We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:4–5

a. God loves us and has called us to belong to Him

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

a. The gospel changes lives through the power of the Holy Spirit

b. Belonging to God gives us a responsibility to reach others

Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. Acts 17:6

a. Our testimony should be visible to the world around us

You received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

b. Our lives should encourage other believers to follow Christ

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. 1 Thessalonians 1:8

a. The message of Christ should reach beyond the church building

b. Our enthusiasm for the gospel should influence the people around us

c. Every believer has a part in making Christ known

They speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. 1 Thessalonians 1:10

a. The promise of Christ's return strengthens us

b. Our expectation of His coming motivates us to remain faithful