed or published elsewhere without prior written consent from The Rock Church.
The sun revolves around the earth. True or false? Okay, good. Dolphins are mammals. True or false? Good. Everyone who attends a church service is a Christian. True or false? Oh, that was better. I could go on and on. We love these types of questions, whether the answer is obvious or not. Why? Because they challenge us to think critically—not to assume just because someone says something that it is true.
And we live in an age where everything is questioned. What is truth? What is your truth may not be my truth. How do I know the Bible is true? How do I know if I am truly a Christian? And without an objective standard for truth, we are left to figure it out on our own. Many believe just that, using human reason and experience—anything goes.
So let me ask you: how has that worked out for our society? Clearly, with the rise of the diseases of despair (as you may have heard them called), it seems subjective truth has only led to more misery and hopelessness.
So how does the church respond? Do we simply go along the cultural ride, adopting whatever the world says is acceptable? Or do we stand alone at risk of being ridiculed? Well, Jesus certainly warned us of that. He said, “If you love Me, they will hate you.” If you love Me, they will hate you. Maybe you’ve seen that in your own family—even within the church. Why is that? Well, it seems more obvious in the family. It’s the spiritual battle. It’s between believers and unbelievers. We understand it. We expect it.
But what about when it happens within the church? What do you mean, Pastor? Well, some have experienced this. You would expect everyone within the church to submit to the authority of God’s Word. What is plain in Scripture should be plain and visible in all the visible church.
What we’re going to see in the text today is this two‑part formula. That’s right, I said it—but not the spiritual formulas you might be used to. No, I’m talking about law and gospel—the indicative and the imperative. Put another way: what is true, followed by what we must do. A key here is never to separate the two.
I love what Jonathan Edwards said about preaching. He said his chief goal was to raise the affections of his hearers in keeping with the truth. You see, it’s really easy to raise someone’s affections or emotions using the right tone, careful use of words, nice inflection of the voice—but quite another thing to raise our religious affections to the triune God, looking to Christ for all of life.
Preaching should always result in a deeper affection for Christ by the believer. It’s not about imposing guilt and shame, or saying “not trying hard enough,” or “not doing enough.” It says: let the Word of God, by the power of the Spirit, transform the people of God.
This morning, the goal is to cultivate a deeper affection for Christ—seeing not just what He does, but who He is. We can come up with all kinds of strategies for discerning truth from error: critical thinking, careful studying, wisdom from others. But if we don’t end up with the Christ of all truth, something has gone terribly wrong.
If you’re taking note, write down the big idea:
Flee from falsehood and hold firmly to the truth, which is found in Christ.
We’ll look at three key points (noting again the two‑part formula: indicative + imperative). There is a fleeing and then there’s a running. We understand that we need Christ, and then also we must run from sin and error.
- Flee from self‑focused lies, and focus on Christ‑centered truth.
- Flee from contentious arguments, and maintain charitable discussions.
- Flee from proud preachers, and seek out faithful teachers.
1. Flee from Self‑Focused Lies; Focus on Christ‑Centered Truth
Our passage is 2 Timothy 2:20–21:
“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
Isn’t it true that in every home we have certain items that are of great value, while others not so much? Well, not as common today. There may in some homes be fine china or formal dinnerware reserved only for special occasions. It remains locked away in that special cupboard, far in the distance for any child to behold. These dishes are valuable, so to reduce the risk of damage, they’re used only sparingly.
There are, of course, other items—we use decorations, Christmas lights, climbing up the ladder to decorate the roof at risk of great injury—but certainly worth it in the evening sky. That broken leg was worth it all, right? (Laughter.) We don’t use decorations year‑round, because it would obviously be odd.
So the question remains: what is the apostle talking about when he says the great house? Well, one interpretation that is quite clear and prominent is that “the great house” is the visible church. The gathered church throughout the world, on Sunday morning, throughout the week. Interestingly, if you study Noah’s Ark, you find that it is a type (or “type”) of the church. What did it contain? In Genesis 6–9 the story is told. Tertullian, one of the early church fathers, made that connection: Noah’s Ark as a type of the church. Consider: there was only one way in (the door is Christ), and the waters of baptism (1 Peter 3:20‑21) point back to deliverance through the flood.
