Sermon Notes from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3, "The Church of the Thessalonians (2)," by Tray Earnhart.

[The following notes were taken at the 10:45AM service this morning at Kosmosdale Baptist Church. The sermon is available to hear on-line HERE.]

I. Introduction: We must both anticipate the Lord's return and patiently wait for His return.

II. The Identity of the Thessalonians (Continued from LAST WEEK)
A. Background: Acts 17:1-9
B. Thessalonica was originally "Therma," due to naturally occurring heated pools
C. Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia
D. Thessalonica was a free city
E. Thessalonica was primarily Greek, but contained a Jewish minority

III. The attack on Paul in Thessalonica does not seem to be an attack upon his authority, but upon his methods.

IV. The Deeds of the Thessalonians
A. Verse 2
1. "We give thanks:" present tense
2. "To God:" God is the author of salvation
3. "Always:" continually
4. "Mentioning you in our prayers:"
a. Paul was faithful to pray for the Thessalonians.
b. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians by letting them know he prayed for them.
B. Verse 3: "Remembering before our God and Father:"
1. "Your work of the faith:"
a. NOT working to produce or earn faith.
b. The Thessalonians' works are rooted in and flow from faith.
2. "And labor of love:"
a. The Thessalonians (and we) love because Christ first loved them/us (1 John 3:1; 4:13-19).
b. 1 Thessalonians 4:9
2. "And steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ:"
a. James 5:7
b. This is not a vague hope that things will work out, but a specific gospel hope.
c. Colossians 1:3-5