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.
Introduction: Semper Reformanda
Semper Reformanda — always reforming.
Now that might seem like a fancy slogan or a catchy motto. What does it mean? What does it look like in our lives?
Does it mean that we’re always changing simply because we need to improve?
You might think, “I really need to change my diet. I can no longer consume these processed foods to my death, destroying my body. I need to exercise. I have no energy. I need to feel good.”
That’s all well and fine. Certainly, it’s helpful to consider lifestyle changes, even mindset changes.
But what does a commitment to always reforming look like in the life of a church?
Does it mean that the church’s understanding of Scripture needs to change?
Does it mean that how we worship needs to change?
Or does it mean that the church needs to have a better structure of governance?
Now, you might answer all those questions with, “Yes, amen.”
You see, many churches think they aren’t effective because:
- The music isn’t good enough. “We need to be more contemporary.”
- Or it’s about how the church is governed. “We’d prefer to be elder-ruled rather than congregational.”
- Or it’s this: “We just need a charismatic preacher. That must be it.”
However, it’s none of those things.
Let me ask you a question:
Does God care more about you simply knowing the truth—or being transformed by the truth?
Transformed, of course.
Does He care more about the style of music or the lyrics that are contained therein?
Of course, it’s the theological substance.
Does He care more about a message that temporarily motivates—or truth that transforms?
It’s the truth that transforms.
You see, the issue is not always changing to adapt to new norms or new style preferences.
It’s all about the heart being transformed as the Spirit applies that very truth.
You know, we can have all the right teachings, worship styles, and government structures, but still be accused of what’s been called dead orthodoxy.
In other words, all that is right and good can remain in our minds, but never transform our hearts and lives.
May that never be.
Always reforming is always being changed by the truth.
It’s a commitment to the authority of God’s Word.
It’s a heart that moves from complacency to courage, from indifference to action, from death to life.
This is what’s vital in our day.
We care not just about doctrine, but about how that doctrine changes our lives.
As Paul said to young Timothy:
“Watch two things: your life and your doctrine.”
You see, we might think we believe what is true—but for some reason, we are left without transformation.
- It sits in the waiting room, waiting to be called, but never is.
- It sits on a bookshelf collecting dust.
- We know it’s always there—but we never pick it up.
Let’s pick up God’s Word together as we allow it to richly dwell within us—so it’s never second place, but always treasured.
Why?
- Because the truth helps us to see Christ.
- It helps us fix our eyes on that which is pure and holy.
- It keeps us from being distracted by vain things and self-glory.
- IIt’s the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
All of Christ for all of life.
It’s not Sunday morning Christianity—but Monday morning all the way to Friday night.
It’s weekends. It’s holidays. It’s intense suffering and pleasures forevermore.
Big Idea:
The reward for reformation is the transformation of the whole person into the likeness of Christ.
Is that not the greatest reward you could ever receive?
I. Reformation in Life: The Promise of the Lord’s Rescue
2 Timothy 3:10–13
“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Let me ask you a question.
Is there someone on social media that you enjoy following? It could be a Christian leader, a political one—and you find yourself hanging on every word that proceeds from their mouth.
Now, is that a bad thing? I would say that depends on who we’re talking about.
Is it the substance of the speech—or is it just the way in which they speak?
You see, many garner a following for their ability to simply draw people through charisma.
But it’s quite another thing when you consider the substance.
We think of someone like Voddie Baucham. He had quite a following—particularly among young people. So the question is: How did he do it? And was he worth following?
Certainly, he was shaped by his core convictions. He saw the need in the church to be reformed—to return to the truth—with great zeal and passion for the next generation.
He poured his heart out to that end.
- He was unwavering in his commitment to advancing the gospel.
- He went to the front lines, engaging the culture.
- He provided hope to many—not just political hope—but hope through the transforming power of the person and work of Christ.
You see, Timothy was there.
When Paul faced all this persecution, he was watching. Looking. Asking: Is this guy really legit?
As a fearless leader, how would Paul respond in the face of difficulty?
It’s real easy to cave at the first sign of hardship—and we know this is true because Jesus talked about it.
