Gospel Power

The thanksgiving of the letter's authors moves into a further report on why they are confident in God's electing love. As they look back on their time with the Thessalonians, they remember how the good news of Jesus' saving work was received by them. This response to the gospel demonstrated for Paul, Silas, and Timothy the sovereign and eternal choice of God. He had chosen His own people and so He had gathered them together in this local congregation. The sermon calls us to respond to God's choice with thanksgiving.