1. The beginning of the church at Thessalonica is recorded by Luke in Acts 17:1-10.

a) On his second missionary journey, Paul and his companions left Philippi, arriving at Thessalonica.

b) Paul immediately located the synagogue, using it as an opportunity for evangelism.

c) For three weeks he reasoned with the Jews, converting some as well as a number of prominent Gentiles.

d) Unbelieving Jews soon forced a disturbance, forcing Paul to leave.

2. What we know as I Thessalonians was probably written not long after Paul left Thessalonica (probably from Corinth, about A.D. 52).

3. Undoubtedly Paul had wondered whether or not the persecution had discouraged the new converts at Thessalonica.

a) This, and other concerns, motivated Paul to send Timothy to Tessalonica(I Thessalonians 3:1-6).

b) Timothy brought back encouraging news to Paul. Paul begins his letter to the church at Thessalonica by thanking them for their faith, love, and hope, three traits that ought to be a part of every Christian’s character.

4. I Thessalonians 1:2-3.

I. Their work of faith.

A. It was produced by the word of God.

1. Romans 10:17 – "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

B. It was a working faith, a work that was alive!

1. James 2:20 – "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

2. James 2:26 – "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

C. It was in Jesus Christ.

1. I Thessalonians 1:1 – "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."

D. It was a growing faith.

1. II Thessalonians 1:3 – "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;".

II. Their labor of love.

A. It was a working love (notice Paul’s use of the words, "labor of love.")

1. I John 3:18 – "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

B. Paul later remarked about how their love continued to abound.

1. II Thessalonians 1:3 – "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;"

C. Their love was a mark of their discipleship.

1. John 13:34-35 – "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

D. Our love ought to cause us to serve one another.

1. Galatians 5:13 – "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

III. Their patience of hope.

A. No doubt their hope was focused n their inheritance in heaven.

1. I Peter 1:3-4 – "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."

B. Our hope ought to cause us to live godly lives.

1. II Peter 3:11-12 – "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"

C. Our hope ought to serve to bring others to Christ.

1. I Peter 3:15 – "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

D. Our hope comes from reading the scriptures.

1. Romans 15:4 – "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

1. Three traits that ought to be a part of every Christian’s character.

a) Working faith.

b) Labor of love.

c) Patience of hope.