He said there would be some who look like believers. However, as soon as the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches overwhelm them, they would be quick to abandon the faith.
But there’s another kind—the kind that hears the Word and bears much fruit—because it’s planted on good soil. It’s the soil of the heart made receptive by the Word and the power of the Spirit.
So when we consider these verses, should we assume that Paul is being boastful?
“Look at me! Look how I haven’t given up. Look how loyal, patient, and loving I’ve been to the Lord.”
No, that’s not what he’s trying to do here.
As we have seen many times over in the New Testament, the emphasis is:
“Follow me as I follow Christ.”
If Paul ceased even for a moment to follow Christ, he would probably be the first to say, “Stop. Don’t follow me.”
Many follow the desires of the flesh, the cares of the world, and the deceitful schemes of Satan planted in their hearts.
But there was something different about Paul’s life.
Timothy must have been in awe.
Remember, in the list of cities, the one mentioned—Lystra—was his hometown.
In Acts 14:19, we read that the Jews persuaded the crowds to do some terrible things to Paul.
What did they do?
- They stoned him.
- They dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
This force came upon the mob—none other than the spiritual forces of wickedness.
Have you ever noticed how crowds act a little differently when they’re together?
Few people—apart from the lone-wolf assassin—are willing to do bad things all by themselves.
But when they are gathered, it only takes one to stir up violence.
Earlier, it was a crippled man whom Paul had boldly declared, “Stand up and walk.” And he did.
Did the people give glory to God?
No, of course not.
They assumed Paul was a god—that he was Hermes, and Barnabas was Zeus.
They wanted to worship them.
But Paul and Barnabas refused. In Acts 14, they pleaded with the crowd:
“Turn from these vain things and serve the living God.”
Paul would not be worshipped—and the people didn’t like that.
They took offense. And as a result, some were easily persuaded by the Jews to take action.
Not everyone. Some were fully convinced to follow the living God—to turn from vain worship of gods and serve the Lord.
Timothy was there to observe this man of God, Paul.
He knew Paul was the real deal.
Paul was someone he could follow.
With all that Paul experienced, he knew there was a reward.
And what was that reward?
The promise of the Lord’s rescue.
Now—was that deliverance from suffering and persecution?
Was that the Lord saying, “Don’t worry, Paul. I’ll make your life easier and more comfortable”?
Surely not.
Paul knew that his life could be taken from him at any moment.
And the question he asked and answered was:
“Is it worth it?”
Because Christ was worth suffering for, worth following, and worth dying for.
Paul demonstrated that he believed this truth was more than just in his mind—it was a truth that transformed his entire life.
It was Paul’s aim in life—not selfish gain—but the glory of God in the face of Christ.
It was his unwavering commitment to the end.
It was Paul’s heart cleaving to the Lord, knowing that nothing could separate him from the love of God—neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither an angry mob nor spiritual forces of wickedness.
Paul possessed a power that was not his own.
It’s clear that the Lord did deliver him in that moment, from that suffering.
When everyone thought Paul was left for dead—he lived on.
Nothing is more powerful than witnessing someone who counts not their life as dear to their own.
When someone dies for a cause, everyone notices.
“Hey, what was that guy like? Why did he die for that?”
When Charlie Kirk died, millions were shocked.
Many were stirred to consider the faith once delivered to the saints.
Many are returning to the faith.
And surely, if you could ask Charlie Kirk whether it was worth it to die for that cause, he would say:
“Yes, absolutely. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
II. Reformation of the Mind: Continuous Growth in the Knowledge of Christ
2 Timothy 3:14–15
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Two things are important here:
- Holding fast to what is true, and
- Remembering who it is that taught you.
First, it’s the vital practice: coming back to the truth.
Why? Because we easily forget it.
We are distracted by so many lies and deceit that we always have to actively be pursuing Christ—pursuing the truth of Christ.
Consider young Timothy. God’s grace was evident in his life, even from a young age.
In fact, that word for childhood is better translated as infant.
Wait a minute, Pastor—infants have no capacity for learning?
Well, I would argue that an infant surely learns a mother’s love and affection.
