Receiving the Gospel

These verses begin the next major section of thanksgiving in the first part of Paul, Silas, and Timothy's letter. They turn now from how they proclaimed the good news of peace with God through Jesus Christ to the Thessalonians to how the Thessalonians received that Gospel. They are writing to them about their own gratitude to God for calling them together as a church so that they will be encouraged. It's very easy to see the suffering of God's people and have our faith troubled. This sermon calls us to continue as we have begun, by faith in Jesus Christ, even when we are called upon to suffer for His name's sake.