Because I Love Thee

Lesson 1: Thankfulness

Pastor Steve Abney

February 15, 2023

What does it mean to be a servant of Jesus? Also, why do we serve Him? These two questions are some of the most asked when someone approaches the subject of Christianity.
The Bible has a great deal to say about being a servant, or what is called servanthood because the theme of the entire Bible is about Jesus being the greatest servant of God. Let’s read what the Bible has to say about Jesus being a servant.

Mark 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to

, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Also, the Bible plainly tells us that we are saved and have become the servants of God. We have a command that we should serve one-another.

Mark 9:35
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

When we give Jesus His rightful place in our lives, His lordship of our lives will be shown unto others in the way we serve. It will not just look as if we “have to” serve, but we would desire to serve, and do it with a loving heart.

We serve others because we serve Christ, and we serve Christ best when we serve others. We are at no other time in our Christian walk greater than when we serve one another. This is a model that Jesus put toward us, and one of the greatest scriptures that point us to servanthood is found here:

Philippians 2:6-7
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of

, and took upon him the form of a

, and was made in the likeness of men:

This study is intended to appreciate our position of serving the Lord and one another. One man has said, “Rank is given unto you so that you may better serve the person beneath you.”
We will explore the First Book of Timothy throughout this study. Spending time together understanding how Paul poured into a young preacher/pastor named Timothy.
One thing I would love for you to think about is an old song that came to my mind as I was studying 1 Timothy. It’s words go like this:

I will serve thee, because I love thee.
You have given life to me.
I was nothing until you found me.
You have given live to me.
Heartaches, broken pieces,
Ruined lives are why you died on Calvary.
Your touch is what I longed for
You have given life to me.

INTRODUCTION
Let us examine a little history of this book before we start.
The Apostle Paul wrote this book approximately around

AD (probably after Paul’s first time in prison). The purpose of this book was to encourage Timothy. He was Paul’s young assistant or right-hand man. Paul would encourage Timothy in this book to be a Godly

, to

his spiritual gifts, and to give

in pastoral ministry.

While this book was written to Timothy, it still applies to each of us today! The themes throughout this book are

,

and

to a young believer and pastor.

God will give us examples of people in the role of servants, including you and I. He discusses Paul and Timothy’s role as

, the role of

, and

in the the role of servant ministry.
The goal of this study is to breakdown certain conducts and characteristics about servanthood and learn how to apply them within our Christian lives today.

THANKFUL

Thankful is defined as an expression of gratitude or relief. Learning how to be thankful in serving God is quite simple when you study the scriptures. For instance look at this area of scripture and how it teaches us of thankfulness.

Psalms 136:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Here we have two reasons to be thankful: God’s constant goodness and His steadfast mercy. When we recognize the nature of our depravity and understand that, apart from God, there is only death, our natural response is to be grateful for the life He gives unto us as believers.

WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR

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1 Timothy 1:1-2
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul refers to Timothy as his “

”.

Paul says that he desires

,

and

from God and His Son Jesus Christ to be upon Timothy.

WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR

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1 Timothy 1:3-7
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

We should pray earnestly for the pastors and teachers who hold to sound doctrine. Because there are some, as Paul tells Timothy here, that do not teach the truth. Even some who have started out teaching the truth, but then have “

” and “

”.

He says that some will emphasize non-

rather than real

. Today we see this type of teaching and preaching more and more. As worship within the church becomes more centered upon

, we will see it grow even greater.

Paul says that this will cause

and

instead of building character and strength.

Remember, when the Word of God is preached and

it brings an overwhelming amount life and thankfulness into the House of God.

1 Timothy 1:8-11
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Did you read that? “We know that the law is good,

”. Paul tells

The Word of God was given to

and

any person or thing that is

to sound doctrine.

WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR THE

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1 Timothy 1:12-17
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul reflects upon his calling into the ministry and shares with us some very

things. He is very

about being in the ministry of teaching and preaching the Word.

First, he says that he is not worthy of this calling, but

. He says, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath

me…” The word for enabled in the Greek language is “
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” which means, to be strengthened, or to become strengthened by someone or something.

John 15:5
I am the

, ye are the

: He that

in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for

ye can do

.

Second, Paul says that he is thankful for his life in Christ, even through the trials and storms that will come. Paul was going to be an example of the

of God.

1 Timothy 1:16
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all

, for a

to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Paul says that there is only one

,

,

and

God, and that all honor and glory belong to Him forever and ever.

WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR THE

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1 Timothy 1:18-20
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Paul was telling Timothy to fulfill your high

, not only as a

, but as a

. Some of you may believe that you are not a minister, but

of the body of Christ is a minister.

Paul encourages Timothy in two areas. First in good

and second in the good

of faith.

IN ORDER TO REALIZE THE

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OF THE ANCHOR, WE NEED TO FEEL THE STRESS OF THE STORM —Corrie Ten Boom

REFLECT

Are there people or mentors in your life that you are thankful for? How have you shown and prayed for them?
How important is the Word of God and correct doctrine in your life?
How would you describe your life before coming to know Christ Jesus as Lord? Are you transparent in your testimony of salvation?
Do you know what your calling of the Lord is, and if so, how are you being obedient in His call?
What has the trial(s) taught you about thankfulness?