It’s in those very early years that so much is formed, and it’s why—as Christian parents—we must not forget how significant it is to pour God’s Word into the hearts of our children at a very young age.
We must not fall into the mindset that a child’s spiritual formation is the job of the church.
“Oh, I’ll just take him to Sunday school. That’s where they can learn about Jesus.”
That’s a mistake we make as parents—because we feel ill-equipped for this all-important task.
The Bible contains a wealth of information and spiritual knowledge.
How could I ever reform their minds?
Well, of course—it begins with the basics.
It starts with the assumptions of God’s Word.
What do we believe about it?
- First and foremost: we know that God’s Word is God-breathed.
- We know that our worldview is either shaped by God’s Word—or by the world.
- And what better way to shape the mind of a child than to pour God’s Word over their mind?
The wonderful thing about Scripture is that even a child can understand the most important parts.
- We can look at all of creation and clearly explain: “Creator.”
- We can look at all the evil in the world and explain: “That’s the result of sin.”
- We can look at all the evil in our hearts and know how deep the corruption runs.
- And of course, we can look at a loving and merciful—and yet holy and just—God and explain: “That’s why He sent us a Savior.”
You might ask: How did young Timothy become acquainted with the Scriptures?
It was the influence of both his mother and his grandmother.
The power of godly women in the lives of children must never be underestimated.
If you’re a mother or grandmother, you are uniquely positioned to invest in your children and grandchildren with the Word of God.
Don’t forget that.
God’s Word never returns void.
Don’t forget that God will use His Word to powerfully impact your children.
Don’t think the Bible is too hard to understand—or that someone else will do a better job at it than you.
God has called you to it.
And you know what?
When God calls us to do something, guess what He always does also?
He supplies the grace and the power to accomplish that task.
Obviously, as Paul was writing this letter, the New Testament had not yet fully formed.
So he’s clearly referring to what?
To the writings of the Old Testament.
To the Law and the Prophets.
To all the prophecies that point forward to the coming Messiah.
But we could also understand the sacred writings to be equivalent to the Law of Moses.
What was the law that was given?
Of course—the Ten Commandments.
Let me ask you—when was the last time you read the Top Ten?
What is the purpose of God’s law?
Well, Galatians 3:24 tells us:
“The law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we might be justified by faith.”
That’s an interesting question.
How can the law of God, the Ten Commandments, be a tutor or schoolmaster?
Consider what a teacher does:
He shows us something that might not be plain if we tried to learn it on our own.
We need teachers in our lives.
But most importantly—we need the Holy Spirit, who is able to help us understand the purpose of the law: to show us our need for Christ.
Without the law, we’re just good people.
“I don’t need Jesus. I have morality. I have a good life. I treat people fairly. I’ve never committed murder or adultery.”
But Jesus takes a whole different twist on that concept.
He says:
- “If you’ve ever hated someone in your heart—you’ve committed murder.”
- “If you’ve ever lusted for someone in your heart—you’ve committed adultery.”
Let me ask you: Is there anyone who has ever lived who has never hated or lusted?
Of course not.
So by that standard—we’re all guilty.
We’re all hopeless to save ourselves on the day of judgment.
That’s why we need to teach our children to be acquainted with the law of God.
Why?
So that they can see:
- How deep sin is in their own life.
- How desperate they are for Jesus—not only for salvation, but for their whole lives.
The world teaches that everyone is good.
That all people are God’s children.
But it’s not true.
The Bible says:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
“Apart from Christ, all are storing up wrath from a holy God.”
This is how the law of God makes us wise unto salvation.
It doesn’t just happen.
We don’t just wake up one day and see we need Jesus.
There’s a work of the Spirit in the soul.
The Spirit does a supernatural miracle—awakening lost people to the knowledge that they have sinned against God.
That this great salvation has come through faith.
It comes as the Holy Spirit brings new life into that heart.
Spiritual eyes open.
Faith arises.
But that faith doesn’t come from soul-searching or discovery of secret knowledge.
It comes as a gift, received wholeheartedly.
Why?
Because that person has been effectually called.
In other words, when the Spirit brings new life—His operation within the soul—the only response is faith.
