First Thessalonians 1:1 – 8 …
What God’s people had!!
Introduction …
Estimated Date of writing of Thessalonians is 50-60 A.D. (Some believe that First Thessalonians was the first book written in the First Century church. “Thessalonica was the capital of the The establishment of the church is recorded in Ac 17:1-9. On his second missionary journey, Paul and his companions (Silas and Timothy) had just left People with Paul when he writes the book of First Thessalonians these individuals were familiar to the church … Silvanus--a "chief man among the brethren" (Acts 15:22 Paul writes to the church of Thessalonians
Key verse is # 3 …
The Amplified Bible reads … “Recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith and service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).”
The New Living Translation reads …”We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”
I. Work of faith
Hebrews 11: 1 … “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV) Greatness act of faith is found in … John 6:27-29 - The “Work” of Faith… Salvation Not lip service to God Doing something that is seen and realized. “He summed it up himself in verse 9. There he recognized that the Thessalonians had "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God." That is faith at work. Faith is not merely belief; faith works. It has the power to change. Faith enables us to turn from what is wrong to what is right, from dark and hurtful things to bright and helpful things, from the worship of idols to the worship of God”[3]II. Labor of love
What leads you serve God … Love or Fear? Toil (To labor continuously; work strenuously) for others caused by love for them and for Christ 1Co 13:7 – “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (NLT)III. Patience of hope
Patient endurance of toil (To proceed with difficulty), hardship and persecution through a hope in Christ. Romans 15:4 … “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises” (NLT)