This week, we are going to spend some time in chapters 1 and 2 of Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica. A bit of background – this is likely to be the earliest of Paul’s letters and one of the earliest New Testament writings, pre-dating the gospels. Thessalonica was a bustling sea-port city, the largest and the capital city of the Greek region Macedonia. It was an important trade centre and was sited on one of the main-road trade routes along the Egnatian Way. Paul and his friends had fled persecution in Philippi and arrive in Thessalonica. The historical accounts can be found in Acts 16 & 17. There was some response from the Jewish population, but most of the early converts were Gentiles. It wasn’t take long befor Jewish opponents to Paul and his message stirred up trouble and Paul had to again flee from Thessalonica during the night. But he left behind a church. Although Paul was desperate to spend more time with them, to visit them again, he still helps them by writing this letter...