Now, in verses 20–21, some might argue that this is only for believers—“honorable, dishonorable.” In other words, some preachers might take a wrong view and discourage their fellow believers in the church and say things like, “If you don’t get your act together, you run the risk of being completely useless for God.” Do you see how the preacher can use dread and fear to tear down rather than build up with the gospel?
Again, remember the two‑part formula: law and gospel. The indicative of what is true for those who are in Christ. From that understanding, we can rightly use the law (its third use) as a guide.
Consider what the text is saying to us about the visible church (the gathered body). It consists of both believers and unbelievers. Even Jesus talked about this when He said He would separate the wheat from the chaff, the sheep from the goats. Why? Because that role is reserved for Christ as Judge. We are never to judge anyone’s soul.
It’s a very easy trap to fall into: “Oh, Jimmy, no—he’ll never be saved. That guy is a mess. But Sally, she really has her life together—she must be saved.” Careful, Christian—you’re assuming the role of judgment that is reserved for Christ alone.
Rather, we understand that we have been made clean by the blood of the Lamb. Christ alone is able to save, to sanctify, and to glorify everyone who would come to Him by faith alone, according to grace alone.
Do you think Noah was righteous because of his actions? Far from it. Some suggest he was a drunkard, had a problem walking around naked. But Genesis 6:5 says the Lord found grace with Noah—not according to his works, but according to God’s good pleasure. This is the mystery of grace: that He would find favor with us according to His good pleasure—not arbitrarily, but in His plan before the foundation of the world, to save a people for His own possession.
You may ask: “Pastor, it says cleanse ourselves, but you say we are already cleansed by Christ — which is it?” The answer is: both.
As we have been cleansed, we are also continually being cleansed (1 John 1:9). As we confess our sins, we are cleansed. We are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved. God justifies us (declaring us not guilty) through faith alone. Then He sanctifies us continually, making us more like Christ.
I’m sure you’ve seen it in your Christian life: God continues to form Christ in you. We find the flesh, the devil, and the world less and less appealing. That’s not a straight‑line thing, but overall we see progress. We see damage of sin, more destruction in our lives, and we run to Christ. Sin and error keep trying to take hold of us.
What God has graciously done—that is, the gospel of Jesus Christ—and how we respond to it. Since God has cleansed us, let us continually cleanse ourselves.
A helpful illustration: consider King David vs. Joseph.
- David saw a beautiful woman on the roof and gave in: “Oh no—I deserve this, Lord, look at all you’ve done.”
- Joseph (Genesis 39), confronted with Potiphar’s wife, fled the scene—lost a cloak in doing so—rather than compromise.
When tempted, we must flee—even if clothes get ripped, we run to Christ. Don’t rationalize or make excuses.
We must flee from self‑focused lies and instead focus on Christ‑centered truth. Know that since we have been set apart by Jesus, we are made ready. In Christ, we are precious—gold and silver—that will not perish. Many in the visible church won’t endure; like wood or clay, they’ll be burned. That’s a sober reminder of hell.
But again: it’s not enough to flee from lies. We need to know Christ‑centered truth. We must know that since we have been set free, we continually seek that freedom in Christ alone. Paul knew this: false teachers mix error into truth, accommodate sin, add bondage.
That’s why we must maintain both purity of life and doctrine. Paul says: “keep a close eye on your life and your doctrine.” You can have knowledge of God and zero transformation.
So we continually seek Jesus, behold Him in beauty and splendor, and hold fast to the word of life. And for those not yet believers: you can come to Christ by faith. He wants to make you profitable to the Master, ready for every good work. He’s faithful—even when we are not—to sanctify us, set us apart as holy, make us vessels of honor.
