1 Timothy, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

In 1 Tim 3:14-16 we get to the heart of Paul’s letter to Timothy. The entire letter radiates out from the truth contained in this section. Here we see, more clearly and dramatically than anywhere else, what is at stake in Ephesus – and for us in our great city of Seattle. Paul clarifies that he is not merely going for a change of behavior within the church, but a realignment of the church around truth itself – after all it is the pillar and buttress of the truth.

Church Polity, 1 Timothy, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 we see that one of the most significant areas within the Ephesian church that needed to be addressed was the leadership, in particular, pastoral leadership. There was apparently much confusion around pastoral leadership: What is a pastor? What are the qualifications? What should they be primarily concerned with? This is particularly important as Jesus came into world to live, die and rise in order to create the church (Mt 16:18). Revelation tells us that all of human history is marching toward the day when the church will be presented to Jesus as is bride. Therefore, the matter of who leads the church in the interim is of great importance. It is not an exaggeration to say that the health of every local church depends on quality, faithfulness and teaching of its pastors.

Church Polity, 1 Timothy, Media, Sermons | by Pastor David Parker

Today we’re looking at the topic of Deacons. Jesus cares deeply about his church, and because of that, He’s given qualifications for leaders so that they can faithfully love and serve the church, as the church has been loved and served by Christ. This morning we’re going to answer 5 Questions: Why is church leadership important? How did we get Deacons? What are the qualifications for Deacons? What do they do? And why be a Deacon?

Church Polity, Manhood & Womanhood, 1 Timothy, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Today we’re going to unpack 1 Timothy 2:11-15. This is one of the most debated sections of all of the Apostle Paul’s writings – even New Testament. Quite literally, the interpretation of every word is debated. But, the good news is that you don’t have to be a New Testament scholar to understand what’s here. Yes, we must pray earnestly, we must think deeply, we must carefully search the Scripture, but in the end, the plain meaning of the text is the plain meaning of the text. This section, in particular, has significant implications on how we understand manhood, womanhood and ministry. For us, as a newly forming church, it is crucial to grasp and apply what God has here. If we love what God loves, want to be what God wants us to be, we must humbly seek to understand God’s design for men, women and the leadership of his people.

1 Timothy, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Amidst the mess in Ephesus, the men were not functioning as spiritual leaders, passionately and prayerfully leading out, and the women were using the local church gatherings as immodest fashion shows to flaunt their wealth and bodies. For obvious reasons, these issues were distracting and disrupting the life of the church from matters of central importance. Paul calls angry men and immodest women alike to be transformed by the gospel.

1 Timothy, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Many argue that First Timothy is primarily about church order, governance and structure. That is unfortunate. Church order, governance and structure are certainly addressed, but are not Paul’s driving concern. His driving concern for Timothy, the church(es) in Ephesus and us is that we get the gospel right. The context of this section (2:1-7) is prayer, but the content is salvation. A right understanding of the one mediator between God and men, compels us to be mediators before God for men.

Community, 1 Timothy, City Life, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

If there was one critical element that I would add, and should have added, to the sermon this last Sunday, on 1 Tim 1:18-20, it would be that we are not alone in “waging the good warfare”. I am writing to reinforce that point as it would be incorrect, even harmful, to walk away from a message on “fighting the good fight” thinking that this is something that we do on our own or something we must muster up our own resources to fight or a war in which Jesus is on the sidelines waiting to see if we’ll make it or not.

Perseverance, 1 Timothy, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Since God is the most precious reality in the universe, it is crucial that we get him right and not merely rely on our own personal preferences, hunches about who He is and what He is like. Everything is on the line if we God – and his Gospel – wrong. This is just as true today as it was 2,000 years ago when this letter was originally written which, of course, is why we’re studying it together. In light of all this, it is not surprising that Paul chooses to close his introduction by emphasizing that the Christian life is a battle and encourages us to “wage the good warfare.” (1:18) The word “good” means “noble” or “excellent”. In other words, Paul is saying that this is most important war you can fight.

1 Timothy, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

The Apostle Paul is deeply concerned about the health of the church(es) in Ephesus as it were in danger of wandering from the gospel of Jesus Christ and, instead, turning to self-made ideas about God. Self-made ideas of God are not only useless, they are destructive. We might think, “Oh, well, we’re beyond that today.” The truth, however, is that we are not. Paul’s main goal in this short section is to illustrate the true nature of Jesus’ gospel by sharing his own story of conversion.

1 Timothy, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We are on the very front end of a new sermon series through one of the Apostle Paul’s letters to his close friend, disciple and gospel-parter, Timothy. Today, this letter is known as First Timothy. In fact, this letter is one of three letters (also 2 Timothy and Titus) that are referred to as the pastoral epistles (or letters) in which Paul urges Timothy and Titus to fulfill their responsibilities as pastors over God’s people.