Summary: Paul after greeting the Thessalonians now commends to God the reasons for his thanksgiving concerning the Thessalonians in verses 2 through 4 of 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.

"Salvation and the Second Coming" - Part 2 of 6

“The Ground of Thanksgiving”

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4

I. The Thessalonians HEARD the Scriptures (vv. 1-5).

A. The GREETING of the Thessalonians (v. 1)

B. The GROUND of THANKSGIVING (vv. 2-4) Romans 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:15-16; Philippians 1:3-4; Colossians 1:3; Philemon 4; 2 Timothy 1:3

1. Because of the PRAYERS they EXPECTED (v. 2) Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6-7; Romans 12:12; Matthew 5:44

2. Because of the PATTERN they EVIDENCED (v. 3) 1 Corinthians 11:1; Luke 9:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Ephesians 5:1-2

i. SAVING faith. (v. 3a) work of faith Ephesians 2:10; James 2:14, 17, 20, 26; Matthew 5:16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:58

ii. SERVING love. (v. 3b) labor of love Galatians 5:6; Genesis 29:20; John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Galatians 5:13; Hebrews 6:10; 1 John 3:18; 5:3

iii. STEADFAST hope. (v. 3c) patience of hope Proverbs 14:32; Romans 5:3-5; 8:24-25; 12:12; 15:4, 13; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Galatians 6:9-10; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 3:15; Hebrews 6:11; 1 John 3:3

3. Because of the PURPOSE of their ELECTION (v. 4) 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-5; Acts 13:48; Galatians 1:15-16; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:10; 2 Timothy 1:9-10