1. Faith, Hope and Love: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 Thessalonica

2. Modern day Thessaloniki Located at the conjunction of two major highways – including the Ignatia Way. Became capitol of Macedonia in 146 B.C. Predominantly Greek, with large Jewish minority. City of 200,000 at the time of Christ.

3. The Church Established There Acts 17:1ff Paul, Silas and Timothy Three Sabbaths to convince them Some Jews, God- fearing Greeks and prominent women believed. Other Jews stirred up the crowds in protest.

4.  Paul and company travel to Berea.  Jews follow them and stir up trouble. Paul goes to Athens and later to Corinth.  Silas and Timothy return to Thessalonica.  Paul writes first letter upon their return.

5.  “But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.”

6.  “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith….”

7.  Paul speaks of their accomplishments in glowing praise.  Remarkable for such a young in the faith church.  Not perfect – but remarkable.

8.  1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 – We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith…

9.  Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  God is glorified by our good works.

10.  James 2:17 – Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.  Vs. 24 – You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

11.  Titus 2:14 – “…who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possessions, zealous for good deeds.”

12.  Labor = KOROS – a cut; beating, toil, pains from exertion.  Love = Agape – benevolent affection.  Who was their love for?  Mark 12:30-31 – “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength…You shall love your neighbor as yourself….”

13.  “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died….”

14.  Labor from obligation.  Labor for personal gain.  Labor for selfish ambition.

15.  Steadfastness – patience and endurance.  Romans 8:24 – “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?”

16.  Ephesians 2:12 – “…remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

17.  1 Peter 1:3 -- “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead….”