Verses 1-4
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These three men worked as apostles in the Thessalonian church (1 Thess. 2:6)
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They loved the believers and prayed for them so often because God saved them—elected them.
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Love other believers and pray for them simply because God has chosen them. God loves them. Love them too!
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“Work of faith, labor of love, patience of hope”—Faith, hope/patience, and love are some of the great qualities a believer can have.
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Faith works—it takes action.
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Grow your faith by obeying the Word and taking bolder actions.
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Hope is patient and endures hardship.
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Grow your patience by continuing in difficult or uncomfortable situations without quitting.
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Love suffers for others.
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Grow your love by inconveniencing yourself for the benefit of others, and even if it causes you pain.
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Verse 5
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When the preaching of the gospel is true, and with great confidence and faith, the power of the Spirit will be present, and people will believe!
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Learn to be confident in the Word when you share it with unbelievers, and have faith that the Spirit will bring persuasive power.
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Verses 6-10
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Being a follower of Christ's example makes you an example to others. And a living example of repentance from sin and faith in action makes God's Word spread more than it can spread through mere preaching.
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Live the Word, and your life will spread the Word powerfully!
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Verse 10. Remember that we are saved from God's wrath, not just our sin.
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The wrath to come is the wrath of God that will be poured out on the earth during the end.
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