1 Thessalonians 1:3-6

v3: Evidence of faith, love, and hope in the lives of others is always a reason for thanksgiving to God.  Faith is seen in the influence it has on their hearts and lives.  Love shows itself in service to God and neighbours.  Hope reveals itself "in a patient bearing of the adversities of the present and a patient waiting for the glory to be revealed."

v4: "Whenever we give thanks to God" for the faith, love, and hope seen either in ourselves or others, "we should trace the streams back to the fountain, giving thanks to God for his electing love" from which they flow.  Those who are "from eternity elected and chosen for salvation" will in the fullness of time be "effectually called and sanctified" because of God's "own good pleasure and sheer grace," and not due to any merit in them.

v5: "Wherever the Gospel comes in power, it is to be attributed to the activity of the Holy Spirit.  Unless the Spirit of God accompanies the word of God, to make it effective by his power," it will not deeply affect our hearts, convict our consciences, or reform our lives when we hear it, so that we put to death our sinful desires, are weaned from the things of the world and raised up to heavenly things, and are "fully convinced of its truth, so as not to be easily shaken" in our minds "by objections and doubts."

v6: It is not just church leaders who are to imitate the example of the Lord Jesus by living a way of life that corresponds to the message they preach.  This way of life includes a willingness "to share in the sufferings" that come from "accepting and professing Christianity."