And the only response from faith is repentance.
It’s the joy of salvation to all who believe, to all who trust in the person and work of Christ according to the Scriptures.
You see, the wisdom of God is not like the wisdom of man.
If it were up to man, salvation would be:
- An arduous journey,
- Personal reflection,
- Religious effort,
- Self-flagellation,
- Constant fear.
“Will I please God?”
“Am I going to heaven?”
“Have I done enough good works?”
It’s constant fear. Constant dread. Constant worry.
It’s every religious system except Christianity.
This whole idea of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Scriptures alone—no way.
“Surely I have something to contribute. Surely I have some goodness. Surely it can’t be Christ alone that saves me.”
And yet, that’s exactly what the Bible teaches.
That is how God uses the first use of the law—so we can look into the mirror of our hearts and only see corruption.
That by grace alone—being the hardest thing for an unbeliever to understand—that they have sinned.
“How can it be?”
We’d certainly admit that no one is perfect and that we’re always trying to be better.
But to confess, “Lord, I’m dead in my sin. Unable to awaken myself.”
That’s a radical statement.
III. Reformation of the Heart: Readiness for Every Good Work
2 Timothy 3:16–17
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
How do we know that God’s Word is actually inspired by Him?
That it’s without error in the original writings and manuscripts?
Because God says so.
Oh Pastor, I was hoping you’d have a deeper explanation for how we know God’s Word is true.
You see, many would argue: “That’s circular reasoning! You can’t declare something to be true just because you said it is.”
But guess what?
We’re not God.
And all of creation, the Bible says in Romans 1, is without excuse.
No one is going to stand before God on Judgment Day and say, “I never knew You existed.”
Of course they did.
They suppressed the knowledge of the truth, because they believed the lie.
That’s what our sin nature demands.
That’s what self-glorification is all about.
“I don’t want God telling me what to do. I’m going to live my life how I want to live it.”
My only question is:
How has that worked out for you?
“Actually, quite well, Pastor. I’ve had a good life. I live according to the golden rule.”
That’s all well and good—but life is very short. Eternity is very long.
And I would plead with you:
Today is the day of salvation.
Put it off no longer.
Come to Christ.
Ask Him for faith to believe.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding concerning your own sin.
Here’s the deal: God breathed out His Word.
He didn’t whisper it into someone’s ear for dictation.
“Sit down, write this: line one…”
No—2 Peter 1:21 says:
“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Carried along—what does that mean?
Picture a ship moved by the wind.
This describes the Holy Spirit operating through the Old Testament prophets and New Testament writers.
They didn’t lose control of their senses.
They were carried along by the Spirit—God breathed out His Word through them.
And because God’s Word is inspired, we can trust it.
In fact, it’s the only written text in the world that deserves our complete trust and acceptance.
Why?
Because God’s Word is true—and all men are liars.
That’s the only safe way to stay in the truth, grow in the truth, and be transformed by the truth.
The Word of God in Our Lives
Because it can be trusted, the Word of God has several functions in our lives.
We already mentioned one: it corrects us.
Have you ever had a temptation come along, and then:
- You open God’s Word?
- Or the Spirit brings Scripture to your mind exactly when you needed it?
There’s great power in that.
God uses His Word to transform us by His Spirit.
The Lord is constantly:
- Correcting us
- Keeping us
- Bringing us back
- Showing us just how damaging our sin is
If we didn’t have God’s Word—we would be in constant sin and error.
We wouldn’t know which way to go.
But God is faithful:
- To keep us all the way until that day
- To set our course in the right direction
- To train us
- To teach us
- To equip us
Why?
So that we would be ready for every good work that He has prepared for us.
Our Calling in the Kingdom
The reward for reformation in the heart is this:
A readiness for every good work from Christ.
That means each of us has been assigned certain duties in this life—as ambassadors for the Kingdom.
For the stay-at-home moms:
- He’s assigned you to train your children in the ways of the Lord.
- You’ve been called to the role of mother or grandmother.
- It’s not by accident.
- Harness the power of God and pour it over your children.
If God has called you to the workplace:
- Work hard as unto the Lord—not unto man.
