The Labor of Love

13 Oct 2019

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;—1 Thessalonians 1:3

Central Idea: Paul, Silas, and Timothy when giving thanks to God always mention without ceasing the Thessalonians labor of love expressed in: An ebullient response to grace of God and an evident affection to all saints.

An Ebullient Response toward the Saving Grace God

. . . how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,—1 Thess. 1:9

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,—1 Thess. 1:6

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea.—1 Thess. 2:14

An Evident Affection Toward the Saints of God

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you. . .—1 Thess. 1:9

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—1 Thess. 3:6

and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you—1 Thess. 3:12

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,— 1:4; Eph. 1:15; Philemon 1:5

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, or that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,—1 Thess. 4:9, 10