Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Acts 16:16-40;Ephesians 6:18-20, Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church saying he preached to them boldly about salvation being outside of themselves. This was very different from the itinerant preachers of the day. Paul was single-minded and passionate to spread the same message Jesus gave. He spoke to please God, not man. Upon hearing the report from Timothy, Paul was surprised and encouraged to see the fruitfulness of the Gospel at work in these people in the midst of their persecution.