So flee from self‑focused lies, and focus on Christ‑centered truth.
2. Flee from Contentious Arguments; Maintain Charitable Discussions
Let’s turn to 2 Timothy 2:22–23:
“Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies, knowing that they breed quarrels.”
You know, earlier this week we heard terrible news: Charlie Kirk was assassinated. He was a man dedicated to faith, family, and country. Was he always looking for a fight? Was he constantly entering contentious debates to show off? No. He sought conversation, especially with those who disagreed with him. He believed transformation begins spiritually.
This horror shows us how much we need to watch our dialogue and discourse. Since the advent of the internet, it’s easy to fall into fruitless debates. We get angry at opposing voices, hurl insults. But that’s not the Christian way. If you’ve been married any length of time, you know contentious arguments never produce positive results. Strife produces strife. Contention produces contention.
Paul, in verse 23, uses strong Greek: stop the undisciplined, stupid debates that only result in ungodliness. Don’t engage with empty, useless diatribes. Instead, be civil in your discourse.
Why does Paul address this with Timothy? Because Timothy is young, and youth often bring rash self-confidence. We say, “I’ll tell them exactly how I feel; they need to know they’re wrong.” But how fruitful is that? Very little good. It’s better to be slow to speak, quick to listen.
This doesn’t come naturally. We need the Spirit’s power to restrain and grant self‑control. We are empowered to earnestly desire what accords with godliness. Notice Paul’s list (righteousness, faith, love, peace) echoes the fruit of the Spirit (as in Galatians). The emphasis: bearing fruit in keeping with repentance.
This is the Christian lifestyle: constantly waging war against the inner desires of the flesh, fleeing from them, running to Christ, not playing a religious game. Self is denied, but Christ satisfies. The result: Christ works through us—upright living, proper thinking, right attitudes, right acts. A desire to love even enemies, even when insults are hurled.
The world says: “Get them back. Destroy them.” But we say: love them. How do we call upon the Lord from a pure heart? If you’re in Christ, you did not put the desire there—it was given. You now desire to flee corruption. But sin and error constantly attack. > “The very thing I hate, I do.” (Romans 7.)
As a church discerning truth and error, we must look to Christ. Ask: Does this teaching exalt the triune God and treasure Christ’s person and work? Or is it another religious system to centralize power? Flee contentious arguments; maintain charitable discussions.
3. Flee from Proud Preachers; Seek Out Faithful Teachers
Now let’s go to verses 24–26:
“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents—not by hurling insults, but with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
Let’s define a proud preacher. Surely a preacher should carry responsibility, proclaim Scripture, lift up Christ, lower self. But proud preachers exist—and yes, they are out there today.
What are they like? They constantly engage in word‑wars. They love contention. They often see themselves as “truth warriors”—and that sounds noble in theory. But their approach is distinct. “Quarrelsome” means they must always be right. They struggle to accept any form of defeat. They hold all the answers and expect followers to believe exactly as they do.
Deep down, they may be insecure. They don’t tolerate dissent. They see people as “on their team” or not. If you’re off the team, they’ll attack you. They’ll call you dangerous, challenge your truths, hurt you, leave you hopeless.
Some of you have been wounded by proud preachers. You might carry that hurt. But there is healing in Jesus. There is comfort in our faithful Shepherd, our loving Master, the perfect Priest, Prophet, and King. When focused on Christ, we will never be disappointed.
We can—and should—pray for those who wronged us, even leaders in the church. Perhaps God will grant them repentance. Being wounded by a preacher is deeply painful.
Why does this matter? Because when life and doctrine are misaligned, destruction follows. When doctrine is right but life is not, pride and arrogance follow. Then “you must submit to me” becomes the tone. This is why we appreciate confessions of faith (e.g. the Baptist Confession): they serve leaders, subordinating them to God’s Word. The final authority is Scripture, not a man or system.
What does Paul tell us about faithful teachers? A faithful teacher is:
- Not a servant of self, but a servant of Christ.
