For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,  1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

A. The Power of the Gospel to Change Lives: 1 Thess. 1:4-6

1. The Results of Gospel Power Changing Lives: 1 Thess. 1:5

– Understanding what the Gospel is: 1 Cor. 15:1-5

– Reminder how amazing is the Gospel of God’s grace

a. The dead are made alive: Eph. 2:1-5, 2 Cor. 5:17

b. The heart is made spiritually tender: Ezekiel 36:26

c. The affections are transformed: Matthew 22:36-38, 1 Peter 1:8

2. The Means of Gospel Power Changing Lives: 1 Thess. 1:4-6

a. The preached Word: 1 Thess. 1:5

b. The empowered preached Word: 1 Thess. 1:5b

c. The reception of the empowered preached Word: 1 Thess. 1:6, 1 Thess. 2:13, John 1:12, 1 Peter 1:22-25