From Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you! We thank God always for all of you as we mention you constantly in our prayers,  because we recall in the presence of our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,  in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you). And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.  As a result you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.  For from you the message of the Lord has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God

Bible references:  1 Thessalonions 1 In these days, many people are unresponsive and they think God is a benevolent god.  They think God supplies your wants not needs.  God is not benevolent but wants to transform us.  A new creation. Thessalonions presented as an example of local church.  How the local church should operate and be presented to the area. Acts - acts of the HolySpirit. Acts 16 - Thessalonica established on Paul's second missionary journey. Silas joined Paul on this journey. Paul's home church was Antioch. Lydia from Lystera was the Pastor. The Ignatian Way  - main highway from Greece to Italy. ( http://exploringbiblelands.com/2012/07/01/ancient-greek-road-uncovered-in-thessaloniki/ ) Ephesians- set up to be in the battle. Training, building up, it's not about me but about Jesus and our brothers and sisters. How do you serve?  The world or God? It's a big question. Acts 16:6-10 The church of Thessalonica was established under God's dire