- Kind to everyone—not just people he likes, but even the hardest to love.
- Approachable, able to teach, patient in enduring evil, correcting with gentleness, not insults.
You might ask: does such a person exist? Yes—and he becomes so by God’s ongoing work in that person. A faithful teacher will be wronged, falsely accused. How does he respond? With grace, gentleness, humility, refusing to retaliate.
He admonishes opponents gently, so they may see Christ in him. In your community, workplace, school, home—how do you respond to opposition? Anger and insults don’t work. But gentleness and meekness, reflecting Christ, have power. That’s like pouring burning coals (Proverbs 25:22)—responding to venom with love may lead to repentance.
Remember: we can’t make someone repent. We can speak winsomely, be persuasive, but only God grants true repentance. “The Lord’s kindness leads to repentance.” (Romans 2:4)
Think about David’s repentance after Nathan’s confrontation. He broke down, changed clothes, anointed his head. True repentance leads to knowledge of truth—the truth in Christ, not mere regret before being found out. Many are sorry; fewer are truly repentant.
In our brokenness we can run to a faithful Savior who welcomes us. The spiritual battle is real—lost people are not simply rebellious; they’re intoxicated spiritually. Just as a drunkard can’t think clearly, the unbeliever can’t understand spiritual things (since the Spirit of truth is not dwelling in them). The devil has blinded unbelievers’ eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan enslaves, deceives, keeps people in sin.
But Christ offers spiritual sobriety: freedom and awakening. Many may escape the snares of the devil and come to their senses, see Christ, repent, and believe.
So flee proud preachers, looking for a fight. Seek out faithful teachers who model meekness, gentleness, kindness, humility. But this doesn’t mean we remain passive when false teaching arises. When the gospel is corrupted, we must guard it and contend for the truth—but we do so in a way that wins people, not feeds their evil. We are kind, unwavering in truth, and pray. We don’t lose heart. We contend earnestly for the faith once delivered (Jude 3). That faith lives. The enemy’s days are numbered.
Our hope rests on the blessed hope of Christ’s return. The battle continues, but it’s temporary. The church militant transitions eventually to the church triumphant.
Application & Closing
In discerning truth from error:
- Identify sin and error, then run from it—whether a thought, pattern, or behavior.
- Run to Christ—He is faithful, will hold you, bring healing.
Let’s take a moment of confession. Let’s go to Jesus and say: Lord, remind me of my pardon. Remind me I’m saved, delivered, that You have written my name in Your book of life. Confess whatever you need. Go to Jesus, our great High Priest, and receive assurance of pardon in Christ alone.
Prayer:
Our Lord and Savior, we come to confess our sins. Like David said, “It is against You—and You alone—that I have sinned.” We acknowledge our hearts that want to run to sin because it feels easier. We turn from them, but we know it’s hard; this is a spiritual battle. We need Your power. We need the Spirit of Christ—the same power that raised Jesus—to work in us. Without You, we cannot endure. So we turn to You.
We look to the wonder of Your cross: that You, the Son of God, stepped into time, took on flesh, fulfilled righteousness, bore the guilt, the shame, the wrath—and now that righteousness is ours, by faith, by grace. We don’t deserve it. But You’re faithful.
Lord, Your church is purchased by Your blood. You’re our Chief Shepherd now. Lead us. We’re grateful You intercede, now seated at the Father’s right hand with power and glory. Our hope is in You and You alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Before we sing the final song, I want to read from the Confession (you’ll find a copy under your chair): Chapter 20, paragraph 1:
“Because of the covenant of works (that was instituted with Adam up until Genesis 3:15, and was broken by sin), God was pleased to proclaim the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect and producing in them faith and repentance. In this promise the gospel in its substance was revealed and made effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.”
Hear the gospel proclaimed all the way back in Genesis 3:15: God called you, produced in you faith which produced repentance, and the Spirit effectually worked that in you. He converted you, broke the heart of stone, gave you a heart of flesh.
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