Semper Reformanda

INTRODUCTION

We are beginning a new series for the month of October

I’m calling it “Semper Reformanda”

That is a Latin phrase that emerged during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries

This phrase was popularized by the Reformer Jodocus Van Lodenstein in 1674

This phrase builds on the Reformation’s core principles

The Reformers saw the church as having drifted from biblical purity (e.g., through corruption, traditions, overriding Scripture, or works-based salvation)

They “reformed” it by going back to the Bible

That occurred on October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian, nailed his 95 Thesis to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany

Luther criticized the Catholic church’s teaching and practice of selling indulgences for the forgiveness of sin

Even though they ended up reforming the church, they didn’t think the job was done—hence “semper reformanda”

Martin Luther constantly challenged complacency, and John Calvin stressed the church’s need for ongoing renewal under God’s Word

What does “semper reformanda” mean?

This Latin phrase means “aways being reformed”

The full expression is “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda,” which translates to “The church reformed, always being reformed”)

Burk Parsons tells us that…

Tabletalk Magazine, November 2014: Semper Reformanda: What It Really Means Coram Deo—Before the Face of God: The True Reformers

Semper reformanda has been hijacked. It is one of the more abused, misused, and misunderstood slogans of our day. Progressives have captured and mutilated the seventeenth-century motto and have demanded that our theology, our churches, and our confessions be always changing in order to conform to our ever-changing culture. However, semper reformanda doesn’t mean what they think it means.

Semper reformanda doesn’t mean “always changing,” “always morphing,” or even “always reforming.” Rather,

R.C. Sproul said, “The Reformation principle of semper reformanda means the church is always in need of reformation. Not because God’s Word changes, but because we do.” (From Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification, 1995).

Some have said we need a new reformation but that’s what semper reformanda is talking about

Semper reformanda calls the church to keep checking itself against Scripture

Is our worship truly God-centered?

Are we upholding the solas?

Semper reformanda encourages self-examination, repentance, and adaptation—without changing the unchanging truths of the Bible

It’s not a license to reinvent everything willy-nilly (like chasing trends)

It’s about being reformed by God’s Word and Spirit—always progressing toward greater faithfulness, holiness, and gospel-centered living

While the phrase itself isn’t in the Bible, it echoes verses like:

Proverbs 4:18, “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” (ongoing growth)

2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (continual transformation by the Spirit)

Semper reformanda is a rallying cry for humility and vigilance in the faith

In order to be “always reforming” according to the Word of God, we must start right here

We must start with…

A Return to the Bible

That means we must go back and…

Reaffirm the Authority of Scripture

The church must uphold the Bible as the ultimate authority, above tradition, culture, or opinion

Charles Spurgeon said, “The Scripture alone is absolute truth, authoritative truth, undiluted truth, eternal, everlasting truth.”

Remember what Martin Luther said after he was told to recant? “My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other.” (Diet of Worms, 1521).

2 Timothy 3:16-17; Mark 7:8; Acts 17:11

We believe Scripture, never neglect Scripture, and examine everything by Scripture

Prioritize Biblical Preaching

Faithful, expository preaching and application of Scripture should take precedence over entertainment or programs

2 Timothy 4:2; Nehemiah 8:8; 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

We preach Scripture, explain Scripture, and proclaim Scripture

Embrace Scripture’s Sufficiency

The church must trust the Bible for all life and godliness, rejecting additions or subtractions to its truth

2 Peter 1:3; Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19

John Owen said, “If private revelations agree with Scripture, they are needless; if they disagree, they are false.”

Practice Discernment

Teachings, traditions, and cultural trends must be evaluated and abandoned if they contradict Scripture

Charles Spurgeon said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; 1 John 4:1; Colossians 2:8

Encourage Repentance and Obedience

The church must call for genuine repentance, discipleship, and transformation over outward religiosity

James 1:22; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 6:46

Restore Biblical Revival

Ministry, worship, and community life must be grounded in God’s Word and the gospel of Christ

Psalm 119:25; Acts 2:42; Romans 1:16

We must return to the Bible. We also must…

A Return to God-Centered Worship

a. Reaffirm God as the Focus of Worship

The church must ensure that worship glorifies God’s holiness, majesty, and character, rather than entertaining or catering to human preferences

A.W. Tozer said, “Worship is to feel in the heart and express in some appropriate manner a humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe and astonished wonder.” (The Purpose of Man, 1961).

Psalm 29:2; John 4:24

b. Ground Worship in the Word of God

Worship must be rooted in Scripture, with songs, prayers, and teachings reflecting biblical truth.

Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2

c. Emphasize Reverence and Awe

Worship should inspire a deep respect for God’s holiness and foster humble submission.