- Don’t be a men-pleaser—serve Christ.
If He’s called you into retirement:
- You’ve been given the charge to invest in the next generation.
- Train them up.
- Pour out your heart.
- Carry that torch.
This is hard work—but also know this:
It’s not a work you have to come up with.
It comes from Christ.
God is forming Christ in you so that you would be ready for every good work He has for you.
It’s hard to be effective for the Kingdom when we’re mired in sin and error.
The more deceit that comes into our lives, the harder it is to get out.
That’s why we’re strongly convinced of the ordinary means of grace:
- The power of God’s Word as it goes forth
- The ordinances: baptism and communion
- The power of prayer
- Our gathering and singing together
God breathed out His Word so that we would know Christ.
That His Word would always be reforming us.
That’s the power of God:
- Unto salvation
- Unto sanctification
- Unto glorification
Let’s never minimize that.
Let’s never put any creed or confession above God’s Word.
As John Stott said:
“Let the Word of God make you a man of God.”
That’s the transformation of the heart that God is interested in.
We can have:
- All the right doctrines
- Everything written down
- Pleasant worship
- Proper governance
But still be dead.
We must let the Word of Christ richly dwell within us, that we would be vibrant and active in the faith.
So that when people walk into our assembly, they say:
“Surely the Lord is in this place.”
And this is only by grace.
Conclusion: The Whole Person Transformed
This is the reward of reformation:
- The promise of the Lord’s rescue
- The continuous growth in the knowledge of Christ
- The readiness for every good work
Truly, the reward for reformation is the transformation of our whole person into the likeness of Christ.
And guess what that reformation does?
- It impacts our homes—we take part in family worship.
- It impacts our workplaces—we work diligently and with purpose.
- It impacts our whole being—our thinking, our living, our acting.
We need all of Christ for all of life.
Closing Challenge: Is It Worth It?
As we close, we now have the opportunity to consider the rewards of a reformed life.
We have to answer the question:
Is it worth it?
Is it worth it to suffer for Christ?
Is it worth it to give up comfort and pleasure?
It’s simple—but not simplistic.
The battle rages on.
As Paul said, evil people are going from bad to worse.
The breach between light and darkness is getting wider.
So I ask you:
- Will you stand?
- Will you fight?
- Will you be willing to suffer and die for the cause of Christ?
Many have.
May we all say with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Let’s be unashamed of the gospel—for it is the power of God unto salvation.
Application and Prayer
So in application, I would just encourage you:
- Look to Christ.
- Ask Him to transform your heart and life.
- Ask Him to give you power from on high.
- Ask Him to equip you for every good work.
- Ask Him to keep reforming you.
Cry out:
Semper Reformanda.
Let’s go to Jesus.
Let’s confess our need for Him and Him alone.
Prayer
Lord, we come now to confess our need of You.
To confess that we have wandered.
That we’ve gone our own way.
That we’ve pursued vain things and self-glory.
We confess how weak we are.
We need Your grace to strengthen us.
We need Your Spirit to renew our minds,
To prove that which is good and acceptable in Your sight.
As we offer our bodies—a living sacrifice—as You tell us in Romans 12.
Lord, help us to keep on fighting,
To keep on enduring,
To keep on knowing that You are coming
And You will make all things right.
That You’ll deliver us from these bodies of death.
That You will change us in a moment—in the twinkling of an eye.
That the dead in Christ will be raised first,
And then we shall behold You and walk with You.Unbroken fellowship. No more sin or sorrow or tears or pain.
But until that day, Lord, help us to keep looking to You.
Because we have no power of our own.
We have no wisdom of our own.
We have no strength of our own.
We need You, Lord.
We need You every hour.
We thank You for it, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Confession Reading
Before we stand, I want to read from the confession, because I think it summarizes really well what we just talked about:
“The authority of the Holy Scriptures obligates belief in them. This authority does not depend on the testimony of any person or church, but on God—He is the author alone, who is truth itself. Therefore, the Scriptures are to be received because they are the Word of God.”
Let’s stand and sing that we have God’s Word—not man’s.
Praise the Lord.
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