Hebrews 12:28-29; Ecclesiastes 5:1

d. Cultivate Congregational Participation

God-centered worship involves the active participation of the congregation, emphasizing God’s glory rather than passive observation.

Ephesians 5:19-20; 1 Corinthians 14:26

e. Reject Consumerism and Entertainment

The church must resist making worship about entertainment or catering to preferences, focusing instead on glorifying God.

Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 22:37

f. Restore the Gospel’s Centrality

The message of Christ’s finished work on the cross must be the foundation of worship, drawing people to celebrate God’s grace and salvation.

1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 6:14

g. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s Leadership

God-centered worship requires the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit to glorify God and transform lives.

John 16:13-14; Philippians 3:3

A return to the Bible and God-centered worship. Third, we must…

A Return to the Core Teachings of the Reformation

Martin Luther said, “If the doctrine of justification is lost, the whole of Christian doctrine is lost.” (Lectures on Galatians, 1535).

a. Reaffirm Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

The church must recognize the Bible as the ultimate and sole authority for faith and practice, standing above tradition, human opinions, or cultural trends.

2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 4:4

b. Embrace Sola Fide (Faith Alone)

Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works, merit, or human effort. The church must proclaim this truth clearly and reject any teachings of works-based righteousness.

Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16

c. Proclaim Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)

The church must teach that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, entirely unearned and undeserved, emphasizing God’s sovereign act of saving sinners.

Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

d. Exalt Solus Christus (Christ Alone)

Christ must be the sole mediator between God and humanity. The church must reject any system or person that diminishes the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work.

1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6

e. Glorify God Alone (Soli Deo Gloria)

The church must ensure that all aspects of life and worship are focused on glorifying God, not man. This includes rejecting self-centered worship or ministry.

1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 11:36

f. Preach Justification by Faith

Central to the Reformation is the doctrine of justification, where sinners are declared righteous before God through faith in Christ. The church must return to this foundational gospel truth.

Romans 5:1; Philippians 3:9

g. Defend the Priesthood of All Believers

The church must teach that all believers have direct access to God through Christ, without the need for intermediaries, and encourage every Christian to grow in their understanding of Scripture.

1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 4:16

We must return to the Bible, God-centered worship, and last…

A Return to the Transformative Power of the Gospel in Everyday Life

a. Emphasize the Gospel as the Foundation for Daily Living

The church must teach that the gospel is not only the means of salvation but also the framework for how believers live every day, shaping their values, decisions, and relationships.

Colossians 2:6-7; Galatians 2:20

b. Teach the Call to Holiness and Repentance

John Calvin said, “It is faith alone that justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone.” (Institutes, III.11.20).

The gospel calls believers to ongoing repentance and a life of holiness, empowered by God’s grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit. The church must encourage continual growth in Christlikeness.

Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16

c. Equip Believers to Demonstrate Gospel-Centered Love

The church must remind believers that loving God and others is the central expression of the gospel in daily life, urging them to show compassion, forgiveness, and sacrificial love.

John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-8

d. Encourage Gospel-Driven Work and Service

The church must teach that work, family responsibilities, and acts of service are opportunities for believers to glorify God and reflect the gospel in action.

Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 5:16

e. Promote Dependence on the Holy Spirit

The transformative power of the gospel is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit. The church must emphasize prayer, surrender, and reliance on the Spirit’s guidance and strength.

Galatians 5:22-25; Romans 8:9-11

f. Strengthen Gospel Witness in the World

The church must equip believers to live as ambassadors for Christ, sharing the gospel through their words and actions, and being a light in a dark world.

2 Corinthians 5:20; Matthew 28:19-20

g. Cultivate a Community of Accountability and Encouragement

The church must foster a culture where believers support one another in living out the gospel, holding each other accountable and encouraging growth in faith.

Hebrews 10:24-25; James 5:16

CONCLUSION

Are you “always being reformed”?

Have you personally embraced these truths?

As a church that is always being reformed we have to constantly…

Return to the Bible

Return to God-centered worship

Return to the core teachings of the Reformation

Return to the transformative power of the Gospel in everyday life

R.C. Sproul said, “Reformation is not a one-time event in history. It is a continuous call to the church to be reformed by the Word of God.” (from Tabletalk, 1994).

Theodore Beza (1519-1605) - Calvin’s Successor said, "The church must ever be reforming itself, not by human invention, but by returning ever anew to the pure Word of God, lest it fall into the errors of the past."

We don’t want to do that

Do you know Jesus this morning?

Does He know you?

You can personally know Him this morning by recognizing what the Bible says about Him

He is Lord!

Philippians 2:8–12 says, “8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

Once you recognize Him as Lord, you confess Him as Lord

Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”

You confess and believe

Third, you repent

Matthew 3:8 says, “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance”

In the words of Peter in Acts 2:40, “…Be saved from this perverse generation!”

Let’s pray